On July 1, UMBC welcomed Manfred H. M. van Dulmen as our new provost and senior vice president. What is a provost exactly, and how does van Dulmen interpret his role on campus? He answered these questions and more in a Q&A as he took a break from moving into his new office on the 10th floor of the Administration Building.

Van Dulmen comes to UMBC after two decades at Kent State University in Ohio, where he has held many leadership positions including, most recently, senior associate provost and dean of the Graduate College. With an academic background in social, developmental, and adolescent psychology—increasingly focused on people in their twenties—van Dulmen brings a unique perspective to UMBC leadership that promises to further our campus commitment to student all-around well-being. 

Q: What is the simplest way to describe the role of a provost at a university like UMBC?

A: The provost is responsible for overseeing the academic enterprise at an institution and providing the vision and mission for that academic enterprise. That’s the short answer. I think the longer answer is that the role of the provost at many universities has shifted significantly over the past 10 to 20 years. It’s become more inclusive of other tasks across the university, particularly for institutions that see academics as the center of campus. All other areas intersect with the academic areas, so the provost is somebody who develops close relationships with all other divisions on campus to really make sure that students can succeed.

Q: What drew you to UMBC?

A: UMBC’s legacy and reputation in higher education as a leader in inclusive excellence, particularly at the undergraduate level, certainly appealed to me. UMBC is known as an institution that has really led the country in how to do inclusive excellence well. I’m very passionate about access and inclusion and making sure that all students can succeed and that an institution is a place where faculty and staff can thrive. So, for me, this seemed like an incredible opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

As I interviewed and had conversations with the search committee, faculty, and other stakeholders, it became increasingly clear to me that the people at UMBC are at the heart of all that UMBC does and does well. Also, I was drawn to the combination of being excellent in research and teaching, whereas I think at many institutions, it’s an either/or. A university that has demonstrated it can excel in both areas was really appealing to me. 

Q: How do you think a provost can shape the academic experience for students? 

A: A provost can have an impact by working with faculty, chairs, and deans to provide opportunities to innovate the curriculum to meet students where they are and also where faculty see that their fields are going. As provost, it’s important both to make sure that faculty can see what is possible and not focus on what the barriers are to innovation so that students have a curriculum that is exciting and innovative.

In terms of the student experience, a provost can have an impact by being an advocate of student success services and support that reflects best practices in the country. And there are many amazing people at UMBC who are involved in that work. 

Q: How did your path in academia lead you to this point? 

A: I’ve always been interested in and committed to service. One of the reasons I wanted to work in higher education was to improve the way that we live our lives and the communities where we live our lives. And as a psychologist, much of my work has really centered on why some people succeed while others struggle. Why do people succeed in the presence of great trauma or great challenges in life? I have increasingly focused on individuals in their twenties. So, for me, a university is a natural place to work in supporting student success. 

Q:In what ways do your research and your fields of study specifically impact our current student population?

A: I think in every way possible it does. Even aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of mental health problems in the United States and many other countries have increased substantially over the past 20 years. We know that many behavioral health issues present themselves first in late teens and twenties. And so, helping students succeed and really think about their needs and where we can meet them is more important than ever.

At my previous institution, I was involved in developing the student mental health strategy, where we reallocated $2 million to better support the behavioral health needs of students, and we hired many more counselors to reduce waitlists on campus. We developed telehealth options that went well beyond what we previously had done. I’ve also learned that when we think about supporting students around their mental health needs, it means having community partners that you can work with when students’ needs go beyond what the university can provide.

Q: What excites you about working with UMBC’s faculty?

A: There’s so much exciting research going on and such a commitment to student success—I really want to continue to understand better what our current strengths are and how we can make sure that the world knows about all the great things happening at UMBC. I want to understand how we can further elevate the great work that’s already happening and make sure that faculty have the resources to continue to do their great research and be excellent teachers in the classroom.

But I also want to think how we can further elevate and be a leader in the country. Where are the United States and the world going to be 10, 15 years from now? And how can we help prepare our students for that new world?

Q: How do you see yourself supporting UMBC’s mission of academic and research excellence, inclusion, and community engagement? 

A: I think by listening to faculty, staff, and students, while respecting the past and growing to understand the culture, I can help people see what’s possible while making sure there is room for everyone to have a voice and be heard.

Q: What’s your impression of the UMBC campus so far?

A: It’s very serene and calm. The combination of trees and buildings and space has a very good vibe about it. And I really like seeing and feeling the diversity of the student body when I walk around campus. You can just see how much people feel at home and feel connected, and that is really a warm and safe space that supports all members of the UMBC community to be successful.

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Meet Karen Woodard ‘90, English. Karen is chief of the Employment Litigation Section in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and an active member of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving as Vice President of Finance and one of the co-chairs of the Alumni Awards committee. As an undergrad, Karen was heavily involved on campus. She played on the women’s basketball team all four years—serving as team captain her senior year—and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as president also in her senior year. Karen credits her time at UMBC and its nurturing community for preparing her for future success. Tell us all about it, Karen!

Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?

A: I came to UMBC because I believed I would receive a first-class education, could continue my athletic career, and would be supported in both pursuits.

Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?

A: As a student, I had so many opportunities to develop my leadership skills as an athlete, as part of Greek life, and in the classroom. When I decided to apply to law school, members of the UMBC community, including professors and coaches, encouraged me to aim high. I applied to and was accepted by several top law schools. I ultimately decided to attend Duke. I could not have achieved that goal without the nurturing and support of the UMBC community.

Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?

A: While at UMBC, I was a member of the women’s basketball team, a four-year letter winner, and captain during my senior year. I was honored as the Outstanding Scholar Athlete for the 1989 – 1990 season. I also joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Kappa Chapter, serving as president from 1989 – 1990. Additionally, I received the Student Affairs Leadership Award.

Left: Karen at the 2013 Chapter of Black & Latinx Alumni (CBLA) Homecoming Throwback Party. Right: Karen and others at the 2016 UMBC Grit & Greekness Alumni Reunion.

Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.

A: During my time at UMBC, I was inspired and supported by the upperclass members of the Lambda Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, These women were accomplished in the classroom and involved in service to the UMBC campus and Baltimore community, and they modeled how to balance all of these important parts of a student’s life with excellence. They each inspired me to achieve and encouraged and supported me as I worked my way though UMBC, and they continue to do the same even today.

After UMBC, I went on to graduate from Duke University School of Law. Currently, I am chief of the Employment Litigation Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

Q: Tell us more about your current job. What do you like most about it?

A: As a civil rights attorney, I enjoy bringing cases that vindicate the rights of individuals and classes of people those who have been discriminated against to ensure the unlawful behavior is not repeated and the workplace is left better than what it was when we started our case.

Q: How have you stayed connected with the UMBC community?

A: I truly love my work on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and specifically as co-chair of the Alumni Awards committee. I enjoy working with fellow alumni who love UMBC and are committed to helping get more alumni involved in the Alumni Association and seeing the university continue to thrive. As the co-chair of the awards committee, I look forward to reading about the many accomplished alumni who are nominated. It fills me with a sense of pride to know UMBC produces so many accomplished individuals. I also feel very inspired by my work with the Athletic Department’s Hall of Fame committee.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: As an alum, you will feel supported by all levels of the university, including President Valerie Sheares Ashby—who truly cares about all who are connected to UMBC—the Office of Alumni Engagement, and the many staff members who are dedicated to supporting UMBC alumni.

Q: What drives you to support UMBC?

A: I support the Alumni Endowed Scholarship and the UMBC Athletics Department, women’s basketball program. With my support of the alumni scholarship, I know I am pouring into some of the best and brightest of UMBC’s current students. I also find it important as a women’s basketball alum to give back to the program that helped define me as a student. I learned so much and grew so much as a student and athlete during my four years on the team, and I want to do my part to help the current group of athletes succeed.

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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

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