Dear UMBC Community,
As you probably know, the role of university president involves frequent travel. For me, each time I leave campus, I take UMBC with me, representing the institution and carrying UMBC’s story top of mind and close to my heart. I recently had the opportunity to do that when I was invited to deliver remarks at New York University as part of a Keynote Speaker Series hosted by the NYU Ecosystem Hub.
I had been asked to share my perspective on leadership and the values that guide me, including inclusive excellence, and to reflect on what it is to lead through times of change and challenge. These are matters I feel privileged to speak to, especially with people who are considering leadership roles, as was the case with many who attended the talk at NYU. I think part of my job is to help people discern whether they want to lead, and if they do, then I need to encourage them—especially now. In times of great challenge, the work is even more meaningful.
In encouraging them, I had the chance to sing the praises of UMBC and the state of Maryland. I reminded them that there still are places where you can lead in a way that is consistent with your values and where you get to work every day on the mission. At UMBC, that is our reality, and I will never take it for granted.
One other reflection to share: UMBC’s impact on the world is pretty legendary, even if it is not (yet) always associated with UMBC. It was great fun to connect the dots for this group at NYU. Yes, Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, who led the team that developed Moderna’s mRNA vaccine, went to UMBC. Yes, the Meyerhoff Scholars Program was created at UMBC. Yes, it was a #16-seed basketball team from UMBC that upset a #1-seed UVA in the NCAA men’s tournament in 2018. And on and on and on. “Oh! That’s UMBC!” they would say. Yes, that is UMBC.
Sincerely,
President Valerie Sheares Ashby