Hello,
We are closing out a very successful academic year, and despite the broader challenges, the future at Smith looks exceptionally promising in the undergraduate program.
This fall, we are preparing to welcome our largest freshman class ever, with a 40% increase in acceptances over the past two years. This growth speaks to the continued strength and appeal of our programs.
Our new undergraduate offerings continue to evolve and grow. Applications to our Computational Finance minor program increased by 60%, while the Stephen M. Schanwald Sports Management Program saw a 30% uptick, and participation in Financial Wellness rose by 45%. Interest in the General Business minor has surged by more than 250% in the past two years, and we’ve seen a meaningful rise in accounting majors. Across the board—from business analytics and marketing to supply chain, management, information systems, finance and operations—students are excelling in both academic and co-curricular experiences. You can find many of these highlights on our website.
In May, we introduced a free online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment, which has already attracted over 17,000 registrants. This program reflects our commitment to broadening access to practical, in-demand skills for today’s evolving job market.
We’re also expanding experiential learning opportunities. Since the launch of the Office of Experiential Learning in 2022, classroom engagement has grown by 230%, and participation in capstone projects and company partnerships has increased by more than 90%. This spring, our finance students—who manage $12 million across several funds —contributed nearly $500,000 to the Smith School from their investment gains. Meanwhile, operations and business analytics students worked on consulting projects with leading organizations like BAE Systems, Fannie Mae, Lockheed Martin and Meta, and took part in visits to Google, Apple and DoorDash in Silicon Valley.
On the research front, Professor P.K. Kannan was named a fellow of the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science. He joins professors Roland Rust and Michel Wedel as fellows from the Smith School. We recently hosted conferences in AI and finance, supported by the work of our Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business. Under the leadership of Professor Balaji Padmanabhan and with contributions from more than 35 faculty in finance, information systems, marketing, supply chain, business analytics and strategy, the center exemplifies our cross-disciplinary expertise. Our faculty remain highly productive and visible in their respective fields, contributing research that shapes both theory and practice.
Looking ahead to the fall semester, we’re excited about what’s to come. With new academic offerings, expanded experiential learning, and continued engagement from our community, we’re well-positioned for another strong year.
Prabhudev C. Konana
Dean, Robert H. Smith School of Business
1. More than 17,000 Register for Free AI Empowerment Certificate
In May, the Smith School launched a free, online certificate program in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment that has drawn more than 17,000 registrants. Balaji Padmanabhan, director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business, created the program with Smith Executive Education to benefit federal workers, but it is open to anyone looking for their next career opportunity. The program’s 10 self-paced modules are taught by top Smith faculty. READ MORE
2. Finance and AI Conferences Take Smith Business Analytics and AI Leadership to Next Level
Smith is leading the conversations in AI and finance with recent conferences and events, bringing together academics, industry and government leaders, and students. On June 10, finance professor Tania Babina chaired the AI in Finance Conference: Opportunities and Risks in Washington, D.C. In May, the Center for Financial Policy hosted a short-term funding conference with the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., and the annual Quant Conference with UBS in New York. On April 4, the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business hosted the second annual AI Symposium on Design and Governance. Also in April, the center hosted the first university-wide AI and Food Insecurity Case Competition for undergraduate and master’s students. Smith information systems and business analytics faculty hosted the fourth annual Workshop on AI & Analytics for Social Good on May 2. And the Smith Analytics Consortium hosted the finale of the sixth annual Datathon with Deloitte on April 11. READ MORE
3. Exceptional Faculty in Finance and Marketing Recognized for Influential Research Contributions
The Smith School and UBS will co-host the Kyle 1985 40th Year Anniversary Conference, Sept. 18-20 in Washington, D.C. The event will honor Albert “Pete” Kyle, Distinguished University Professor and Charles E. Smith Chair in Finance. It is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the publication of his seminal 1985 Econometrica paper, "Continuous Auctions and Insider Trading." Kyle has received numerous awards for his landmark contributions to the theory of economics and market structure, including the Wharton-Jacobs Levy Prize in 2023.
Roland Rust, Distinguished University Professor and David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, was recognized with a 2025 Research.com Business and Management Leader Award. He was named No. 59 in the United States and 112 in the world for the platform’s Ranking of Best Scientists in the field of business and management. In addition to Rust, 16 current and seven emeritus Smith faculty members made the ranking. READ MORE
4. Smith Finance Students Manage $12M in Funds; Return Nearly $500K in Dividends
Smith has one of largest student-run funds programs among business schools, with undergraduate and grad students managing an asset portfolio of nearly $12 million across three funds. Smith was recently ranked No. 14 for assets under management by the Center for Investment Research. In May, student fund managers’ success allowed the school’s foundation to make a $494,000 grant to Smith from returns this year—the largest distribution from the program yet. READ MORE
5. With Nearly 200% Growth, Experiential Learning Defines All Majors
The total number of experiential learning projects available to students have increased more than 194% since the launch of Smith’s Office of Experiential Learning in 2022. Here are just a few of the hands-on experiences students took part in during the spring semester:
- Accounting students helped the Prince George’s Police Department secure indictments through the Justice for Fraud Victims Project. Others provided tax preparation for students and community members through TerpTax.
- Business analytics students and many others—including students from American University—competed in the sixth annual Datathon, hosted by the Smith Analytics Consortium with Deloitte. Teams used large data sets to create a concert lineup for Spotify.
- Finance students managed student-run funds and participated in the Wall Street Fellows program to receive individual coaching from alumni to prepare for investment banking internships.
- Information systems students went to London for a tech consulting program with 13 companies, including Microsoft and Accenture.
- Management students did semester-long consulting projects with companies, including Major League Baseball, ServiceNow and Teledoc Health.
- Marketing students worked in teams with students from the Netherlands to brew plans for Baltimore-based RavenBeer and Dutch beer La Trappe to expand to each other’s markets.
- Operations management students participated in consulting projects with companies including BAE Systems, Fannie Mae, Lockheed Martin and Meta. Some also visited Silicon Valley tech companies, including Google, Apple and DoorDash.
- Supply chain management students explored global trade and sustainability in a one-day trek to a Hughes Network Systems manufacturing facility, the Port of Baltimore, and the Baltimore office of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Media Contact
Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu
About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.