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