The UMBC Department of Physics has received a TEAM-UP Together (TU-T) Expanding eXpertise, Championing Excellenceand Leadership (TU-T EXCEL) grant to reduce barriers for undergraduate students in the department. TEAM-UP Together is an initiative established by the American Association of Physics Teachers, American Astronomical Society, American Institute of Physics, American Physical Society, and Society of Physics Students. The mission of (TU-T) is to catalyze structural and cultural change in physics and astronomy to significantly improve graduation outcomes for undergraduates who face the starkest barriers to success in these fields, including a focus on African American students.

The UMBC Physics TU-T EXCEL project, “Majors Growing into Physicists” aims to significantly improve graduation outcomes for those facing stark barriers, foster excellence within the fields of physics and astronomy, and produce successful strategies that can be replicated in other institutions. The project will change departmental practices and provide direct financial support to students so that incoming physics majors persist towards graduation and leave as physicists ready to pursue research careers.