The Office of the Provost values broad participation. Diverse perspectives from faculty and staff across divisions, disciplines, roles, and levels of experience are sought for key committees and working groups connected to upcoming institutional initiatives and priorities.

Please take a moment to fill out the interest form as we create a repository of faculty and staff that the Office of the Provost may contact as opportunities for service arise throughout the academic year. Outreach will occur on an as-needed basis and may include opportunities connected to the university’s next Strategic Plan and emerging Provost Priorities.

Diverse viewpoints and collaborative engagement are essential to advancing institutional priorities and strengthening our campus community.

Potential areas of engagement may include, but are not limited to:

• Student Success

• Teaching and Learning

• Research and Creative Achievement

• Strengthening Maryland

• Organizational Vitality

While this form will remain open and can be completed on a rolling basis, please consider submitting your interest by Friday, July 3, 2026 for opportunities in the upcoming academic year. Members of the Office of the Provost will reach out directly as relevant opportunities become available.

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the university community through service and collaboration.

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to welcome Alan Byrd as the next vice provost for enrollment management at UMBC, effective August 3. Alan joins us from George Mason University where he has served as the dean of admissions since 2020. 

Alan brings more than 25 years of experience in college admissions and enrollment management to UMBC. He has an extensive track record of implementing successful recruitment and retention initiatives, and he has consistently increased enrollment, improved academic profiles, expanded diversity, and enhanced student success at the institutions where he has served. 

Alan’s commitment to college access, affordability, and student success has defined his lifetime of work as an enrollment manager. Prior to arriving at George Mason, he was vice provost of enrollment management at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he led the university to several milestones for total enrollment, the academic profile and diversity of the student body, and graduation rates. Removing financial barriers for students was central to his accomplishments in St. Louis, where he developed innovative financial aid programs such as the UMSL Grant, Triton Emergency Grant, and the Senior Degree Completion Program. These flexible need-based programs helped eliminate equity gaps in degree completion for Pell grant recipients and reduce their average debt at graduation. 

Alan earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and a doctorate in education leadership and policy studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His dissertation research examined noneconomic persistence barriers for low-income students at large public universities.

Please join me in welcoming Alan to the Retriever family. 

Sincerely,

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear UMBC Community,

We write to you today on behalf of the Federal Orders and Actions Core Team to update you on some recent federal government actions and how they will or may impact UMBC.

OMB Proposed Regulation for Federal Assistance

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed the Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance to substantially revise the federal grants framework. OMB’s proposed "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" is the most significant update to the Uniform Guidance in decades, impacting over $60 billion in federal research and social assistance programs, such as Medicaid and FEMA. The proposed rule expands executive branch authority and incorporates several executive orders—including restrictions on DEI and gender-affirming care funding.

The 320-plus proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance would fundamentally alter the awarding and monitoring of federal grants. For higher education and research institutions, these changes threaten to increase administrative and compliance burdens, shift more costs to recipients, and expand institutional liability. Ultimately, these revisions risk slowing the pace of U.S. scientific discovery and innovation.

The significant changes in this proposal were highlighted in a three-page joint statement recently issued by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Council on Research (APLU-COR), and the Council on Government Relations (COGR).

The proposed rules are prompting coordinated responses nationwide. We are in regular contact with colleagues across the University System of Maryland (USM) regarding these proposed changes and are discussing options for an institutional response in coordination with other USM institutions to inform our federal congressional delegation of the potential impact should these proposed regulations become law.

The proposal is currently open for public comment through July 13, 2026, with a stated intent for the regulation to become effective October 1, 2026. We are also actively reviewing the proposed revisions, monitoring updates from AAU, and contributing to and benefitting from the national conversation through APLU-COR and COGR.

We will continue to update you as the situation with this proposed rule evolves. 

Update on USCIS Adjudicative Hold on Applications and $100,000 H1-B Policy

There have been developments in two federal policy court cases as outlined below. 

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Adjudicative Hold on Applications for Certain Immigration Benefits Struck Down by District Court

On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued an updated policy memorandum, expanding on its December 2, 2025, memorandum, directing USCIS personnel to place a hold on all pending immigration benefit applications submitted by nationals of countries and territories included in the Trump administration's travel ban. It also called for a review of previously approved applications.

On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a memorandum and order declaring the USCIS Global Asylum Hold Policy, the Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and the Country-Specific Factors Policy unlawful. 

On June 12, 2026, USCIS confirmed that it would follow the terms of the court’s order pending possible further judicial review.

The Trump administration has indicated that it intends to appeal the court’s decision, but unless and until that happens, UMBC students, faculty, and staff from travel ban countries and territories should no longer be subject to adjudicative holds or reviews of approvals previously made by USCIS.

• $100,000 H-1B Fee Policy Vacated by District Court, However Vacate Order is Temporarily Paused to Allow an Appeal

Last September, President Trump issued a proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” requiring employers to make payment of a $100,000 government fee per each individual H-1B employee seeking to enter the United States, unless an exception is granted. In response, the State of Maryland joined a coalition of 19 other states in suing over this policy. UMBC filed a declaration supporting this multi-state suit.

On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the $100,000 fee created a tax for which the president did not have the authority to impose. However, on June 12, 2026, the district court temporarily paused its order vacating that fee because the government is requesting an appeal. The district court has given the government until June 18, 2026, to file its appeal. If the government does not file their appeal by that deadline, the lower court’s vacate order will be reinstated.

While the vacate order is paused, USCIS is permitted to require the $100,000 fee for petitions that are filed for or require consular processing.

We recognize that the unpredictability of federal rulemaking and policy can be distressing for members of our UMBC community. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to stay ahead of the shifting landscape and communicate to our community about what we are doing in response. We appreciate your partnership and understanding as our campus community navigates the current environment. 

Regards,

Karl V. Steiner
Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement and Chief Research Officer

David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to announce the appointment of Marc Seigar as the next dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. Marc comes to us from the University of Toledo where he currently serves as the dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. He will join UMBC on August 3, 2026.

Marc is a proven leader and scholar that will build on the strong foundation laid by Bill LaCourse during his 15-year tenure as dean of CNMS. Bill will be returning to the faculty following a research leave. I want to personally thank Bill who has been a valuable member of the academic leadership team. I also want to thank Jeanne van Briesen and the search committee who put in countless hours throughout the process. Thank you for your time and dedication.

Marc brings a strong background in academic leadership to his new role. Prior to his leadership at the University of Toledo, he served as a rotating program director in the Division of Astronomical Sciences at the National Science Foundation and as an associate dean in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering and head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His administrative work has focused on developing programs that attract new students, grow research, and promote engagement and academic success through student-centered systems. 

Marc earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the Liverpool Astrophysics Research Institute and his bachelor of science in physics from Imperial College London. He began his career as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

An accomplished scholar, Marc has published more than 100 articles on galaxy structure and dynamics, supermassive black holes, and dark matter distribution in galaxies. His articles are widely cited. Marc is the author of two books. His work has been supported by federal funding agencies including NASA and NSF, as well as private foundations.

Marc is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and an associate of the Royal College of Science. He is also a member of the American Astronomical Society and the Sigma Xi honors society. He has served in editorial roles for journals in his field and currently serves on the editorial board of the Effective Practices for Physics Programs project, a project that is led by the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Please join me in welcoming Marc to the UMBC family. 

Sincerely,

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to update you regarding recent changes to federal immigration and visa policies.

Please remember that each individual’s circumstances are different, and this communication is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. If you have specific questions and hold F-1, H-1B, or J-1 immigration status, please contact the Center for Global Engagement. If you have specific questions and hold another immigration status, including legal permanent residency, please consult with a private immigration attorney. As a reminder, UMBC employees have access to free consultations with qualified attorneys via the Employee Assistance Program.

1. Major Change to the Green Card Application Process

On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum reminding its officers and the public that adjustment of status to permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a matter of discretion and administrative grace and is not designed to supersede regular consular processing of immigrant visas. The new guidance highlights that the adjustment of status process is a grant of “extraordinary relief” from consular processing.

Please note that the memo issued on May 21, 2026, applies specifically to the filing of adjustment of status to permanent residence and does not affect the earlier steps in the green card process, whether self-petitioned or employer-sponsored.

The final step in the permanent residence process is completed by filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). The preliminary stages may still be prepared and filed while the beneficiary is physically present in the United States.

If you are sponsored by UMBC, the preliminary stages may include the Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141), the PERM labor certification process (Form ETA-9089), and the immigrant petition (Form I-140). These steps can be completed while you remain in the U.S.

If you are self-petitioning, please continue to communicate with your personal immigration counsel so they can best advise you on your particular case.

What Changed?

Foreign nationals living in the U.S., such as employees holding H-1B visas, have historically been able to complete their entire green card application without leaving the country. This new policy does not prohibit foreign nationals from applying for adjustment of status from within the U.S. nor does it remove the ability of USCIS officers to approve these petitions. It does, however, place renewed emphasis on consular processing outside of the U.S. 

• The New Standard ("Consular Processing"): Certain applicants will be required to travel outside the U.S. to interview and receive their green card at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in another country.

• Applying from Within the U.S. is Still Possible: While it is still technically possible to apply for adjustment of status without leaving the U.S., it is no longer the default route. The memo places the burden of proof on applicants to prove that their petition is both extraordinary and highly deserving.

• Stricter Screening: USCIS officers have been formally instructed to be much tougher when reviewing these inside-the-U.S. requests. They will review all positive and negative factors, including family ties, immigration status and history, moral character, and any other factor deemed relevant for determining whether the applicant warrants a favorable exercise of discretion.

What Does This Mean for UMBC International Employees and Their Departments?

If your department is sponsoring an employee for a green card, or if you are an employee currently in the process of applying or planning to apply for adjustment of status, please note the following: 

• It is Still Very Early: Over the coming days and weeks, we anticipate that USCIS will release greater detail on how this policy will be implemented. Additionally, there could be litigation that pauses or limits the effect of the policy. 

• Plan for Travel: Both the employee and their department should factor international travel into scheduling plans. The availability of visa appointments and consular processing times varies significantly from country to country, so it is possible that some employees may be delayed abroad.

• You Still Have Support: The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and UMBC’s authorized outside immigration counsel, Fragomen, will continue to help departments and employees navigate the steps for adjustment of status. We will provide further updates once it becomes clearer how this new policy will impact adjustment of status applications going forward. If you are an employee who self-petitioned for adjustment of status, please reach out to your personal immigration counsel. If you are an employee for whom UMBC sponsored your adjustment of status petition, please contact Diane Zeenny Ghorayeb at dianezg@umbc.edu.

2. Arrival Restrictions Related to Ebola

Because of the recent Ebola outbreak, the U.S. Government has implemented new travel restrictions for anyone arriving from, or who was otherwise present in, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda.

If you are planning to travel internationally, please be aware that entry and exit restrictions for the U.S. and other countries can change without warning.

Who is Restricted from Entering the U.S.?

The CDC has temporarily banned entry into the U.S. for anyone who has traveled from—or even just passed through—the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the last 21 days.

• Foreign Nationals: A 30-day ban is currently in effect for foreign nationals (starting May 18, 2026).

• Green Card Holders: Starting May 27, 2026, this travel ban will be officially extended to include Legal Permanent Residents, also known as Green Card holders.

Note: The government may choose to extend these bans beyond the initial 30-day window.

Mandatory Flight Rerouting

As a precaution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requiring any flight carrying passengers who have recently been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda to land only at designated airports, which currently include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia. 

What University Employees Need to Do

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is monitoring these Ebola-related travel restrictions very closely.

If you are traveling abroad on university business, you must follow these steps:

• Get Pre-Approval: All international business trips must be approved ahead of time using Concur and the International Travel Registry. 

• Register Your Full Itinerary: If you are mixing personal vacation time with your business trip, you must include your entire itinerary in the system. This ensures UMBC knows where you are and can alert or assist you if borders suddenly close or emergencies arise. If your trip is solely a personal vacation with no university business, then you should not register it with UMBC.

If you have any questions related to the updates shared in this message, please contact CGE’s Office of International Students & Scholars. 

Additional information and resources related to immigration and other federal policy updates are available on UMBC’s Federal Orders and Actions Page.

Sincerely,

David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Wow, what a year! As we tuck the 2025-26 academic year into bed, I will say that the hectic last weeks of a semester are also some of the most fulfilling and rewarding weeks. I enjoyed meeting so many of you over the past weeks and celebrating all you accomplished throughout the year! 

Today’s Provost’s Perspective will be the final installment until fall semester. I hope that you have found these weekly round ups to be informative and beneficial. I have enjoyed sharing a little bit about what makes me tick and connecting in a way that can’t always be realized in a formal setting. If you have themes you would like to explore in the newsletter when we pick back up in the fall, please share them here.

On Wednesday and Thursday I had the honor of addressing the Class of 2026. I discussed the often overlooked importance of kindness and care for others in both our personal and professional lives. Kindness helps us work on solutions together that we cannot find alone. Kindness transforms ordinary acts into extraordinary actions by influencing how messages land with the receiver of the message. And lastly, when we are kind to each other it brightens our day. Have you seen anyone get mad or upset by someone being kind to them? I encourage you over the summer to embrace kindness and its transformative effects. 

The last two Provost’s Perspectives have been heavy on music, so I figure why not make it three in a row. It came to my attention this week that Bill LaCourse, the outgoing dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, curated a special Spotify playlist for his upcoming celebration honoring his 15 years of leadership of the college. Bill will be returning to the faculty following a research leave. Do you have a Spotify playlist that is perfect for the summer? Do you have a go-to playlist when lounging by the pool or taking in the sun and scenery on the shore? I would love to hear what brings you joy and helps you relax and let go. Share your playlists here. 

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NEWS & NOTES

Celebrating Bill LaCourse May 27

A celebration of Bill LaCourse’s 15 years of leadership as dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 1-3 p.m. in UC 312. Bill has been a steady force for progress at UMBC in his decade-and-a-half at the helm of CNMS. Please join us in thanking Bill for his many years of service.

Thank You to John Stolle-McAllister

I want to thank John Stolle-McAllister for his leadership as the interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences since July 2025. John proved to be a thoughtful and effective leader for CAHSS. I greatly appreciate his insightful contributions to the academic leadership team. He will be returning to his role as professor and chair of modern languages, linguistics, and intercultural communication. Please join me in thanking John for his service to CAHSS and UMBC.  

Meet the Class of 2026

Take a minute to meet some members of the Class of 2026 and learn more about the many ways they left their mark on UMBC.

Final Day for Faculty Applications: 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program

Today is the last day the USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation will accept applications for the Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program for 2026-2027. This year-long program offers faculty a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise in AI pedagogy while contributing to evidence-based teaching practices across our system.

Learn more about the call for faculty applications for the 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Using Generative AI to Support Your Course Design: A Faculty Workshop

Use AI iteratively to align course objectives & activities.

Monday, June 1, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Virtual

Join colleagues to explore how generative AI can support teaching, course design, and student learning and where faculty judgment remains essential. 

This session practically demonstrates how generative AI can support course design when embedded within a backwards‑design workflow. Rather than isolated prompting, faculty will learn to use AI iteratively to align objectives, assessments, and course activities. Participants will gain repeatable, model‑agnostic workflows for using Gen AI to augment design while preserving faculty voice and pedagogical intent. 

The FDC is co-sponsoring this workshop, facilitated by John Schumacher, professor of sociology, anthropology and public health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. This workshop is a condensed version of The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint that was initially offered in January 2026.

Register for part III of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series.

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Help Make this Newsletter Better

The goal over the last academic year of this newsletter is to deepen our connection to UMBC, whether that is learning about an upcoming event, a divisional accomplishment, an innovative program, or an  update from the Office of the Provost. If you know of a program or event that should be highlighted, please share it here.

Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,

This week, UMBC celebrates the Class of 2026 and the close of another academic year shaped by the work, care, creativity, and dedication of our campus community.

As we celebrate students crossing the Commencement stage, the university is also looking ahead through continued strategic planning efforts, research and innovation, community engagement, and the many ways faculty and staff continue to shape UMBC’s future.

In this edition of The UMBC Connection, you’ll find Commencement information, university milestones, campus updates, and opportunities to stay connected across the UMBC community.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback following our first edition. We appreciate your input as this continues to evolve and grow alongside the campus community.

Opportunities & Events

Opportunities to attend, participate in, or engage with across the UMBC community.

• Watch UMBC’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies live (May 20–21)
  The UMBC community is invited to join virtually for this year’s Commencement ceremonies through the official livestreams. Recordings will also be available following the events.

• Learn more about UMBC’s Alternative Work Arrangements program (May 27 & 29)
  Faculty and staff are invited to attend upcoming sessions on UMBC’s Alternative Work Arrangements (AWA) program, including guidance on eligibility, approval processes, best practices, and supporting flexibility across teams. 

• Retrievers Read 2026
  Retrievers Read, presented by the UMBC Hilltop Society, is a summer reading challenge designed to help faculty, staff, students, and alumni explore new genres, engage with the UMBC community, and make reading fun.

Campus Updates

Important updates, planning efforts, operational information, and community news affecting UMBC.

• Strategic planning process moves into final drafting phase
  UMBC’s strategic planning steering committee shared a final academic year update outlining progress toward the university’s next strategic plan, with a full launch anticipated in fall 2026 alongside UMBC’s 60th anniversary celebration. 

• University shares FY27 budget planning and salary guidance updates
  Faculty and staff are encouraged to review recent communications from President Valerie Sheares Ashby and Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management regarding FY27 budget planning efforts, the 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA), and salary guidance effective July 1.

• High school graduation ceremonies expected to impact campus traffic and parking
  Beginning May 28 and continuing through early June, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena will host multiple high school graduation ceremonies that are expected to increase traffic and parking activity on campus, particularly before and after ceremony start times. 

University Milestones

Major achievements, recognitions, funding, and institutional accomplishments across UMBC.

• Celebrating the Class of 2026
  As UMBC celebrates Commencement, explore stories from graduating students and learn more about the experiences, achievements, and impact of the Class of 2026.

• UMBC launches Center for Precision Aquaculture
  UMBC researchers are leading a new federally funded initiative focused on sustainable fish farming, advancing innovation in aquaculture and environmental resilience. 

• UMBC Baseball clinches No. 2 seed and tournament bye
  After being picked to finish last in the preseason conference poll, UMBC Baseball secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the America East Tournament.

• Former UMBC soccer standouts face off as MLS starters
  Former Retrievers Jon Bell and Taylor Calheira became the first pair of UMBC alumni to start against each other in a Major League Soccer match, highlighting the program’s continued success developing professional talent.

More from across UMBC

Additional updates, resources, and community opportunities from across the university.

• UMBC opens a new chapter with inaugural BookFest — new campus event celebrating books, reading, and literary community at UMBC

• Make your plan to vote in the 2026 Maryland primary — information on voter registration deadlines, mail-in ballot drop boxes on campus, election judge opportunities, and additional civic engagement resources

Help Shape The UMBC Connection

As this effort continues to take shape, your feedback will help guide how we strengthen internal communications across the university. We welcome your input and invite you to share your feedback on The UMBC Connection.

If you would prefer, you are also welcome to reach out directly to Jessica McGroarty, Director of Internal Communications, at jmcgro@umbc.edu.

University Communications and Marketing

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to share the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) salary guidelines received from the University System of Maryland for regular faculty and staff, graduate assistants, Contingent I and II staff, and adjunct faculty.

The FY27 state budget includes a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA), effective July 1, 2026. A COLA will be provided to regular faculty and staff, Contingent I and II staff, adjunct faculty, and graduate assistants in accordance with university policy and practice. Eligible employees must have been on the university payroll on or before June 30, 2026, to be eligible for the COLA.

The FY27 state budget does not include funding for merit increases.

If you have questions or need additional guidance, please consult your supervisor. Thank you for your continued contributions to the UMBC community.

Sincerely,

Lynne Adams
Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am writing to share additional information on the university’s budget outlook for the coming fiscal year, as well as our long-term work to enhance our budget-planning capabilities. 

As we shared with you last month, the State of Maryland has set an operating budget of $70.8 billion for Fiscal Year 2027. Following significant reductions in the state’s allocation to the University System of Maryland in FY26, the new budget does not contain any direct cuts to our institution and provides a modest increase of $7 million, or 0.3 percent, to the system overall. The state’s allocation to UMBC for FY27 will be approximately $210 million. 

I invite you to learn more about the higher education-related outcomes from this year’s legislative session by reading the USM’s 2026 Legislative Session Report, which provides detailed information on budget and policy actions taken this year. We are grateful for the state’s continued support of higher education, keeping the USM’s operating budget whole even as the state grappled with a $1.5 billion shortfall. 

Meanwhile, we are engaged at UMBC in important work to better understand how resources are allocated and managed across the university and to develop a clear, straightforward, and more sustainable budget-planning model for the years ahead. That work involves thorough analysis of expenditures, operations, staffing, and long-term financial projections across academic and administrative units. 

In light of the state’s allocation and this ongoing long-term work, we will maintain a flat operating budget for FY27. We believe this is the most thoughtful and responsible approach as we gather more complete information, strengthen our financial planning processes, and develop the tools and projections necessary to support future decisions.

The state’s budget provides $35.7 million toward a 1.5 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for state-funded employees across all USM institutions, effective July 1. That allocation will not cover the full cost of the increase for UMBC employees; we will absorb the remaining cost centrally to be able to provide the 1.5 percent COLA to all employees. We recognize that such support for faculty and staff is critical in the current challenging economic environment. 

Indeed, these continue to be challenging times for many individuals, families, and for the sector of higher education. Many colleges and universities, including UMBC, are navigating significant financial pressures, including challenges related to evolving federal priorities and research funding; rising operational costs, including utilities and benefits; enrollment pressures; and broader economic uncertainty.

All of this underscores the need to improve our budget planning and to ensure that our resources align with our strategic priorities. Over the past year, we have taken a number of strategic steps to help manage financial pressures, including carefully evaluating vacant positions and choosing not to refill some positions when doing so would not negatively affect core operations or student support. These decisions, while not always easy, have helped reduce immediate financial strain and position us more thoughtfully for the future.

As you know, we also are making great strides in our strategic planning process. In a time of financial pressure, it is essential that we think carefully and create strategies to remain focused on our highest priorities. Strategic planning helps us clarify our priorities, identify where we can have the greatest impact, and inform where to focus our resources to advance UMBC’s mission and future. Our strategic plan will help guide decision-making about what we sustain and strengthen and provide clarity about what we cannot or should not do. 

I look forward to setting this course with all of you with a new strategic plan in the fall. As we proceed on that path and in our budget-planning work, we will keep you informed. We are committed to collaboration, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making as we build a stronger long-term financial model and a bright future for UMBC.

With appreciation,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Last week I shared the role music plays in setting the tone for my day and getting me ready for what comes my way. I asked for your songs to send graduates on their way and I was not disappointed.

From classic rock ballads to swinging jazz pieces, the submissions were as varied as our community. I appreciate the opportunity to explore and listen to the music that is moving and inspiring our community. 

In the “song I’ve never heard before” category, Melissa Ferrick’s “Closer” is a great reminder that the road of life is composed of thousands of small steps taken every day. 

But with every little bang, every little push

Every little step I take, I get closer

A second at a time, usin' my breath

Maybe it's true I've got a fear of success

But with every little bang, every little push

Every little step I take, I'm gettin' closer

I'm gettin' closer

As we finish the semester, I encourage you to celebrate the small steps that make the bigger journey possible.

While I haven’t had a chance to comb through all of the submissions yet, Amy Houghton’s suggestion of the “Backatown” album from Trombone Shorty led me to this NPR Tiny Desk Concert that had the top floor of the Administration Building swaying to the beat as we worked to put a cap on the semester. A few other highlights include Billy Joel’s “Vienna,”“Everything is Everything” by Lauryn Hill, Sade’s “By Your Side,” and “Free Ride” by Edgar Winter Group.

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NEWS & NOTES

Thank You to Connie Pierson and Welcome to Shannon Tinney Lichtinger

I want to thank everyone who joined us last week in celebrating Connie Pierson’s decades of dedicated service to UMBC. Her last day will be on Friday, May 29. Upon her retirement, Shannon Tinney Lichtinger will serve as interim associate vice provost, heading up the Institutional Research, Analysis & Decision Support (IRADS) office. Shannon began her career in institutional research at UMBC in the early 2000s and returned in 2019 to take the helm of the institutional research arm of IRADS. We wish all the best for Connie, Shannon, and IRADS as they move through this transition.

Honoring Shelly Wiechelt

On Wednesday, the Provost Office had the opportunity to honor Shelly Wiechelt for her years of dedicated leadership as the associate dean and chair of the School of Social Work. Shelly has been a trusted member of the academic leadership team and I appreciate her unwavering advocacy for her school and students. Her thoughtful and compassionate insight will be missed as she transitions back to the faculty. 

Celebrating Bill LaCourse May 27

A celebration of Bill LaCourse’s 15 years of leadership as dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences will be held on Wednesday, May 27. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 20 if you are able to attend. Bill has been a steady force for progress at UMBC in his decade-and-a-half at the helm of CNMS. Please join us in thanking Bill for his many years of service.

Meet the Class of 2026

As we celebrate our graduates next week, take a minute to meet some members of the Class of 2026 and learn more about the many ways they left their mark on UMBC.

End of Semester Update from the Federal Orders and Actions Core Team

On Tuesday, the Federal Orders and Actions Core Team shared an end-of-semester update. Issues covered include travel considerations, impact of executive orders and federal actions on the promotion and tenure process, research and achievement, and available resources. 

Call for Faculty Applications: 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program

The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is now accepting applications for the Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program for 2026-2027. This year-long program offers faculty a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise in AI pedagogy while contributing to evidence-based teaching practices across our system.

Learn more about the call for faculty applications for the 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program.

Provide Open Access (free access) to You Works in ScholarWorks@UMBC

Providing open access (free access) to your publications makes them available to more people and increases citations. You can provide open access to your works in ScholarWorks@UMBC without paying article processing charges.

The Albin O. Kuhn Library will add works to ScholarWorks@UMBC for you. Simply send a link to your Google Scholar page or your publications website, your CV, or a list of your works to Claire Johnson. The library staff can also add unpublished works such as presentation slides if you send them.

If you've previously sent a list of publications, or a link to a list of publications, you don't need to do anything. Each year, the library staff automatically adds your new works, contacting you if anything is needed. 

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

CNMS Dean Search Candidate Open Forum

Monday, May 18, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., University Center 310

We invite you to join us at an open forum with the last of the three finalists for the dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Science. During the forum, the candidate will share their academic journey, present a vision for the college, and participate in an open Q&A session with attendees. The forum will be moderated by the search committee chair. For additional information on the position, please visit the Provost Leadership Search listing.

Your participation is vital to the selection process, and we encourage you to join us for this important event. 

Using Generative AI to Support Your Course Design: A Faculty Workshop

Use AI iteratively to align course objectives & activities.

Monday, June 1, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Virtual

Join colleagues to explore how generative AI can support teaching, course design, and student learning and where faculty judgment remains essential. 

This session practically demonstrates how generative AI can support course design when embedded within a backwards‑design workflow. Rather than isolated prompting, faculty will learn to use AI iteratively to align objectives, assessments, and course activities. Participants will gain repeatable, model‑agnostic workflows for using Gen AI to augment design while preserving faculty voice and pedagogical intent. 

The FDC is co-sponsoring this workshop, facilitated by John Schumacher, professor of sociology, anthropology and public health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. This workshop is a condensed version of The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint that was initially offered in January 2026.

Register for part III of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series.

2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition

May 13 – 22

Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents the 2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition, on display from May 13 through 22, presenting the broad and dynamic scope of senior undergraduate student work within the Department of Visual Arts.

2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition

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The goal each week of this message is to deepen our connection to UMBC, whether that is learning about an upcoming event, a divisional accomplishment, an innovative program, or an  update from the Office of the Provost. If you know of a program or event that should be highlighted, please share it here.