Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Academic Affairs team in the Provost Office, I am writing to share updates and reminders related to the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Key Academic Calendar Adjustments

The following changes to the academic calendar were discussed and approved by the Faculty Senate. They are designed to better support our community's well-being while maintaining instructional standards.

• Monday Semester Start
  

  Beginning this fall, the official start of the semester will move to Monday. This shift allows us to adjust the calendar mid-semester without changing the total number of required instruction days.The first day of the Fall 2026 semester will be Monday, August 24, 2026.

• Fall Class Recess and Thanksgiving Break
  

  Beginning Fall 2026, we will observe a new fall class recess. During the fall recess, to be held on Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026, no academic courses will be offered. The university will remain open during the fall recess. We will also observe a Thanksgiving break from Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27, 2026.

Welcome Weekend Activities 

Please mark your calendars for Welcome Retrievers activities including Move-In and Convocation. Returning students will move in on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and new students will move in on Friday, August 21, 2026. The co-chairs for the welcome events are Racquel Barnes (Admissions & Orientation), Jen Dress (Student Affairs) and Kendall Pete (Residential Life).

Convocation will take place in the afternoon on Friday, August 21, 2026. Convocation is an important way to welcome our newest scholars into the UMBC community and is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and their families this year. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this event. This year, we are excited to host college receptions following convocation. The co-chairs will be reaching out to identified contacts to discuss details and next steps in the coming weeks. A variety of Welcome Retrievers activities will take place on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2026, as well.

For those of you who have helped with and/or planned welcome activities in the past, the co-chairs will be reaching out to you soon. In the meantime, if you have questions please email welcomeretrievers@umbc.edu. 

I appreciate your flexibility as we plan ahead for the coming year.

Sincerely,

Anupam Joshi
Vice Provost and Chief AI Officer

Welcome to the final March edition of the Provost's Perspective. We've officially passed the halfway mark and are heading down the homestretch of the semester. It's hard to believe, but as of today there are only 54 more days until Commencement. 

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet with two separate affinity groups for faculty and staff members. A theme that stood out in both meetings was the desire for our community members to be seen and supported holistically at UMBC. When we show up at work, we show up as our whole self and bring all our developmental history and identities to the table. What we experienced last night or over the weekend shapes how we show up at work. Likewise,  who we are shapes how we serve and lead. 

To be fully seen and supported holistically, we need to know who we are and who the people around us are (and no, we don't need to be close friends, I am talking about being supportive co-workers). 

In the coming weeks, I encourage you to join your co-workers and colleagues in a non-work  activity. Whether it's a casual coffee run, a volunteer afternoon, or a competitive round of office trivia, it is an act of dismantling the professional scaffolding. It's the transition from people who happen to work together to being colleagues. It forges a foundation that allows us to see and understand each other as much more than just coworkers. It helps each of us to be the best version of ourselves at work (and for UMBC to continue to be a great place to work!). 

___________________________________

NEWS & NOTES

Survey on Missed Class Time

In our welcome to the spring semester email, we mentioned that we would be reaching out to departments to ask them to share examples and strategies that were utilized to make up missed in-person/synchronous class time due to closures for inclement weather (e.g. asynchronous sharing of content, asynchronous activities, and/or administering additional assignments). 

Please submit the following survey to share with us the strategies you have utilized to make up time for your courses as needed this semester. 

Deadline: Friday, April 10

Survey link.

Four Calls for Nominations/Proposals

Wilson H. Elkins Professorships

I am pleased to announce that the University System of Maryland (USM) is able to make available to its institutions the Wilson H. Elkins Professorship for use in Academic Year 2025-2026 (FY 2026). The Professorship, which began in 1978 at the University of Maryland, College Park, was established to perpetuate the name and contributions of Wilson H. Elkins, a former Rhodes Scholar who led the University of Maryland to new levels of distinction as its president from 1954 to 1978. When the University System of Maryland began in 1988, Dr. Elkins agreed that the professorship bearing his name should extend to the entire USM family. Information about the Professorship and a listing of recent Elkins Professors are available on the University System of Maryland website at https://www.usmd.edu/usm/academicaffairs/elkins.html.

Elkins Professors must exhibit, at a minimum, all of the following qualifications:

• A solid record of achievement in a recognized academic or professional discipline;

• Evidence of significant achievement outside traditional disciplines but linked in scholarly and professional ways to the work of the USM;

• Demonstrated ability and continuing desire to lead and inspire undergraduate and graduate students in a range of learning situations. 

• Demonstrated ability and intent to participate in programs and activities outside the USM.

Income from the endowment for the Elkins Professorship is intended to support compelling projects with focus on research, scholarship, or community engagement that will allow the Elkins Professor to make an important contribution to the teaching, research, or public service mission of the institution and the entire USM. Direct involvement with undergraduate and/or graduate students and outreach to other institutions within the System are hallmarks of the Elkins Professors.

Nominations

Faculty members interested in applying must work with their Chair and Dean to compile their nomination packet. The deans will be submitting the final nomination packets by Friday, May 10 to the Office of the Provost who will submit to the Office of the President. 

Elkins Professorships for Academic Transformation

AY26-27 focuses on three awards of up to $10,000 each to faculty, supporting the integration of Generative AI into educational practices

The Elkins Professorship for Academic Transformation is a prestigious fellowship awarded to faculty within the University System of Maryland. For AY26-27, the Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation seeks nominations for faculty in support of innovative projects focused on the use of Generative AI to advance academic transformation. Specifically, three awards of up to $10,000 each will be granted under this professorship to faculty focused on the use of Generative AI to Nominations enhance teaching and learning. 

Nominations

Faculty members interested in applying must work with their Chair and Dean to compile their nomination packet. The deans will be submitting the final nomination packets by Friday, May 10 to the Office of the Provost who will submit to the Office of the President. 

Call for Proposals: 2026-27 Elkins SoTL Fellows Program

The call for proposals for the 2026-2027 Elkins SoTL Fellows program is now open.

Up to 10 Elkins SoTL Fellowships of $1,000 each will be awarded for 2026-27 (May 22, 2026 – June 30, 2027). The Elkins SoTL Fellowships are open to USM faculty of any rank or appointment interested in undertaking a research project focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning. 

A faculty member should serve as principal investigator (PI) on the project; a staff person may serve as co-PI provided the project originates with the faculty member. At present, graduate students are not being considered for this fellowship.

Information Session

Join Kirwan Center staff on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 1 - 2 p.m. for a virtual Information session to learn more about the fellowship requirements and expectations. We will also answer questions about the program at that time. Registering will ensure you receive a link to the session recording, even if you can't attend live.

Register here.

Proposals are due to Dr. Nancy O'Neill by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, for work to take place over the subsequent academic year.

Call for proposals.

Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows

The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is pleased to announce a call for applications for Faculty Senior Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. These leadership roles will advance the Kirwan Center's mission to support innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship across the University System of Maryland. Each senior fellow will receive a $3,500 stipend for their work across AY 2026-27.

The three senior fellow positions are:

• Senior fellow in generative AI pedagogy

• Senior fellow for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL)

• Senior fellow for assessment and evaluation

USM faculty of any rank whose primary role on their campus is faculty are eligible to apply. Applicants may apply for multiple positions but can only be selected for one senior fellow role. Each position requires approximately 1-2 hours of work per week throughout the academic year term. More details can be found in the Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows.

____________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

RESCHEDULED

2026 Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

Thursday, April 2, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

This event has been moved to Thursday, April 2. Please update your calendars and plan to join the provost leadership team and myself either in person or online to learn about the 2026 strategic initiatives under way that are (co)supported by the Office of the Provost. As a reminder, the initiatives include re-envisioning general education, student success strategy, graduate student recruitment and enrollment strategy, fostering curricular innovation, strengthening global education, AI strategy, infrastructure needs, refining and enhancing budget models, and expanding and strengthening K-12 partnerships. 

During this meeting you will learn about (a) goals, (b) leads, (c) who is involved, (d) timeline, and (e) how you can get involved/provide feedback. After the session there also will be an opportunity for informal conversation with leads of initiatives and the Office of the Provost team. 

Register here.

Coffee with the Provost

Friday, April 3, 10 – 11 a.m.

Fireside Lounge, The Commons (third floor)

Have you ever wondered what a provost does? Do you have an idea that will transform higher education?

Drop in and join me for a warm beverage and community as we head into the homestretch of the academic year. 

This is a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, ask questions, or simply enjoy some conversation over coffee and tea.

No RSVP required and all are welcome. 

Stop by, grab a cup, and say hello!

More information.

Piano Performance by Yang Gao

Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m.

Linehan Concert Hall

Pianist Yang Gao presents a program featuring Fryderyk Chopin's Preludes, Op. 28, a selection from Isaac Albéniz's Iberia, and the Piano Sonata 1.X.1905 by Leoš Janáček.

More information

Low Lecture: 

Warren Milteer, Jr. — Out of This Strife Will Come Freedom: Free People of Color and the Fight for Equal Rights in the Civil War Era

Tuesday, March 31, 4 p.m.

Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

The Social Sciences Forum presents the annual Low Lecture, featuring Warren Milteer, Jr., associate professor of history at The George Washington University, who will speak on Out of This Strife Will Come Freedom: Free People of Color and the Fight for Equal Rights in the Civil War Era.

More information

despite // bất chấp: The 2026 Intermedia and Digital Arts (IMDA) MFA Thesis Exhibition

April 1–18

Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

The Intermedia and Digital Arts Master's Program presents despite // bất chấp: The 2026 Intermedia and Digital Arts (IMDA) MFA Thesis Exhibition. On view from April 1 through 18 at the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture, the exhibition features work by graduating students Taylor Goad, Nia Hampton, Bao Nguyen, and Lynn Nguyen.

More information

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

April 2–12

Proscenium Theatre

UMBC Theatre presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, adapted by Jacqueline E. Lawton and directed by Joseph W. Ritsch. Life in modern day Baltimore has been a bit boring for Dorothy and her little dog Toto. Until one day, when a cyclone swoops in and takes them "over the rainbow" to the wonderful and magical land of Oz. With the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy sets off on the adventure of a lifetime down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. These new friends brave witches, flying monkeys, and a Haunted Forest all to meet the Wizard of Oz, who promises to make their dreams come true.

More information.

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

Welcome the latest edition of the Provost's Perspective, the only publication that is not fazed by Maryland's indecisive approach to spring. Blue skies, abundant sunshine, and 80-degree one day, and howling winds, sideways rain, and freezing temperatures the next. As the last few days can attest, we're here for it all. 

This week, I want to thank every one of you who helped make the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation process a success. We hosted the evaluation team this week following two-and-a-half years of work on our institution-wide introspective self study. I was so impressed with the community's engagement in the process and site visit. It truly is the people that make UMBC so special! We will receive the official report and decision from Middle States on our re-accreditation later this year so please stay tuned. The report will likely include insightful recommendations to help guide our strategic planning process and the future of UMBC. 

While it took an engaged and expert village to take us through the accreditation process, I want to thank Connie Pierson, associate vice provost for Institutional Research, Analysis and Decision Support (IRADS) and Orianne Smith, professor of English and affiliate professor of gender, women's and sexuality studies, for leading the accreditation process. Connie and Orianne spent countless hours in the weeks, months, and years leading up to the culminating site visit. When you are able, please take a minute to express your gratitude for their dedication to stewarding, guiding, and engaging our campus in the self-study and accreditation processes. 

Part of the UMBC story that was told in our self-study and in the Middle States evaluation team visit is the role that each and every UMBC community member plays in creating and sustaining an environment that welcomes inclusivity and celebrates innovation. As an access-focused R1 institution our story is unique. This was on full display throughout the Middle States visit. Before the visit, we asked for you to be yourselves during sessions with the evaluation team. Your enthusiasm and commitment were evident as the evaluation team met with members of our community across campus. The accreditation process is an opportunity to look in a mirror and honestly assess your organization. For me, it was a confirmation that while there will always be room for improvement, we are not just heading in the right direction, but excelling in the classroom, across every corner of our campus, and in the community.

I look forward to sharing the final Middle States report when it becomes available for the community. For now, I hope you have an opportunity (I encourage you!) to step away from work during Spring Break and have some time to relax. 

___________________________________

NEWS & NOTES

Spring Break– University Holiday March 16-18

A reminder for those both new and old at UMBC, the university will be closed for spring break Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week. The employee holiday calendar can be found here. 

Strive for 85: Creating Online Accessibility

The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee (DASC) is launching "Strive for 85." This institutional goal calls for all Blackboard courses to achieve an Ally "Overall" accessibility score of 85% or better across all colleges and departments by the end of 2026.

As of the most recently completed Fall 25 semester, the campus's overall Ally score for Blackboard courses (which make up ~90% of all UMBC courses) is approximately 74%. To help faculty close this gap and reach the "Strive for 85" goal, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) has prepared a voluntary, self-paced Blackboard training organization called "Course Roadmap to Equity" (CoRE) that complements and incorporates existing Ally FAQs, live workshops, and drop-in consulting. 

Learn more about the Strive for 85 effort and how you can help close the gap. 

2 UMBC Student-led Start-ups Win Innovation Awards

Two student-led UMBC start-ups have been selected to receive 2026 Pava LePere Innovation Awards, granting them $50,000 each from the state of Maryland to support their business, as well as access to mentorship, training, and strategic support from the Maryland Student Venture Core Advisory Board and representatives from a network of entrepreneur support organizations across the local tech ecosystem.

Learn more. 

____________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

RESCHEDULED

2026 Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

Thursday, April 2, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

This event has been moved to Thursday, April 2. Please update your calendars and plan to join the provost leadership team and myself either in person or online to learn about the 2026 strategic initiatives under way that are (co)supported by the Office of the Provost. As a reminder, the initiatives include re-envisioning general education, student success strategy, graduate student recruitment and enrollment strategy, fostering curricular innovation, strengthening global education, AI strategy, infrastructure needs, refining and enhancing budget models, and expanding and strengthening K-12 partnerships. 

During this meeting you will learn about (a) goals, (b) leads, (c) who is involved, (d) timeline, and (e) how you can get involved/provide feedback. After the session there also will be an opportunity for informal conversation with leads of initiatives and the Office of the Provost team. 

Register here.

Centering Wonder: Dialogues on Science and Religion

March 25, 4 – 5:30 p.m., University Center 115

People may feel they need to compartmentalize their spiritual or religious identities away from their academic or professional pursuits, yet numerous scientists and physicians draw motivation and ethical guidance from their faith traditions. The Centering Wonder series explores the rich intersections of science and faith, dismantling the perceived wall between them in the process. The series is presented in partnership with CNMS and the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism. 

Learn more. 

Lunch and Learn for Faculty Part 1: Library Video Services and the Library Innovation Lab

Learn about Library services that you might not be aware of

Friday, March 27, 12 – 1 p.m., Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery and online

This hybrid event will provide information on:

• The Library's digital and DVD video collections 

• The Library Digital Media Lab, which provides equipment and facilities for DIY digital media production

• The Library Innovation Lab, which provides equipment and software for fabrication including 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters, and more

• Bonus content for CAHSS faculty: CARAT research development, pre-award and post-award support

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

Learn more and register. 

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

On Tuesday, the Division of Institutional Equity hosted a panel "On Caring for Community" as part of their series on Critical Social Justice. I had the privilege of participating with several senior administrators including President Sheares Ashby, Vice President Barber, Vice Provost and Dean Porter, and Athletic Director Tucker. The event highlighted all that makes UMBC great, including conversations on how we care deeply about members of our university community and regularly ask ourselves, "Who did we not include; who is not at the table?" and "How can we do better every day?" 

These strengths of UMBC were further amplified for me when the next day I attended the American Council on Education national meeting in D.C. where I was reminded of the vast differences across states. Anytime I go to a higher education conference I am reminded that being in a state with a governor and legislators that fully support higher education—including its independence—is a privilege that we all should continue to fight for.

In the coming months, I look forward to continuing conversations with you about how we build on our strengths and the opportunity and responsibility we have in the state of Maryland. We are so fortunate to be incredibly well positioned in Maryland. At the same time, higher education is at an inflection point. One university president referred to the tide changing as an earthquake. 

How do we build on all our strengths while the higher education landscape is constantly changing? What can we do together that provides amazing experiences to students and growth opportunities for faculty? How do we lean into inclusive excellence, provide access to education, prepare students for careers and the world, and do this while also being nimble with our finances? As I like to say, there is "no money tree in my backyard."

On March 5, I will share with you some of the initiatives that have been launched by various senior leaders with groups of faculty and staff that will give you a sense of how we answer these questions. One example of such an initiative is the Global Learning Lab, which was just awarded the 2026 Innovative Excellence in Internationalization Award from the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). 

What started as a brainstorming session in summer 2023 between Katie Heird, David Di Maria, and Ana Oskoz for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has grown into an award-winning program that provides opportunities for faculty across the colleges to develop their curriculum and meet students where they are.

The Global Learning Lab is designed to help students build global competencies by internationalizing the curriculum through strategic course mapping, faculty-led study abroad programs, and collaborative online international learning (COIL). 

To date, 48 faculty members have participated across 27 unique departments ranging from biological sciences to visual arts to chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Projects continue to positively impact the student experience and have included nine mapping initiatives, 12 COIL projects, and 27 study abroad programs. 

___________________________________

NEWS & NOTES

Recovering from Missed Class Sessions

The delayed start of the spring semester and campus closures due to inclement weather have impacted many of you this semester. I want to encourage you to explore the resources available from the Faculty Development Center to ensure students meet the core learning outcomes by semester's end.  

1,200 High Schoolers Swarm UMBC for Science Olympiad 

In honor of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games wrapping up last Sunday, I want to give a shoutout to Dean Bill LaCourse and the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences for hosting more than 1,200 high school students for its annual Science Olympiad. In the last three years, the Olympiad has grown from approximately 40 teams to the largest event of its kind in Maryland, attracting competitors from Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and D.C. Read more about this year's competition here.

____________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Inclusive Excellence in Action - Skills for Cross-Cultural Mentoring

Highlighting key inclusion, belonging, and access practices

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 · 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Commons 329 

The Inclusive Excellence in Action Series is designed to support staff and faculty in building more inclusive, effective, and human-centered practices. The interactive workshops focus on translating reflection into action through concrete tools, strategies, and key takeaways participants can apply in their roles.

Christa Porter, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School and associate professor, language, literacy, and culture, will be the featured speaker.

Learn more. 

2026 Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

Thursday, March 5, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

Mark your calendars and plan to join the provost leadership team and myself either in person or online to learn about the 2026 strategic initiatives under way that are (co)supported by the Office of the Provost. We will present information on current initiatives, including re-envisioning general education, student success strategy, graduate student recruitment and enrollment strategy, fostering curricular innovation, strengthening global education, AI strategy, infrastructure needs, refining and enhancing budget models, and expanding and strengthening K-12 partnerships. 

During this meeting you will learn about (a) goals, (b) leads, (c) who is involved, (d) timeline, and (e) how you can get involved/provide feedback. After the session there also will be an opportunity for informal conversation with leads of initiatives and the Office of the Provost team. 

Register here.

PAWS (pause) with the Provost

Friday, March 6, 10 – 11 a.m., Fireside Lounge, The Commons 303

Join me for a special PAWS (pause) with the Provost to dive deeper following the strategic initiatives meeting the previous day. This drop-in event is intended to provide an informal environment to further explore the work being done to support strategic initiatives this semester. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Learn more.

Centering Wonder: Dialogues on Science and Religion

March 25, 4 – 5:30 p.m., University Center 115

People may feel they need to compartmentalize their spiritual or religious identities away from their academic or professional pursuits, yet numerous scientists and physicians draw motivation and ethical guidance from their faith traditions. The Centering Wonder series explores the rich intersections of science and faith, dismantling the perceived wall between them in the process. The series is presented in partnership with CNMS and the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism. 

Learn more. 

Lunch and Learn for Faculty Part 1: Library Video Services and the Library Innovation Lab

Learn about Library services that you might not be aware of

Friday, March 27, 12 – 1 p.m., Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery and online

This hybrid event will provide information on:

• The Library's digital and DVD video collections 

• The Library Digital Media Lab, which provides equipment and facilities for DIY digital media production

• The Library Innovation Lab, which provides equipment and software for fabrication including 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters, and more

• Bonus content for CAHSS faculty: CARAT research development, pre-award and post-award support

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

Learn more and register. 

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

Federal Immigration Enforcement General Information Card and FAQs

Thank You for the Feedback

Mark your calendar

2026 Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

March 5, 3:30-5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

PAWS (pause) with the Provost

March 6, 10-11 a.m., Fireside Lounge (303), The Commons 

18th annual Arts Integration Conference

Saturday, February 21

Melanie Killen — Creating Inclusive Classrooms in Childhood: Theory, Research, and Applications

Thursday, February 26, 4 p.m.

Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

Special Invite from Athletics: Calling all UMBC Faculty & Staff!

February 26, 6 p.m.
February 28, 2 p.m.

How to Claim Your Free Tickets

Eric Clark Jackson: An Iconography of the Chesapeake

Friday, February 27, noon

216 Performing Arts and Humanities Building

Advancing Social Science Research: A Workshop Series on AI, LLMs, and Computational Methods

Registration open 

UMBC Jazz Ensemble with Vince Cherico

Friday, February 27, 7:30 p.m.
Linehan Concert Hall

Calling All TRIO Alumni

National TRIO Day, February 28

absolute alternatives

2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition

Saturday, February 28, 2 p.m.
Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

Help Make this Newsletter Better

A strong sense of belonging is one of the key predictors of student success and employee satisfaction. On the other hand, loneliness (not to be confused with solitude) is linked to a number of detrimental psychological and physical health outcomes. 

As a faculty member I published widely on the course and outcomes of loneliness in middle childhood and adolescence. It was very meaningful work to me as I wanted to do my part to inform how we create a world where everyone feels they belong and are included. 

These days as a provost, I feel deeply responsible that everyone in our campus community feels welcome and that they belong. It saddens me deeply when I learn that someone in our community does not feel they belong or even worse has been harmed or feels unsafe. 

I ask you to be kind and welcoming to others around you. As an institute of higher education we also have an opportunity to educate the future of Maryland, the U.S., and the world. What do we want that world to look like? I have asked the re-envisioning general education committee what we want all UMBC students to learn and leave with to go into our community. I don't see how being kind and caring is not part of that equation. 

Thank You for the Feedback

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback this semester. The Provost's Perspective is a work in progress and will continue to evolve to more fully serve you, UMBC's faculty and academic staff. If there is a subject or topic that you feel should be covered (or have general feedback on the content), drop me a note here. Your feedback and input matters! 

Mark your calendar

Advancing Social Science Research: A Workshop Series on AI, LLMs, and Computational Methods

Registration open for the February workshops 

Join the Center for Social Science Scholarship (CS3) for a faculty-led and faculty-driven series to learn how best to transform your research using AI and generative AI tools. Through seven workshops and trainings, participants will explore how researchers use social network analysis to understand crime; how to make sense of, evaluate, and use new Large Language Models (LLMs) in their own research; and how advances in machine learning models can even help us infer causality. Finally, the sessions will consider the equity implications of these generative AI tools. The training will be conducted in the R and Python environments, but we will work with participants who are new to these programming languages. Participants in the series will also have the opportunity to earn UMBC experiential and proficiency badges.

This series, which is supported through the Elkins Professorship, features several new speakers this spring. 

• Social Network Analysis: Building Web-Based Applications for Experiential Learning

• February 20, noon to 1:30 p.m., PUP 438 

• Led by:  Dr. Steve McDonald, Professor of Sociology, NC State University

• A City in Motion: How Everyday Routines Channel and Control Crime in Baltimore

• February 27, noon to 1:30 p.m., PUP 438

• Led by: Dr. Brian Soller, Associate Professor of Sociology (SAPH), UMBC 

Register here.

Arts+

Lynda Barry — What It Is: A Talk on Creativity

Thursday, February 19, 7 p.m.

Fine Arts Recital Hall

Join us for a talk on creativity by award-winning author, artist, and cartoonist Lynda Barry. Author of 21 books, Barry was the creator of the seminal comic strip Ernie Pook's Comeek, and in 2019 received a MacArthur "genius" grant.

Learn more.

absolute alternatives

2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition

Through February 28

Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture presents "absolute alternatives," the 2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition. Organized by guest curator Maleke Glee, "absolute alternatives" presents faculty from across UMBC whose interdisciplinary research is a form of creative practice. Inspired by the boundary-pushing spirit of the Arts+ initiative, the exhibition proposes alternatives to defining research through absolute disciplinary categories.

Public Programs

• On Saturday, February 28, at 2 p.m., conductor Philip Mann and curator Maleke Glee will be featured in Creative Convergence: A Conversation with a Conductor and Curator.

Visitor Information

Admission to the exhibition and all public programs is free. The CADVC is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

From the snow- and ice-covered confines at the tippy top of the Administration Building, I send a warm welcome with the first spring 2026 edition of the Provost's Perspective. Despite freezing temperatures and a delayed start to the semester, the campus is abuzz with the warmth of activity and energy—a sight that brings a smile to my face and adds pep to my step. And can we give another shout out to all the people who worked night and day to get campus clean from snow and ice? 

I hope that after the fall semester you had a chance to decompress, step away from work, and feel refreshed for the spring semester. Hopefully, you also had a chance to connect/reconnect with family and friends during the break. As a scholar of close relationships, I am often reminded of the power of close relationships for our own health, including physical health. In addition to prioritizing my own self-care, I prioritized time with family and friends over the break. For the first time, I had one of my children come home after having moved out last summer to move to Michigan. It was wonderful to spend time with her and her boyfriend and see how she was emerging as an adult.

Re-envisioning General Education 

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with the Re-Envisioning General Education Faculty Committee led by Peggy Re and Susan McDonough. The committee's work supports the core mission of any public university to prepare future citizens to positively impact their communities. 

As I read the news and watch what happens around the world, I don't think there is a better time than now to re-envision our general education program and ask the question What do we want all undergraduate students at UMBC to learn, and how do we want to send them off to positively impact their communities and the future of our world? 

This is such an exciting opportunity for faculty, students, and staff. I look forward to working with the university community on this effort. Peggy and Susan will share more details at the Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday, February 10, and we will also share more information on March 5 at the Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives meeting.  

Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

March 5, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

We heard your feedback that there is a need to better communicate and share information about what we are doing and how work is moving forward. You will see several new things from our office this semester, including regular updates to our website, but we will also start regular conversations with you about the work that is being coordinated through our office. 

As a start, we invite you to join us on March 5 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting in Fine Arts 118. We will present information on current strategic initiatives, including re-envisioning general education, student success strategy, graduate student recruitment and enrollment strategy, fostering curricular innovation, strengthening global education, AI strategy, infrastructure needs, refining and enhancing budget models, expanding and strengthening K-12 partnerships. 

During this meeting you will learn about goals, timelines, and how you can get involved/provide feedback. After the session there also will be an opportunity for informal conversation with leads of initiatives and the Office of the Provost team. 

Register here.

Guidelines for AI Use in the Classroom

If you missed Anupam Joshi's announcement before winter break concerning university guidelines for AI use in the classroom, check it out here. The guidelines were developed through broad consultation with faculty and staff and reflect emerging best practices and examples from peer institutions. They feature a "traffic light" model to help instructors articulate permissible, limited, or prohibited uses of AI tools.

Global Academic Reputation Survey

Some of you may have received the Global Academic Reputation Survey last semester. It was sent to a curated list of faculty and academic staff between November 5 and December 5 from surveys@timeshighereducationsurvey.com. The subject line of the email was: Have your say in Times Higher Ed's (THE) Global Academic Reputation Survey. You may also have received a reminder survey. 

Both emails start with a "Dear researcher" salutation instead of a personalized one. Please rest assured that the invite is genuine.

If you received the survey and feel comfortable doing so, please complete it.  

Thank You for the Feedback

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback this semester. The Provost's Perspective is a work in progress and will continue to evolve to more fully serve you, UMBC's faculty and academic staff. If there is a subject or topic that you feel should be covered (or have general feedback on the content), drop me a note here. Your feedback and input matters!

Mark your calendar

Refusing Generative AI in College Writing Instruction: A Conversation with the Authors Maggie Fernandes, Megan McIntyre, and Jennifer Sano-Franchini

Hear diverse perspectives on genAI in higher education

Wednesday, February, 11, noon to 1 p.m., online

Join the Faculty Development Center for a conversation with the scholars who created Refusing Generative AI in Writing Studies. The speakers will share how and why they decided to create Refusing GenAI in Writing Studies as well as its impact as a rhetorical intervention. In addition, they will address stock arguments in support of generative AI adoption in the classroom before offering some practical teaching strategies for negotiating some of the challenges that generative AI poses for education. Teachers from all disciplines who assign writing, who are interested in learning about diverse perspectives on generative AI in higher education, and who are interested in resisting Big Tech's incursion in higher education may benefit from attending this teaching talk.

Click here and select "Going Virtually" to register.

absolute alternatives

2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition

Now through February 28

Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture presents "absolute alternatives," the 2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition. Organized by guest curator Maleke Glee, "absolute alternatives" presents faculty from across UMBC whose interdisciplinary research is a form of creative practice, including Jude Agboada, Fiona Bell, Kelley Bell and the Cheeky Magpie Collective, Lee Boot, Lynn Cazabon, Lisa Cella, Mayank Chugh, Cathy Cook, Arit Emmanuela Etukudo, Eva Grandoni, Tahira Chloe Mahdi, Phillip Mann, Steven McAlpine, Lisa Moren, Edgar Reyes, Julie Sayo, Sarah G. Sharp, and Airi Yoshioka.

Inspired by the boundary-pushing spirit of the Arts+ initiative, the exhibition proposes alternatives to defining research through absolute disciplinary categories.

Public Programs

• An opening reception, featuring a performance of Zosha Di Castri's Dream Field, by flutist Lisa Cella and violinist Airi Yoshioka, will take place on Thursday, February 12 (note new date), from 6 to 8 p.m.

• On Saturday, February 28, at 2 p.m., conductor Philip Mann and curator Maleke Glee will be featured in Creative Convergence: A Conversation with a Conductor and Curator.

Visitor Information

Admission to the exhibition and all public programs is free. The CADVC is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2026 Office of the Provost Strategic Initiatives Meeting

March 5, 3:30-5 p.m., Fine Arts 118 and online

Mark your calendars and plan to join Provost Manfred van Dulmen and the provost leadership team either in person or online to learn about the 2026 strategic initiatives for the Office of the Provost. We will present information on current strategic initiatives including re-envisioning general education, student success strategy, graduate student recruitment and enrollment strategy, fostering curricular innovation, strengthening global education, AI strategy, infrastructure needs, refining and enhancing budget models, expanding and strengthening K-12 partnerships. 

During this meeting you will learn about (a) goals, (b) leads, (c) who is involved, (d) timeline, and (e) how you can get involved/provide feedback. After the session there also will be an opportunity for informal conversation with leads of initiatives and the Office of the Provost team. 

Register here.

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we feature the newest faculty members of our community.

Hasan Shahid, Assistant Professor, Economics

Areas of Research/Interest: Health Economics

Fun Fact About Hasan: I lived in Warsaw, Poland, for six years as a child.

Corine Jackman Burden, Assistant Professor, Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Areas of Research/Interest: Cell-cell and microbe-host interactions, Human vaginal microbiome, Streptococcus pneumoniae, microdroplet technologies, and biomimetic platforms

Fun Fact About Corine: My Girl Scout Gold award was signed by President Obama.

Are you a new faculty member? Please take two minutes to fill out the form and submit your bio if you have not already done so.

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the spring semester. I know the semester is beginning under unusual circumstances with the recent inclement weather and campus closures. I appreciate everyone's adaptability as we navigate this first week together. Please continue to be flexible with your students as we wait for campus to reopen. We have asked students to communicate their needs for flexibility with you as well.

Earlier this week, you should have received some correspondence from your college leadership with information related to utilizing asynchronous learning as we unexpectedly manage having the physical campus closed for the duration of the first week of the semester. I wanted to highlight a few important details and reminders that I hope will be helpful as you consider how to make up for lost class time now and in the weeks ahead.

• Spring 2026 academic calendar adjustments due to campus closures:

• Schedule adjustment (add/drop) deadline extended from Friday, Feb. 6 to Friday, Feb. 13

• Deactivation of waitlist extended from Monday, Feb. 2 to Monday, Feb. 9

• 5 Steps To Prepare Your Go Online Kit (Instructional Technology)

• Keep On Teaching (Faculty Development Center)

In addition to the above information, I strongly encourage you to communicate regularly with your students and give timely updates as best you can. As faculty, you play an important role in supporting your students in their educational and life journey, which is always critical but even more so in tumultuous times.

Lastly, in the coming weeks, we will be asking departments to share examples and strategies that were utilized to make up missed in-person/synchronous class time such as asynchronous sharing of content, asynchronous activities, and/or administering additional assignments. We look forward to seeing your examples and will also work with the Faculty Development Center to share innovative strategies back with you.

Campus Alerts & the Academic Calendar

Please make sure you are signed up for alerts so you are aware of weather-related campus closures and other emergencies. Familiarize yourself with the campus Inclement Weather and Emergency Guide as well. The guide along with the sign up for alerts can be found here. 

Additional spring academic calendar dates to note:

• Spring break: March 14-22

• Last day of spring classes: May 12

• Study day: May 13

• Graduate commencement: May 20

• Undergraduate commencement: May 21

Upcoming Events

Save the date for the following opportunities as additional details about these events and others will be shared in the weeks ahead:

• Provost Priorities Mid-Year Check In
• Thursday, March 5 from 3:30-5 p.m.
• Opportunity to learn about progress on priorities led by the Office of the Provost

• Middle States Evaluation Team Site Visit
• Sunday, March 8-11 
• Prepare for this visit by reviewing the self-study website and reading the final report

Thank you for all that you do to support the success of our students and our community at UMBC. I look forward to connecting with you more throughout the semester ahead.

Sincerely, 

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

Welcome to the final 2025 edition of the Provost's Perspective. In the four months since I started this newsletter, I have had the privilege of highlighting topics that have touched me both professionally and personally. Today's edition is no different. 

On Monday evening I was invited to speak briefly at Light Up UMBC - A Chanukah Celebration. Being present at the event reminded me of the strength and importance of our campus community. The traditional Jewish festival of lights and its emphasis on the triumph of light over darkness, the preservation of identity, and the courage to dedicate ourselves to our core values is a powerful reminder that while we each have personal challenges and triumphs that shape our lives, it is important to maintain hope as we navigate adversity.

While we have made a lot of progress this year, for some, the year has been very challenging. Many in our community face uncertainty, including their visa status and long-term career options. Federal work order stoppages, changes to the federal grant environment, changes to immigration policies, targeting individuals for their identity, and attacks on diversity, inclusion, and equality efforts are just a few of the major challenges facing members of our community. Different people in our community (and their family members) may have been impacted in many different ways. Compassion and care for each other is now more important than ever.

As we continue to navigate these challenges, I often remind myself of the importance of showing up for one another. Earlier this semester, I was struck by a comment about connection during a conversation with members of our LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association. Someone shared that they felt adrift because no one had asked the simple but essential question, "How are you doing?" – four small words, but ones that speak directly to care and belonging. It was a powerful reminder for me, and for those of us in the Office of the Provost, that everything begins with genuine connection and concern.

Through life's ups and downs, I encourage you to find and lean into your community, and to support one another. At UMBC, this may be a faculty and staff affinity group, a colleague who shares a passion outside of the classroom or office, or a friend who joins you for a couple of minutes of connection as you walk around Hilltop Circle. No matter how and where you find this connection, I encourage you to nurture it, celebrate it, and spread it to your friends and colleagues. 

Thank You for the Feedback

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback this semester. The Provost's Perspective is a work in progress and will continue to evolve to more fully serve you, UMBC's faculty and academic staff. If there is a subject or topic that you feel should be covered (or have general feedback on the content), drop me a note here. Your feedback and input matters! 

Guidelines for AI Use in the Classroom

If you missed Anupam Joshi's announcement concerning university guidelines for AI use in the classroom, check it out here. The guidelines were developed through broad consultation between faculty and staff and reflect emerging best practices and examples from peer institutions. They feature a "traffic light" model to help instructors articulate permissible, limited, or prohibited uses of AI tools.

Mark your calendar

The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint

Walk away with fresh inspiration and actionable strategies

Friday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to noon, ILSB 116A

Need a nudge to refresh your spring course(s)? Curious about how Generative AI tools might help spark new ideas in the classroom? In this hands-on, in-person workshop, we'll revisit basic course design principles while exploring practical ways to use Gen AI to sharpen your own course objectives, brainstorm assessments, reexamine learning materials/activities, and streamline class prep — while grounding in your own academic voice and creativity. Bring your laptop and course materials to walk away with fresh inspiration and actionable strategies for the spring semester. Join John Schumacher (USM GenAI Pedagogy Fellow & SAPH) and Kerrie Kephart (FDC) for this session. Space is limited.

Sponsored by the Faculty Development Center. 

Register: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/calt/events/148774

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we feature the newest faculty members of our community.

DuEwa Frazier, Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, English

Areas of Research/Interest: DuEwa's non-fiction writing focuses on contemporary education issues in education, arts and culture, social justice, hip-hop culture, women's interest, and opinion. Her creative writing focuses on poetry, children's, and other genres. As an innovator, she has produced work in multiple areas in the arts, digital media, and publishing.

Fun Fact About DuEwa: I'm a poet, podcaster, and TEDx speaker alum.

Jungwon Yeo, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Emergency and Disaster Health Systems

Areas of Research/Interest: Cross-Sector Collaboration/over 50 Publications (peer-reviewed journals, book, book chapters, etc.)

Fun Fact About Jungwon: Double black diamond skier. Animal painter.

Are you a new faculty member? Please take two minutes to fill out the form and submit your bio if you have not already done so.

New Staff Spotlights (Coming Early 2026)

Thank you to all of the new staff members that have reached out about being highlighted. We will be starting the spotlights in the first 2026 edition. If you haven't done so already and you are a staff member who joined UMBC in the last year, email Aaron Burnett, director of provost communications, to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Provost's Perspective. 

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until 2026, 

Manfred van Dulmen

Last week I made the bold assertion that this week would be the final Provost's Perspective for 2025. Like any well-laid plans, this one was certain to be modified the moment I put it into the world. With that being said, keep your eyes peeled next Friday for the final (I'm serious this time) 2025 edition of this newsletter. 

One of the more rewarding aspects of being the provost is the interaction and feedback that I receive from the UMBC community. Earlier this week I was fortunate to meet with members of the Disability Faculty Working Group to discuss accessibility and disability efforts across the university community. Foad Hamidi (COEIT) had a reading suggestion that, while I have not had the opportunity to explore yet, can provide a framework for examining accessibility issues in a rapidly evolving world. His suggestion – and a text he uses in class – "Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement" asks us to rethink how we perceive disability as nearly everyone will experience disability at some point in our lives. If you get a chance to read it over winter break, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Check Out Grit-X Videos

If you missed Grit-X (picture TedTalk meets UMBC) earlier this semester, I encourage you to check out your fellow faculty, staff, UMBC alumni, and grad students who presented in October. You can watch the evening from start to finish, or click on a speaker's photo to watch their individual talk. 

Strategic Plan Steering Committee Update

If you missed yesterday's update from the UMBC Strategic Plan Steering Committee, I encourage you to check it out here. 

Thank You for the Feedback

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback this semester. The Provost's Perspective is a work in progress and will continue to evolve to more fully serve you, UMBC's faculty and academic staff. If there is a subject or topic that you feel should be covered (or have general feedback on the content), drop me a note here. Your feedback and input matters! 

Upcoming Events

The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint

Walk away with fresh inspiration and actionable strategies

Friday, Jan. 16, 9 am to noon, ILSB 116A

Need a nudge to refresh your spring course(s)? Curious about how Generative AI tools might help spark new ideas in the classroom? In this hands-on, in-person workshop, we'll revisit basic course design principles while exploring practical ways to use Gen AI to sharpen your own course objectives, brainstorm assessments, reexamine learning materials/activities, and streamline class prep — while grounding in your own academic voice and creativity. Bring your laptop and course materials to walk away with fresh inspiration and actionable strategies for the spring semester. Join John Schumacher (USM GenAI Pedagogy Fellow & SAPH) and Kerrie Kephart (FDC) for this session. Space is limited.

Sponsored by the Faculty Development Center. 

Register: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/calt/events/148774

Winter Commencement

With winter Commencement less than a week away, we would love to have you join us for the celebrations at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.

Graduate School Ceremony | Wednesday, December 17, at 10 a.m.

Undergraduate Ceremony | Thursday, December 18, at 10 a.m.

For those marching or volunteering, note that arrival time is 8 a.m. for doors opening at 9 a.m.

For more information and updates, please visit the Commencement website or email commencement@umbc.edu.

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we feature the newest faculty members of our community.

Sophie Comer-Warner, Assistant Professor, Geography and Environmental Systems

Areas of Research/Interest: Coastal Science/Aquatic Biogeochemistry

Fun Fact About Sophie: I'm from Stoke-on-Trent, the pottery capital of the UK. It's also where the first Ballon d'Or winner was from!

Miller Shores Wright, Assistant Professor, History

Areas of Research/Interest: Dr. Wright is an historian of Vast Early America whose scholarship focuses on the Native slave trades in Southeastern North America and Brazil. His recent publications include research on Native influences on the founding of the Carolina colony and Indigenous Slavery in the Atlantic. His previous works focused on Creek gendered property relations and racialized slavery in Creek matrilineages. His first book manuscript entitled, "All These Horrid Wicked Things: Native Slaving and the Atlantic Slave Trade in Brazil and Carolina, 1580–1720," is contracted for publication in 2027.

Fun Fact About Miller: I have a distinct fondness for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lord of the Rings. I frequently encourage students to engage me through conversations about sports, cooking, and music.

Are you a new faculty member? Please take two minutes to fill out the form and submit your bio if you have not already done so.

New Staff Spotlights (Coming Early 2026)

Thank you to all of the new staff members that have reached out about being highlighted. We will be starting the spotlights in the first 2026 edition. If you haven't done so already and you are a staff member who joined UMBC in the last year, email Aaron Burnett, director of provost communications, to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Provost's Perspective. 

Help Make this Newsletter Better

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen