President’s Letter 2023

Kurt Schmoke
From time to time, I describe us as being not just The University of Baltimore, but the University for Baltimore. I do this to emphasize UBalt’s commitment to civic engagement, and remind us that career advancement cannot happen in a vacuum—it must be community-minded.

Community engagement and professional development intersect across the University, in almost every program. They clearly converge in the service learning happening through our NextGen Leaders for Public Service internship program at the Schaefer Center for Public Policy, as well as in the public interest work being undertaken by student attorneys through the School of Law’s Clinical Law Program, housed in The Chasen Family Law Clinic Suite.

The University’s forward-thinking faculty exemplify those two concepts as they build upon our academic foundations, developing curriculum that anticipates industry advancement and responds to community needs.

Those values come full circle through our Early College Initiatives, as UBalt alumni help Baltimore City Public School students earn college credit through career-focused coursework, and inspire them to go on to college careers of their own.

For almost a century, this University has forged relationships with leaders, builders and changemakers—many of whom are UBalt alums— to develop programs that serve both students and citizens. In doing so, we have helped improve local lives by educating those who share in our passions and engaging those who want to see a stronger, better, more equitable world for all.

We are now looking toward the next 100 years with the confidence that our reputation for engagement will resonate across the city, the region—even nationally and around the globe. Within the University System of Maryland, our know-how regarding issues that matter to everyday people will ensure that we are much more than simply “relevant.” We’ll live it—and we’ll teach it, too. As we head into UBalt’s second century, our work will position the University as the go-to place for those who want to learn how to create impact.

As you will read in this issue of The University of Baltimore Magazine, we are, in fact, already positioning ourselves in a way to attract resources to support that work, to foster new civic partnerships and public-service careers, as well as vital, broad-based thinking around these perspectives.

I invite you to learn more about the work we are doing, and hope that as a proud member of the University of Baltimore community, you will also continue to stay engaged.

Sincerely,

Kurt L. Schmoke