Provost’s Perspective: Oct. 24, 2025

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:14:54 -0400
provost

Happy Friday and welcome to the fifth installment of the provost newsletter and the first edition under its new banner: Provost's Perspective.

The question now is how do we count our editions. There is a minor debate on whether this is Vol. 1, No. 1 or Vol. 1, No. 5. The ink-stained wretch that was pulled into the haven at 1000 Hilltop from the abyss that is American journalism has been vociferously protesting that the number does not reset with a change of title, while a slightly more civilized member of the provost A-team continues to make the logical point that the Provost's Perspective is a new entity and therefore begins anew at No. 1. I'm not sold on the validity of either argument so, for now, we'll call it Vol. 1, No. 1 / 5.

So this is what we voted for?

Your feedback matters.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to lend your opinion as to the name of this publication. In a sweeping victory with more than half of the votes cast, I give you the winner: Provost's Perspective. In second place was UMBC Pulse, which now that I think about it may make for an interesting tagline.

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.

Self care is a critical aspect of successfully navigating life. Last week, I encouraged you to take a pause before the push to the second half of the semester. The small steps taken today can have a large impact on tomorrow and the journey for the remainder of the semester.

Many of you shared your favorite park or trail. Following your recommendations, I'm excited to explore Benjamin Banneker Historical Park, the Sawmill Branch Trail, and Patapsco Valley State Park, as well as countless other areas around the region. I look forward to seeing you out there.

Call for Faculty Proposals: IDEA Initiative & CAP Fellowship

I am so excited to announce the IDEA Initiative & CAP Fellowship. These efforts are part of my goal to further foster innovative and interdisciplinary curricular efforts and make sure faculty have the resources to create and innovate.

Ideate, Design, Execute & Assess (IDEA) Initiative

Submit proposals for new, credit-bearing interdisciplinary academic programs that address the evolving needs of students and the state of Maryland. Proposals from faculty teams 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.

Curriculum and Pedagogy (CAP) Fellowship

Propose the development or redesign of courses focused on emerging or in-demand workforce needs in Maryland. Faculty 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.

Learn more and apply today!

Research Admins Shadowing Day at the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting. From left to right around the table, Justin Hopkins, Tenley Stewart, Kathleen Browning, Mary Ann Scott, Debbie Bright, and Janis Rainer.

Inaugural Research Admin Shadow Day a Success

The Research Administrators Central and Departmental Collaboration Group partnered to create UMBC's inaugural Research Admin Shadowing Day on Wednesday. Shadowing Day was designed for networking, sharing ideas, and having in-person connections to help UMBC research administrators strengthen teams and collaboration. More than 30 research administrators participated across 10 sessions in three time-slots.

"It really was a great experience. I appreciated having the opportunity to sit and speak – really connect on a personal level – with some of the people I work with on a weekly, if not daily, basis," said Alisha Scrivens from the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting.

Hosts across campus held sessions in the Office of Contract and Grant Accounting (OCGA), Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Office of the Provost Shared Services Center (OPSSC), College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS), College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Research Admin Team (CAHSS-CARAT), and the Office of Earth and Space Research Administration (ESRA).

Director Gerrad Alex Taylor works with the cast of "Shakespeare in Harlem."

Don't Miss Shakespeare in Harlem

UMBC Theatre presents Shakespeare in Harlem by Langston Hughes, adapted and directed by Gerrad Alex Taylor, a university-professional collaboration between UMBC Theatre and the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

A rare gem from Hughes, this collection of monologue poems revives the rhythms of jazz, the blues, and the pulse of the Harlem Renaissance — its love, struggles, and street-corner spirit. In Taylor's adaptation, Hughes' words come alive in a dynamic full-length play, blending poetry, music, and dance for an immersive journey into the world he so vividly celebrated.

Performances at UMBC's Proscenium Theatre

Thursday, October 30, 7:30 p.m. — Opening Night Reception

Friday, October 31, 7:30 p.m. — Free Performance for UMBC students

Saturday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. — Alumni Night

Friday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 9, 2 p.m. — Free Performance for UMBC Students; Prospective Student Day; Actor Talk-Back

Mark Your Calendar: Research in Germany Information Event

Wednesday, Oct. 29, noon to 1 p.m.

Fine Arts Building, Room 459

Mark your calendar and learn about research and funding opportunities through the German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD), the Humboldt Foundation, and the German Research Institute (DFG). Officers from these organizations will present programs and will be available for questions and follow-up conversations, along with some past fellows from within the UMBC faculty. This event is particularly relevant for faculty interested in research funding and those mentoring junior faculty and graduate students.

Click here to learn more.

New Travel Solution On Tap

UMBC is about to roll out a new travel solution, SAP Concur, replacing the current Travel System. SAP Concur should provide easier travel booking and expense reporting. The program has broad applicability to all faculty and staff, as well as exciting new features for the campus. Learn about training sessions here.

Give it a Listen

As we trudge ever closer to Halloween, I encourage you to take a minute (more precisely 3:19) and give this a listen. The AOK Library and Gallery special collection got a shout-out from WYPR.

"The University of Maryland Baltimore County has a big secret.

Many already know that deep in the Albin Kuhn Library there are spooky artifacts. But there's more than just the haunted mongoose named Gef and the collection of objects supposedly bent by someone's mind.

The parapsychology collection at the school also holds audio of certain spooky instances like seances from beyond the grave and interviews with people who have experienced supernatural occurrences.

UMBC holds some seriously spooky tapes of these occurrences."

Listen to the audio and learn more here.

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we feature the newest members of our community.

Gregory Winger, Associate Professor, Political Science, affiliated with the UMBC Cybersecurity Institute

Areas of Research/Interest: International Security, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technology, and Alliances

Fun Fact About Gregory: I went undergraduate at UMBC.

Anderson Frailey, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, affiliated with the UMBC Cybersecurity Institute

Areas of Research/Interest: Economics of privacy, cybercrime, applied microeconomics

Fun Fact About Anderson: I've run a couple of marathons and was the DJ for the University of Texas ice hockey team in college.

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

Do you have a great idea? Are you organizing an event everyone should know about? Let us know here.

If you have read this far, well done and congratulations.

Until next week,

Manfred van Dulmen