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.
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.
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
Save the date for the following opportunities as additional details about these events and others will be shared in the weeks ahead:
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
The Graduate School is searching for a tenured faculty member to fill the open Associate Dean for Graduate Education position, ideally to begin in January 2026. This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal on an annual basis. Nominations and self-nominations are welcomed.
Potential candidates must possess:
at least five years of experience as a graduate faculty member to include some leadership experience at the department and/or institutional level (e.g., as a graduate program director, department chair, etc.)
a significant record of scholarship, teaching, and supervision of masters and/or doctoral students
a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success
level of service experience appropriate for a tenured associate or full professor
Please submit nominations and self-nominations to Lauren Cummings (laurenc6@umbc.edu), no later than Friday, November 14 by 5 p.m. Nominations and self-nominations should include a 1-2-page statement and the prospective candidate's current C.V. Finalists will be interviewed immediately, with the goal of announcing an appointment by the end of the semester.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Education and a member of the Dean's Leadership Team, the Associate Dean will have a recognized record of excellence and experience that will result in strong leadership. The Associate Dean is responsible for providing high quality, intentional support services to graduate students. The Associate Dean coordinates the team's efforts to provide support related to planning, resource coordination, and advocacy of graduate student issues and the assessment and reporting thereof, in partnership with other Graduate School staff, Divisions, and in alignment with UMBC's institutional priorities.
Duties and essential functions may include, but not be limited to the following:
Lead efforts to develop new and enhance current policies and procedures consistent with the University's mission and values.
Communicate with graduate faculty and administrators regarding issues of graduate program management, administrative processes, and federal and state/USM compliance and regulations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for graduate student concerns and facilitate appropriate support including referrals, reporting, and triaging.
Serve as deputy dean to represent The Graduate School in absence of the Dean.
Provide support for the day-to-day operations of The Graduate School.
Serve on University committees; lead/represent The Graduate School and Dean on appropriate University bodies, councils, etc.
The Office of the Provost invites full-time faculty to apply to two exciting opportunities:
Submit proposals for new, credit-bearing interdisciplinary academic programs that address the evolving needs of students and the state of Maryland. Proposals should go beyond current offerings at UMBC or within USM. Awardees will receive course release or a summer stipend, along with university support for program design and proposal development.
Propose the development or redesign of courses focused on emerging or in-demand workforce needs in Maryland. Awardees will receive a stipend, optional funding for professional development related to course design or content, and access to course design support.
Help shape UMBC's future curriculum and impact Maryland's workforce readiness. The application period closes on November 20.
Dear Faculty,
Welcome to a new academic year! As we begin this journey together, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued dedication to inclusive excellence and student success. Whether you are returning to campus or joining us for the first time, your passion and expertise are the foundation of UMBC.
As faculty, you play a central role in supporting our students. This is particularly important while our students continue to face a complex mix of academic, personal, and societal challenges. Your engagement, empathy, and mentorship can have a profound impact. In addition to supporting our students, I urge you to be proactive in recognizing when they may need support and to refer them to appropriate campus resources when necessary.
While lifting up our students is critical, I also know we need to support you in the classroom. At UMBC, we are committed to assisting you on your professional journey and helping you thrive in the classroom. I encourage you to explore the resources available through the Faculty Development Center, which provides services and resources to aid you in teaching at UMBC.
I also want to remind you that starting this year, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is officially part of the holiday break. That means there will be one fewer Wednesday class session in the fall 2025 semester, something to keep in mind if you teach that day.
At UMBC, we are poised to transform higher education. This coming year we will do so in a variety of ways, but for now I want to highlight one in particular: Artificial Intelligence. AI is enabling universities to make transformational changes, and generative AI tools in particular are becoming increasingly integrated into academic work and student learning.
The faculty senate produced a report that surveyed faculty on the use of AI last semester. I have heard directly from that group, and have tapped Vice Provost Anupam Joshi, a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, to lead UMBC’s AI strategy. Anupam will head a taskforce this fall that will explore the use and integration of AI across university operations, including academics.
As that taskforce deliberates, we are moving forward. Based on the report from the Faculty Senate, we will support efforts spearheaded by Professor John Schumacher to deliver consistent, high quality faculty professional development experiences on generative AI. This will include direct instruction on using generative AI tools in teaching, and seminars with internal and external speakers who have expertise on this topic. We will also invite proposals from faculty to support graduate and undergraduate students as fellows to support their research in AI-related areas.
Additional news and details concerning this effort will be shared in the coming weeks and months.
I hope to see you at the campus events this month, including the Fall Opening Meeting on Thursday and Convocation on August 26. Following the Convocation ceremony, we will gather as a community for a cookout on The Quad. This is an opportunity to meet new students and catch up with colleagues. Please bring your campus ID.
Thank you for the work you do every day to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and prepare our students to go out in the world and make a meaningful difference and be the best version of themselves. I look forward to a rewarding and successful academic year ahead.
Warm regards,