Welcome to the final 2025 edition of the Provost's Perspective. In the four months since I started this newsletter, I have had the privilege of highlighting topics that have touched me both professionally and personally. Today's edition is no different.
On Monday evening I was invited to speak briefly at Light Up UMBC - A Chanukah Celebration. Being present at the event reminded me of the strength and importance of our campus community. The traditional Jewish festival of lights and its emphasis on the triumph of light over darkness, the preservation of identity, and the courage to dedicate ourselves to our core values is a powerful reminder that while we each have personal challenges and triumphs that shape our lives, it is important to maintain hope as we navigate adversity.
While we have made a lot of progress this year, for some, the year has been very challenging. Many in our community face uncertainty, including their visa status and long-term career options. Federal work order stoppages, changes to the federal grant environment, changes to immigration policies, targeting individuals for their identity, and attacks on diversity, inclusion, and equality efforts are just a few of the major challenges facing members of our community. Different people in our community (and their family members) may have been impacted in many different ways. Compassion and care for each other is now more important than ever.
As we continue to navigate these challenges, I often remind myself of the importance of showing up for one another. Earlier this semester, I was struck by a comment about connection during a conversation with members of our LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association. Someone shared that they felt adrift because no one had asked the simple but essential question, "How are you doing?" – four small words, but ones that speak directly to care and belonging. It was a powerful reminder for me, and for those of us in the Office of the Provost, that everything begins with genuine connection and concern.
Through life's ups and downs, I encourage you to find and lean into your community, and to support one another. At UMBC, this may be a faculty and staff affinity group, a colleague who shares a passion outside of the classroom or office, or a friend who joins you for a couple of minutes of connection as you walk around Hilltop Circle. No matter how and where you find this connection, I encourage you to nurture it, celebrate it, and spread it to your friends and colleagues.
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!
Guidelines for AI Use in the Classroom
If you missed Anupam Joshi's announcement concerning university guidelines for AI use in the classroom, check it out here. The guidelines were developed through broad consultation between faculty and staff and reflect emerging best practices and examples from peer institutions. They feature a "traffic light" model to help instructors articulate permissible, limited, or prohibited uses of AI tools.
Mark your calendar
The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint
Walk away with fresh inspiration and actionable strategies
Friday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. 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
New Faculty Spotlights
Each week we feature the newest faculty members of our community.
DuEwa Frazier, Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, English
Areas of Research/Interest: DuEwa's non-fiction writing focuses on contemporary education issues in education, arts and culture, social justice, hip-hop culture, women's interest, and opinion. Her creative writing focuses on poetry, children's, and other genres. As an innovator, she has produced work in multiple areas in the arts, digital media, and publishing.
Fun Fact About DuEwa: I'm a poet, podcaster, and TEDx speaker alum.
Jungwon Yeo, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Emergency and Disaster Health Systems
Areas of Research/Interest: Cross-Sector Collaboration/over 50 Publications (peer-reviewed journals, book, book chapters, etc.)
Fun Fact About Jungwon: Double black diamond skier. Animal painter.
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 2026,
Manfred van Dulmen