Centers & Initiatives

Pioneering business research can prepare students to be transformational business leaders, and equip companies to transform themselves and their markets.

At the Smith School we have created a cluster of Centers of Excellence that serve as the intersection of scholarship and the marketplace, putting breakthrough research at the service of students and companies. Each of our centers immerses our students in complex and evolving marketplaces in which success depends on critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurship. 

We have also added exciting new Initiatives to further augment the learning experience, align with industry and government trends, and chart the future of business.

Centers

Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business

The Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business pioneers AI research and outreach. With a focus on human judgment and creativity, it fosters safe, innovative products and services through intentional AI-enabled design and governance frameworks.

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Center for Excellence in Service

The Center for Excellence in Service (CES) is an academic research center with a network of Smith faculty members who are thought leaders in service marketing and management. 

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Center for Financial Policy
Center for Financial Policy

The Center for Financial Policy leverages the Smith School’s world-renowned faculty, leading research, and proximity to Washington, D.C. to promote a collaborative exchange of ideas on the key issues that affect financial markets.

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Center for Global Business

The Center for Global Business (CGB) is the driver of internationalization and global mindset education at the Smith School and a preferred partner for international commerce in the state of Maryland, specifically in regard to training and supporting students, companies, and current and future business leaders to engage successfully in global business.

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Center for Social Value Creation

The Center for Social Value Creation embodies a passionate mission: to educate, engage and empower the Smith community and the world through thought-provoking dialogue, thought leadership, and hands-on experience.

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Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship

At the Dingman-Lamone Center, we create an inclusive environment where we educate, empower and equip students with the business skills needed to be an entrepreneur and the resources necessary to make their business ideas a reality.

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Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets

The guiding principle for the Ed Snider Center is that social progress is born of free and creative individuals who, driven by self-motivation, passion, and a positive approach to trading value for value, make the world a better place. 

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Supply Chain Management Center

The Supply Chain Management Center at the Robert H. Smith School of Business is dedicated to conducting research and education designed to further the discipline of supply chain management.

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Initiatives

Smith Analytics Consortium

Expanding understanding of business analytics and relevant careers, the Robert H. Smith School of Business runs the Smith Analytics Consortium (SAC). A partnership between industry and Smith’s diverse, inclusive community, the Consortium serves as a central hub for networking, thought leadership, experiential learning, co-curricular activities and collaboration opportunities enhancing the Smith student experience and giving back to the business community.

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Initiative for Veteran Lifelong Leadership
Initiative for Veteran Lifelong Leadership

Promoting veterans as strategic assets for a united economy.

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Future of Government Management Initiative

The imperatives facing America's government and market leaders have rarely overlapped with the complexity they do today. At the Smith School, we aim to help with new programs and partnerships to promote the future of U.S. public-private talent, training, and research.

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Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium

Corporate risk officers are grappling with a host of nontraditional risks associated with and ranging from cyber to climate. The Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium recognizes these emerging risks and endeavors to address them through research, tools and education.

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Climate Finance and Risk Management at UMD

The University of Maryland combines its world-class expertise in climate science, finance, and public policy to prepare our partners to plan for and respond to the opportunities and risks of a changing climate. 

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Financial Wellness

The Financial Wellness Center at the University of Maryland is poised to revolutionize financial literacy among students, empowering them to make informed financial decisions that pave the way for lifelong success.

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News

May 28, 2025
KFC Sustainability Chief Speaks at UMD
KFC Chief Sustainability Officer Nira Johri spoke to UMD students about global sustainability strategy, sharing career insights and discussing how companies like KFC are aligning environmental and social responsibility with business goals across international markets.
Read News Story : KFC Sustainability Chief Speaks at UMD
May 27, 2025
Smith School Launches Groundbreaking Report on Logistics Tech Investment
A new report from the Smith School, led by adjunct professor Geoff Milsom, offers first-of-its-kind transparency into logistics service provider tech spending on AI and robotics. Developed with students and alumni, it invites broader industry participation for future editions.
Read News Story : Smith School Launches Groundbreaking Report on Logistics Tech Investment
May 22, 2025
Smith’s Snider Center Launches Social Media and Market Dynamics Lab with Support from Narravance
The Ed Snider Center and NCRI launched the Social Media and Market Dynamics Lab to study how social media impacts financial markets. Powered by Narravance technology, the lab offers cutting-edge research and hands-on learning in data analytics and market forecasting.
Read News Story : Smith’s Snider Center Launches Social Media and Market Dynamics Lab with Support from Narravance
May 20, 2025
Smith School and Utrecht Students Brew Up International Export Plans for Beer Brands
Students from the Smith School and University of Utrecht collaborated in a course led by Professor Amna Kirmani, developing export plans for RavenBeer and La Trappe while gaining real-world experience in cross-cultural teamwork and international marketing challenges.
Read News Story : Smith School and Utrecht Students Brew Up International Export Plans for Beer Brands
May 5, 2025
Center for Social Value Creation Hosts Sustainable Cooking Demo with Virtual X Kitchen
The Center for Social Value Creation hosted a Sustainable Cooking Demo with Virtual X Kitchen, where students prepared adobo chicken rice bowls using locally sourced ingredients. The event, part of DC Climate Week, emphasized sustainability in cooking and food sourcing.
Read News Story : Center for Social Value Creation Hosts Sustainable Cooking Demo with Virtual X Kitchen
April 30, 2025
Students Explore Global Trade and Sustainability in CGB Industry Trek
As part of the Careers Crossing Borders series, Smith students toured Hughes Network Systems, the Port of Baltimore, and MSC’s office to explore careers in global logistics, connectivity, and sustainability while learning from industry leaders about real-world international business practices.
Read News Story : Students Explore Global Trade and Sustainability in CGB Industry Trek
April 29, 2025
Gallo Partners with Smith School for Spring Undergraduate Case Competition
The Center for Social Value Creation hosted its Spring Undergraduate Case Competition in partnership with Gallo, challenging Smith School students to develop marketing strategies for Nobilo wine. Six teams presented recommendations to a panel of industry and faculty judges.
Read News Story : Gallo Partners with Smith School for Spring Undergraduate Case Competition
April 28, 2025
UMD Students Shine in National Case Competitions
University of Maryland students excelled in two national case competitions with support from the Center for Global Business. Undergraduates won first place at CGB’s Grand Global Challenges Competition and competed in Los Angeles, proposing a sustainable alternative to sand mining. Meanwhile, Smith School graduate students tackled business expansion strategies at the NASBITE International Case…
Read News Story : UMD Students Shine in National Case Competitions
April 25, 2025
AI Tool That Aims for Viral Clips Takes Top Honors at Pitch Dingman
An AI tool that auto-clips livestreams for social media won the top $25K prize at UMD’s 2025 Pitch Dingman Competition, hosted by the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship, which awarded over $170K to ventures across five student and alumni tracks.
Read News Story : AI Tool That Aims for Viral Clips Takes Top Honors at Pitch Dingman
April 24, 2025
6th Annual Datathon Offers Real-World Experience to UMD and AU Students
The Smith School’s 6th Annual Datathon welcomed 44 AU students and represented nearly 50 majors across both universities. Teams tackled a real-world Spotify challenge, with finalists earning cash prizes and career mentorship from Deloitte professionals.
Read News Story : 6th Annual Datathon Offers Real-World Experience to UMD and AU Students