Past Programs and Initiatives
Undergraduate
Summer Language Institute Scholarship
The Center for Global Business offered scholarships of up to $5,000 toward tuition, room and board for the UMD Summer Language Institute. Business majors and minors enrolled at U.S. academic institutions were eligible to apply for support to study Arabic, Persian or Korean.
Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Program
The Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Student Pathways program offered a one-credit winter term course to prepare students for the CGBP certification exam. Through four live sessions led by a CGBP professional and independent study, students explored global business management, global marketing, supply chain management and trade finance. The program provided NASBITE International membership, study resources, practice exams and networking opportunities to support students’ preparation for careers in international business.
Business Exchange Language Scholarship
A scholarship program through CGB that sought to encourage students to pursue language learning opportunities while studying abroad on a business exchange or direct enroll program.
CGB Presents: Positive Impact Internship - Brazil
The Positive Impact Internship was an opportunity to learn from companies in Brazil that strive to make a positive impact on the world. Students were placed on multicultural teams to work on a real business problem focused on social impact.
IB Agility Labs
The International Business (IB) Agility Labs were short-term virtual case challenges that allowed undergraduate students to learn from global business leaders and collaborate with international peers. Students benefited from exposure to an international company, worked on teams with business students around the world, and gained hands-on case experience to build their resumes and CVs. Through these labs, students gained multiple global perspectives in a fast-paced, intensive, and hands-on competition while working on a real global business issue.
Passport to a Global Mindset
A CGB initiative that defined ‘Global Mindset’ by seven competencies or attributes that those with a global mindset exhibit.
Seven Competencies of the Global Mindset
The Seven Competencies of the Global Mindset highlighted tolerance of ambiguity, global business savvy, passion for diversity, cultural curiosity, adaptability, self-awareness and humility, and relationship building as foundations for navigating international business and cross-cultural interactions.
BMGT 454 Global Marketing COIL: Section 0101
BMGT 454 Global Marketing connected Smith students with peers at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). Led by Amna Kirmani, the course paired students in cross-cultural teams to develop export plans for American and Dutch companies entering each other’s markets. Students exchanged feedback and local market insights while exploring how cultural, economic, political and legal differences shape global marketing strategies. The course emphasized international collaboration and decisions about product, price, promotion and distribution.
Graduate Programs
International Business Agility Labs
The Center for Global Business hosted short-term virtual case competitions connecting University of Maryland students with peers at partner universities worldwide. Teams tackled real challenges faced by international companies, building cross-cultural collaboration, problem-solving and presentation skills through hands-on global business experience.
Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)
The Center for Global Business offered the CGBP Student Pathways Program to prepare students for NASBITE International’s certification in international trade and export management. Through a one-credit winter course, students explored global business management, marketing, supply chain management and trade finance, with access to professional instruction, exam preparation resources and networking opportunities.
Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program
The Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program connected Smith School business master’s students with paid summer internships at small and midsize companies across Maryland and the United States. Students applied their skills to projects in strategy, marketing, finance, supply chain management, analytics and technology. Supplemental training and faculty guidance supported their work on business growth and operational challenges. The program received partial funding through a U.S. Department of Education Title VI CIBE grant.
Managing Global Business Risks and Opportunities
Students engaged virtually with business leaders, MBA students and experts to explore business environments in South Africa, Poland and Israel. Teams applied their learning to develop market entry strategies for an American firm and presented recommendations to company representatives and external judges.
Ace the Case Global Business Challenge
This virtual competition challenged MBA and business graduate students to develop recommendations for a global client through a case interview and video presentation. Participants strengthened teamwork, problem-solving and presentation skills while connecting with peers and corporate executives. Read about the 2022 and 2021 competitions.
All Students
CGB Presents: NASBITE International Student Membership
An opportunity through CGB to become a member of NASBITE International and receive access to the annual conference, network with international trade professionals, and earn the Certified Global Business Professional credential.
CGB Presents: The Global Business School Network Beyond Conference and The Social Logistics Challenge
The Global Business School Network Beyond Conference unites students, educators, and professionals worldwide to address key challenges in business. Participants explore how business schools are innovating to positively impact society, promote inclusivity, and advance sustainable practices, all while adapting business education for the future.
The Social Logistics Challenge immerses learners in a digital environment that fosters teamwork, collaboration, and innovation to solve societal issues using logistics principles and technology.
CGB Presents the NASBITE Exporter Summit
An opportunity through CGB to participate in the NASBITE Exporter Summit, an opportunity to gather with top small and medium-sized exporters, trade professionals and trade assistance providers from across the United States, providing them with an opportunity to exchange and share best practices and lessons learned that have contributed to their export success.
Student Global Leadership Board
The Student Global Leadership Board (SGLB) is a student organization consisting of 4 undergraduate, 1 master’s, and 1 MBA student who work closely with the Center for Global Business to represent the student voice in global programming. SGLB members will work closely with CGB, Smith faculty, and students to help shape and promote programs that align more closely with students’ needs and interests.
The purpose of the Student Global Leadership Board is to:
- Represent the student voice: Act as a bridge between the student body and the Center for Global Business to ensure programs align with students’ needs and interests.
- Enhance Global Opportunities: Bring forward new ideas to expand and improve global experiential learning, including international business treks, case competitions and global networking events.
- Foster Leadership Development: Offer students a hands-on leadership role, where they develop project management, communication, and collaborative skills.
- Create Lasting Impact: Work together to shape programs and initiatives that will leave a legacy of enhanced global learning experiences for future students.
By being a member of the SGLB, you will gain:
- Skills in international education and student services
- Experience in program development and coordination
- A deeper understanding of international business teaching and learning
- A broader international education network
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Access to leadership training workshops
- Recommendations for other opportunities
Required skills and expectations:
- Previous leadership or involvement in coordinating with students is required
- Self-starter and ability to work independently toward project goals
- Ability to pitch in fresh ideas to increase awareness amongst the students
- Effective communication (verbal and written)
- Project management skills
- Organizational skills
- Ability to meet every month
Elena Emde
Freshman double-majoring in marketing and international business.
Elena Emde serves as executive vice president of the International Business Student Organization, a club that fosters global mindsets and connects students to international opportunities at Smith and beyond. As a first-generation German American, she has a strong interest in global affairs and enjoys developing international networks through initiatives led by the Center for Global Business. In her free time, she likes running and being in nature.
Ecclisia Mekbeb
Sophomore double-majoring in supply chain management and international business.
Ecclisia Mekbeb is the director of events for the International Business Student Organization, helping create opportunities for students to engage with global topics and professionals in international fields. She is also an Honors Ambassador and a community assistant in on-campus housing. A first-generation Ethiopian American, Mekbeb is passionate about global development and previously interned with the Ethiopian Outreach Ministry, supporting community-based initiatives.
Einav Tsach
Junior pursuing a dual degree in multiplatform journalism and international business, with a minor in Jewish studies.
Einav Tsach works as a resident assistant and holds leadership roles in UMD’s Jewish community. He has interned at national and local news outlets, consulted for TAMID, and studied U.S. diplomacy and policymaking as part of the UMD Global Fellows program. He was born in Israel and moved to the U.S. at age 8.
Ajinkya Deshmukh
Second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems.
Ajinkya Deshmukh has worked on campus as a research assistant supporting artificial intelligence projects. Professionally, he has consulted on digital transformation initiatives for clients such as Dell and LyondellBasell. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, he is passionate about motorbikes, coffee and soccer.
Alumni & Industry Professionals
Export Management Bootcamp for Industry Professionals
This intensive 2-day boot camp in export management was designed to equip industry professionals with a solid foundation in global strategy, resources in export management, market analysis, and tangible tools on how to move goods on the market for international export, the right way. Participants interacted with export-related agency representatives who know how to get products into international markets.
ExporTech™
The Center for Global Business partnered with the Maryland/DC District Export Council and U.S. Commercial Service in Baltimore to offer ExporTech, a national export assistance program that helps companies entering or expanding in global markets.
Maryland Business Adapts
This initiative recognized the resilience of Maryland industry in overcoming the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Faculty Development
Title VI CIBE National COIL Training and Matchmaking Network
This program introduced faculty to Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), offering guidance on project design and resources for international partnerships. Information sessions and matchmaking opportunities supported faculty in developing courses that built students’ cross-cultural communication and virtual teamwork skills.
Smith COIL Faculty Fellows
This fellowship supported Smith faculty in developing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects that connected students across cultures. Fellows attended workshops, designed courses and mentored colleagues, with stipends, instructional design assistance and international partnership support funded through the Title VI CIBE grant.
Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB)
The Center for Global Business provided support through the CIBE Title VI grant for Smith and non-Smith faculty to participate in FDIBs, overseas programs that provide faculty development and training of faculty in the area of international and global business abroad.
CIBE FDIBs
Through the CIBE Title VI grant, FDIBs are overseas study programs — both summer and winter — offered by other CIBE schools that provide faculty development and training of faculty in the area of international and global business abroad . For more information concerning all CIBE FDIB Programs, please visit CIBERWEB.
#KeepGlobalSmith Grant
A grant competition created to support teaching innovations in global learning for the online environment for Smith School faculty. This initiative sought to support and encourage teaching innovations in global learning that leverage now ubiquitous communication technologies to enrich student experiences. The grant was used to support any teaching activity that significantly enhances global learning, including:
- Teaching collaborations between the Smith School and educational institutions located abroad.
- Collaboration for student projects between the Smith School and organizations or companies with operations or headquarters abroad.
- Entirely campus-based global learning experiences for Smith School students (such as simulations, cultural intelligence exercises, etc.)
#KeepGlobalUMD Grant
A grant competition to support campus-based initiatives that connect UMD with the global business environment. Applications proposed fulfilling the mission by connecting non-business curriculum, activities, and teaching with the global business environment or industry. CGB offered small grants that propose integrating global industry or international business concepts into courses and co-curricular activities offered across campus. Such programs include but were not limited to the following:
- A series of co-curricular events that tie together global economics or business with arts and humanities, engineering, science, or other disciplines.
- A project-based learning opportunity for students with a global industry client or to study a global business ecosystem.
- An educational career event to introduce students to global industry careers.
- Training workshops for student entrepreneurs on global supply chain management, distribution channels abroad, export compliance, etc.
Distinguished Speakers Series in International Business: Teaching Guides
Maryland Business Adapts Cases
The primary objective of these case studies was to analyze and learn about the performance of a select group of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) of Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how they managed operations and showed resilience in reverting to business. Each case identifies lessons learned in each case as the companies represent different manufacturing and service sectors of the economy.
Download the Maryland Business Adapts 20/21 Cases document.
Maryland Business Adapts 21/22 Cases:
Amethyst Technologies: David Vs. Goliath
COVID-19 and Adaptation at Orbis Technologies
Faculty can request teaching notes and the supplementary video interview with the CEO of Orbis Technologies by contacting the center at smithglobal@umd.edu.
CGB Research Initiatives
The Center for Global Business Annual Forum
The Center for Global Business’ Annual Forum occurred every spring to bring together distinguished voices from the academic, policy, diplomatic, and business communities to speak on a different theme each year.
Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program
This program connected small and midsize businesses in Maryland and across the United States with Smith School master’s students for summer internships. Interns supported projects in strategy, operations, analytics, finance, marketing, supply chain and technology, with supplemental training and faculty guidance to help companies advance business growth.