UMBC students and alumni have had some major successes recently, winning top prizes in competitions and securing important grants.
To read more about these and other campus news stories, visit UMBC news.
UMBC alum and professor Ian Stockwell wins major NIH grant
Ian Stockwell, associate professor and alum of UMBC, recently launched a project funded by a $3.4 million NIH grant to develop a machine-learning system aimed at identifying patients with social needs and connecting them to appropriate support services. Stockwell has spent over 20 years analyzing healthcare operations and believes the U.S. healthcare system is inefficient due to its overfocus on clinical medicine, neglecting the social needs that impact health, such as food insecurity and housing. By using diverse data sources, the system will predict emergency department use for non-urgent needs and help overcome barriers to accessing social services. Stockwell envisions this project as a model to reduce health disparities and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
Read more about Stockwell’s project here.
UMBC and MSDE launch admissions pathway for high school students aspiring to become teachers
UMBC has partnered with the Maryland State Department of Education and the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) to offer high school students a direct admissions pathway to its undergraduate teacher education programs. Through this collaboration, students in the TAM program gain foundational teaching knowledge and experience by taking courses like Human Growth and Development and Teaching as a Profession, along with completing a classroom internship. UMBC rewards successful TAM graduates with benefits such as application fee waivers, elective credits, merit scholarships, and opportunities to interview for the Sherman Teacher Scholars Program. This initiative aims to diversify and strengthen the teaching profession by preparing high school students for future careers in education.
Read more about the new program here.
UMBC students excel at annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
UMBC chemical engineering students had a successful showing at the annual American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) meeting in San Diego this fall. The ChemE Jeopardy team earned third place in the national competition, while the K-12 STEM outreach team won the top judges’ award in the high school category. Additionally, the UMBC AIChE club received the best student chapter award, and the ChemE car team, led by Ben Welling, performed well in a competitive field. Several students received individual accolades, including a prestigious scholarship and placing third in the student poster session. UMBC’s consistent success at AIChE events highlights the dedication and excellence of its students in the chemical engineering field.
Read more about UMBC’s success at AIChE here.
UMBC’s Class of 2023 surpasses national career outcomes
Recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) showcases UMBC’s outstanding career readiness, with the university surpassing national career outcome rates at all degree levels. For the Class of 2023, 93% of UMBC’s bachelor’s degree graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months, compared to the national average of 85%. Additionally, 65% of UMBC graduates were employed full-time, exceeding the national rate of 57.2%. UMBC’s graduate degree holders also outperformed national averages, with 90.8% of master’s graduates and 100% of doctoral graduates securing career outcomes, highlighting the strength of the university’s academic programs and student support.