Maryland Governor Wes Moore has appointed Yaakov “Jake” Weissmann ’06, social work and psychology, as acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Weissmann, UMBC’s vice president of government relations and community affairs since December 2023, joins an impressive group of UMBC alums serving in state and federal leadership roles.

In a statement on the governor’s website, Moore called Weissmann “an experienced public servant and one of the most effective policy minds in our state. His deep understanding of the Maryland budget, developed over years in both the legislative branch and in local government, makes him uniquely qualified to lead DBM.” 

Weissmann, a proud UMBC alumnus, called the move “exciting, but bittersweet.” Coming into his role at UMBC from an already full career of public service, he helped spread the word of UMBC’s impact among legislators and across the state, and nurtured relationships with the communities surrounding UMBC. He was among President Valerie Sheares Ashby’s first executive hires.

“It has been an enormous gift to work with Jake and to benefit from his counsel as we have built and strengthened relationships with elected officials and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels,” Sheares Ashby said in a message to campus. “He has positioned us not only to be well-known among our public officials, but also to be well-supported; he believes deeply in UMBC’s distinctive value and conveys that value to others in ways that resonate meaningfully and build lasting connections.” 

Weissmann called Sheares Ashby “a singular leader” who believes deeply in the people and mission of UMBC.

“UMBC really is a special place,” he said. “And part of what makes this position work so well is that President Sheares Ashby has a true understanding that our communities matter…and of the importance of making sure UMBC’s goals align with the goals of the state.”

After graduating from UMBC, Weissmann went on to earn his master’s in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, as well as his juris doctor from the University of Baltimore. He served for two years as the assistant chief administrative officer in Montgomery County, where he helped steer the county’s economic development strategy and was responsible for several county departments. Prior to that, he spent 14 years with the Maryland General Assembly, including two years working in the House of Delegates, and 12 years with the Office of the Senate President. During his time in the Senate, Weissmann served in many roles, including as chief of staff for Senate President Bill Ferguson and former Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. He has also served on the state Board of Elections for the last two years.

Weissmann joins an impressive list of UMBC alumni who occupy prime positions in state and federal government, including Adrienne Jones ’76, psychology, the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, Congressman Johnny Olszewski, Ph.D. ’17, public policy, and many others.

Looking ahead to the new role, Weissmann said he was excited about the “incredible opportunity to serve,” and shared a quote from the late United States Representative Elijah Cummings to capture their shared philosophy on the work: “Public service is the rent we pay for our space on this earth.”

Join us for Inclusive Excellence in Action, a semesterly series highlighting key inclusion, belonging, access practices and behavior at UMBC. Each session will offer practical insights into the work in these areas, share valuable resources, and equip participants with actionable skills and behaviors to foster inclusivity in their personal and professional lives. This engaging series will inspire and empower our community to implement inclusive excellence daily.

November 4, 2025, 11:30 am - 1 pm (Virtual)
Using Microaffirmations to Foster Psychological Safety for Faculty and Staff 
Speaker: Bina Patel Ph.D 

Grounded in UMBC's vision of redefining excellence through an inclusive, collaborative culture, this Inclusive Excellence in Action session invites us to harness the small, intentional gestures—microaffirmations—that strengthen psychological safety and everyday belonging. Whether it's affirming someone's name or pronouns, giving thoughtful recognition, or inviting quieter voices into the conversation, these actions disrupt exclusion, foster dialogue, and reinforce trust. Together, participants will reflect on our shared responsibility to uplift one another, especially when safety falters, and leave equipped with a practical, values-grounded toolkit of microaffirmations to nurture respect, belonging, and inclusive excellence across campus. Register here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/147642

December 9, 2025, 11: 30 am - 1 pm (Virtual)
Applying Student-focused Microaffirmation Tools and Practices to Foster Belonging and Inclusion.

Speaker:  Floyd Cheung, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion; Professor of English Language & Literature and American Studies.

This session centers on embedding microaffirmations and microresistance into everyday campus life. Participants will learn how to proactively address bias, respond confidently to microaggressions, and foster a sense of belonging through intentional gestures and effective communication strategies. Drawing on Dr. Floyd Cheung's research and experience, participants will walk away with practical, values-driven tools, such as OTFD and ACTION, to build inclusive and trusted spaces for students and colleagues alike. Register here:https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/147644

AI is becoming more embedded in our daily lives - making everyday tasks easier and improving how we track and manage our health. But as these technologies grow more powerful, so do concerns about privacy and security. See a video of a talk by Ted Murphree, Manager of Security and Privacy Compliance at an international law firm and adjunct professor at UMBC-Shady Grove, and  learn how everyday users can protect themselves from these risks.