Read Dr. Jarrell’s column on building a vibrant future for the University and local community and learn about student, faculty, and staff achievements; upcoming events; and news from around UMB.
To see previous editions of The President’s Message newsletter, go to the archives page on the Office of the President website.
President’s Column: Building a More Vibrant Future for UMB and Our Community
As the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) continues to be a leader in academics, research, and health care, we take seriously our responsibility to the city we call home. UMB has long been an anchor institution on the west side of downtown Baltimore, and we are working to improve the vibrancy, retail, and civic spaces in this community. UMB is a force for good in Baltimore.
UMB generates an estimated $2.8 billion in economic activity within the city of Baltimore. This activity includes a broad range of effects. As one of the largest employers in the region, UMB supports 12,970 jobs within Baltimore. These positions contribute to the broader economic ecosystem by stimulating local spending, fostering additional business opportunities, and supporting industries. The University's employees contribute to the vitality of Baltimore not only by providing expertise in their respective fields but also by spending money within the community, creating a positive feedback loop that drives the city’s economy.
In addition to its economic contributions through employment, UMB generates significant revenues for state and local governments. The University contributes about $95.6 million in combined state and local government revenues, derived from taxes, fees, and other economic activities associated with its operations. This money supports essential public services, infrastructure, and community development in Baltimore, enhancing the quality of life for residents while supporting the city’s overall financial health.
But beyond an economic impact, UMB helps to make Baltimore a vibrant city. All of these activities strengthen the connections between our University and the surrounding area and represent our commitment to making our neighborhood more welcoming, engaging, and dynamic for students, faculty, staff, and residents alike.
Our goal is to create a more seamless and engaging experience for everyone who interacts with UMB. We want to ensure that our footprint extends beyond our offices, classrooms, and laboratories, reaching into the heart of the community to support growth, innovation, and inclusion.
We’re involved in a series of strategic improvements, including:
- Investments in public spaces to make our streets, sidewalks, and green areas more inviting and accessible.
- Stronger connections between the University and local businesses, encouraging students and employees to engage with and support the local economy.
- Community programming and events that foster collaboration between UMB and our neighbors.
- Enhanced safety and beautification efforts to create a more welcoming environment for all.
You’ve already seen some big announcements in terms of infrastructure and key development projects, like the groundbreaking for the new School of Social Work building and the recent opening of the 4MLK building (in photo at left) in the University of Maryland BioPark.
Recently, UMB was awarded $550,000 in state funding for vibrancy improvements around Lexington Street, demonstrating the strong public and private interest in transforming our shared spaces. We’re reviewing multiple proposals from private developers to create mixed-use spaces including residential and retail spaces on UMB-owned land along Lexington Street. After extensive community consultation, we hope to break ground in the next two to three years and bring new offerings to the north part of our campus.
We know that in 18 months the Maryland Department of Health will be moving to Metro West and expect even more people ready to explore and engage in this part of the city.
At the heart of our vibrancy effort is a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and dynamic environment for everyone who studies, works, and lives in our community. This initiative is not just about infrastructure — it’s also about people and ensuring that UMB remains a place where students feel inspired, employees feel engaged, and residents feel encouraged.
As we move forward, my hope is for every member of our University community to play an active role in this transformation. Whether it’s through attending community meetings, supporting local businesses, or simply engaging in conversations about the future of UMB, your participation matters.
I look forward to working with you all on this journey and am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President
Laurels
See our monthly roundup of the achievements of STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF.
New Hires
See a LIST OF NEW HIRES at UMB central administration and our seven schools for February.
News and Notes
Dental and dental hygiene faculty and UMB students from Baltimore and the Universities at Shady Grove delivered free dental care to children Feb. 15 in Rockville, Md. (Photo by Bethany Probst)
SEALED WITH A SMILE: As part of National Children's Dental Health Month, 30 young patients received free dental screenings and sealant applications Feb. 15 at the Universities at Shady Grove. The Sealant Saturday initiative, organized by the School of Dentistry, brought together 40 dentistry and dental hygiene students who worked under faculty supervision to provide preventive care focused on cavity prevention. “This event provided an incredible opportunity for UMSOD … to serve as vital partners in the fight against tooth decay among children in the community,” said Halima Karim, UMSOD clinical instructor and director of the Shady Grove clinic.
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES: UMB President Bruce Jarrell was joined by three legal experts from the Francis King Carey School of Law — Dean Renée Hutchins Laurent and professors Mark Graber and Jeff Sovern — to discuss President Donald Trump’s executive orders and his administration’s policy changes and how they are impacting the University, the state of Maryland, and the nation. The program also delved into the pushback from the courts and certain states and Congress’ actions and reactions. (Watch the program in the Video of the Month below.)
CRIME CONTINUES TO DECLINE: UMB remains one of the safest areas in downtown Baltimore, with instances of crime consistently declining since 2022. There was an uptick in vehicle thefts, but nine of the 10 vehicles stolen were Kias or Hyundais, following a national trend due to a social media trend that demonstrated how to steal the cars. UMB Police and Public Safety uses data-driven strategies, high visibility, and proactive community outreach to create a highly effective policing model. “It takes everyone working together, so I want to applaud our students and employees for taking small steps to keep our community safe,” said Thomas Leone, assistant vice president for public safety and chief of police.
GOING NATIONAL: The voice of underserved populations is often left out of research, but the PATIENTS Program at the School of Pharmacy is working to change that and expanding its proven community-academic research infrastructure to impact communities nationally. Through its PATIENTS Going National initiative, which kicked off in December 2024, the program will work with population-specific communities that are represented throughout the United States: Black/African American; cancer; cardiovascular disease; community clinics, health systems, and hospitals; disability; mental health; older adults/seniors; and reproductive health care.
MEAL KIT MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: With the support of UMB faculty and staff, a five-day fundraising challenge raised enough money to provide 390 meal kits to University students. The original goal of 250 was reached within two days. To donate to student food access initiatives and resources, go to this GiveCampus webpage.
GIVING THANKS: Class of 2025 students Renae Lee and Alex Tamayo shared stories about their law school journeys and what receiving scholarships meant to them at the Francis King Carey School of Law’s annual Scholarship Luncheon on Feb. 7. The event brought together more than 100 students with the donors, alumni, partners, and friends connected to their scholarships in celebration and appreciation. “Thanks to a scholarship, I get to become the first person in my family to have graduated from high school, from college, and ... from law school,” Tamayo said.
Student Alex Tamayo speaks during the Francis King Carey School of Law’s Scholarship Luncheon on Feb. 7 at Westminster Hall. (Photo by Larry Canner)
Upcoming Events
MARCH 11: ‘SLEEP: AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING’: Join the Launch Your Life program led by ComPsych for a workshop on sleep and how it is an essential component of our well-being. This session will provide the latest research findings regarding the importance of sleep and offer participants suggestions on how to improve their sleep according to priority and quality measures. 
MARCH 25: CELEBRATE MARYLAND DAY: The UMB community is invited to the Francis King Carey School of Law to celebrate and reimagine Maryland Day as a day of gratitude for our state and hope for our future. The event will feature speakers who are leaders in the areas of UMB’s core values, commitment to justice, community strength, and collective power.
APRIL 2: MIDDLE STATES KICKOFF: As UMB prepares for the in-person review by the Middle States peer evaluation team in April, it’s important to understand why Middle States accreditation is critical for the University. This event on the School of Nursing lawn will give you the opportunity to explore our self-study and ask questions about the accreditation process. Enjoy snacks, giveaways, and the chance to connect with fellow community members.
APRIL 2: LEAPS SYMPOSIUM: The symposium’s topic is “Navigating Your Professional Path: Scholarship Development Strategies for Tenure and Promotion in Professional and Graduate Education.” This symposium aims to empower faculty to integrate their teaching and educational innovations into impactful scholarship while fostering cross-disciplinary connections. Participants will explore strategies for designing, conducting, funding, and publishing educational research.
Save the Date
APRIL 9: UMB’S GOT TALENT 2025: The University Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and Council for the Arts & Culture are hosting the University’s annual talent show, which features performances by UMB faculty, staff, and students. Attendees will get to vote for the winners, and the event will include a “pop-up” art gallery for nonperforming artists to display their art. Light refreshments will be served to all performers and attendees at the event, which will start at 5 p.m. at MSTF Leadership Hall.
APRIL 24: CLIMATE HEALTH SYMPOSIUM: In recognition of Earth Month 2025, the School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health and UMB’s Office of Sustainability will co-host a panel discussion exploring the far-reaching consequences of climate change on public health, using both a global lens and looking specifically at the challenges Maryland faces. The event will feature speakers from the World Bank, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and Maryland Department of the Environment.
MAY 7: STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY: Join UMB President Bruce Jarrell for his State of the University Address, which will be held at the M&T Bank Exchange. Dr. Jarrell will discuss the University’s progress, share inspiring stories, and outline his vision for the future as we work together to improve the human condition and serve the public good.
Video of the Month
Watch the Feb. 25 “Face to Face” online discussion program, “Exploring Presidential Power and Its Constitutional Boundaries”: