For those who insist 13 is an unlucky number, UMBC men’s swimming and diving is here to prove otherwise. Last weekend, the Retrievers reclaimed the 2022 America East Championship title to win their 13th championship out of 15 appearances.
Four days of intense battle at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts culminated in a sweep of the men’s six events in the final day of competition. After narrowly falling to Binghamton for the championship last year, the Retrievers posted 921.5 total points to runner-up Binghamton’s 874.5.
UMBC women’s swimming and diving earned second place at their championship meet.
Collecting hardware
Niklas Weigelt ‘23, economics, reclaimed the meet’s Outstanding Swimmer award for the second year in a row.
“I’m very proud to be part of this program,” says Weigelt. “The progress we’ve made in the past year is unbelievable. The team came together to make the 2022 championships one to remember.”
Weigelt poses with the America East Outstanding Swimmer plaque.
Oliver Gassmann ‘25, undergraduate studies, earned Outstanding Rookie honors in his first year of competition. Luka Zuric ‘22, statistics, closed out his senior year with the David Alexander Coaches’ award for most points earned over four league championship meets.
UMBC women’s team just missed their championship win, ultimately coming in second place with 752.5 points. Caroline Sargent ‘22, psychology, earned the Outstanding Swimmer award and captured the 200 backstroke, posting the only women’s meet record to be broken in the championships.
Feb. 13, 2022; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; during the 2022 America East Swimming Championship at the WPI Sports and Recreation Center. Photo by Brian Foley for Foley-Photography.com.
“I am very honored and excited to be named Swimmer of the Meet,” says Sargent. “I’m really grateful for my teammates and coaches for pushing me and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Coaching honors
With a short tenure but a big impact, head coach Matt Donovan and his staff collected men’s Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Despite this only being Donovan’s second season at the helm, the crew also took home the Coaching Staff of the Meet award in December during the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) 2021 Winter Championships.
“Since the end of last year’s championship, this men’s team has had one singular focus,” says Donovan. “It was very impressive to see how focused they’ve remained over this past year. We’ve had our share of ups and downs but they never wavered from their ultimate goal. It was truly an impressive feat.”
Header image: The UMBC men’s swimming and diving team celebrates their America East Championship win. All photos courtesy of the America East Conference. Author contributions by Steve Levy, associate athletics director.
While we can’t wait to see what memories we will make in 2022, let’s first take a look back at the milestones, breakthroughs, and student stories that shaped our UMBC community in 2021.
1. Judges rule UMBC victorious over Yale
This spring, UMBC defeated Yale University to win the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship for the first time in program history. Five of the eleven judges voted for UMBC, five went for Yale, and the final judge stated it was a tie. To determine the winner, the judges tallied the scores from all their final round ballots, which put UMBC ahead of Yale, 1,360 to 1,355. UMBC Mock Trial also earned the Spirit of AMTA Award, honoring their commitment to the principles of civility, justice, and fair play.
Members of UMBC’s Mock Trial team show off their championship rings.
2. Welcome home, Retrievers
UMBC welcomed nearly 2,100 new first-year students in fall 2021, making this the largest incoming fall class in UMBC’s history. With nearly 1,000 transfer students and additional international undergraduates and graduate students enrolled, almost 4,000 total new students joined Retriever Nation this fall. Plus, more than 100 students returned to UMBC as part of the Finish Line program to complete their degrees, some more than 10 years after their academic journey began.
UMBC celebrates the first day of classes, fall 2021. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)
3. Best in show
The 2022 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings affirmed UMBC’s position as one of the top universities in the nation. UMBC is among the best of the best in both undergraduate teaching and innovation, and distinguished in several other key areas. U.S. News ranks UMBC #6 among all U.S. universities for undergraduate teaching this year. UMBC also advanced to number #6 on the Most Innovative Universities list, just ahead of Stanford.
Amanda Knapp, associate vice provost of UAA, meets with a student in the Academic Success Center in 2019.
4. Supporting students, diversifying STEM
New data from the National Science Foundation spotlighted UMBC as the nation’s top undergraduate institution for Black graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the natural sciences and engineering, as well as doctorates in the life sciences, mathematics, and computer science. UMBC is also the number one baccalaureate institution for Black undergraduates who go on to earn M.D./Ph.D.s., according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Meyerhoff Scholars and alumni at the Meyerhoff 30th anniversary dinner, June 2019. President Hrabowski (left) and original program sponsor Robert Meyerhoff (right) seated in front row.
5. Keeping the curtain up
Most of us may not have had the traditional live performance or movie theater experience this year, but many have found much-needed solace and escape through television and movies in living rooms across the country. Behind the scenes, Retrievers working in Hollywood as writers, producers, and directors have embraced the challenges of the moment—and remained ever-thankful for their audiences and creative roots.
Screenshot of interview session with Retrievers in Hollywood.
6. NASA funding for Earth sciences
NASA announced a major award of $72 million over three years for the new Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II center. UMBC serves as the lead for GESTAR II’s national consortium and will receive over $38 million. GESTAR II will support over 120 researchers, creating extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in Earth and atmospheric science research. Participants will carry out observational, experimental, and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth science mission objectives. The large scale of this work will also enable students at all levels to contribute to the research.
UMBC and Morgan State colleagues gather to celebrate the new GESTAR II award outside UMBC’s Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building. From left to right: Willie E. May, Daniel Laughlin, David K. Wilson, Margo Young, Freeman A. Hrabowski, Belay Demoz, Karl V. Steiner.
7. Valuing diversity in leadership
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has granted UMBC, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) $3 million to launch Breaking the M.O.L.D., a program to develop a pipeline to higher ed leadership for scholars in the arts and humanities. It will focus on interested faculty members at the rank of associate and full professor, particularly women faculty and Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native faculty. Kimberly Moffitt, interim dean of UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and professor of language, literacy, and culture, serves as the project’s lead PI. Joining her in leading UMBC’s implementation will be Patrice McDermott, vice provost for faculty affairs.
Leading the charge for UMBC’s portion of the Breaking the M.O.LD. Initiative are Kimberly Moffitt (l) and Patrice McDermott (r)
8. Your America East champions…again
Returning to regular-season play in the fall, UMBC women’s volleyball successfully defended their America East title against UAlbany and advanced to NCAA tournament play for just the fourth time in program history. This match-up may have felt familiar for supporters. Due to competition schedules impacted by COVID, it was only seven months prior that UMBC traveled to UAlbany to take on the Great Danes and win their first America East title. While the Retrievers fell short in tournament play, when the regular season came to a close in mid-November, the Retrievers officially became the sixth team in program history to have a perfect, undefeated season.
UMBC women’s volleyball with America East trophy. Photo courtesy of Ian Feldmann ‘21.
9. Growing globalization
The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU) has honored UMBC with its 2021 Gold Award in Leadership and Pervasiveness for Internationalization. UMBC is the only North American university to receive this prestigious Gold Award. This honor affirms the collective, intentional work behind UMBC’s global engagement strategy.
UMBC’s 2021 APLU Gold Award in Leadership and Pervasiveness for Internationalization
10. Prestigious scholarships
Jordan Troutman ’21, M29, computer science and mathematics, was the first UMBC student to become a Knight-Hennessy Scholar. The international Knight-Hennessy Scholarship is open to students applying to graduate school at Stanford University in any area of study. In addition to funding, it offers robust leadership and community-development training.
Jordan Troutman, recipient of a Knight-Hennessy Scholarship.
Joshua Slaughter ‘22, M30, computer engineering, received the Marshall Scholarship, becoming the second student in UMBC history and the first in 29 years to earn the prestigious award. Slaughter is one 41 American students named Marshall Scholars this year, from institutions across the country. The scholarship supports graduate study at institutions in the United Kingdom. He was also a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Joshua Slaughter, recipient of a Marshall Scholarship.
11. Top history book prizes
Among UMBC faculty’s recent writing awards, Marjoleine Kars, professor of history, has received the Cundill History Prize and the Frederick Douglass Book Prize for her acclaimed book Blood on the River: A Chronicle of Mutiny and Freedom on the Wild Coast (The New Press). Based on a decade of archival research, the book tells the story of a nearly successful rebellion of enslaved African and indigenous people just over 250 years ago in the Dutch colony of Berbice, 1763-1764.
Marjoleine Kars poses with her award-winning book. Photo courtesy of Kars.
12. Hero of the Year
Kizzmekia Corbett ’08, M16, biological sciences and sociology, is an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, after leading the team behind the successful effort to create a vaccine for COVID-19 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Working with the pharmaceutical company Moderna, Corbett’s achievements on the global stage benefit all of us. TIME magazine recognized these efforts and named Corbett a Hero of the Year in the annual Person of the Year issue published in December.
The end of the semester brings a lot to celebrate—the conclusion of finals, a well-deserved break on the horizon, and the addition of new graduates to the UMBC alumni community. Over the course of two days and three ceremonies, UMBC celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2021, as well as 2020 graduates who were unable to celebrate in person before due to COVID.
A student prepares to graduate with classmates during Winter Commencement 2021.
UMBC invited graduates to the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena for socially-distanced ceremonies. In keeping with safety guidelines, attendance was limited and COVID protocols were put into place. While previous commencement ceremonies were livestreamed, this marked UMBC’s first hybrid Commencement exercise, with graduates being recognized in person, as well as slides and a presentation of names for those participating virtually.
Dr. Michelle Frank-Crawford was a @UMBC 2020 grad. Today she participated in an in-person commencement with masking, social distancing, and other precautions. Congratulations! @ABAatUMBCpic.twitter.com/gq2RSvjU7F
President Freeman Hrabowski joyfully greeted attendees, assuring them that, despite the required KN95 masks, he could still tell they were smiling. During his remarks, he shared a lighthearted, but poignant, life lesson from former UMBC President Michael Hooker.
Pres. Hrabowski noted that Hooker had a deep love of pizza and would find himself already looking forward to the next slice while still eating his first. He realized he wasn’t appreciating the moment, and committed himself to living more in the present—to take time to celebrate life’s joys. Hrabowski summed the lesson up with a line those watching won’t soon forget: “When I say ‘savor the moment,’ I want you to be thinking about the pizza.”
President Hrabowski addresses the graduates at Winter Commencement 2021.
Student leadership
Joel Tyson ‘18, chemical engineering, president of the Graduate Student Association and a current Ph.D. candidate, charged his classmates to continue to change the world by changing those around them.
“You are the scholars and experts that will make the impact that will lead to a better world and guide others to be more impactful,” said Tyson.
A graduate snaps a selfie with supporters following Commencement.
UMBC Student Government Association (SGA) President Mehrshad Fahim Devin, biological sciences, has no doubt in the abilities of his classmates. Before crossing the stage himself as a graduate, Devin addressed his peers saying, “Success is about hanging on after others have given up. Seeing you all here today assures me that no matter how the world will look in 20 years, we will all be successful.”
Devin’s custom shoes featuring all his UMBC activities.
Messages of gratitude
All of the messages shared echoed one resounding sentiment: gratitude. As students, faculty, and staff navigated a semester filled with uncertainty and change, support from the UMBC community was more important than ever.
In keeping with the theme, last week faculty and staff enjoyed a RetriEVER Grateful event to mark the end of the semester. While catching up with colleagues and enjoying a visit from Chip, faculty and staff also shared the things they’re most grateful for.
Provost Philip Rous shared his own reflections during a livestreamed address. “We often talk about UMBC being a place of stories,” he said, noting that “it is a binding together of each of our stories that makes up the story of the UMBC community—not just the past or the present, but also the future.”
Recordings of UMBC Commencement ceremonies can be found on YouTube. Continue to share messages of congratulations on social media using the hashtag #UMBCgrad.
It may be cold outside, but competition was heating up in the pool last weekend as UMBC men’s and women’s swimming and diving dominated the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) 2021 Winter Championships.
Capturing 15 out of 20 events, UMBC men’s swimming and diving took home first place in the meet. With a difference of 1,896 points, the Retrievers eclipsed runner-up Long Island University (LIU).
A swimmer shows off new hardware after the ECAC meet.
“I could not be more pleased with how the team competed at the ECAC meet,” says head coach Matt Donovan. “We are in a tremendous position for this time of year and we are all excited for what is still to come.”
The UMBC women’s swimming and diving team earned the runner-up spot in last weekend’s competition, only narrowly missing the win to Columbia. Both of the ladies’ medley relay quartets took home golds in new meet record times.
Swimming laps around the competition
Kai Wisner ‘22, mechanical engineering, was named Swimmer of the Meet, and head coach Donovan and staff received Coaching Staff of the Meet honors.
“As a coaching staff, we presented this team with a lot of new training concepts this fall. It is truly impressive with how quickly they mastered these goals,” says Donovan.
Wisner with his Swimmer of the Meet trophy.
Will Henrickson, ‘23, media & communication studies, earned Diver of the Meet accolades, as he triumphed on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards.
Niklas Weigelt ‘23, fine arts, set a new meet record in the 100 freestyle with a time of 43.87. A foursome from UMBC also locked down a new meet record with their 2:58.60 time in the 400 free relay.
Jenna Gwinn ‘23, public health, captured first in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke competitions.
“I’m super excited and proud of how our team competed this past weekend. We’ve been pushing each other to bring out the best in one another and I believe we showed that,” says Weigelt.
Both teams return to the pool in January and you can follow all the action on Twitter.
Banner image: men’s and women’s swimming and diving celebrate their ECAC victories. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
An honor so nice, they had to do it twice. This weekend, UMBC women’s volleyball defended their America East title. Now, they will advance to the NCAA Championship for the fourth time in program history.
Retrievers jumping for joy after winning the America East Championship for the second-straight season.
In a hard-fought battle against fourth-seeded Stony Brook on Friday night, the Retrievers rallied in five sets and took the semi-final round of the America East Championship. Returning to Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Saturday, fans were on their feet as UMBC rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to win the final three sets against No. 2 seed University at Albany, and again capture the America East Championship.
This match-up may have felt familiar for supporters. Due to competition schedules impacted by COVID, it was only seven months ago that UMBC traveled to UAlbany to take on the Great Danes and win their first America East title.
Sophomore Aysia Miller is all smiles after Saturday’s game.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group. The leadership, work ethic, love for one another and pride for UMBC has shown throughout the whole season,” says head coach Cristina Robertson.
Not only did UMBC defend their title, they also earned their place in the record books. When the regular season came to a close in mid-November, the Retrievers officially became the sixth team in program history to have a perfect, undefeated season.
Graduate student Grace Rigsbee shows off the new apparel.
In addition to this honor, UMBC also posted the fourth undefeated record in NCAA Division I conference play and became the third team in the conference to finish 12-0 or better in 20 years.
Key players
Andjelija Draskovic ‘23, psychology, made an impressive showing this season, capturing America East Setter of the Week a league-best tying five times. The Serbian setter earned America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Beste Ayhan ’24 and Aysia Miller ‘24, biological sciences.
First-year student Mia Bilusic, biochemistry, is already making her mark on the team, earning America East Rookie of the Year honors and All-Conference First Team honors. She saved her best for the playoffs, recording a career-high 29 kills and 16 digs in the semifinals, and then adding 23 kills on .300 hitting in the championship.
Emily Ferketic ’23, physics, was awarded the America East Elite 18 Award as the top performing student athlete in the championships.
Teter celebrates with teammates on the court.
Graduate student libero Loren Teter, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership, continues to make strong contributions on the court. Teter’s 511 digs are currently the fourth-most in a single season in school history and she’s only the second Retriever in program history to be named America East Defensive Specialist of the Year.
“Between sets two and three of that championship game, there was a shift in our team’s demeanor,” says Teter. “We weren’t going to come this far, to only come this far. It was the perfect ending to a perfect regular season.”
For the second season in a row, Robertson and her staff were named America East Coaching Staff of the Year.
“Many thanks to Retriever Nation who showed up in full force and cheered us into winning another conference title,” says Robertson. “UMBC is a special place with special people and we are privileged to be a part of it.”
Robertson and UMBC volleyball coaching staff with their America East trophy.
UMBC will battle Pittsburgh on Friday, December 3 at 7 p.m. EST for the first round of NCAA tournament play. Follow all the action on Twitter.
Banner image: UMBC women’s volleyball with America East trophy. All photos courtesy of Ian Feldmann ‘21.
With Joella Lubaszewski ’10, theatre, UMBC’s coordinator in fitness and wellness
In the hustle and bustle of exams, family dinners, and everyday life, it can be easy to forget to take time for yourself—time that isn’t spent thinking about the errands you need to run or the emails cluttering your inbox. One could argue that Ferris Bueller said it best when he reminded us, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
A great way to reconnect, relax, and recenter is through yoga. UMBC’s coordinator in fitness and wellness, Joella Lubaszewski ’10, theatre, has spent hundreds of hours getting certified so she can teach you the art of finding your calm.
Tools of the Trade:
A willingness to try (seriously, that’s it): “There are a lot of different types of yoga and ways to practice, you don’t necessarily need anything special,” says Lubaszewski.
Optional: Yoga mat and yoga blocks.
Step 1: Get Started!
So frequently people seem to think they need to have a certain level of flexibility or balance to get started (or the right wardrobe), but Lubaszewski wants to assure newbies this is not the case.
“I think anybody can do yoga in some capacity,” says Lubaszewski. “There are a lot of different kinds of yoga. Maybe you’re never going to put your foot behind your head, that doesn’t mean you’re not doing yoga. Maybe for you it’s more of the meditation or the act of practicing.”
She encourages those who are new to try a few studios and a few classes before throwing in the towel—the RAC offers quite a few options, too. Having trouble getting started? Try journaling or reading beforehand to ease yourself into the class and center your focus.
Step 2: Find Your Space
Wouldn’t it be cool to have a full yoga studio in your home? Yes. Is that feasible? Maybe not, but it’s okay to dream big. The good news is you don’t need a fancy space or equipment to get started. The rise of online classes has made it easier than ever to take a virtual class from virtually anywhere.
“Some days your practice will be just from your bed in your pajamas and some days it will be on the floor, it just depends on what you need that day,” says Lubaszewski.
The important thing is finding a space that’s yours. One of the biggest challenges that comes with starting is focusing on your practice. You may find that you concentrate better when you’re in an in-person class with others, a live video with an instructor, a pre-recorded class you can do at your own speed, or even just working through your own flow.
Step 3: Find What Works for You
If you’re trying yoga for the first time and can’t seem to get the hang of it, you’re not the only one. Lubaszewski recalls that when she first started practicing she admits she thought it was, “a little boring,” but as she integrated it into her regular routine, she fell in love with it.
You don’t need to have a reason to start or set an intention to start your practice that day. “It’s such a personal thing; if you have a clear reason and intention, sure, you can think about that. If you don’t, maybe you’ll figure it out along the way, but it’s not a problem if you don’t,” she assures new students.
Step 4: Turn Your Brain Off
“I say this during savasana [the final resting pose of almost every class]—try not to think that as soon as class is over you’re going to get changed and go to the grocery store and run your errands,” Lubaszewski encourages. “Just stop, don’t think for a minute.”
We know this one is easier said than done, but if you’re really going to let yourself relax, you’re going to have to channel your inner Elsa and “let it go.” There are so few occasions when we’re actually encouraged not to think, but this helps to reflect on the work you just did and capture the last vestiges of peace before returning to real life.
Through recurring events like Mindfulness Mondays, UMBC students and staff are encouraged to find ways to breathe and relax. Here, RAC fitness instructor Erica Sligh ’20, biological sciences, leads a yoga class next to the Library Pond in 2019.
Brain still stuck on a hamster wheel of thoughts? Lubaszewski suggests making an inventory of all the things you can feel—your legs on the mat, your arms at your sides, the fabric of your clothes, etc.
Step 5: Practice Makes Perfect
Even after over a decade of practice, Lubaszewski still doesn’t consider herself an expert (hence why it’s called a practice). For her, the appeal is that you can do it every day but still find new and different ways to suit your needs.
“One of the reasons I really love yoga is that it can be whatever you need, when you need it. Sometimes it’s sitting down for an intense 90-minute workout, sometimes it’s 30 seconds of just breathing because you’re feeling overwhelmed.”
Step 6: Recapture Your Peace Throughout the Day
As you start to condition yourself to take time throughout the day, it can get easier to recapture some of those feelings of peace, even without rolling out your mat.
“It can be easy to wake up and jump into all the things you have to do,” says Lubaszewski, “but giving yourself permission to stop and focus for a second can calm you down and change the trajectory of your day.”
As UMBC welcomes the largest incoming class in its history, the 2022 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings affirm UMBC’s position as one of the top universities in the nation. UMBC is among the best of the best in both undergraduate teaching and innovation, and distinguished in several other key areas.
U.S. News ranks UMBC #6 among all U.S. universities for undergraduate teaching this year. This recognition honors the unwavering commitment of UMBC’s faculty and staff in helping students navigate a largely virtual and hybrid curriculum during the COVID pandemic. UMBC is the only Maryland public university to appear on the list.
UMBC has advanced to number #6 on the Most Innovative Universities list, just ahead of Stanford. Joining UMBC in the top 10 are institutions like MIT and Carnegie Mellon. UMBC is the only Maryland university on the list this year.
“What has always set UMBC apart is the people,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “Year after year, these rankings illustrate the many ways in which our faculty and staff work to support the success and well-being of our students.”
These honors reflect UMBC’s emphasis on constantly evolving to more effectively support student success. The University Innovation Alliance (UIA) announced UMBC as its newest member earlier this year. The pioneering consortium of 13 select public research universities boosts student success through sharing and scaling approaches that work.
Amanda Knapp (center) and Katharine H. Cole (second from right) meet with students in the Academic Success Center in 2019.
“It’s our responsibility to understand the challenges students face at the most granular level possible, and to provide resources to help them reach their goals,” says Katharine H. Cole, UMBC’s vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Top honors
In addition to these rankings and recognition as a top national university, UMBC is also a top-100 Best Public University and Best Value University. And U.S. News spotlights UMBC on its lists of top universities for ethnic diversity and for veterans.
“UMBC’s continued leadership in the rankings is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence,” says Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88, UMBC’s vice provost for Enrollment Management and Planning. “We provide opportunities and support for all students to succeed.”
Students enjoy Involvement Fest 2021.
The Best Value designation is especially meaningful for many in the UMBC community, which is known for welcoming talented first-generation college students, transfer students, and others with financial considerations in mind. Recently quoted in The Washington Post, President Hrabowski hassaid, “The significance of our success is that we are saying to the country and to young people that you don’t have to be rich to be the very best. Middle class institutions can produce some of the best thinkers in the world.”
Excellence in engineering and computer science
U.S. News also recognizes UMBC as a top-100 institution for both undergraduate engineering and computer science programs. This comes as no surprise to campus leaders, given the success of graduates in these areas.
In addition to UMBC producing alumni like Clemson University President James P. Clements ’85, computer science, M.S. ’91, Ph.D. ’93, operations analysis, and Rhodes Scholar Naomi Mburu M26, ‘18, chemical engineering, new National Science Foundation (NSF) data on UMBC graduates reveal exciting findings.
“According to NSF data, UMBC is the number one baccalaureate institution for African American undergraduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the natural sciences and engineering, as well as doctorates in the life sciences, mathematics, and computer science,” report Hrabowski and Peter Henderson, senior advisor to the president.
President Freeman Hrabowski waves to students during Convocation 2021.
Also exemplifying this excellence are UMBC’s Goldwater Scholars. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program supports talented undergraduates in strategic STEM areas. UMBC set a university record by producing four Goldwater Scholars in 2021-22—in computer engineering, physics, mathematics, and bioinformatics. Today, UMBC is one of the highest-producing universities for Goldwater Scholars in the nation.
UMBC has also become synonymous for excellence in cybersecurity. Governor Larry Hogan announced the launch of the Maryland Institute for Innovative Computing (MIIC) at UMBC during a cybersecurity summit in Annapolis over the summer. And the UMBC Cyber Dawgs again took home first place in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (MACCDC) in May. The virtual competition held this past spring marks the fourth time in seven years that the Cyber Dawgs have won the MACCDC.
COEIT students, faculty, and staff at the 2019 COEIT Celebration. Photo by Chris Ferenzi Photography.
“The faculty, staff, and graduate assistants in our college have given their all to supporting our undergraduate students through the pandemic,” says Keith Bowman, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). “That the success of our programs and students is so highly considered by colleagues is truly gratifying.”
High-impact research
UMBC’s strength across a range of rankings reflects how the university emphasizes both teaching and research as complementary priorities. Faculty bring their research into the classroom and also engage students at all levels in moving research forward. At UMBC, one of the top 100 public universities in federal research funding, this particularly includes public impact research that connects with communities and has a tangible effect on people’s lives.
Grace Tugado, right, works in the SeeTrue Technology lab with her mentor Kinneret Rand-Yadin, company founder and CEO.
Speaking to Inside Higher Edrecently, Pres. Hrabowski echoed the importance of faculty who are deeply invested in the experiences and success of students. He shared, “Educators must focus on creating an environment in which it is great to be loving learning.”
Through this approach, the publication notes, Pres. Hrabowski and UMBC have “built a legacy challenging the assumption that only prestigious, wealthy colleges foster educational excellence.”
Header image: Amanda Knapp, associate vice provost of UAA, meets with a student in the Academic Success Center in 2019. All images by Marlayna Demond ’11 unless otherwise noted.
“I feel like I’ve waited a very long time to say this, but…welcome home.”
Speaking at UMBC’s annual Fall Opening Meeting, Provost Philip Rous acknowledged the gravity of the moment—the first time faculty, staff, students, and friends gathered in person in over a year. Marking the official opening of the 2021-2022 academic year, campus leaders shared meaningful milestones with the community, joining from the renovated Retriever Activity Center and online.
UMBC is on pace to welcome nearly 2,100 new first-year students, making this the largest incoming fall class in UMBC’s history.
First-year student Ashley Gomez chose UMBC because, she says, it “allows me to be a full-time student, still work, be with my family, be a dancer, and accomplish all that I’ve dreamed of doing. UMBC allows me to make my family proud.”
Nearly there: August 31st! First day of Classes @UMBC! Ready to Rock the 1st day with new and returning Retrievers. As we navigate a new Fall semester, we are ready to learn, engage & also take care of each other while maintaining health and safety at the forefront. #UMBCwelcomepic.twitter.com/FwC5CAyaaO
— Mariajose Castellanos Arroyo (@DrC_at_UMBC) August 26, 2021
With nearly 1,000 transfer students and additional international undergraduates and graduate students enrolled, almost 4,000 total new students will join Retriever Nation this fall. Plus, more than 100 students will return to UMBC as part of the Finish Line program to complete their degrees, some more than 10 years after their academic journey began.
Like most universities, UMBC elected to make standardized tests optional for applicants in 2021. With this in mind, the average SAT for the incoming first-year class is an impressive 1297 for those who submitted scores.
A welcoming atmosphere for all
This year’s international student population is also looking at a record year for enrollment.
“In spite of the unprecedented challenges posed by a global pandemic, students from around the world continue to persevere in order to begin their studies at UMBC,” says David Di Maria, senior international officer and associate vice provost for international education. “This not only speaks to the high value placed on a UMBC education, but it is also a notable demonstration of true grit.”
University rankings reflect UMBC’s success in building an international reputation for excellence and impact. The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) included UMBC among the top 3.7% of universities on its global 2021-22 list. U.S. News and World Report also considers UMBC a leader on the global stage, included in their 2021 Best Global Universities list.
“We are excited to welcome such a remarkable cohort of the world’s best and brightest to our UMBC community this semester,” says Adam Julian, director of international student and scholar services. “These students have demonstrated many incredible skills and qualities as they overcame the challenges and obstacles of the global pandemic.”
UMBC’s commitment to fostering a collaborative classroom environment is what drew many international students to the campus. Nigerian student Praise Lasekan ’25, biological sciences, can’t wait to study in an environment where students are encouraged to actively dialogue with faculty and each other.
“I was excited to learn that I can ask my professors questions at UMBC,” says Lasekan. “I’m here to learn as much as possible and want to work with professors, students, and anyone I can learn something from.”
Recognizing leadership
UMBC’s growing national and international stature is also visible among higher ed professionals. Dale Bittinger ’16, M.P.P., assistant vice provost of undergraduate admissions, orientation, and school partnerships, has for years worked closely with Common App, a national non-profit focused on college admissions. He recently became Chair-Elect of the Common App Board of Directors, and his leadership marks an important first.
“This is the first time in the Common App’s history that the position is held by someone from a public university,” says Bittinger. “I think this selection speaks to UMBC being a leader on the national stage and I look forward to representing us, as well as all other public institutions, in this capacity.”
Welcome home, Retrievers
One of the traditions new students enjoy the most is the host of UMBC Welcome Week activities. With limited students living on campus last fall, most events were held virtually. This year, UMBC is offering a hybrid schedule of Welcome Week events for both first-year students and sophomores (most of whom are now on campus for the first time) to ensure everyone gets the full experience.
This past weekend, both cohorts had dedicated move-in days, complete with their own activities.
“The world has changed and we know COVID is part of that world. Planning student events now means taking into account more detailed health and safety requirements, as well as knowing what will make for a fun student experience,” says Jen Dress, associate director of campus life. “We’ve been looking forward to renewed energy and presence on campus and being able to continue many of our traditions.”
President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous stop to speak to students during Retriever Fest.
After unpacking their boxes and hanging their Retriever gear in their closets, new students had a chance to enjoy Retriever Fest. They made their way to Erickson Field to learn more about campus offerings, meet friends, and snag some UMBC swag. They also had the opportunity to check out the newly upgraded Retriever Activity Center (RAC).
Off-Campus Student Services greet new Retrievers.
Exploring campus
While the doors were closed to the public last year, there was a dedicated team working inside to completely overhaul the RAC. With a budget of $28 million, approximately 77% of the building was renovated. Updates include doubling the weight training space, with seven tons of free weights and plates; quadrupling the cardio space, with 95 pieces of cardio equipment; adding a new cycle studio; and locker room renovations.
The RAC’s new spin studio.
“The newly-renovated RAC will help transform the UMBC campus. The RAC will engage students, faculty, and staff while providing far more programs and activities with a focus on fitness and wellness,” says Gary Wohlstetter, senior associate athletic director. “It will have an immediate positive impact on our current users and will be a great asset to attract new Retrievers who will be able to see the priority we place on health, wellness, and community-building.”
New Retrievers also had the opportunity to spend time in UMBC’s Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena during Convocation, the official start to the new semester. Mehrshad Fahim Devin ‘22, physics, president of UMBC’s Student Government Association, shared in personal remarks to the crowd that he had difficulty adjusting to UMBC when he first arrived, but felt compelled to see it through.
Devin has UMBC spirit from head to foot, literally.
“I stayed because of a phenomenon which I like to call the ‘UMBC butterfly effect,’” he said. “I’m sure you’re all familiar with the theory that a small change could lead to a larger and more significant difference. That theory is very prevalent at UMBC and you will all experience it before the end of this year.”
For Devin, that moment was attending a meeting, a few months into his freshman year, where he realized that at UMBC, students are encouraged to co-create the campus community, in partnership with faculty and staff.
An historic year
The start of this academic year is also unique in that it marks an important transition in university history. After 30 years as president, Freeman Hrabowski announced he will retire at the close of the 2021-2022 academic year. The University System of Maryland will conduct a national search to find UMBC’s next president. Until then, Hrabowski is making the most of every campus event this year.
President Hrabowski captures memories at his final Fall Opening Meeting.
Onlookers noticed Hrabowski with phone in hand during the Fall Opening Meeting, as he filmed the audience for what would be his last State of the University address. Looking at the crowd of colleagues, Hrabowski reflected on his tenure at UMBC saying, “This is the house that love has built. We show the world that we can transform lives through education.”
Featured Image: “Welcome home, Retriever Nation” signs lining a walkway with students in the background. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
Each week of the 2020 athletic season, Retriever athletes, coaches, and fans held their breath to see what games would be cleared to play. After making it through 2020 with men’s and women’s basketball holding down the proverbial fort, 2021 marked a new year and new development for UMBC sports—all unplayed fall and spring sports would return to action in spring 2021.
Though there was no shortage of challenges when it came to playing in a pandemic (diligent symptom monitoring, regular testing, periods of isolation), student-athletes rose to the occasion and added several new chapters to UMBC record books this year.
Serving success
For the first time in program history, UMBC women’s volleyball earned a share of the America East regular season title, splitting the honor with UAlbany. Then, on April 2, the team traveled to Albany to take on the Great Danes for the America East Championship, and they delivered, winning their first America East Championship in program history.
“The first day we met UMBC’s then-new athletics director, Brian Barrio, in 2020, he showed us an empty photo frame on his wall,” says Anouk Van Noord ’21, psychology, a right side hitter. “He told us that he was saving it for when we win the America East championship. I am so proud to graduate from UMBC in May with that spot filled on his wall.”
The Retrievers competed in the first round of NCAA tournament play and ultimately fell to Pepperdine, but they’re just getting started.
“My goal when I took over this program was to establish this program as a perennial America East championship contender and that is what we are building here,” says head coach Cristina Robertson.
Shooting for a win
For the first time since 2007 – 2008, UMBC men’s basketball nabbed the America East Regular Season Title, sharing it with the University of Vermont. UMBC finished the regular season with a 10-4 conference record. The Retrievers ultimately fell during America East playoffs, but the team collected numerous honors on and off the court. Several players were named to All-Conference teams, and Keondre Kennedy’23, media and communication studies, was named Sixth Man of the Year, the first awardee in program history. Kennedy’s contributions coming off the bench, playing in all 19 games, but starting just two, landed him this honor.
Ryan Odom ended his coaching career at UMBC on a high note, earning the America East’s Coach of the Year honor. Odom announced in early April that he’s continuing his career at Utah State, and Retriever Nation welcomed Jim Ferry from Penn State as UMBC men’s basketball new head coach.
“The sincerity and the love for this place, it just came through,” says Ferry. “This is one of the fastest-growing universities in the country and I’m excited to be a part of this family and such an outstanding basketball program.”
Netting a legacy
Coach Pete Caringi, Jr. has been a force at the helm of UMBC men’s soccer for 30 seasons and to mark such an impressive tenure, his players decided to give him a very appropriate gift— his 300th win. In a double-overtime win against George Washington in February, Caringi improved his overall mark to 300-186-75, a winning percentage of better than 60 percent.
“He is one of the most respected coaches in Maryland, and there’s a reason for that,” says goalkeeper Quantrell Jones ’22, sociology, who was named to the America East Conference Men’s Soccer Second Team in 2021. “He wants to make the players better and wants to win championships, and that all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Lapping the competition
Though they fell just short of defending their America East Title, UMBC men’s swimming and diving performed impressively at this year’s competition. Niklas Weigelt ’23, economics, was named Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet, and Kai Wisner ’21, mechanical engineering, earned the David Alexander Coaches Award.
Women’s swimming and diving also captured second at this year’s America East tournament. Natalija Marin ’21, mechanical engineering, closed out her senior year on a high note, earning the David Alexander Coaches’ Award for accruing the most points over the course of the four America East Championship meets.
Senior captains Vanessa Esposito ’21, psychology, and Abbey Farmer ’21, health administration and policy, share, “This year has thrown so many challenges our team’s way. Just a few weeks ago we did not think we would be competing at our conference championships. To climb all the way up to finish second overall is truly a testament to our women’s team.”
The Retriever swimmers and divers also welcomed new head coach Matt Donovan, former head coach at Long Island University, this spring.
“Matt brings the experience, work ethic, and integrity that this program will need to continue its growth into national prominence,” saysBarrio, director of athletics. “He is a great fit for our UMBC community and I’m excited to connect a leader like Matt with the superb student-athletes we have at UMBC.”
Persistent. Innovative. Determined. These are the words UMBC’s commencement speakers returned to again and again to describe the Class of 2021. And despite a year of challenges—missing family and friends, technological frustrations, life lived through the computer screen—one of the resounding themes of this year’s Commencement ceremonies was gratitude.
Addressing this year’s graduates, President Freeman Hrabowski reflected on his life and shared some wisdom learned throughout the years.
Screenshot from UMBC’s 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
“The longer I live, the more I realize there’s nothing more important than our family and our friends. We have to take the time to say ‘thank you’ because we never make it to any point of achievement alone,” he says. “There are always people helping us out.”
This spring’s ceremonies were held online in deference to the health and safety of the campus community. While the festivities were virtual, the spirit was very tangible. Students had the opportunity to come to campus for professional on-site graduation photos. Some even ran into local celebrity, Officer Chip, the campus comfort dog.
Jessica Ma ‘21, mechanical engineering, poses with Chip during on-campus photos.
Graduate Student Association president Samantha Fries ‘18, psychology, and M.A. ‘21, applied sociology, shared in her commencement remarks that despite the challenges of the past year, there have been remarkable acts of kindness.
“This magnificent outpouring of love and empathy has been demonstrated all across all the world but I’m most proud to say that I’ve seen it shown exceptionally and persistently by the students, staff, and faculty here at UMBC,” said Fries. “Faculty restructured their courses to provide maximum flexibility. Staff worked long hours developing new ways to serve students and help them succeed online. Students created virtual networks to stay connected with one other and to provide much-needed support during a time where we all felt more isolated than ever before.”
Inspired by each other
Students relied on video chats, Discord channels, and the tried and true telephone to stay connected this past year. Even if they couldn’t see each other in person, Retrievers are still grateful for the friendships that persevered and the memories they made.
“A lot of people helped me feel comfortable and enjoy my moments at UMBC,” says Billy Harold Kayim Tchuem ‘21, biochemistry. “The list is very long, but I just want to tell them ‘thank you’ for making this a very exciting journey and I hope we can all look back at these years and be able to appreciate how amazing they were.”
As part of her valedictorian speech, Katie Poteet‘21, global studies and political science, described how UMBC’s inclusive nature and diverse culture shape the environment and help students build relationships.
“UMBC is unique, creative, and diverse. There’s something in each of us that others can learn from and be inspired by,” says Poteet, who is a first-generation college graduate.
Poteet on campus in fall 2020.
Coming to UMBC as part of a fifth-generation farming family from rural Maryland, Poteet embraced the international opportunities afforded to her, such as a trip to Ghana as part of UMBC’s Global Brigades program. After graduation, she will attend the University of Cambridge, in England, to pursue a master of philosophy focusing on educational equity for women and girls in the Arab world.
“Because we are all so diverse, this graduation means something different to each of us,” she shared, “but it also marks the collective success and excellence of our community.”
Building the world they want to see
Addressing his fellow graduates as co-valedictorian, Jordan Troutman ’21, M29, computer science and mathematics, emphasized the power of students recognizing themselves as agents of change.
“I believe in a world where the leaders in communities and organizations fully represent the populations they serve. We must see things for what they are, but even more, for what they can be,” says Troutman. “We have the ability to mobilize, find solutions, and challenge expectations. It doesn’t always take a massive crowd of people to do so, sometimes it only takes one person. Sometimes that person will be you.”
Troutman on campus this spring.
Troutman also received a prestigious Knight-Hennesy Scholarship, the first in UMBC’s history. He’ll begin a computer science Ph.D. at Stanford University in the fall, continuing his algorithmic fairness research.
One of this year’s honorary degree recipients, Sarah Rosen Wartell, president of the Urban Institute, also spoke of taking action to make a better world. She emboldened the Class of 2021 to lead the charge, no matter how uncomfortable the journey might be.
“So, maybe a bit more discomfort is what the world needs from you because we’re relying on you to show us the path forward,” said Wartell.
Congratulations to STEM BUILD graduate Demi Trimino (Biological Sciences’21, Philosophy ’21) We are so proud of you!#UMBCgradpic.twitter.com/cHf1X5tDgw
— STEM BUILD at UMBC (@STEMBUILDUMBC) May 21, 2021
Looking ahead
Commencement is a transition point—the end of one journey and the start of another. Victoria D’Souza, Ph.D. ‘02, biochemistry, knows it may not always be easy, but this class is uniquely qualified to face the challenges that come before them.
As the graduate honorary degree recipient, D’Souza expressed her confidence in these students, asserting that “if there’s anything this class of 2021 can teach us, it’s that you’re resilient. And if you put your mind to it, no challenge is insurmountable.”
A student takes graduation photos on campus.
Christopher P. Austin, CEO-Partner at Flagship Pioneering, undergraduate ceremony honorary degree recipient, echoed these sentiments.
“The world needs you not only to seek change, but to drive it,” said Austin. “Life is not a dress rehearsal, as one of my musical colleagues once put it. Live by these truths.”
But no matter how far Retrievers may go on their journeys, UMBC will always be home, says Fries. She shared, “Let us not think of this as the ending of a chapter, but rather the beginning of the next book in the series of our lives.”
Read more stories about the Class of 2021 on UMBC News. Full recordings of this year’s virtual ceremonies can be found on the Commencement site, along with social shareables, a virtual True Grit, and a photo booth. Help us celebrate our graduates by using #UMBCgrad on social media.
Banner image: Two of this year’s graduates stop for a selfie during on-campus photos. Photos by Marlayna Demond ‘11 unless otherwise noted.
When the time came to start her college career, Sondheim Scholar Viviana Angelini ‘21 traded in the palm trees of Florida for all things Baltimore at UMBC. She had taken some classes at a local community college in Florida while a homeschooled high school student, but starting at UMBC was a very different and exciting experience.
“It was pretty amazing to go from studying literature at home and having small classes, to then come here and see all the students and all the academic buildings,” says Angelini. “When I did a campus tour, two things stuck out to me the most and made me feel like I was where I belonged: walking into the Commons and seeing all the international flags and walking underneath all the trees on Academic Row and feeling the sense of community and excitement about learning.”
View of Academic Row trees. Photo courtesy of Marlayna Demond ’11.
She felt inspired to make the most of her UMBC experience from day one, eventually adding three minors (international politics, Russian, and music) to her political science major and pursuing internships that had a huge impact on her college experience and her career trajectory. While her individual path was unique, the way she was able to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, putting her knowledge into practice, is a classic UMBC experience.
Connecting with opportunities
Angelini on campus this spring. Photo courtesy of Marlayna Demond ‘11.
Angelini’s first internship, for two summers, was with Congressman Gus Bilirakis who represents her home district in Florida. She reviewed and analyzed legislation and attended media briefings about military strategy, freedom of the press, and other topics. One highlight, she says, was writing a speech for the congressman to deliver in the House of Representatives about Canadian/American relations.
While this foray into politics piqued her interest, her career goals were further solidified after meeting James Clapper, former director of national intelligence. They connected at a speaking engagement at UMBC and Clapper suggested she apply for an internship with the U.S. Department of Defense. Angelini soon found herself packing her bags again, this time to head to Nebraska for her first position in intelligence.
Defining her path
“I spent the summer working in support of U.S. national security,” she says. “It was an amazing experience, bringing together everything I learned at UMBC and applying it to the real world.”
To further broaden her professional portfolio, Angelini traveled to Colorado the following summer to continue work for the Department of Defense, this time with NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.
Angelini poses with the eight-foot-tall snowman she and friends made during a snowstorm at UMBC.
Since September 2020, Angelini has been interning at Fort Meade, authoring reports for the National Security Agency. After graduating, she’ll attend George Washington University as a graduate fellow as she works towards a master’s in security policy studies with a concentration in conflict resolution.
To students starting their journey at UMBC, Angelini suggests, “Say yes to any opportunity. You don’t know what kind of doors it will open or how it will come back to benefit you in the future. Almost every experience you have in undergrad will help you in the future, either professionally or personally.”
Making the data work
If someone asked you to determine how many people had food-producing gardens in Portland, Oregon, where would you begin? Travis Twigg ‘19, geographic information science, and M.P.S. ‘21, data science, encountered this question during an undergraduate internship in 2018 with geography and environmental systems (GES) at UMBC, and the possibilities that came to mind intrigued him. “I was working with my professor, Dillon Mahmoudi, to try and determine access to healthy food, so I trained a model to do object detection on satellite imagery to find the gardens,” he says.
Portrait courtesy of Twigg.
Working with Mahmoudi had such an impact on Twigg that after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he enrolled in UMBC’s data science graduate program. He’ll earn his master’s degree this week.
Through internships, Twigg has tackled a broad range of questions related to analyzing maps and satellite imagery. In the summer of 2020, he built upon the machine learning work he began as an undergrad and accepted an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He worked to develop a model to distinguish clouds from smoke in satellite imagery. When smoke is too heavy, NASA’s internal operation erroneously mistakes it for clouds and crops it out of the images entirely, causing a cascade of problems. His model was trained to correct the error.
Learning from COVID-19
Twigg also interned as a researcher with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where he worked with a team of seven other students across the country to model COVID-19 dynamics.
“This was early summer 2020, so there was a lot of data coming out, but people still weren’t sure how bad the pandemic was going to get—if there was going to be one wave, two waves, et cetera. So, we were trying to create a model to predict that,” says Twigg.
His team also looked at sentiment analysis on Twitter to map the relationship between residents’ political preferences and how they were responding to different state guidelines across the U.S.
Building relationships, experience
A first-generation college student, Twigg wasn’t always sure what his path was going to look like. He graduated with his associate’s degree in mathematics from Frederick Community College and then continued his studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. Still uncertain how he wanted to proceed, Twigg made the decision to take a break from his education and accept a position as a business manager for nearly a decade.
The time away from his studies gave him the opportunity to reflect on what he ultimately wanted in a career. In 2016, he enrolled at UMBC, ready to complete his degree.
Twigg visiting the Seljalandsfoss waterfall during a trip to Iceland in 2019.
Twigg learned valuable lessons along the way and would advise new Retrievers to “show up, get involved, and network,” including exploring hands-on internship opportunities. “When you’re done with school, employers will care most about the relationships you have been able to build and the experience you’ve gained, and the first step of that is just showing up.”
Next, Twigg will complete a master’s in data analytics at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Hitting the ground running
When Luke Matthews ‘21, financial economics and political science, initially chose a college, he says, “I didn’t really take into consideration how much the school really feeling like home mattered to me.” But he soon realized how important diversity would be to his experience, and he chose to transfer to UMBC in search of a sense of community.“UMBC is incredibly diverse and I think that’s the thing I love most about it,” he shares.
He hit the ground running at UMBC, securing the first of five undergraduate internships. In his sophomore year, Matthews worked with the Baltimore Minority Business Development Center. He helped minority business owners secure funding, including searching for government contracts and providing support to help them win those contracts.
Portrait courtesy of Matthews.
“It was a small team and I was given a lot of autonomy to try different approaches and lead things at such a young age,” says Matthews. “It was really interesting and I enjoyed it.”
Trying something new
His next opportunity, as a quantitative research intern at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, was a departure from what he had envisioned for himself. “I was trying to work for a large investment bank as a sophomore, but I didn’t get accepted at any of the places I applied,” says Matthews. “I figured I could either pout about it or find something else, so I found something else with the help of my statistics professor and Christine Routzahn, director of the UMBC Career Center. It turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences ever.”
He was able to publish research, make connections at Johns Hopkins, and spend the summer living on his own for the first time. In addition to the personal growth it afforded him, Matthews shares that in interviews since then, employers have been intrigued by his real-world experience with biostatistics.
Back to the plan
Matthews got back onto the financial path with his next internship at Facet Wealth, a start-up company looking to revolutionize the financial planning industry. The company was fully virtual, and although the internship ended in January 2020, it offered a timely preview into what the following year would be like. Matthews was able to help build models to inform business decisions and corporate operations.
In summer 2020, before his senior year, Matthews finally landed his dream internship at Bank of America in the investment banking division. It was a perfect fit and ultimately led to a job offer awaiting him after graduation.
Matthews with a group of children he worked with during a UMBC Global Brigades medical and public health service trip to Panama. Photo courtesy of the UMBC Global Brigades, with participant permission.
To further sharpen his skills before graduating, Matthews took a final internship senior year at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore as a fixed income research intern. The position had him speaking directly with portfolio managers about how to allocate money for investment opportunities. The experience offered an opportunity to “become more persuasive and a better speaker, and really hone my rhetorical abilities,” Matthews says.
Next steps
As he prepares to move on to a full-time role in investment banking, Matthews thinks about the supporters at UMBC who helped him access opportunities, particularly Routzahn and her team at Career Services. Like Angelini and Twigg, he advises students to be bold in reaching out for help and guidance. “Almost every internship I had is because of the Career Center.”
Whether you’re a commuting student or live on campus, a transfer student or have been at UMBC from the start, he says, there are people at UMBC to help you start and grow your career.
Banner image: Viviana Angelini in front of international flags in the UMBC Commons. All photos courtesy of students unless otherwise noted.
The UMBC Event Center has become synonymous with high-level athletic play, premier entertainment, and university milestones since opening in 2018. This spring, UMBC has officially announced the beginning of a new chapter for the Event Center—a new name.
The Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, a new partnership between UMBC and Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, will open doors for both the university and the facility.
Tom Phelan (left, next to banner), CEO of Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, poses with UMBC partners.
“The partnership between UMBC and Chesapeake Employers Insurance represents not only an investment in our campus, but also in the region. This is an opportunity to elevate our facility, our University, and our local economy,” says President Freeman Hrabowski.
Partnering for success
In addition to naming rights, this partnership establishes a platform for UMBC and Chesapeake Employers Insurance to engage in additional collaborations, including opportunities for student internships and hiring, and applied research projects.
President Freeman Hrabowski presents Tom Phelan with a custom UMBC Retrievers jersey to mark the new partnership.
“We at Chesapeake Employers Insurance are honored to partner with a premier University System of Maryland institution such as UMBC,” says Tom Phelan, CEO of Chesapeake Employers Insurance. “This partnership bridges our corporation with UMBC students, staff, and alumni to form a symbiotic relationship with shared values and a commitment to excellence relevant to education and business.”
The 172,000 square-foot facility can accommodate 4,700 patrons for sporting events and nearly 6,000 for other events. Home to both men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball, all student-athletes are able to use the building’s academic, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and other athletics’ department services.
“We are building a program where we can celebrate community, while we help welcome new students and prepare them for meaningful careers and welcome alumni home,” says Brian Barrio, director of athletics. “This building, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, is a central part of that vision. And great visions require great partners.”
Featured image: CEO Tom Phelan and President Freeman Hrabowski. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC. Video by UMBC’s New Media Studio.
Article written by Steve Levy, associate athletic director for athletic communications, and Kait McCaffrey, communications manager, for UMBC News.
