Teaching in Second Chance College Program Influences Professors’ Point of View
 
Dr. Dan Gerlowski, Frank van Vliet, Kate Demarest
Dr. Dan Gerlowski, Frank van Vliet, Kate Demarest

If you sat down with anyone who is employed at The University of Baltimore and ask why they choose to work at the institution, at some point in that conversation, they’ll likely share that, “creating opportunities for our students” is a top reason why they enjoy their jobs. That notion of “opportunity” is not fleeting—it’s in our DNA and exemplified in the original documents establishing the University. In fact, it’s fundamental to understanding the institutional mission.


If you sat down with anyone who is employed at The University of Baltimore and ask why they choose to work at the institution, at some point in that conversation, they’ll likely share that, “creating opportunities for our students” is a top reason why they enjoy their jobs. That notion of “opportunity” is not fleeting—it’s in our DNA and exemplified in the original documents establishing the University. In fact, it’s fundamental to understanding the institutional mission.

The uniqueness of UBalt’s student body has always required hiring professors who could offer both exceptional scholarly pursuits, along with an extraordinary talent for teaching. Coupled together, these areas are important to accommodate our students, who come from vastly different socio-economic backgrounds and who are profoundly diverse in age, race, and life and work experiences.

For one of UBalt’s most notable programs, the “Second Chance College Program,” creating opportunities has a different goal. Our faculty travel to the Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI), a maximum-security prison operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, to teach those who are incarcerated.

Every semester, going back five years, University faculty have stepped up to teach a handful of qualified students at the facility. Over the program’s existence, Merrick School of Business faculty, including Professors Dan GerlowskiFrank van Vliet, and Kate Demarest, have joined their UBalt colleagues in representing the Merrick School in the program. And it’s not just the students who have been supported by this effort – the interaction has had an everlasting impact on the teachers.

Dr. Gerlowski, a professor of economics, van Vliet, a senior lecturer in marketing and entrepreneurship, and Demarest, a lecturer in accounting (and recently appointed associate dean), are among the School’s many dedicated faculty who aim for the best educational outcomes and opportunities for their students. Our professors are on the frontline of their students’ journeys. Their pursuits in advancing knowledge, is a key to opening the doors of opportunity for our students. In addition, their compassion and caring go a long way to influence the trajectories of our graduates.

According to Gerlowski, who teaches the course “The Economic Way of Thinking” at JCI, he fully embraced the chance to experience a new and interesting student population.

“There are new experiences in teaching that are out there, and I want to experience more of them,” he said.

Even for this seasoned educator, the first day of class at JCI found him anxious and a bit worried.

“The night before my first class, I could not sleep. I was nervous,” he said. “Imagine that. A professor with over 30 years, and I was nervous. I can say that the challenge that was before me was quickly lessened after meeting the students and seeing the teaching resources. It changed my perspective in a hurry.”

Prof. van Vliet has taught a number of times at Jessup, including courses in marketing, business ethics and entrepreneurship. He believes that society does not make it easy for returning citizens to blend into communities. But he sees a solution.

“Education is the great equalizer,” said van Vliet. “We are doing our part to help make returning citizens transition back to the real world a little easier.”

He had to remind himself that many of the JCI students have been cut off from outside influences for quite a while, and their worldview can be different from what he usually finds among his students on campus. The way to cover this gap?  Use a real-life example for the Second Chance students to help the grasp concepts.

“One of my favorite explanations that a student provided to his classmates happened in a marketing course,” van Vliet said. “We were talking about distribution chains and some students were struggling with the concept. One class member volunteered to share an example and went on to explain, in graphic detail, how illicit drug trade worked in Baltimore. The light bulb went on for everyone. I must admit, it was a great example, and one that was not in my knowledge portfolio at the time.”

As Prof. Demarest sets foot in a JCI classroom for the first time in the spring semester to teach an accounting course, she’ll arrive with the words and experiences shared by former business school student Chris Wilson. Wilson completed the requirements of the UBalt Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows program and is an advocate for and a donor to UBalt’s Second Chance program. He is also the author of the book The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose. His words have emotionally impacted Demarest and reframed her mindset about those who are incarcerated.

“I was so moved about how access to college helped Chris see himself as a person of value,” said Demarest. “The University of Baltimore is an institution that makes a difference—and I think that the JCI program fits well within our University’s mission.”

In 2016, the Obama administration launched the Second Chance Pell Program to assist incarcerated people’s quest for a college education; it was developed in conjunction with the 2016 Experimental Sites Initiative of the United States Department of Education’s Pell Grant program. The University of Baltimore was one of 67 colleges and universities selected to participate, and since its inception, UBalt’s program has been led by Andrea Cantora, an associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice found in the College of Public Affairs. Her research is focused on issues related to incarceration, prison, and urban crime prevention. Cantora is an advocate for expanding access to post-secondary education in prisons. She regularly works with the School of Business faculty to orient and guide them to the teaching at JCI.

When asked about the effectiveness of Second Chance programs around the country, Prof. Cantora shared some of the key findings documented in a 2013 RAND Corporation study, which pointed to a reduction in re-offending and better job prospects for students who participated.

In addition to a college education to qualified incarcerated men at JCI, The University of Baltimore’s Second Chance College Program has been providing reentry support services, tuition assistance, and mentoring from student peers. Once the participants are eligible to be released from JCI, they pivot their education to the UBalt campus. From that point, it’s on to finishing their degree and then leveraging the knowledge they’ve gained, for their personal and professional success as contributing members of society.

UBalt’s program started with just 30 students. As of spring 2021, 52 students are studying toward a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Administration degree and a minor in business management. While taking courses at JCI students receive academic support from UBalt faculty and staff, community volunteers, and their incarcerated peers. Through higher education and reentry support, these students really do get the “second chance” they need to have a positive impact on their own lives, their families, and the Baltimore community.

As the first group of Second Chance students reaches the conclusion of their UBalt education, while many others are just getting started, what is the ultimate lesson about this innovative approach to teaching and learning? Prof. Demarest puts it like this:

“I feel that we give up on people – and then we are surprised when there is recidivism,” she said. “To me, programs like Second Chance are a moral imperative. You really make a difference when you teach a student who might never have seen themselves as a professional. And at The University of Baltimore, we are an institution that makes a difference.”

Marketing Professor Wins Outstanding Article Award
 

As a society of consumers, we all know quality service when we see it. But are you a customer willing to forgive a bad service experience? You might if you be according to this year’s winner of Merrick School of Business’ Outstanding Article award, Associate Professor of Marketing Praneet Randhawa.


As a society of consumers, we all know quality service when we see it. But are you a customer willing to forgive a bad service experience? You might if you be according to this year’s winner of Merrick School of Business’ Outstanding Article award, Associate Professor of Marketing Praneet Randhawa.

 

At the annual Faculty Awards celebration, Dr. Randhawa received the Merrick School of Business's prestigious honor for her co-authored article titled “Assessing the Effects of Service Variability on Consumer Confidence and Behavior,” in the Journal of Service Research.

 

The focus of the article was examining service relationships and how the variability of the companies’ quality of service impacts a consumers’ confidence and behaviors over a series of transactions. The paper leverages a field study that followed “12,000 experiences across 3,084 consumers for a 2-year period.” The researchers modeled the “impact of the variability in these experiences on consumer relationships.”

 

There were two things that made this research model different. First, it’s was multi-study model with two different sets of data collected. This allowed the results to be more robust. It also involves time-series data that was collected over a 28-month time period with multiple transactions of the customers. The first set of data was obtained with cooperation from an actual company. The researchers reviewed the results and then they designed a second study to bolster the data set. Two separate studies were used to develop the paper. This decision allowed the researchers to integrate evaluations across several transactions. 

 

With a concentration on consumer relationship investments like loyalty programs, the team uncovered some points that service providers could benefit from. From Dr. Randhawa’s position she sees that a customer’s confidence in a brand gets impacted by the quality of service provided.

 

“A consistent level of quality is crucial in helping build customer confidence because these consistent quality experiences help build strong customer loyalty,” said Randhawa. “Although consistent service quality is difficult to achieve, the variability can be off-set by loyalty/reward programs. In the end, customers integrate evaluations across multiple service encounters when evaluating a service provided. Thus, it is important for companies to keep that in mind when evaluating single poor customer service quality transaction.”

 

One of the surprises that Randhawa encountered occurred during the review of the second study.

 

“I think the results of our second study that demonstrates that single poor service quality experience is not the end of a customer-brand relationship. It is fascinating given in this social media dominated world where word-of-mouth is ‘world-of -mouth.’ Customers are willing to give companies or brands another chance as long as they feel they are getting something in return like accumulating points or rewards.”

 

During the school’s Outstanding Article evaluation process, Dean Murray Dalziel carefully evaluates the research generated by all of our faculty. He shared his thoughts on Dr. Randhawa’s paper and why it gravitates to the top.

 

“This is a very extensive empirical study of immense interest to managers who depend on customer service metrics to underpin their business. Many companies depend on aggregating customer service responses, but this paper shows that this can be misleading and gives a much more direct endorsement for looking more deeply at the actual ‘customer journey’ with some nuances particularly around the role of loyalty clubs.”

 

This is the second time Randhawa has earned the Outstanding Article Award. When asked about winning this honor she said, a research award for her is a true recognition of her efforts.

 

“I feel motivated to continue to explore practical research questions that help inform the business literature.”

 

Thank you, Dr. Randhawa and your fellow scholars for this impactful research. Indeed, your curiosity will advance the field.

 

Visit Dr. Randhawa's faculty profile.


 

Article citation:

Voorhees, C. M., Beck, J. M., Randhawa, P., DeTienne, K. B., & Bone, S. A. Assessing the Effects of Service Variability on Consumer Confidence and Behavior. Journal of Service Research. Volume: 24 issue: 3, page(s): 405-420.   

 

 

Economics Faculty Awarded Fellowship for Public Policy and Entrepreneurship
 

Ting Zhang, associate professor of economics in The University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business and associate director of the University's Jacob France Institute, has been awarded a fellowship in Entrepreneurship Policy from the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM). The fellowship is supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and will explore relationship between public policy and entrepreneurship.


Ting Zhang, associate professor of economics in The University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business and associate director of the University's Jacob France Institute, has been awarded a fellowship in Entrepreneurship Policy from the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM). The fellowship is supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and will explore relationship between public policy and entrepreneurship.

Prof. Zhang was one of the four professors who were chosen for the inaugural cohort of APPAM faculty fellows. There were also five doctoral candidates who were named as student fellows. She will contribute the creation of curriculum for the student fellowship recipients. The curriculum development will delve into topics such as the impact of public policies on the business environment, how economics and program structures and frameworks should take the entrepreneurial perspective into account, and what the future holds for the role of business in public policy.

Zhang is a sought-after speaker on the topic of aging and entrepreneurship and is the author of the articles "Elderly Entrepreneurship in an Aging Economy: It's Never Too Late," and "Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth in China." She also has amassed more than 40 funded grants and sponsored research projects totaling nearly $9 million in support during her university tenure, with more than $7 million of that total coming from projects in which she served as primary investigator or co-primary investigator.

"I feel really lucky to be selected, knowing how much more achieved the other fellow faculty members are," Prof. Zhang said about the APPAM recognition. "I hope to be able to add some value to the curriculum on age and entrepreneurship, as well as social entrepreneurship, and I look forward to learning further from experts in the area of entrepreneurship and public policy."

"We are so proud of Dr. Zhang," said Merrick Dean Murray Dalziel. "She exemplifies what we believe the Merrick School of Business stands for: outstanding research that has immediate impact on students and deep implications and applications for our community and society at large."

Zhang's research interests include entrepreneurship and aging, workforce development, education and labor, welfare-to-work, business and employment dynamics, and the regional economy. In 2015, she won a prestigious research grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to conduct research on Baby Boomer-era entrepreneurship. Her recent work includes research in health and later life entrepreneurship, housing variability and regional economy, skill-gap and mismatch, location impact on welfare-to-work propensity, profiling Maryland employment and business dynamics, examining recession impacts, tracking worker placement, exploring geographic dynamics of Maryland economy and its impact on public policy, diagnosing data quality using administrative records, and conducting researches using linked longitudinal administrative records.

Prof. Zhang earned her Ph.D. from George Mason University. She teaches in the UBalt MBA program.

Dean's Message

As we adapt to life in a post COVID-19 world, we find ourselves celebrating and appreciating milestones that we took for granted in “normal times.” This academic year, the most memorable and special event was once again having an in-person commencement. That semi-annual tradition signified that we were returning to "real" campus life. As we evaluate the scope of change over the last few years, we know life before March 2020 is in the past. How we use our campus, will change. Students want multiple ways of interacting with us. But this is new reality is an environment that we are built for—where we will bring together a diverse group of learners, engaged in a practical business education, to advance in their careers. 

 

When the world jumped into virtual work and online learning, UBalt was ready. We’ve been offering online learning since the late-1990’s and our expertise and research in online learning has really made a difference. Our institutional expertise allowed our faculty to pivot at the start of the pandemic, with ease and with little disruption. We recognize that the flexibility to deliver our programs in-person, online and perhaps in a hybrid format, is the way our students want to learn. We will continue to be a university that enables students to study where they are—and where it is convenient for them. It’s all about the impact we make on the lives of the people we serve. 

 

I am especially proud to see the influence that our faculty are having in the larger community. There is a lot of criticism pointed at business schools that we aren’t doing enough to address the fundamental issues in our society. Some of this criticism is undoubtedly valid. Our accreditation body, the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), insists that schools report where they intend to have societal impact and the results of those intentions. Here are some areas we hope to make a clear and present impact:

 

Addressing Racial Equality. The strength of the Merrick School of Business is bolstered because of our student population and employers know it. Our students are racially and ethnically diverse. Of course, you can see that in our demographics, but they also offer life experiences that no data book could ever reveal, and that is the secret of UBalt. Since we are classified as a minority-serving institution, employers can consider UBalt as a primary hiring source for talented people of color. We know that there are concrete and positive business outcomes when organizations have a diverse workforce. We help our business partners with their talent acquisition goals.  

 

To further make an impact in racial equity, we have faculty working with different industries to diversify the professions. For example, Dr. Jan Williams, associate professor of accounting, serves on the Academic Executive Committee of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). On that committee she has spearheaded several initiatives to advance and diversify the accounting profession. Dr. Williams has also led the launch of the Merrick School’s National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) chapter. A group of accounting faculty are actively working with industry partners and some community colleges, to launch an accounting apprenticeship program that would enable high school students, from more challenged backgrounds, to learn about accounting firsthand through work. We believe that over time, these apprentices will have what they need to launch their careers. We are so excited about this that we would like our alumni to reach out to us and discuss with us more ways we can further our impact in this area. 

 

In addition to all the accounting efforts, I would highlight Dr. Seema Iyer's leadership of Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance. Her efforts highlight the precise communities in Baltimore where disparities in a whole range of measures are correlated with racial disparities. We build awareness but we also build frameworks that allow community groups, businesses, and public sector agencies to set goals and measure achievements against these to reduce the disparities. She and her team just published this year's iteration of their “Vital Signs Report.” 

 

Economic Development. Our home is Baltimore, and we want to see our city and state thrive. One way we impact the city is through our work in entrepreneurship. Faculty members have been working as mentors for a range of local neighborhood-based business and social enterprises. For example, Sanwar Sunny, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and founder and CEO of Dynamhex, has worked with the city to make a positive impact on our climate. He is deeply involved in helping create blue and green technologies that will help Maryland achieve climate goals. 

 

Our Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has a new collaboration that involves serving as a partner in The Maryland Innovation Extension, an Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center and with other higher education state institutions. The focus is on aiding underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship. There will be workshops, short courses, and an executive-in-residence program available to those looking to create and grow a startup company. The CEI also sponsored the 10th Annual “Rise to the Challenge” business pitch competition in the spring. Clarrissa Cozart, a UBalt Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow, and founder of Tailored Fit, a fashion line for tall boys, was chosen as the evening's "Most Promising Business." She walked away with $15,000.

 

Our students and alumni seem to always bring their “A-game" to our competitions. The UBalt “Pitch for a Million” real estate development venture competition, has become a showcase to Baltimore-area developers. Our participants, known as the M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows, are mentored for ten weeks as they create their middle-market neighborhood real development pitches. The winning pitch came from a team of three UBalt alumni. Their pitch focused on the Broadway East neighborhood. It’s just a two mile walk from our campus. They won some initial seed funding of $15,000. They are now honing their idea so that they can pitch for a line-of-credit up to $1 million from our partner in this initiative—Baltimore Community Lending. 

 

We are always grateful to have the Jacob France Institute as a valuable resource for the State and City. The JFI specializes in conducting economic, real estate and workforce development analyses for City, County, State, and national clients. In the past year, the JFI has completed the development of the economic development strategy for Prince George’s County, an assessment of the performance of Baltimore City’s nonprofit funded workforce development system and is working with the Maryland Department of Commerce and State Legislature to develop a strategy for Maryland to promote advanced technology investment and meet the workforce needs of the State’s manufacturing industry. That is just a few projects. In the coming year, the JFI will be developing the State of Maryland’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Maryland Department of Commerce. 

 

Thought Leadership.  As a business school we cannot insulate ourselves from real-world situations facing companies. We know that it is important to lead by example. We have the capabilities to offer relevant thought leadership to help companies and their unique situations.  In the last year, Kalyan Singhal, professor of operations management launched a new publication, Management and Business Review (MBR). The Merrick School sponsors the publication along with 10 other leading business schools. Professor Singhal works with colleagues at University of Michigan and Wharton to disseminate findings that bridges business practice, education, and academic research. You can read the recent issue for free. We are offering a complimentary MBR subscription to all University of Baltimore alumni. If you haven't received the link in an earlier email, please let us know and we will ensure you receive it. 

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t share some great speakers we had in the past year. They bring so much experience and wisdom to our community. Appearing in a hybrid event format, we welcomed Diane Cho, a founding principal of Cho Benn Holback and current principal with the firm Quinn Evans, for our “Lessons from Legends,” event. I really admired how she has made an impact on the places we work and live in. As part of our “Team with the Dean” series, we hosted several guests. In the Merrick Exchange’s “Dean’s Corner,” you can find the YouTube links to most of the events. There are two that I wanted to highlight. We hosted Joseph Sullivan, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer at Allspring Global Investments and Mike Gill, current Secretary of the Maryland Dept. of Commerce and former Chairman of Evergreen Advisors. Both brought an interesting perspective, and it was great to have them here on campus with a few students. 

 

I could go on about the past year’s work to make our community stronger, but I’ll let the articles in this issue of the Merrick Exchange tell the story. But you should walk away knowing this, we are helping businesses use the best of business knowledge. We are helping to create more wealth in Baltimore. We are particularly aiming to create equitable wealth and eliminate racial disparities in our city—and in the business professions. These are a few of the contributions you can expect from Merrick School of Business today and in the future. 

 


Murray M. Dalziel, Ph.D.

Dean, Merrick School of Business  

mdalziel@ubalt.edu

Alumna Named New Associate Dean

M. Kathryn "Kate" Demarest, M.B.A. '87, M.S. '12, accounting lecturer in The University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business, has been named associate dean of the school. 

"I am very excited about my new role as the associate dean of the Merrick School of Business," Demarest says. "I first joined the UBalt family when I earned my MBA degree, the foundation of my professional career. At UBalt, I found myself in a community of working professionals learning from professors who really engaged with students on an intellectual and personal level. When I decided to pursue a masters in taxation, I knew that UBalt was where I wanted to be. In 2017, I joined the University as a lecturer in accounting. I've enjoyed teaching both undergraduate and graduate students and working with accounting, finance, and information systems majors in the Beta Alpha Psi honor society. As associate dean, I hope to support the world-class education that students receive at UBalt and make a difference in our community."

Learn more about Kate Demarest and the Merrick School of Business.

U.S. News "Best Grad School" Ranking, Makes Four

We are proud to share that we’ve added one more U.S. News & World Report ranking with the 2023 Best Grad School rankings. Did you know we have earned four rankings in the last year?

BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS

  • 2022 Best Undergraduate Business Programs

BEST ONLINE PROGRAMS RANKINGS

  • 2022 Best Online MBA
  • 2022 Best Online MBA for Veterans

BEST GRAD SCHOOLS RANKINGS

  • 2023 Best Part-time MBA Program

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Team with the Dean: Past Event Videos

Gathering our students, faculty, staff, alumni and business partners is important for our community to stay engaged and connected. The "Team with the Dean" series is one way we do that. Dean Dalziel is bringing our UBalt community closer together by offering virtual conversations with speakers who have insights into the current business environment. Here are a few recordings that might be of interest to you. 

  • 03/29/2022, Joe Sullivan, CEO of Allspring Global Investments talks about the his leadership journey, view on YouTube
  • 02/22/2022, Evan Lutz, CEO of Hungry Harvest talks social entrepreneurship, view on YouTube
  • 02/8/2022, Troy Stovall, CEO of TEDCO talks about what's spurring entrepreneurship and economic development in Maryland, view on YouTube
  • 01/11/2022, Kimberly Ellison-Taylor shares insights into business and leadership, view on YouTube.
  • 12/07/2021, Mike Gill, current Sec. Md. Dept. of Commerce talks about the current business environment, view on YouTube. 

OTHER EVENTS

Proud Sponsor of the Management and Business Review Journal

In 2021, we introduced the Management and Business Review, a journal co-founded by Merrick School of Business Kalyan Singhal, professor of operation management. If you haven't already delved into the publication, check it out. The journal is a grassroots initiative to bridge practice, education, and research. It is perfect for business leaders to read.

 

The editors are offering the first issues for free. You can also find out more on how to subscribe to it and share with your professional network or company.

 

Visit the journal's website at  https://mbrjournal.com/. 

 


The Merrick School of Business is proud to be one of the twelve prominent business schools to sponsor MBR.

 

  • Anderson School of Management at UCLA
  • China Europe International Business School
  • City University of Hong Kong
  • Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia
  • Indian School of Business
  • INSEAD
  • Johnson College of Business at Cornell University
  • Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore
  • Owen Graduate School of Business at Vanderbilt University
  • Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan
  • Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon
  • The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College
Prof. Stickney’s Academic Literacy Paper Wins Award

Professor of Management Lisa Stickney, along with her co-authors were recently recognized by the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS) for having the “Best Pedagogical Contribution” of 2021 in the society’s publication Management Teaching Review. This is an annual award given to a single article that emphasizes “teaching and learning in the classroom by way of innovation, creativity, and practicality. In addition the selection criteria looks for research that has “a broad appeal and maintains a high level of usefulness and impact.”

 

The paper titled, “Improving Academic Literacy in the Management Classroom: Are Your Students Lost in Translation?,” outlines ways for undergraduate and graduate students to develop greater academic literacy. The co-authors developed an exercise where students work first independently and then collaboratively to extract information from a journal article and translate findings into understandable, evidence-based practice that can be applied in organizations. They also provided resources for instructors who wish to use this method in face-to-face or online classes.

 

This year’s award committee was comprised of 15 management educators at various stages in their careers, and it truly is an honor to be recognized by so many of our peers,” said Stickney. “I am interested in and regularly look for methods and techniques to improve the way we teach management courses. This work will not only benefit me and my fellow academics, it will enhance they way students comprehend and apply the information contained in scholarly articles.”

 

Stickney’s co-authors include, Vicki Fairbanks Taylor (Shippensburg University), Bev DeMarr (Ferris State University), and Melissa Fender (Rutgers University-Camden).

 

Dr. Stickney has been an active member of MOBTS for 13 years. She has served on their board and been a conference Program Chair. She reviews regularly for their annual conference and has served as an Associate Editor for their journal, Management Teaching Review for the past seven years. The professional organization brings forth ways for people to share research and best practices in teaching and learning across the management disciplines.

Prof. Jan Williams Wins Board of Regents Faculty Award for Public Service

In March, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents selected Jan Williams, associate professor of accounting, as one the USM's Faculty award winners in the category of public service. This is the University System’s highest faculty honor for faculty who have contributed to the community through involvement in, clinical practice, professional or nonprofit organizations, and public policy. 

 

Dr. Williams has worked on multiple levels to promote excellence in accounting education, improve standards and policies, and diversify the profession. At the national level, from 2017-18 she served as president of the Mid-Atlantic region of the American Accounting Association. She also as serves chair of the Academic Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In Maryland, she served on Governor Hogan’s Maryland Board of Public Accountancy and was a founding member of the Maryland Association of CPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

 

At UBalt, Dr. Williams directs the Accounting Honors program, serves as faculty advisor to the Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, and established a chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. Given that only two percent of US-based certified accounting professional are Black, her advocacy, commitment, and leadership are critical.

Prof. Lingelbach brings insights into Oligarchs

David Lingelbach, associate professor of entrepreneurship and Fulbright Scholar, spent time in Russia in the 1990’s, where he held various roles in banking and investments. His jobs included a stint as vice president and country manager of Bank of America’s Russia/CIS/Baltics division. Lingelbach is a prolific researcher and experienced teacher One of the research streams he pursues focuses on oligarchs and how they gain power. His extensive background in venture capital and entrepreneurship has offered several opportunities for the media to pick his brain about what is going on with Vladimir Putin and the oligarchs aligned with him.

 

Note: Dr. Lingelbach has been promoted to Full Professor at The University of Baltimore beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year. He also received a Fulbright Specialist Award to Colombia at Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2021.   

 

Check out the media coverage:

If Putin wins in Ukraine, then what? (The Hill | Opinion)

Russian Oligarchs’ Billions Lead to ‘Madness’ at This Buyout Firm (Bloomberg)

What comes after Putin? (The Hill | Opinion)

Can Western sanctions alter Putin’s behavior? (The Hill | Opinion)

Meet the man who whispers in Putin’s Ear (Forbes.com)

Simple Politics with Kim Wehle (YouTube interview)

Why Some Say Putin Is Happy His Oligarchs Are Getting Sanctioned  (Forbes.com)

Should the West offer Vladimir Putin amnesty to end war in Ukraine? (The Week | UK | paywall)

Is it too late to do anything about Putin? (The Hill | Opinion)

Why is Putin so confident these days? (The Hill | Opinion)

Dr. Sunny's Startup Chosen for Zurich Innovation Championship
 
Dr. Sanwar Sunny
Dr. Sanwar Sunny

As founder and CEO of Dynamhex, a company that uses artificial intelligence to provide customized carbon emission reduction recommendations to corporations, utility companies and the government, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Sanwar Sunny’s expertise is extremely valuable to our students. Most recently it was announced that his company was select by insurance giant, Zurich, as winner in global startup tournament. 

 

The company was chosen as one of the companies focused on sustainability in the 2022 Zurich Innovation Championship, This was worldwide challenge for entrepreneurs. It pairs together agile and innovative startups to a global insurer. Those startups and and scaleups making it into the accelerator phase benefited from entering the corporation's co-creation implementation lab. There they worked alongside Zurich team members, with the goal to take their product or service to market in new or existing locations. There were 2,762 entries in this year's competition with 12 global winners.  

 

Last year, his company received a $250,000 investment from the University System of Maryland Momentum Fund. This was part of a total of $1.5 million in seed funding from investors. In addition, the company was recognized as one of Baltimore’s top 20 standout tech companies in the Technical.ly Baltimore “RealLIST Startup” list.  

 

 


Emerging Themes in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is one of seven themes that The University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business faculty have adopted to foster the advancement of business and management research and education.

Business Faculty Named Hoffberger Fellow

Congratulations to Frank van Vliet for being named a University of Baltimore Hoffberger Faculty Fellow. Prof. van Vliet’s active participation with the Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics, particularly his commitment to the UBalt-sponsored Ethics Bowls, was one of the leading reasons he has earned this honor. As a Fellow, he will assist the center in their mission of encouraging people to think responsibly about the kinds of moral dilemmas and choices we all face as professional and as a global citizens.

2021-2022 MSB Faculty Awards

The Merrick School of Business Faculty Awards were presented in a hybrid event on May 24, 2022. The following awards and achievements were recognized:

 

Professorships and Chairs

 

Annual Awards 

 

 

Dean’s Appreciation Award went to Dr. Kalyan Singhal, Henry Mortimer and Dr. Sanwar Sunny. Professor Sunny also received the Dean’s Rising Star Research Award

2021-2022 Academic Achievement Awards

In May we were pleased to sponsor a hybrid event to celebrate our best undergraduate students who graduated in Dec. 2021 and May 2022. During the ceremony, our faculty recognized students in their departments and the Dean Murray Dalziel awarded the top academic award.  

 

DEAN'S AWARD

This award is presented to the undergraduate Merrick School of Business student who demonstrates high academic achievement, leadership and service.

 

Nicholas W. Parreco, B.S.  ‘22

Born and raised in Maryland, Nick transferred to the University of Baltimore in 2019. In addition to making the Dean’s List several times, he has been very active in our campus community. Some of his many activities include:

  • Serving as the Events Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) for three semesters, helping coordinate induction ceremonies, leadership sessions, and community service initiatives.
  • Continually serving as Treasurer and President of the Student Events Board during the journey of the pandemic, in efforts of keeping our university connected and moving in tough times.
  • Serving as Orientation Leader in the Spring of 2022, offering energy, resources, and welcoming to undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students.
  • Serving as Team lead for CSEI’s Jones Fall Cleanup on their community service day Post-graduation.

Nick will continue pushing his career in event management in Baltimore. He wants to get more involved in supporting local festivals and events geared toward connecting, lifting, and shining light on our city. It’s all about connecting different groups of people, that being our city’s nonprofits, entrepreneurs, musicians, city government, art organizations, sport teams, colleges, elementary schools, local restaurants, etc. - the big dream is to connect everybody in creative new ways.

 

DEPARTMENTAL MERIT AWARDS

  • Amy Nees, B.S. ‘22 earned the Mary Lou Hudson Award for Academic Excellence in Accounting
  • Timothy J. Spurrier, B.S. ‘21 earned the Accounting Merit Award
  • Elizabeth Etouke, ‘21 earned the Finance Merit Award
  • Amira Taylor, B.S. ‘22 earned the Finance Merit Award
  • Kevin Harrow, B.S. ‘21 earned the Real Estate and Economic Development Merit Award
  • Kyle Vega, B.S. ‘22 earned the General Business Merit Award
  • Catalina Prettyman, B.S. ‘21 earned the Human Resource Management Merit Award 
  • Andrea Camacho, B.S. ‘21 earned the International Business Merit Award 
  • Nicholas W. Parreco, B.S. ‘22 earned the Management Merit Award 
  • Zachary Paul Clayton, B.S. ‘22 earned the Charles Siegmann Information Technology Award
  • Alex Kavege, B.S. ‘21 earned the Data Analytics Merit Award 
  • Nicole Mighty, B.S. ‘22 earned the Entrepreneurship Merit Award 
  • Taylor White, B.S. ‘21 earned the Dr. Peter Lynagh Marketing Merit Award 

 

RATCLIFFE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FELLOWS

The following students earned earned the Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows medallion for completing the requirements of this intensive program.

  • Nikia Madison, B.S. ‘22, Founder of SafePl8 Allergy-Free Grocery
  • Nicole Mighty, B.S. ‘22, Founder Spiked Orchids, LLC.
  • Rebecca Thompson, B.S. ‘21, Founder of D & R Solutions, LLC 

 

Below are photos of a few students who were able to attend the event, in-person.

New Honor Societies Inductees

In May the following students were inducted into our honor society chapters:

 

BETA ALPHA PSI

Beta Alpha Psi is a national honor society with a goal to encourage and recognize scholastic and professional excellence in the fields of accounting, finance and information systems. It provides opportunities for development of technical and professional skills to complement university education; participation in community service; and interaction among students, faculty, and professionals.

  • Channell Benn
  • Sa’Kiara Hopkins
  • Alexis Mace
  • Stephanie Smith

BETA GAMMA SIGMA BUSINESS

Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student in the world can receive in an AACSB accredited business program.

  • Eric Brandenberg
  • Christina L. Ensley
  • Elice A. Garcia-Baca
  • Danielle N. Hawkins
  • Nadzeya Kavalueskaya
  • Daniel Kellagher
  • Makaria Jenay Martin
  • Kristi Moore
  • Jonathan Palardy
  • Victoria Faith Seilback
  • Iliyan Slavov
  • Elizabeth Swanson Sardelli
  • Noah Wanless

 

MU KAPPA TAU 

Mu Kappa Tau is the national marketing honor society, founded in 1966 in order to pursue and recognize academic excellence in marketing.

  • Hailey Nye

 

SIGMA IOTA EPSILON MANAGEMENT

Sigma Iota Epsilon is the national honorary and professional management fraternity. It’s purpose is two-fold: to encourage and recognize scholastic excellence and to promote cooperation between the academic and practical aspects of management.

  • Bheti Cheeks
  • Elice Garcia-Baca
  • Linnea Holt
  • Andrea Kennedy
  • Fiona Ziemski
  • Frederick McLean III
  • Song Uk Moon
  • Paula Vincent-Peters
  • Tiara Williams 

 

SIGMA NU TAU ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sigma Nu Tau is the national honorary fraternity in entrepreneurship. Its purpose is two-fold: to encourage the study of principled entrepreneurship, that is, entrepreneurship practiced with high ethical standards, honor, and integrity, at colleges and universities and to recognize, honor, and reward students who work hard and succeed in their entrepreneurship studies.

  • Tynisha Day
  • Meagan Etner
  • Nicole Harlock
  • Frederick McLean, III
  • Soleii McPhail
  • Jennifer Manning
  • Jeff Pollard
  • Teira Pollard
  • Olivia Springer
  • Christopher Watts
  • Na’Quon Willet

 

Below are photos of those who were able to attend in-person for the induction ceremony and celebration. 

Alumni Snapshot: Troy Pritt
Seeing People in a Much Bigger Light

Troy Pritt, MBA ’20, B.S. ’15, has a story that starts with his time working at the steel mill in Sparrows Point and leads him to where he is today, the director of human resources at University of Maryland’s Baltimore Washington Medical Center. He’ll tell you that his world was very small when he was working in the factory and living in a small town. His perspective changed after attending The University of Baltimore. The diversity of people at the University opened his eyes and the opportunities afforded to him, including studying abroad, allowed him to see people in a much bigger light.  


The circumstances surrounding the rumors and eventual closure of Baltimore’s steel production plant, was enough to get Pritt started on his educational journey as a non-traditional student. At 41 years old, he took a chance on himself and enrolled in college at the Community College of Baltimore County. He would eventually transfer to UBalt in 2013 to pursue his B.S. in Business Administration (marketing). Pritt wasn’t ready to rest after earning his first degree. He began the UBalt MBA program in 2016 while simultaneously working in a local hospital’s HR department. To get that job he utilized the UBalt alumni network and was hired by an alumna.    


Pritt recently sat down with us to share some thoughts about his career, why mentorship is so important to him, and to share some valuable advice for our students.



Merrick: Tell us about your career trajectory since completing the MBA degree at The University of Baltimore.  


Troy Pritt: When I graduated in 2020 I was working at an Amazon fulfillment center as a Human Resources Business Partner. The MBA opened the door for me to move to a Director’s position with Maryland Vascular Associates. The Directors roll meant an increase in responsibility and the opportunity to be a creative force in building a human resources department. While the role was a nice experience I longed to return to human resources in a hospital. I received that opportunity in March of 2022 when I was offered the Director of Human resources position at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. 

 

Merrick: What did you pursue a career in human resource management? 


Troy Pritt: Working in Human Resources gives me the opportunity to not only touch many aspects of business, but to also make a difference in the lives of our team members. As the director I am able to create and give guidance on policies and to handle all employee relations issues. Additionally, it gives me a chance to train my team and to mentor them 

 

Merrick: What is the best aspect of your job?


Troy Pritt: The best aspect of my job is being able to impact the lives of the team member. My team and I create succession plans, helping team member move up within the organization. I have also helped team members create or rewrite their resumes to best capture their qualifications and experiences. It is that mentorship and seeing others peruse their dreams gives me a great deal of satisfaction. 

 

Merrick: How has the pandemic impacted the way you work and what is expected by your employers?


Troy Pritt: The pandemic has made it harder for me to do my job in many ways. To be successful in HR it is necessary to make a connection with the people you are helping. This is difficult with Zoom meetings and having to social distance hinders that connection. It also makes it difficult to find qualified individuals who want to come in to the office, now that working from home has become the norm. 

 

Merrick: How has mentoring played a role in the course of your career?


Troy Pritt: When I started in HR it was because of the mentorship of another UBalt alumnus. Phaedra Stewart, who I met at an alumni event, encouraged me to go into Human Resources when I graduated with my bachelor's. Her mentorship over the years has been amazing. She has helped me to see the big picture, and to dig deep into a situation to create the best outcomes. 


Her example is what has encouraged me to mentor others. I always make myself available to those that have come to me for advice. I was in a store and just happened to be wearing a UBalt shirt. One of the employees engaged me and said that he was a current student. I gave him my business card and asked him to reach out to me when he was ready to start looking for a position. Phaedra once told me that, "to who has been given much, much is required.”  I have been able to achieve a great deal since graduation and I would feel that I was doing an injustice to those that mentored me if I did not mentor others. 

 

Merrick: In what ways do you like to give back to the community?


Troy Pritt: I like to give back to the UBalt community and to other organizations by making time to serve when needed. If I can mentor another, donate money or my time to further the education of others I feel it is my duty to raise my hand and volunteer. 

 

Merrick: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned to succeed in business or in life?


Troy Pritt: The two biggest lessons that I have learned to succeed in business it to be open to change. Becoming stagnant and not pursuing new opportunities can be detrimental to any business. One must stay open to the idea, and new processes so that the organization can grow and move forward. 


The second is to simply be kind. In Human Resources we often have to make the difficult decisions. When those times happen, it is important to engage others with kindness. Having compassion will always lead to success

 

Merrick: What characteristics do you see in successful leaders and why do you believe that?


Troy Pritt: The characteristics that I see in successful people is the drive to succeed. I truly admire someone who tirelessly pursues their dreams and achieves their goals. It is easy to make excuses, but it is hard to put in the work and do what needs to be done. 

 

Merrick: What advice would you give to students who would like to pursue careers in human resource management?


Troy Pritt: My advice to a student who wants to pursue a career in Human Resources management is to build your network. Engage with others in the HR through organizations like Chesapeake Human Resources Association. This is a great way to learn about changes in employment law, as well as learning about employment opportunities. 

 

Merrick: What is the one job-hunting secret you wish all students knew?


Troy Pritt: The importance of networking is the one thing I wish all student knew. Finding the dream job is about having the credential but also knowing the right people. It really is about who you know that opens doors in to employment. All of the jobs that I have had, were the direct result from networking with the hiring managers either through the alumni or though Linkedin. 
   
Merrick: Why did you choose to earn your degree at UBalt?


Troy Pritt: When I started UBalt, I was a non-traditional student, who was in the process of transitioning from an unskilled factory jobs to positions requiring a degree. UBalt offers a unique college experience, not only did I learn in the classroom, but also from the mentorship of the professors and those that work in the Deans suite. I felt like everyone took a personal interest in my success. I was encouraged to join clubs and even served as Student Government Vice President. Also, UBalt is located in a vibrant area of Baltimore City that is close to great museums restaurants giving the students the chance to experience some of the best that Baltimore has to offer. 


Merrick: How has attending The University of Baltimore helped you in your career?


Troy Pritt: The University of Baltimore has helped me in my career in countless ways. My first job after earning my bachelor's was found through the alumnus. There were a few times when I struggled with a project at work and was able to engage one of my former professors to discuss my struggles and to seek their guidance. The University of Baltimore has been a reliable resource through my entire career. 

 

Merrick: What personal goal have you set for yourself for  the next 12 months?


Troy Pritt: My personal goal for the next 12 months is to achieve a certification in HR through the Society of Human Resources Management. 

Three Walls Development Alumni Team Wins Third Annual 'Pitch for a Million' Real Estate Competition

A team of University of Baltimore alumni finished first in the third annual "Pitch for a Million" competition, held on June 23 on the UBalt campus. The competition, in which six finalists from the University's 2022 M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows program discussed their concepts for improving Baltimore's middle-market neighborhoods before a panel of expert judges, was clinched by the Three Walls Development team, including Amber Jones, B.S.B.A. '18, Wesley Hawkins, B.S. '18, and Lamar Purnell, B.S. '17. Their project goal is to build vibrant communities in Baltimore through affordable, family-owned housing.

The competition is part of an intense immersion into the finer points of property development, led and mentored by some of the region's top real-estate professionals. This cohort represents the third in the University's M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows program, and has focused on finding solutions to critical development needs existing within Baltimore's middle-market neighborhoods.

More about the "Pitch for a Million" winners: 

  • Wesley Hawkins is a retired correctional officer who currently works as a property manager, business owner, and CEO of a nonprofit, The Nolita Project Inc. Hawkins serves as a mentor to underprivileged youth in Baltimore, and is the author of the book Dear Nolita.
  • Amber Jones is working with ReBuild Metro's Vacant House Stabilization Program, which is set to launch this year in East Baltimore.
  • Lamar Purnell is leveraging his UBalt Jurisprudence degree from the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences as he pursues a J.D. in The University of Baltimore School of Law. Purnell is responsible for starting a behavioral health clinic in the city.

The winning proposal may win up to $1 million via a Guidance Line of Credit from Baltimore Community Lending. The finalists in the University's 2022 cohort of the M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows Program included three current UBalt students and three alumni, each of whom presented their ideas for strengthening the city via neighborhood development during the June 23 live/virtual event and can be viewed on YouTube.

Watch a video about the 2022 "Pitch for a Million" competition.

Learn more about UBalt's 2022 M&T Bank Real Estate Fellows.

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Winners Announced for UBalt's 'Rise to the Challenge' Business Pitch Competition

Five winners, including undergraduate students and recent alumni, emerged from the "Rise to the Challenge" Business Pitch Competition on April 21, each receiving their own version of "the big check" and a portion of the nearly $30,000 in prize money. 

The event, conducted in-person for the first time in three years, is supported annually by The University of Baltimore's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to showcase many of the UBalt community's most talented and driven entrepreneurs.

Clarrissa Cozart, a Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow, and founder of Tailored Fit, a fashion line for tall boys that will allow customers to shop waist to inseam, was chosen as the evening's "Most Promising Business," walking away with $15,000 "check." The award, established in 2018 through the Jay Ripley Entrepreneurship Fund, is given to the student whose business, in either category, has the best prospects for growth, as determined by the judges. Cozart also earned the $500 "Hustle Award," provided by Jason Tagler, founder of Pitch Creator. The cash prize—normally rolls of $20 in a mason jar but this year delivered via PayPal—goes to the finalist who shows the most improvement during the multi-week presentation coaching program.

The top earner in the category of "Existing Business Ventures," a $5,000 prize, was recent UBalt graduate Samantha Mellerson, B.S. '21, also a former Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow and creator and founder of HeART Sam, a maker of premium-quality knitted fabrics that combine Afrocentric depictions and wearable art.

Other winners included Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow Jonah Willard, who earned the top award in the category of "Aspiring Business Ventures,” netting $2,000 for his business idea, Grease Garage, a planned shared-economy car garage, where car enthusiasts can meet to work on their vehicles, at their leisure. Willard also was a double-winner, taking home the Crowd Favorite award of $1,000.

Another Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow emerged as winner of the $5,000 Dean's Challenge Award: Na'Quon Willet, founder of Investment Neighbor, a subscription service that provides financial, market, and economic data to help retail investors make independent decisions. Established last year by Murray Dalziel, Dean of the Merrick School of Business, the Dean's Challenge Award is given to the competitor or competitors who best demonstrate the social impact of their venture(s).

The Baltimore Fund Award, a $1,000 prize given to the entrepreneur who best exemplifies the University's commitment to Community and Civic Engagement, Ethical Engagement, and Responsible and Resourceful Stewardship for the City of Baltimore, went to Audriana Duvall, the creator of Single Baes, which offers custom shirts that showcase a person's interests so they can meet someone in real life, not online. Single Baes donates a portion of proceeds to efforts to clean up the Baltimore Harbor.

Other finalists in the competition, which this year celebrated its 10th year, included:

  • The alumni team of Ike Opaigbeogu, B.S. '16, and former Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellow, and Emily Kim, B.S. '15, who presented Zety Taste, which is planning to offer frozen, ready-to-eat, nutritious meals for young adults in their mid-20s and 30s.
  • Ashley Norman, creator of Plasticology LLC, a retailer for national artisans that offers zero waste, eco-friendly and environmentally safe toiletries.

For the first time since spring 2019, the finalist cohort, pitching in two separate categories, Aspiring Business and Existing Business, all competed in person in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges, who represented the local business and entrepreneurship community:

  • Ethan Kazi, founder and CEO, The Canton Group
  • Tammira Lucas, founder, The Cube Cowork
  • Jay Nwachu, M.S. '08, President and CEO, Innovation Works 
  • Brian Saval, B.S. '09, vice president, Saval Foodservice 

"Although not everyone walked away with a monetary prize, I believe that all of the finalists proved to be winners this year," said Henry Mortimer, director of UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "Honestly, the work that they put into this competition, amid the continued uncertainty of a global pandemic, a volatile economy, and national and international unrest—not to mention managing their "real" personal, academic and professional lives in a virtual world—is nothing short of extraordinary. They're all impressive, and it is my hope that I'm not the only one who feels that way. My wish is that each caught the attention of someone new who’d be interested in their idea or product, possibly some very influential people who can help nurture the growth of their enterprise and allow them to continue to develop as entrepreneurs."
 
Watch the archived livestream of the 2022 "Rise to the Challenge" competition on the Merrick School of Business Facebook page.

Read about the 2022 winners in CityBiz.

The "Rise to the Challenge" competition, sponsored by UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is designed to generate awareness of emerging and established innovative business ventures nurtured by the UBalt community.

Learn more about the "Rise to the Challenge" business competition here.

The University of Baltimore's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation directs support and assistance to UBalt students and alumni interested in building or growing an enterprise. We do this through support, culture, events, education and research, and connecting with the business community. Meet with one of our counselors to discuss launching or growing your business by visiting the center's homepage.

UBalt Co-hosts Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Annual Meeting

With colleges and universities increasingly viewed as drivers of economic development and business evolution, The University of Baltimore and Loyola University Maryland hosted the 2021 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Annual Meeting in Baltimore on Oct. 13-16. 2021. This worldwide gathering of experts, representing higher education and its connections to policymakers, business leaders and consumer interests, is designed to "advance excellence in entrepreneurship through the unique role" of university-based centers where entrepreneurship is taught and nurtured, according to the GCEC mission statement. UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Loyola's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship will share hosting duties for the event, which will take place at various locations throughout the city.

In coverage by Technical.ly BaltimoreHenry Mortimer, director of UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, says the GCEC event will clarify the "engine of university entrepreneurship as a driver for economic development." For both city-based institutions, capturing that energy at the local level can be a game changer.

"Communities can be sustained and revitalized through entrepreneurship," Mortimer says. CEI and similar centers at other universities are "preparing students to go back into communities, run businesses and add to the economy."

The event's theme, "Leading with Entrepreneurship: Succeeding in Revitalization," showcased  examples of how higher education and entrepreneurs are leading the way to create the new companies that are transforming their communities. Baltimore's many co-working spaces, business incubators, and dozens of federal research labs, all within a 30-mile radius, provide a broad, close knit entrepreneurial ecosystem that makes the region a desirable "Surge City" in which to start and grow a business. Paired with the significant contributions of 13 metropolitan colleges and universities to this entrepreneurial stance, the Baltimore region is home to many new, successful companies—particularly in the tech sector—which are in turn bolstering the city's ongoing revival.

"With its many entrepreneurial experts, Baltimore can experience positive change in every neighborhood," says University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke. "More people, just starting out in life or in the middle of a career, are recognizing the opportunities that come from working on their own ideas, in their own ways. It's up to us, across the city and the region, to support their talent and determination. The impact on local communities when we do so is enormous, and it's growing every year."

Read about the GCEC conference in Technical.ly Baltimore.

Learn more about the 2021 GCEC conference and the GCEC.

Learn more about UBalt's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation