Alumni
A Missed Bus Led To A Meet Cute
Smith Celebrates its Class of 2026 at Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement Ceremonies
Smith Research
From Classroom to Publication: Smith Tech Management Capstone Project Becomes Published Research
May 22, 2026
It was a Maryland connection meant to be. Despite Lauren Niffenegger Lumpp ‘09 and Nick Lumpp ‘09 both studying at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Lauren in accounting and Nick in finance, it was a bus that never showed up during their first few weeks in College Park that brought them together.
May 12, 2026
Why I Give: Craig ’79 and Lisa Adler, UMD ’79
Craig and Lisa Adler, both 1979 graduates of the University of Maryland, are making a significant estate gift to support students and scholarships, aiming to create lasting impact and expand access to education through the university’s Forward campaign long term.
March 23, 2026
Investing in the Future
Isa Farhat ’96 switched from architecture to accounting during a recession, building a career as a Deloitte partner. A first-generation student, he overcame personal challenges and now gives back to Smith through mentorship and support for future accounting professionals.
May 21, 2026
The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business celebrated its newest graduates on May 19, 2026, at the XFINITY Center, honoring 2,082 undergraduate students, 475 business master’s students, 403 MBA students, 12 PhD students, and 38 EMBA students. Across two ceremonies, keynote speakers and student leaders highlighted resilience, purpose and the power of expectations.
May 20, 2026
Renowned Author and Finance Journalist Talks New Book, Bitcoin and AI As Part of Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series
In his latest book, 1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History, Andrew Ross Sorkin couldn’t help but notice some modern parallels.
Smith Student, Interdisciplinary UMD Team Take Top Honors in Global Business Ethics Competition
A team of University of Maryland undergraduates, including a student from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, achieved an exceptional result at the International Business Ethics and Sustainability Competition (IBESCC), hosted by Loyola Marymount University (April 13–17, 2026).
Faculty Insights On Latest News
May 30, 2025
Summer Reading List 2025
Get ready for summer with the 22nd Annual Summer Reading List for Business Leaders—featuring Smith School faculty picks on investing, neuroscience, human connection, and more, including a novel inspired by a radio show turned TV series.
Management and Organization
April 24, 2025
“The Future is Not What it Used to Be”
Ambiguity arises when choices must be made despite unclear outcomes, says Professor J. Gerald Suarez. In today’s fast-paced world, discernment, flexibility, and embracing uncertainty—not rigid control—are key to navigating change, complexity, and an unpredictable future.
Marketing
October 04, 2024
Small Businesses Take Big Hit from Apple’s Privacy Regulation
Smith marketing professor Daniel McCarthy's research found that Apple's 2021 App Tracking Transparency (ATT) significantly impacted small direct-to-consumer businesses. ATT caused a 37% drop in ad click-through rates and up to a 60% revenue decline for smaller firms reliant on Facebook ads.
A collaboration between a unique nonprofit and a tireless group of Smith Technology Management students has resulted in the program’s first published research.
March 24, 2026
Referred for the Job, Less Welcome by the Team
Employee referrals can aid hiring but carry hidden downsides. Research by Smith’s Rellie Derfler-Rozin finds staff often see referred hires as less meritorious and offer less support, despite strong performance. Clear communication about hiring rigor and involving employees can reduce bias.
March 10, 2026
Where GenAI Consumer Research is Likely Headed
Generative AI expands access to consumer research but risks biased, generic findings detached from real behavior, Roland Rust and Ming-Hui Huang say. They identify democratization, the “average trap” and model collapse as growing threats, urging human-centered methods to prevent synthetic, nonhuman results.
