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NEWSLETTER June 2015  
About Us Undergraduate Studies Programs Support Undergraduate Studies


Donna B. Hamilton with UMD campus mall in backgroundUndergraduate Studies Dean Donna B. Hamilton to Step Down
For the past 12 years, I have had the honor of serving as Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Maryland. With this newsletter, I sign-off from this position. On July 1st I return as professor to the Department of English. I have loved my position in Undergraduate Studies. It has allowed me to work nonstop on behalf of 26,000 undergraduate students — meaningful work! The rewards have been many.

The high impact programs in Undergraduate Studies are the result of being able to hire and retain great people who can take an idea and maximize it for the good of our students and the University. Some programs are new since 2003; all programs have had directors who have taken their programs through rigorous and ongoing enhancement, reorganization, and redesign. The new General Education program has provided a platform to engage the entire university community in undergraduate education. We have led the transformation and revision of more than 1000 courses. We have found new ways to recognize excellent teaching — through faculty learning communities, General Education Faculty Boards, and awards for teaching. We have strengthened advising and improved policies, and developed new programs to support transfer students. Our students across the University are better prepared for next steps, with broader and deeper knowledge and stronger skills.

To all members of the Undergraduate Studies community: I will miss the excitement and challenges of working to improve the undergraduate academic experience at Maryland, and I look forward to watching the progress to come.

News From Our Programs

Goldwater winners Shane Falcinelli and and Iowis ZhuNational Scholarships Office Announces Scholarship Awards Totaling Over $5 Million
National scholarships are highly competitive, prestigious awards that support a wide range of enriching experiences, including study abroad, graduate study, federal employment, language learning, teaching, research, and public service. During the 2014-15 academic year the National Scholarships Office assisted undergraduates, alumni, and graduate students to receive awards totaling over $5 million (as of May 2015). Pictured left are Goldwater winners Shane Falcinelli and and Iowis Zhu. For a detailed rundown on awards-->

2 College Park Scholars hold checkCollege Park Scholars Awards $7K to PG County Nonprofits
Freshman Public Leadership Scholars presented $7,133 to two organizations focused on domestic violence and human trafficking in Prince George’s County on May 6 with members of the county government in attendance. The ceremony concluded the students' spring colloquium course, a seminar focused on applied concepts of citizenship and social change. More about the award and the course-->

Students of the Academic Achievement ProgramAcademic Achievement Programs (AAP) Mark Success with High Graduation and Retention Rates
The latest six year graduation rate of 73.7% for students in the programs exceeds the national rate of similar programs by 14.3%. The two year retention rate of 89.6% for AAP students closely matches UMD's overall rate of 91.2%. AAP programs provide academic and counseling support for low income, first generation, and/or traditionally under-represented students from Maryland and D.C. More about AAP-->

Mackenzie BurnettIndividual Studies Student Mackenzie Burnett Delivers Student Speech at UMD Commencement
Individual Studies Program and Honors College student Mackenzie Burnett gave an inspiring speech to a packed Xfinity Center as this year's UMD commencement student speaker. The student speaker is chosen by the Provost's office based on outstanding academic record, campus achievements, and speech proposal. More about Mackenzie-->

Janelle Wong speaks at AAST 15th Anniversary CelebrationAsian American Studies Program Celebrates 15th Year
On May 5, the Asian American Studies Program (AAST) celebrated its 15th year. Alumni, staff, students, and faculty who were instrumental in establishing the program joined graduating minors, affiliate faculty, community stakeholders, and members of the program's scholarship committee to mark the event. AAST offers classes and programming that focus on the experiences of people of Asian origin in the United States. The University of Maryland is designated as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. More about the Asian American Studies Program-->.

University President Wallace Loh accepts the MacArthur Award on behalf of UMD's Army ROTC programU.S. Army ROTC Award Ranks Terp Battalion as #1 in Mid-Atlantic Region
UMD President Wallace Loh (left) accepts the MacArthur Award on behalf of the Terp Battalion. The award recognizes eight schools, from among the 275 senior Army ROTC programs, as the top programs nationwide. It is based on a combination of cadet commissioning, cadet performance and retention, and standing on the National Order of Merit List. More on UMD Army ROTC-->
 

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Office of Undergraduate Studies
2110 Marie Mount Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
Phone: 301.405.9363  •  Fax: 301.314.9896