Recent Articles

Alumni

Lexy Kessler ’85: A Terp with Tenacity

Lexy Kessler ’85, a partner at Aprio, was recently elected chairman of the AICPA. A longtime volunteer and leader in the field, she credits the Smith School with helping shape her career and encourages students to build strong peer networks.

World Class Faculty & Research

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.

Top News

The High Five: June 2025

Smith’s undergraduate program is thriving, with record enrollment, expanded experiential learning, and surging interest in new programs. A free AI certificate drew 17,000+ registrants, and student-managed funds returned nearly $500,000 to the school from $12 million in assets.

World Class Faculty & Research

FedEx Acquires Company Founded By Four Smith Faculty

RouteSmart Technologies, founded by Smith School professors Bruce Golden, Michael Ball, Larry Bodin, and Arjang Assad, was acquired by FedEx. The route optimization company, built on academic research, will continue operating independently under FedEx Dataworks with plans for global expansion.

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.

Cardello ’93 Earns Hillman Award for Decades of Impact in Accounting and Community Work

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business recognized Jacqueline Cardello ’93, CPA, president and managing partner of GRF CPAs & Advisors, as the recipient of the second annual Suzanne D. Hillman Recognition and Achievement Award for Service to the Community.

Smith School & Microsoft: AI-Powered Healthcare Innovation

Exposure to experiential learning opportunities, leveraging cutting-edge technology and engaging with industry leaders are major components of the student experience at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. This spring, Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) students got that and more through a unique partnership with Microsoft.

Smith School’s AI Collaboration with Google Sets New Standard in Credit Risk Evaluation

In 2024, Smith Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF) students, supported by the Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium (SERC), participated in an experiential learning project (ELP) aimed at rating the effectiveness of bank and fintech company credit risk management capabilities and their credit outlook for various consumer and commercial asset classes.

TerpTax: When Your 'Internship' Makes You an Independent Contractor

Interns misclassified as independent contractors can face unexpected tax burdens and loss of protections. Samuel Handwerger advises students to clarify work terms, consider negotiating pay, and understand the financial responsibilities tied to independent contractor status.

World Class Faculty & Research

20 Faculty Teams Awarded Smith Internal Research Grants

The Smith School has awarded 2025 Smith Internal Research Grants to 20 faculty-led teams to support high-impact research in areas including AI, entrepreneurship, labor markets, corporate communication, and online learning, fostering innovation across disciplines.

Criminal Calculations

University of Maryland students in the Justice for Fraud Victims Project aided police in a high-profile murder case, analyzing financial records to help establish motive. Their work contributed to a first-degree murder conviction and life sentence.

Mortgage Credit Risk Remains Low, Stable in New Report from UMD’s Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium

Credit risk for GSE-eligible mortgages remained low and stable in Q3 2024, according to indexes from the Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium, though risk has gradually increased since 2021 due to borrower composition and loan term shifts.