Provost Highlights Progress, Impact of Strategic Plan in Senate Update

As the University of Maryland closes out the fourth year of implementing its strategic plan, Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice told the University Senate on Tuesday that campus leaders are focused on sustaining its momentum and growing its impact.

Rice in her annual report emphasized the tangible outcomes of Fearlessly Forward: In Pursuit of Excellence and Impact for the Public Good that are shaping student success, research and community engagement. “We are able to report not just what we’ve done, but what difference it’s making—on our campus, on our culture and on our success,” she said.

Over four years, the university has invested nearly $400 million across more than 25 signature initiatives spanning every college, school and division. Notably, about 80% of that funding has supported people, through faculty and staff compensation, graduate stipends and financial aid programs such as the Terrapin Commitment, which has expanded access for thousands of Maryland students.

Rice emphasized that the return on these investments is visible across campus.

Reimagining Learning
One of the strategic plan’s four commitments is centered on transforming teaching and learning, and several new programs that came out of Fearlessly Forward have spurred significant positive changes. Initiatives like the Learning Environment Modernization program have upgraded nearly 180 classrooms and learning spaces, impacting more than 100,000 student seats and nearly 3,000 instructors. These updates, she said, are enabling more interactive, inclusive and technology-rich teaching and learning experiences. 

The Teaching Innovation Grants program has funded nearly 190 projects across all colleges and schools, encouraging faculty experimentation in areas such as experiential learning, educational technology, accessibility and data-driven innovation. 

The university has also expanded undergraduate research opportunities through the Office of Undergraduate Research, engaging more than 7,000 students in its programs like FIRE, IRIE and SPIRE, that help students engage in discovery early in their academic careers. New tools and partnerships, like ForagerOne and Vertically Integrated Projects, are helping connect students with faculty to engage in long-term, multidisciplinary research experiences. 

Rice noted that these initiatives don’t stand alone. “They weave together to connect to a larger goal: ensuring every student on our campus has the opportunity to succeed during their time as a student and in life beyond,” she said. 

Taking on Grand Challenges 
Aligned with the university’s commitment to addressing major societal issues through research, education and collaboration, the Grand Challenges Grants Program alone has supported 50 projects across every college, generating more than 450 partnerships, engaging over 6,000 students and attracting $55 million in additional external funding, nearly doubling the university’s original $30 million investment. 

Rice highlighted examples of the program’s real-world impact, from environmental response efforts in Maryland to economic research informing state policies. 

She also pointed to the rapid growth of campus initiatives that grew out of the grants program, including the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland, which now includes more than 220 faculty affiliates across all colleges and schools, and the Maryland Democracy Initiative, which has engaged thousands of participants in research, teaching and civic engagement opportunities. 

“These examples illustrate how research and science at the University of Maryland translates into public impact,” she said.

Investing in People and Communities
A third major focus of Fearlessly Forward is strengthening the university’s community of care. Rice detailed investments in financial aid, graduate education and experiences, faculty support and staff development, alongside expanded mental health resources and community-building initiatives. 

The Terrapin Commitment program has already served more than 4,000 students and will expand this fall to ensure all tuition and fees are covered for Maryland students with unmet financial need from families earning $75,000 or less. 

Meanwhile, graduate student support remains a focus and priority. The Grand Challenges Graduate Communities and new Discovery House graduate student housing aim to bring interdisciplinary cohorts together to address pressing issues. 

Rice also highlighted efforts to improve community well-being, including a significant reduction in counseling center wait times and a 65% increase in participation in mental health and well-being programming. 

“Institutional success depends on the well-being and support of our people,” she said.

Partnering to Advance the Public Good 
The plan’s fourth commitment underscores the university’s role in community engagement, innovation, and collaboration. Through the Center for Community Engagement and new investments in the Do Good campus, UMD has expanded collaborations with local, state and global partners.

The university also recently earned national recognition for excellence in community engagement, receiving the Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement, reflecting its growing impact beyond campus.

At the same time, large-scale efforts such as the Capital of Quantum initiative and Discovery District are positioning Maryland as a national leader in emerging fields, supported by more than $1 billion in investment and extensive industry and federal partnerships.

Rice emphasized that “these initiatives and their impact would not be possible without the power of partnerships.”

“Our strategic plan is different. It is so much more than a plan—it’s a commitment to sustaining momentum, scaling impact and continuing to move fearlessly forward.” While much has been accomplished, she added, the foundation now in place positions the university to go even further in advancing excellence and impact for the public good.