Recent Articles

World Class Faculty & Research

Ending Poverty, Classroom Tools and Job Algorithms

The fourth annual Workshop on AI & Analytics for Social Good gathered nearly 100 experts to explore AI’s societal impact, featuring 17 speakers and topics like wildfire containment, algorithmic fairness, empathy in data labeling, and AI-driven text analysis.

Smith Research

The Tax Revenue and Problem-Gambling Balancing Act

Research co-authored by associate professor Dan McCarthy finds that online sports betting legalization has led to a rise in irresponsible gambling, especially among lower-income individuals. The study highlights financial risks and calls for safeguards to mitigate potential societal harm.

Smith Research

The Language of Buying: Deciphering AI Conversations

Marketing PhD student Ziting Liao, with faculty Liye Ma and Wendy Moe, developed a model predicting purchase intent from AI assistant interactions. By analyzing language patterns, the tool helps advertisers better target consumers and optimize strategies based on intent.

Smith Research

Are You Ready for the Future? AI Can Help

Joseph Reiff, assistant professor of marketing, co-invented The Retirement Visualizer™, an AI tool using GPT and DALL·E to help individuals vividly imagine retirement goals. By making the future feel tangible, it aims to boost motivation and increase retirement savings.

World Class Faculty & Research

MSI Recognizes Smith’s Liye Ma, Bobby Zhou for ‘Significant Research Contributions’

Smith School associate professors Liye Ma and Bobby Zhou were named 2024 MSI Scholars by the Marketing Science Institute, recognizing their influential research. The honor fosters collaboration among mid-career marketing academics, shaping the field’s future through scholarship and real-world impact.

World Class Faculty & Research

Smith’s Rebecca Ratner Leads the Association for Consumer Research

Rebecca Ratner, dean’s professor of marketing, is serving as president of the Association for Consumer Research, leading efforts to expand member engagement, professionalize operations and amplify research impact. She will deliver her presidential address at ACR 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Alumni Panel Shares Insight on Finance Career Pathways

Eight distinguished Smith School alumni shared diverse finance career paths with students during an April 4 panel and breakout sessions. The event offered real-world insights into finance roles, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and skills needed for long-term success.

Center for Social Value Creation Hosts Sustainable Cooking Demo with Virtual X Kitchen

The Center for Social Value Creation hosted a Sustainable Cooking Demo with Virtual X Kitchen, where students prepared adobo chicken rice bowls using locally sourced ingredients. The event, part of DC Climate Week, emphasized sustainability in cooking and food sourcing.

When Tax Scams Hit Home: What to Know About Theft Loss Deductions

Samuel Handwerger, CPA and TerpTax faculty advisor, explains how victims of investment scams may qualify for theft loss tax deductions under IRS rules. He outlines key eligibility criteria, recent IRS guidance, and the importance of intent, documentation, and expert advice.

Alumni

From PepsiCo to Ocean Spray: How Alumna Utilized Smith MBA to Pivot to Consumer Products

Monisha Dabek, MBA ’06, credits the Smith School for propelling her into consumer products, starting at PepsiCo and leading to her current role as COO at Ocean Spray. She values the Smith network, career pivots, and supporting women in business.

Why I Give: The Impact of Scholarship

Sara Carlson honors her father Robert L. Edwards ’39 by continuing the scholarship he founded, supporting students at the Smith School. Inspired by his love of learning and belief in education’s power, she proudly carries forward his legacy of giving back.

Center for AI in Business, UMD Students Tackle Food Insecurity

The Smith School hosted UMD’s first university-wide AI case competition, challenging students to use artificial intelligence to tackle food insecurity. Partnering with Capital Area Food Bank, the event drew 100+ students who developed AI prototypes to address real-world issues.