News

Smith School professor Reuben Hurst and colleagues analyzed 31 million U.S. workers, finding workplaces are politically segregated, especially among leaders and politically engaged employees. Democrats dominate most workplaces, while Republicans encounter greater political diversity. Workplace political sorting has changed little since 2012.

University of Maryland Smith School MBA candidate Anton Steshenko proposes a Hybrid Institutional Capital Model to help local governments attract pension and insurance investment for infrastructure. Executive Director Nima Farshchi says the framework could unlock institutional capital through improved financial design and credit enhancement.

The University of Maryland this fall will launch ASCEND, a multidisciplinary graduate fellowship that brings students together to tackle global challenges in health, climate, food and energy. The program combines academic research, industry partnerships and hands-on projects to develop future leaders and innovators.

SpaceX’s record-setting IPO offers a real-time case study in technological speculation, according to Smith School professors David Kirsch and Brent Goldfarb. They argue the company’s $2 trillion valuation reflects investor expectations about future AI and orbital computing markets as much as current business fundamentals.

A University of Maryland white paper analyzing 155 million U.S. job postings finds no evidence AI reduces labor demand. Instead, AI hiring is rising and entry-level opportunities are growing, challenging claims that artificial intelligence is broadly displacing workers.

Rellie Derfler-Rozin received the University of Maryland’s 2025 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Award and delivered a March 26 lecture on zero-sum mindsets. Her research, teaching and service focus on how workplace behaviors can shift when individuals rethink competitive assumptions and decision-making dynamics.

Managers receive limited feedback, leaving blind spots in leadership. Smith lecturer Roy Thomason advocates 360-degree evaluations and two-way communication to improve performance, build psychological safety and strengthen teams, emphasizing acting on feedback and leveraging strengths while addressing weaknesses through collaboration.

Promotions are slowing as employers rely on “quiet promotions,” asking workers to take on more responsibility before raises. Smith’s Nicole Coomber advises building skills, using AI to free time, and aligning strengths with roles to position for future advancement.

The inaugural IBM Day at UMD’s Smith School of Business featured class takeovers, coffee chats, and networking. Alumni shared insights on AI, consulting, and martech careers. IBM highlighted SkillsBuild and partnerships, connecting coursework with real-world business and technology applications.

Twenty-one Smith School professors were named among the top 2% most cited researchers globally, according to Elsevier’s 2025 study across 22 fields. Representing both current and emeritus faculty, their impactful research advances business knowledge and global academic excellence.