Recent Articles

Alumni

Richard “Dick” O’Neill ’69 Spent 33 Years Innovating the Role of Government in the Energy Sector

October 05, 2026

Richard O’Neill ’69 helped reshape federal energy regulation, promoting competition and more efficient natural gas and electricity markets. He says artificial intelligence can improve energy production and delivery, but human judgment remains essential to developing the industry’s next major breakthroughs.

Disney Executive Joe Welch Shares Insights on Building a Global Career

October 05, 2026

Disney executive Joe Welch encouraged Smith School students to explore careers across industries and sectors during a fireside chat. He discussed global business challenges and highlighted Disney internships, cultural exchange programs and a fellowship in public policy.

AI Must Be Used for ‘Benefit of Humanity,’ UMD Researchers Urge at Summit

October 02, 2026

Amid widening worries about the perils posed by the rapid rise of generative artificial

Smith Research

Noncompetes Suppress Worker Mobility and Earnings Without Protecting Trade Secrets

September 30, 2026

Smith’s Evan Starr and colleagues found that noncompete agreements reduce worker mobility and earnings without improving protection of business secrets. Their randomized study suggests employers can rely on nondisclosure agreements while avoiding noncompetes’ costs to recruitment and workers’ future earnings.

Smith School Shapes the Future of Marketing with New AI-forward MS Program

September 30, 2026

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business will launch a one-year marketing master’s program in fall 2027. The 30-credit program will combine artificial intelligence with marketing fundamentals and hands-on projects to prepare early-career professionals for marketing careers.

Q&A: Space at Smith’s Jon Crocker on the Significance of SpaceX’s Starship Orbital Debut

September 29, 2026

Jon Crocker of the University of Maryland says SpaceX’s Starship rocket could lower launch costs and intensify competition for low Earth orbit. He cautions that launch constraints could raise customer prices, while lunar operations and orbital debris remain significant challenges.

Smith Interns Globally This Summer

September 25, 2026

Eighteen Smith School undergraduates gained international business experience through the Center for Global Business' Global Summer Internship Program. Students earned six academic credits while working abroad, applying classroom knowledge to business challenges and developing intercultural teamwork and cross-cultural communication skills.

Smith and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office Partner to Bring Forensic Accounting Expertise to Financial Crime Cases

September 24, 2026

Justice for Fraud Victims will offer Howard County prosecutors free forensic accounting services through a partnership with the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. Students will gain supervised experience examining financial evidence to support investigations and assist fraud victims.

Smith Research

Less Experience Equals More Profit?

September 23, 2026

Rajshree Agarwal’s research finds that startup founders with little industry experience perform worse on average but can achieve exceptional success. Their innovative ideas can offset knowledge gaps, while partnerships with established companies could combine breakthroughs with expertise and benefit both.

Smith Holds Strong in 2027 U.S. News Rankings, With Significant Finance and Specialty Gains

September 22, 2026

Maryland’s Smith School of Business ranks No. 24 nationally and No. 13 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 undergraduate business rankings. Finance climbs 15 spots while management information systems ranks ninth nationally and seventh among publics.

World Class Faculty & Research

Smith’s Amna Kirmani Featured in New Book Exploring Why ‘New’ Sells

September 21, 2026

Marketing professor Amna Kirmani’s research features in Eric Athas’ book “Saying No to New,” which examines consumers’ attraction to novelty. Kirmani explains how recognizing marketing tactics can help consumers resist persuasion and make more informed decisions about what they buy.