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

September 23, 2025
Sustainability in Business Conference Reaches Record Attendance Numbers In Its Fifth Year
The fifth annual Sustainability in Business Conference, hosted by CSVC, gathered 120+ attendees at the Ronald Reagan Building to explore bold leadership in sustainability, featuring distinguished speakers on food, finance, fashion, impact investing, and student-alumni engagement.
Read News Story : Sustainability in Business Conference Reaches Record Attendance Numbers In Its Fifth Year
September 17, 2025
Smith Programs Challenge Students to Think Independently
The Smith experience emphasizes independent thinking, civil discourse and global engagement. Through immersive programs, debate series and initiatives like the Fact-Based Discourse Initiative, students collaborate across disciplines to tackle challenges, develop leadership skills and prepare to lead with curiosity and integrity.
Read News Story : Smith Programs Challenge Students to Think Independently
September 17, 2025
Dingman-Lamone Center Renaming Celebrates Legacy of Entrepreneurial Vision
The Smith School honored former dean Rudolph P. “Rudy” Lamone with a renaming of its entrepreneurship center, recognizing his pioneering legacy. Supported by a $3.8 million gift from Linda Lamone, the Dingman-Lamone Center continues to foster ventures, innovation and entrepreneurial education.
Read News Story : Dingman-Lamone Center Renaming Celebrates Legacy of Entrepreneurial Vision
September 3, 2025
SELF celebrates 10 years at UMD with a Return to the Residential Experience
The Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) marked its 10th year by reviving its residential program at UMD’s Smith School. This summer, 68 students—including 15 in campus housing—reignited the “magic” of living, learning, and building entrepreneurial ventures together.
Read News Story : SELF celebrates 10 years at UMD with a Return to the Residential Experience
July 28, 2025
From Maryland to Medellín: A Journey of Global Leadership and Experiential Learning
Three Smith students joined peers from across the Americas at the 2025 CUIBE Global Summer Leadership Summit in Medellín, Colombia, gaining hands-on experience in global consulting, sustainability strategy and cultural exchange through workshops, field research and project-based learning.
Read News Story : From Maryland to Medellín: A Journey of Global Leadership and Experiential Learning
June 25, 2025
ISSIP Honors Smith’s Roland Rust for ‘Advancing Service Innovation'
Smith’s Roland Rust has been named a 2025 ISSIP Fellow for pioneering contributions to service research, including founding key conferences and journals, and advancing AI scholarship in the field. He ranks among the world’s top 100 business research scientists.
Read News Story : ISSIP Honors Smith’s Roland Rust for ‘Advancing Service Innovation'
June 18, 2025
Smith Helps Quantify the Federal Government's Financial Impact on Maryland
Smith School faculty and graduate students partnered with the Maryland Comptroller’s Office to analyze the economic impact of federal spending and employment, helping state leaders assess risks and build a more resilient future for Maryland’s economy.
Read News Story : Smith Helps Quantify the Federal Government's Financial Impact on Maryland
June 13, 2025
Building Global Readiness: Inside the Maryland Global Consulting Program
The Maryland Global Consulting Program connected students with Maryland companies to tackle international business challenges. Projects ranged from global education expansion to AI in public health, offering students hands-on consulting experience while delivering strategic insights to help clients grow globally.
Read News Story : Building Global Readiness: Inside the Maryland Global Consulting Program
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
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