Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce that Dr. Lynne Adams will be joining the UMBC community as our Chief Human Resources Officer on October 1, 2022. Dr. Adams has spent her entire career in human resources, including in a range of leadership positions at both higher education and non-profit institutions. She has also served as a faculty member, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on organizational behavior, strategy, and leadership.

Dr. Adams will join UMBC from Prince George’s Community College, where she serves as Vice President for Equity, Culture & Talent/Chief Human Resources Officer, Affirmative Action Officer, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She has held progressively responsible roles since her arrival there in 2013. Dr. Adams earned her undergraduate degree in human resources development from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; her M.Ed. in instructional design and technology from Wayne State University; and her Ph.D. in business administration from Capella University.

When accepting UMBC’s offer, Dr. Adams shared, “I choose higher education because it provides the opportunity to impact lives in a way that no other industry can. I said yes to UMBC because of the incredible reputation it has for producing the best of the best. Also, the energy that the faculty and staff have and genuine care for being the best of the best is absolutely contagious. I am so excited to grab the baton and keep running the race.”

I am pleased to have Dr. Adams join the Administration and Finance team at such an exciting time in UMBC’s history. I thank everyone involved in the search, especially our current Chief Human Resources Officer, Valerie Thomas, who says, “I am thrilled with the selection of Dr. Lynne Adams. Her career speaks for itself and what amazed me was that when we met, it felt right. There was an immediate connection to who we are as a team, a campus, and a community. I am confident that through Dr. Adams' commitment to people-centered leadership and employee engagement, UMBC is well-positioned for the future.”

Please join me in congratulating Valerie on her retirement at the end of September and expressing our sincere appreciation for her many years of service. I would also like to thank all the members of the search committee, led by Kristy Michel, Assistant Vice President and Budget Director, for their hard work selecting an ideal candidate for UMBC.

Welcome Dr. Lynne Adams to the UMBC community!

Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance

Dear UMBC Community,

As we plan for the start of the fall semester, the COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee has determined that UMBC will maintain the current policy of requiring masks in classrooms, instructional labs, performance spaces, designated masking areas, and healthcare settings as we begin the semester. We appreciate the input provided by our health and safety experts and shared governance leaders as we considered this decision.  

We made this decision based on our region’s case rate, the transmission rate of the current variant, and to accommodate effective planning for faculty and staff. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Baltimore County’s community risk level is currently at a medium level. We will continue to monitor the situation weekly and will provide additional updates and information as conditions warrant.

We continue to provide free high-quality masks on campus and are ordering additional supplies. Distribution locations are available here.  Students, faculty, and staff can also pick up free rapid antigen tests at the UMBC Police Station and the The Commons information desk. Please remember not to come to campus if you are sick. You should test at home or seek testing and treatment from a healthcare provider. 

If you have questions, please contact covid19@umbc.edu. Thank you for supporting our community.

Provost Philip Rous

Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Jack Suess '81, M.S. '95

COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs