Advancing Student Success Through Strategy, Support, and Purpose
2024–2025 Highlights from UMBC Enrollment Management
In Enrollment Management, student success is the result of intentional work—driven by strategy, fueled by collaboration, and grounded in the belief that every student should have the opportunity to thrive. Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, Enrollment Management has advanced this mission through coordinated action, early student engagement, and critical financial support.
From launching a department-wide project management framework to unlocking essential funding, Enrollment Management is creating systems and support that help students not just stay on track—but move forward with confidence.
Executing with Excellence: Structuring the Work That Moves Students Forward
Led by the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM)
Behind every successful student-centered initiative is a solid foundation. This year, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) took a major step forward by building a unified project management approach that brings structure, accountability, and momentum to work.
In collaboration with the Associate Directors Workgroup, OEM created EM-specific best practices, established a standardized project intake process, and implemented Smartsheet as a project management tool across all offices. This effort is already strengthening key initiatives, including:
- University Innovation Alliance (UIA) + National Institute for Student Success (NISS): Scaling strategies that support student completion
- Maryland Transfer Intensive (MTI): Enhancing transfer and degree attainment outcomes through statewide collaboration
Smartsheet is now supporting workgroups focused on academic advising, student communication, course outcomes, and financial wellness–helping streamline how work gets done.
Early Exploration, Lasting Confidence: Helping Students Discover Their Path
Led by the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA)
When students explore career pathways early, they make more confident and informed academic choices. That insight led the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA) to create UNIV 102: Exploring Health Careers, a first-year seminar that helps students discover and navigate opportunities in the healthcare field.
Developed by Assistant Director for Allied Health Programs, Ericka Thompson, UNIV 102 combines guest lectures, personal reflection, and academic planning to help students build purpose-driven paths. One student shared how learning about occupational therapy through the course led her to the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program she will be entering this summer at Towson University.
“I want to express my gratitude for [the] support during my time at UMBC, especially providing me exposure to the OT field in the FYE Allied Health class.”
Beyond the classroom, OAPA's efforts extend to an
Allied Health website and a well-attended annual symposium that connects students directly with graduate and professional programs.
Now in its fifth year—and preparing for a presentation at the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP) Conference—UNIV 102 shares its impact for pre-health advising across the region.
“UNIV 102, along with our symposium and website, is a love letter to students interested in allied health,” says Thompson. “It’s about giving students the tools and confidence to see what’s possible.”
Funding Futures: Removing Financial Barriers to Progress
Led by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS)
For many students, financial uncertainty can threaten academic progress. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) is working to eliminate that barrier—by connecting students with resources that make completion possible.
Since 2014, over $60,000 has been awarded annually in degree completion funds, supporting more than 25 students each year in their final push to graduation. This year, additional funding included a $10,000 PATH Scholarship from the Ellucian Foundation, aimed at students with outstanding balances who might otherwise be unable to continue.
OFAS continues to promote the Scholarship Retriever tool, helping students identify and apply for aid they might not otherwise access.
“This scholarship gave me the chance to focus fully on my final semester,” one student shared. “It reminded me that hard work pays off—and gave me hope for what’s next.”
Meeting Needs: Strengthening Systems That Support Completion
Led by the Registrar’s Office
Transfer students bring unique strengths—and unique needs. This year, the Registrar’s Office led UMBC’s part in the implementation of the University System of Maryland’s updated ARTSYS platform, designed to better support students transferring from Maryland community colleges.
As part of that process, the team reviewed and validated nearly 24,000 UMBC course equivalencies and developed 90 Program Transfer Guides—ensuring students have timely, and accurate information to confidently plan their transfer journey.
ARTSYS helps students and advisors build stronger academic plans—before, during, and after the transition to UMBC—while also supporting current students who may be interested in pursuing coursework at community colleges.
One Department, One Mission: Empowering Student Success at Every Step
Through each initiative, Enrollment Management reinforces its commitment to supporting students at every stage of their journey. From behind-the-scenes systems to life-changing scholarships to early career exploration, this work is united by a single goal: ensuring all UMBC students have the opportunity to progress, persist, and succeed.
As the department looks toward the future, its efforts are growing stronger—with better tools, clearer pathways, and deeper resolve.
Enrollment Management is dedicated to providing our constituents the highest level of quality and innovative enrollment services. Our responsive and personable staff supports and engages our students from recruitment to graduation, promoting their academic and personal success. Learn more about our commitment.
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In Enrollment Management, student success is the result of intentional work—driven by strategy, fueled by collaboration, and grounded in the belief that every student should have the opportunity...
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Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:18:04 -0400
Recent Updates to Immigration and Visa Policies
Dear Campus Community,
I am writing to update you regarding recent changes to federal immigration and visa policies.
Please remember that each individual’s circumstances are different, and this communication is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. If you have specific questions and hold F, H, or J immigration status, please
contact the Center for Global Engagement. If you have specific questions and hold another immigration status, please consult with a
private immigration attorney.
1. State Department pause on new student and exchange visitor visa interviews
On May 27, 2025,
Politico reported that the U.S. Department of State directed U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to immediately pause adding additional student and exchange visitor visa (F, J, and M categories) interview appointments.
It is not known how long this pause will last. However, a State Department press briefing
transcript quoted the department’s spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, as saying the interruption would be “rather quick” and not a matter of weeks or months. The spokesperson also recommended that visa applicants continue to regularly check online for open appointment slots.
Guidance:
- Individuals who already have a visa appointment date confirmed should proceed with their scheduled interview.
- Individuals who do not yet have a visa appointment date confirmed should continue to check online for available appointment slots at their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If an appointment slot is available, then it should be booked immediately.
- If it seems a student or scholar will be unable to secure an appointment in time to begin their program at UMBC, then they or their hosting department should contact the Center for Global Engagement.
2. Enhanced screening and vetting of visa applicants’ social media activities
Related to the pause on new student and exchange visitor visa interviews, the State Department is expanding social media screening and vetting.
Guidance:
- All visa applicants should be prepared for additional questions and delays related to the enhanced screening and vetting of social media accounts.
- Individuals issued a visa must understand that additional searches of social media and electronic devices may occur upon arriving at a U.S. port of entry.
- Review the Campus Message on International Travel for additional information on new, enhanced vetting procedures, including social media screening and searches of electronic devices.
3. Secretary Rubio announces plan to revoke visas of certain Chinese students
On May 28, 2025, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio,
announced: “the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.”
At this time, it is still not clear when or how these visa revocations will occur. Moreover, Secretary Rubio did not specify which fields are deemed critical.
During the spring 2025 semester, a total of 53 Chinese students enrolled at UMBC. Chinese students and scholars are valued members of our campus community and contribute to our academic endeavors and the cultural vitality of our campus.
The Center for Global Engagement will continue to monitor State Department communications for any updates on this initiative. Additionally, we will continue to review SEVIS records for unusual terminations that may relate to visa revocations and notify impacted students immediately.
Guidance:
- Chinese students and scholars should consult with the Center for Global Engagement before planning travel outside of the United States.
- Any student or scholar who receives a notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Department of State announcing revocation of their visa or SEVIS record should immediately notify the Center for Global Engagement.
- Individuals concerned about how visa revocations may impact their ability to study in the United States are encouraged to review a recent resource published by the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which explains the significance of visa revocations and SEVIS terminations. As they note, “visa revocation does not automatically terminate a student’s nonimmigrant status if the student is already present in the United States at the time of revocation. It also does not constitute an order of removal or a requirement to immediately depart.” However, once a student’s visa has been revoked, the student will no longer be able to reenter the United States on the revoked visa.
4. New institutional reporting requirements mandated for exchange visitor program
Institutions approved to sponsor a J-1 exchange visitor program have always been required to report certain incidents involving J-1/J-2 exchange visitors to the Department of State. Such incidents include those that “have or could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor's exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute.”
Examples include serious illness, natural disasters, lost immigration documents, etc. When the Center for Global Engagement becomes aware of a “reportable incident,” we must report it within one business day.
The Department of State recently added three additional categories of incidents that must be reported:
- Proscribed Antisemitic Actions: (e.g., physical actions directed towards Jewish individuals and/or their property, community institutions, or religious facilities that violates the law or university rules)
- Serious Violations of University Conduct Rules: (e.g., participation in a building occupation, participation in an unauthorized encampment, disrupting classes, intimidation, harassment, assault)
- Terrorist Activity, Endorsing or Espousing Terrorism: (e.g., engaging in terrorist activity, membership in a terrorist organization, endorsing or espousing terrorist activity)
These incident reporting requirements only apply to the J Exchange Visitor Program. UMBC exchange visitors are students and scholars whose forms DS-2019 are issued by the university. These expanded categories and reporting requirements do not apply to UMBC international community members in other immigration statuses, such as F-1 and H-1B.
5. USCIS requests biometrics for certain international employees
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently began issuing Requests for Evidence (RFE) for certain employment-based immigration petitions, including H-1B specialty worker visas for international faculty and staff, when the agency has “adverse information” regarding the beneficiary. These RFEs do not disclose the details of such information, but require the beneficiary to submit biometric data.
Guidance:
- International employees should be aware that certain social media activity and legal records, including minor traffic violations, may be considered “adverse information” and result in a request for biometric information. Individuals who fail to respond to an RFE by the stated deadline risk having their petition denied by USCIS.
6. Scams targeting international students
Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a
public service announcement warning that scammers are contacting international students claiming there is a problem with their immigration status and demanding a fee to resolve the issue. The announcement provides several tips included in the guidance below.
Guidance:
- Beware of unsolicited communication from someone purporting to be from the government, especially by phone. Verify you are speaking with a government official by hanging up and contacting the office through a third-party obtained number (e.g., web search for legitimate contact information), then asking for the agent or department with whom you were speaking.
- Verify that the website visited is a secure or encrypted site, as government websites are.
- Repeating top-level domains in a URL is a common scam to make a website appear legitimate (e.g. "gov.org" in a URL is a spoof of the .gov top-level domain).
- Do not provide information on the phone until you verify the identity of the caller.
- If you believe you are the target of a government impersonation scam targeting international students, gather all relevant documentation and contact diplomatic security at your home country's embassy, the FBI, or Bureau of Diplomatic Security at the Department of State.
- Do not give anyone a two-factor authentication code used to log-in to an account or device.
- Do not download files to your phone or computer unless you have verified the source.
Sincerely,
David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement
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Dear Campus Community, I am writing to update you regarding recent changes to federal immigration and visa policies. Please remember that each individual’s circumstances are different, and...
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NEW: Advocacy Services for Survivors and Respondents
Providing comprehensive support and services
DOIE Expands Confidential Advocacy Services to Support Students Affected by Gender-Based Harm
The Division of Institutional Equity is proud to announce the expansion of its services with a new Advocacy Program, co-located with the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center (WGEC). This initiative underscores UMBC's commitment to fostering a safe and equitable campus environment for all students.
Comprehensive Support for Survivors
The Survivor Advocacy program offers individualized, trauma-informed support for students who have experienced gender-based harm, including relationship violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. Whether the incident occurred recently or prior to attending UMBC, survivors can access services ranging from one-time consultations to ongoing support.
Introducing Respondent Advocacy
In alignment with UMBC's dedication to due process and educational equity, the newly established Respondent Advocacy program provides compassionate, non-punitive support for students navigating the Title IX process as respondents. This program emphasizes education, emotional support, and personal growth, encouraging students to engage in self-reflection and align with community values.
Confidential and Accessible Services
All Advocacy Services are confidential, ensuring that information shared by students is not disclosed to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR) or Title IX officials without explicit consent. This confidentiality fosters a safe space for students to seek assistance without fear of mandatory reporting.
Meet Our Advocates
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Kate Arbaugh, Survivor Advocate
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Lauren Allen, Acting Respondent Advocate and Senior Director of the WGEC
Contact Information & Website
Students seeking support can schedule an appointment by emailing advocacy@umbc.edu. Visit us at https://advocacy.umbc.edu/
About the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center
The WGEC advances gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective through co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities. The center is located on the ground floor of The Commons, Suite 004.
[The services provided are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.]
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DOIE Expands Confidential Advocacy Services to Support Students Affected by Gender-Based Harm The Division of Institutional Equity is proud to announce the expansion of its services with a new...
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