Academic Leadership Announcement Dean Kimberly R. Moffitt Moving to Role at Howard University
Dear UMBC Community, 

Today, I write with news that is bittersweet for us here at UMBC and unequivocally wonderful for an outstanding higher education neighbor of ours. Kimberly R. Moffitt, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) and professor of Language, Literacy and Culture, has been named dean of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The appointment is also a homecoming for Kimberly, as she earned her Ph.D. in mass communication/media studies from Howard, which last month became the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to achieve a Research 1 Carnegie Classification. We are thrilled for Kimberly and wish her continued success as a scholar and academic leader. We also are deeply grateful for her service to UMBC and her partnership in university leadership.

Kimberly has been a member of the UMBC community since 2006, when she began as a visiting assistant professor of American studies. A tenured faculty member since 2014, she became director of the graduate program in Language, Literacy, and Culture in 2018, and served as interim dean of CAHSS, our largest academic unit, for more than a year before being named to the role permanently in 2022.

An advisor or co-advisor to 20 doctoral students throughout her time at UMBC, Kimberly has continued to teach and mentor students while serving as dean, and she is a tireless advocate for students, faculty, and staff. As dean, Kimberly established funds to provide study abroad scholarships for CAHSS majors, as well as to support students with summer stipends for unpaid internships. She instituted undergraduate and graduate student advisory boards, an Associate Professor Initiative to support mid-career faculty, and the Creative Achievement and Research Administration Team, which provides services to faculty seeking external grants and fellowships. Most recently, she created a staff development fund for professional development.

Kimberly led the Breaking the M.O.L.D. (Mellon/Maryland Opportunities for Leadership Development) program, supported by a $3 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. A collaboration with Morgan State University and the University of Maryland, College Park, the program aims to help broaden the pipeline to higher education leadership for scholars in the arts and humanities. She was also a principal investigator on the Global Asias Initiative and the Baltimore Field School project, both of which received support from the Mellon Foundation. The creation of CAHSS’s two newest research institutes—the Institute of Politics and the Public Health Research Center—further demonstrate her support of the university’s commitment to community engagement, both in scholarship and practice.

Meanwhile, she has been deeply engaged in the Baltimore community as well, including as a board member of Maryland Humanities, Afro Charities, the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, and as a founding board member of the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys charter school.

Her research on mediated representations of marginalized groups and Black hair and body politics has been published extensively in academic journals, media outlets, and in several edited volumes, including Michelle Obama and the FLOTUS Effect: Platform, Presence, and Agency; Blackberries and Redbones: Critical Articulations of Black Hair/Body Politics in Africana Communities; and Gladiators in Suits: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Representation in Scandal. She has served in leadership roles with the National Communication Association, including co-editorship of Critical Studies in Media Communication, and she currently serves as president of the National Association of Media Literacy Education.

For her many contributions to academic leadership and scholarship in her field, Kimberly has been honored with awards at UMBC and beyond, including an Outstanding Faculty Award from the UMBC Alumni Association and an Outstanding Book Award from the National Communication Association. The Daily Record recently named her one of its Top 100 Maryland Women for 2025.

Kimberly will be with us through the end of the academic year. We will share information about a search for her successor in CAHSS at a later date. For now, congratulations and best wishes, Kimberly, and thank you for your dedication and service to UMBC!

Sincerely,

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

]]> Dear UMBC Community,  Today, I write with news that is bittersweet for us here at UMBC and unequivocally wonderful for an outstanding higher education neighbor of ours. Kimberly R. Moffitt,... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148027/guest@my.umbc.edu/893592bc19e59b3b058b59420899c549/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 6 0 false Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:30:39 -0400 Update on Impact of Executive Orders on Research and Creative Achievement Our response to a recent stop-work order
Dear UMBC Community,

I write with an update regarding the impacts of federal orders and actions on UMBC’s research and creative achievement activities.

As you may be aware, on February 21, a Maryland District Court judge issued an order granting a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking parts of two federal executive orders concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (“Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”). It is the position of UMBC’s general counsel that this injunction should prevent federal agencies from: stopping or modifying contracts and grants that directly or indirectly address DEI; requiring certification of non-violation of federal anti-discrimination laws for continued funding; or bringing enforcement action against grantees or contractors based on certifications of compliance with the executive orders for continued funding. The injunction is directly relevant to a situation that has developed recently at UMBC.

One day before the injunction, we received a formal stop-work order from a federal agency concerning a research project that was to be halted in response to the executive order, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." Given the nationwide injunction, UMBC has contacted the agency to confirm that the order is rescinded in light of the recent court action. As we await a response, the important work on this research project is continuing at UMBC. We are coordinating with the Office of the General Counsel and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General as we consider our legal position should further action become necessary. We remain in close contact with the principal investigator on the federal grant, as well as individuals and organizations who serve as subcontractors, keeping them informed as we move forward.

We also are in communication with colleagues across the University System of Maryland and with colleagues on the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Council on Research to share information across the academic community.

While we do not anticipate communicating with the campus community about every impact we see from federal executive orders and actions, we thought it would be helpful to share with you a sense of how we are responding and what protocols we are following in such circumstances.

Please refer to my February 5 message for more information and guidance on grant-funded programs, and please visit the university’s central hub of information about recent federal orders and related actions for the latest updates.

Sincerely,

Karl V. Steiner
Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement
]]> Dear UMBC Community, I write with an update regarding the impacts of federal orders and actions on UMBC’s research and creative achievement activities. As you may be aware, on February 21,... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147679/guest@my.umbc.edu/f5f830487c89af325b95cfed1d6f0d89/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 8 0 false Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:40:35 -0500 Celebrating Jack Suess Announcing an upcoming leadership transition
Dear UMBC Community, 
 
With deep gratitude for his extraordinary career of service to UMBC, I write to share with you the news that Jack Suess ’80, M.S. ’95, will be retiring from his role as vice president for information technology and chief information officer. We do not have an official retirement date for him yet because he has graciously agreed to stay on until a search for his successor is completed.
 
In conversations about UMBC’s strategic plan and a vision for the future, Jack and I determined together that this would be the right time for a transition in leadership in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). A new leader will join at an opportune time, able to align the division with a new set of strategic priorities for the university and contribute meaningfully to advancing those goals. I am grateful to Jack for his characteristically unselfish thinking about how best to position DoIT to lead us toward our vision for the university, in service to our mission and our students, staff, and faculty. 
 
Jack has always had the best interests of UMBC in mind, and he personifies the spirit of this community’s devotion to one another and to UMBC. He has served in his current role since 2005 and has led the division since 1997, but his affiliation with the university goes back much longer. 
 
Jack came to UMBC as a first-generation college student in 1976. He studied mathematics and computer science, but it was a student job in information technology that would set the course of his life. In 1980, when he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math, his student job became a full-time role that blossomed into a career of leadership and service at UMBC. He is a big part of why UMBC is known as an innovator; he and the university were among the early adopters of Internet2 in 1997, and he has spearheaded initiatives in advanced networking, cloud computing, and more. His email address—jack@umbc.edu—screams “early adopter,” but, more than that, it conveys a big part of who he is. Jack, at UMBC. 
 
He did not want this message to be all about him, of course. He wanted it to be about the culture of service and partnership that permeates DoIT, and about UMBC’s active—often leading—voice in national conversations and collaborations concerning technology in higher education and research. 
 
As to the former, Jack is proud of the work of his team in advancing the research enterprise at UMBC, in helping faculty leverage technology in their teaching, and in supporting the administrative functions of the university. He also is gratified by the role that many DoIT staff members have played in the life of the university, including serving in shared governance roles. He set a good example and a high bar for such participation, serving on many UMBC planning groups, steering committees, and advisory boards over the years. For his outstanding service, Jack has been honored with both a UMBC Alumni Award and a Presidential Staff Leadership Award. Nationally, Jack has been honored with the prestigious EDUCAUSE Leadership in the Profession award and the Internet2 Presidential Leadership in the Community award. 
 
Today, Jack’s own experience as a student-employee-turned-staffer is one among many stories of alumni whose successful career arcs—at UMBC and around the world, at Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and many more—began as student employees in DoIT. 
 
As to UMBC’s leading role in technology in higher education nationally, there is much to celebrate. Going back to 1997, UMBC was among the first 50 universities to participate in the National Science Foundation (NSF) high-speed network program, vBNS. Decades later, in 2014, it was among 100 universities selected for NSF’s CC*IIE program to advance 100Gb technology. Jack was the principal investigator (PI) on both of those NSF grants, and he has been a co-PI on an NSF grant to increase the representation of women in information technology. He and others in DoIT have served in numerous leadership roles in national information technology groups, including InCommon, Internet2, and EDUCAUSE. 
 
That combination of service and innovation is at the heart of the division that Jack has led for three decades, and UMBC is all the better for it. We will share more about a search for Jack’s successor soon. Today, please join me in congratulating Jack on his remarkable career and in thanking him for his immeasurable contributions to our beloved UMBC community. 
 
Sincerely,
 
President Valerie Sheares Ashby

]]> Dear UMBC Community,    With deep gratitude for his extraordinary career of service to UMBC, I write to share with you the news that Jack Suess ’80, M.S. ’95, will be retiring from his role as... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147653/guest@my.umbc.edu/ace6a62fdbc6eaf911c023ffa49da43a/api/pixel president Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 42 0 false Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:15:05 -0500 Responding to Recent Executive Orders and Actions An Update from the Division of Institutional Equity
Dear UMBC Community,
 
I want to express my thanks to the many of you who have reached out to me in recent days to voice their concerns and ask about the current and future state of the work of the Division of Institutional Equity in light of recent federal orders and actions. Your support is an inspiring demonstration of our shared values, most especially, inclusive excellence. 
  
As you may know, late on Friday evening, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague letter that put forth a very broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which ended race-conscious admissions. The Dear Colleague letter interprets that ruling to prohibit all race-conscious activities at educational institutions that receive federal funding—“hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.”
 
A Dear Colleague letter does not carry the force of law, nor can it change existing law. We have and will continue to abide by existing laws, including through the university’s nondiscrimination policy. Higher education associations responded swiftly to the Dear Colleague letter this week, urging institutions not to overreact or try to comply preemptively with the guidance. 
 
OCR’s Dear Colleague letter followed several recent federal executive orders and other actions targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts broadly. Some of these are being challenged in the courts. Additionally, Maryland State Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, together with 15 other state attorneys general, have issued this multistate guidance on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility employment initiatives. 
 
We take seriously the direct targeting of this work, which is so central to our identity and core values. We are monitoring closely the orders and actions related to these issues and assessing as best we can the risk and potential impacts for UMBC. We also are continuing to hold UMBC to the highest standards in adhering to university policies and applicable state and federal laws. 

To that end, I want to reiterate that all of the university’s programs and activities are open for full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the university's nondiscrimination policy. 

Who we are as an institution demands that we continue to:
 
  • Create a community culture that values each individual
  • Protect the civil rights of all faculty, staff, and students
  • Come together across differences
  • Uphold free speech and academic freedom
 
This is not the work of a single office or division, but rather the collective responsibility of our entire campus community. Thank you again for your support, your dedication, and your partnership.
 
Sincerely,
 
Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
 

]]> Dear UMBC Community,   I want to express my thanks to the many of you who have reached out to me in recent days to voice their concerns and ask about the current and future state of the work of... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147521/guest@my.umbc.edu/7f82f7dd3b0501db637676a70784a197/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 18 0 false Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:45 -0500 Have You Heard About Black & Gold Rush? This year's theme is “Generosity in Action"
What is Black & Gold Rush?

Black & Gold Rush is a 36-hour giving challenge designed to bring Retrievers together to support the UMBC community and its students, faculty, and staff. Philanthropy plays such an important role in everything we do, from providing student scholarships and fueling faculty research, to resourcing programs like Retriever Essentials and the Career Center, and supporting our numerous athletics teams. It is because of the generosity of our donors that we have been able to achieve so much in just 58 short years.

Black & Gold Rush 2025 is one month away, March 5 – 6. Our goal this year is 1,966 donors in 36 hours, but we can’t reach this milestone without your help. Join theYou+ Challenge, become a Black & Gold Advocate, spread the word, and earn cool prizes. Together, we can make this the best #BlackAndGoldRush yet!

Become an Advocate & Earn UMBC Swag

When you sign up to be an advocate, you will receive a unique giving link. After you make your gift, share your link with friends and family and encourage them to give. As more and more donors use your unique link, you earn prizes. You can sign up to be an advocate at blackandgoldrush.umbc.edu.

Generosity in Action

The theme of Black & Gold Rush 2025 is “Generosity in Action.”Please join us March 5 – 6 by making a gift of any size to help fund student scholarships and extracurricular activities, support collaborative research, and provide critical resources for academic departments. Watch your generosity change lives!

RetriEVER Grateful,

Carl Fowlkes

Director, Annual Giving

giving@umbc.edu

 ]]> What is Black & Gold Rush? Black & Gold Rush is a 36-hour giving challenge designed to bring Retrievers together to support the UMBC community and its students, faculty, and staff.... https://give.umbc.edu/black-gold-rush https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147013/guest@my.umbc.edu/0f5865826f7af7b48ef835ae13338c94/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/xxlarge.jpg?1738676990 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/xlarge.jpg?1738676990 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/large.jpg?1738676990 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/medium.jpg?1738676990 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/small.jpg?1738676990 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/xsmall.jpg?1738676990 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/147/013/249cf4f8a4cf7958931dc0f6ab2b7659/xxsmall.jpg?1738676990 1 0 true Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:01:35 -0500 Tuesday early closure and updated employee leave information

Dear Colleagues,

UMBC will close at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, due to predicted inclement weather. All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes will be cancelled starting at noon. Asynchronous online classes will occur as scheduled. Afternoon and evening activities will be canceled.

We will continue to evaluate weather conditions for Wednesday and send information about any closures or delays by 6 a.m. that day. If you have not done so already, please sign up for our emergency text alerts. 

Essential personnel should report to campus as scheduled. 

Please note that the Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Guide has been updated with new guidelines about employee leave during closures that occur during regular semester dates versus ones that occur during breaks between semesters. Please read the “Guidance for Employees” section, and be sure to communicate with your immediate supervisor if you have any questions about whether to come to campus or if you need alternative accommodations due to weather conditions in your local area.

Sincerely,

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen 

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs


]]> Dear Colleagues, UMBC will close at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, due to predicted inclement weather. All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes will be cancelled starting at... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147223/guest@my.umbc.edu/fcf17c97db229610f17c8999941de7b5/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 1 0 false Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:31:45 -0500 Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:32:10 -0500 An Update on Our Work Related to Federal Executive Orders and Actions New website for resources and information
Dear UMBC Community, 
 
I am writing to you today to share more about the work that we are doing to monitor and respond to the developments in Washington. As I communicated with you in a message last week, I have assembled a core team of relevant leaders with whom I am meeting frequently to assess the various executive orders and related actions of the new Trump administration and how they may affect UMBC. 
 
I want to share the makeup of that core team, which consists of several senior leaders, as well as others whose expertise is particularly critical to our efforts. Many core team members are leading small rapid-response teams—subgroups specific to an issue, area of work, or audience. The subgroups will contract and expand—the number of groups themselves, as well as their memberships—to meet evolving needs.
 
Joining me on the core team are: 
 
  • Manfred H. M. van Dulmen, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 
  • Kacey Hammel, Chief of Staff to the President
  • Paul A. Meggett, Vice President and General Counsel
  • Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann ’06, Vice President, Government Relations and Community Affairs
  • Academic Excellence Team Leader: Ana Oskoz, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • Budget and Finance Team Leader: Kristy Michel, Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance
  • Communications Team Leaders: Tim Cobb, Interim Vice President, University Communications and Marketing; and Angela Paik, consultant
  • Enrollment Team Leader: Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Planning
  • Inclusive Excellence Team Leader: Tanyka M. Barber, Vice President, Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
  • Global Engagement Team Leader: David L. Di Maria, Associate Vice Provost for International Education
  • Research and Creative Achievement Team Leader: Karl V. Steiner, Vice President, Research and Creative Achievement
  • Student Success Team Leader: Renique T. Kersh, Vice President, Student Affairs
 
Over time, I know that these leaders will draw on the expertise and perspectives of many of you; thank you in advance for your support and assistance should they reach out to you. Please also know that you may reach out to the individuals listed above with questions or concerns about specific issues.

As our work continues, we will communicate with you regularly. Some messages will come from me, and some will come from other members of the team, as was the case with this week’s messages regarding research and creative achievement activities and the potential for federal immigration enforcement on campus. 

We also have created a website to serve as a central hub of relevant campus resources and information. Campus communications related to the Trump administration’s orders and actions will be housed there, as well as an updated list of resources related to federal actions that may impact UMBC. 
 
We are witnessing a substantial amount of change in Washington, both in volume and scope. The impacts of that change on us as individuals, as an educational community, and as a research institution are not yet clear. What is certain—rock-solid—is our commitment to UMBC’s mission and vision. I urge you all to carry on with your important work, knowing that our support for it and for the well-being of all members of this community is unwavering.
 
Sincerely,
 
President Valerie Sheares Ashby

]]> Dear UMBC Community,    I am writing to you today to share more about the work that we are doing to monitor and respond to the developments in Washington. As I communicated with you in a message... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147127/guest@my.umbc.edu/7a3a7e4c4582fba936e2bbfaffb04644/api/pixel federal-orders president Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 12 0 false Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:51:18 -0500 Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:04:27 -0500 Regarding the Potential for Federal Immigration Enforcement at UMBC Sharing general guidance and procedures
Dear UMBC Community, 
 
As general counsel for UMBC, I write today to share guidance in response to questions and concerns we have heard from community members regarding the possibility of federal immigration enforcement action occurring on our campus. First, I want to make clear that at this time, we are not aware of any requests or actions related to UMBC from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other external law enforcement agencies. What follows here is general guidance and recommended procedures for such situations. 
 
As a public institution, UMBC’s campus is largely open to the public, but many spaces are restricted for reasons of privacy, safety, and operational needs—including residence halls, classrooms, laboratories, and administrative and faculty offices. To access such non-public areas, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant or subpoena. Additionally, federal privacy laws generally prohibit the release of information from a student’s records, including to law enforcement, without a valid court order or subpoena.
 
If you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, notify UMBC Police (410-455-5555), who will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. More specifically, we advise that you: 
 
  1. Call UMBC Police, as noted above.
  2. Inform the government/law enforcement agent that you are not authorized to provide access and that they should coordinate with UMBC Police.
  3. Invite them to wait in a public area while you contact UMBC Police.
  4. Do not accept a subpoena or warrant on behalf of the university yourself.
  5. Do not physically block or interfere with enforcement action. 
  6. Document the interaction. You have the right to document the situation, including: 
    • Date and time
    • Officer name and identification number
    • Agency affiliation
    • Details of the interaction
 
If you have further questions, please reach out to ogc@umbc.edu. For additional information regarding immigration policy changes that may impact international students, scholars, and employees, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars policy updates page. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Paul A. Meggett, Vice President and General Counsel

]]> Dear UMBC Community,    As general counsel for UMBC, I write today to share guidance in response to questions and concerns we have heard from community members regarding the possibility of... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147077/guest@my.umbc.edu/68be8cf1f7fbd3a4023544640a393471/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 28 0 false Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:53:09 -0500 Interim Leadership Announcement
Dear UMBC Community, 
 
In my temporary role as co-leader of the Division of Administration and Finance, I am writing to inform the campus community that UMBC Police Chief Bruce Perry is on administrative leave from his role. During this time, Captain David Fields, patrol bureau commander with the University of Maryland Police Department, is serving as acting chief of the department. He is joined by Lieutenant Ed McDermott, executive officer to the chief of the University of Maryland Police Department. At UMBC, Lieutenant McDermott is serving in a chief of staff role for the police department, supporting Acting Chief Fields in his leadership. 
 
We are grateful to them both for providing this critical service to the department and to the university broadly. The safety and security of the UMBC community is of primary importance. We will provide further information as it becomes available and appropriate to share. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Lenn Caron
Senior Associate Vice President for Administrative Services
]]> Dear UMBC Community,    In my temporary role as co-leader of the Division of Administration and Finance, I am writing to inform the campus community that UMBC Police Chief Bruce Perry is on... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/146767/guest@my.umbc.edu/26c258d8074f664c896db14cf97eabd7/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 2 0 false Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:11:57 -0500 Starting the Spring Semester

Dear UMBC Community,

The first day of classes is always an exciting day, and today is no exception. I am optimistic for what is to come and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new semester with all of you. 

To be sure, we start this semester in a challenging and complicated context. I know that many of us are particularly concerned about the potential effects on higher education of various executive orders and related actions of the new administration in Washington. I want to acknowledge your very real concerns about the potential for direct impacts on individuals, as well as on the education we provide and the research we pursue. 

We are monitoring the developments out of Washington closely. I have assembled a core team of relevant leaders that will meet weekly to understand the changes and how they may affect UMBC. The team will draw on the expertise of the members of the UMBC community to analyze the implications for UMBC and to develop recommendations for how we proceed. As we do, we will keep you apprised.

I want to offer a reminder of ongoing support for all members of our community, including this short list of relevant resources:

In this moment, as in any, we will continue to lead with our mission and vision and remain grounded in our shared values. We will not retreat from our mission as a research university that advances the public good nor from our commitment to creating a campus environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. 

UMBC’s vision statement remains our north star, and I think it bears repeating today: 

Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.

I am even more inspired by that vision today than I was the first time I heard it, and I am more committed than ever to working with you to achieve it. My best wishes to all of you as we begin the spring semester together. 


Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

 


 ]]> Dear UMBC Community, The first day of classes is always an exciting day, and today is no exception. I am optimistic for what is to come and grateful for the opportunity to begin a new semester... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/146748/guest@my.umbc.edu/58140bc57ec27db4bc8551556d11bcc4/api/pixel federal-orders president Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 7 0 false Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:35:37 -0500 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:44:17 -0500