Provost Newsletter: Sept. 26, 2025

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:06:24 -0400
aok, library, provost

Happy Friday and welcome to the inaugural edition of the Provost Newsletter. We're still workshopping names, so if you have a good idea send it to Aaron Burnett for consideration.

Each Friday throughout the academic year I'll be highlighting the great work being done by you, our faculty and staff members, sharing important information for you to be aware of, and providing a look ahead at events and opportunities.

The newsletter is a work in progress and will evolve over time through your feedback and direction. If there is something you want to see or hear about, let me know. My goal is to provide a forum that is informative and additive to your experience as a Retriever.

So, without further ado …

'Must-see' Exhibit at AOK Gallery

I want to give a big welcome to UMBC's first vice provost and dean of the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, Sophia Blessitt-Sotilleo. Sophia joined us this summer and has hit the ground running.

The AOK Gallery's fall exhibition, Picturing Mobility: Black Leisure and Tourism during the Jim Crow Era, curated by Dr. Elizabeth Patton, is on view until Dec. 19. The curatorial talk and reception on Sept. 19 drew 74 attendees and the exhibition was declared "must-see" in BmoreArt.

I just did see the exhibit last night and highly recommend you check it out.

UMBC Named a Leading Public University

The latest U.S. News & World Report ratings dropped this week and UMBC is on the rise. We climbed 17 places in the ranking of national universities and 11 places on the list of top public schools. While rankings can never capture the full scope of UMBC, it is great to see outside organizations recognize the world class organization I see every day.

Join Me for Coffee on Thursday, Oct. 2, 10-11 AM

Mark your calendars as I'll be hosting Coffee with the Provost next Thursday from 10-11 a.m. in ITE-456. No RSVP required and all are welcome. Stop by, grab a cup, and say hello!

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we will feature the newest members of our community. Up first:

Mark E. Woodcock, Assistant Teaching Professor, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Area of Research: Formal Methods

Interesting Fact: Mark is an expert in non-inscriptional Carthaginian Literature

Chulwoo "Charles" Park, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health

Areas of Research: Immigrant and minority health, global health, psychosocial epidemiology, and infectious disease epidemiology

Interesting Fact about Charles: I run a full marathon every year!

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.

Help Make this Newsletter Better

Do you have a great idea? Are you organizing an event everyone should know about? Send an email to Aaron Burnett, director of provost communication, aaronb4@umbc.edu.

Until next week,
Manfred van Dulmen