Office of Alumni Relations
Message from Dean Prabhudev Konana
Dear Smith Alums,
This has been such an exciting year for the Smith School! One of the highlights was the transformational gift that created the Stephen M. Schanwald Sports Management Program. We are so grateful to Steve for his generosity and vision. This investment, combined with our existing strong curricular and co-curricular opportunities, will make the Smith School a truly exceptional place for young people to launch a career in sports.
Smith has always had a strong connection to the sports industry, with alums making an impact across many roles, from management to marketing to analytics. You’ll learn more about a few of them in this issue.
In the Dean’s Report, you’ll also see some of the impactful work we are doing at the Smith School—in both research and community engagement. We hosted a highly successful AI conference, led by the Center for AI in Business, and the feedback from industry professionals and alumni has been exceptional. We are also taking the lead to help the workforce be ready for an AI-driven world. In May, we launched a free Certificate in AI and Career Empowerment which had more than 15,200 registrants.
We are a rising think tank for the state of Maryland, with active partnerships underway or in discussion with the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and the Comptroller to analyze and develop data-informed policy solutions. These projects give students an incredible learning experience that has real-world impact. With more than 150 partners, our Office of Experiential Learning is continuing to bring unique opportunities to students in every program.
Through it all, I am grateful for the incredible support of our alumni and the many people who have made a philanthropic investment in the school and our students. In April, our first-ever Investing in Excellence event celebrated the successes of our scholarship recipients and the generosity of those who supported them. It was truly inspiring to see the young people who have been directly impacted by scholarships connect with those who had a part in their success.
Finally, I know that changes in the marketplace and federal sector have impacted many of our alumni. We are here to support you, and I encourage you to reach out to our Office of Career Services to learn more.
Best,
Prabhudev Konana
Terp Alumni Gather in Atlanta for Smith School and University of Maryland Networking Event
The Robert H. Smith School of Business collaborated with the University of Maryland Atlanta Alumni Chapter to host a Terp Alumni networking event in Atlanta on March 7, 2024. Alumni from different graduation years and majors were in attendance at a midtown Atlanta venue, and the event featured a networking cocktail hour followed by messages from Smith School leadership in Career Services and Development. While in Atlanta, the Smith School team also visited several alumni and companies in the area to explore new opportunities for partnerships in hiring and future investments in our students and faculty. Thanks to all the Terps who made this event such a success. We look forward to returning to Atlanta soon to meet more of our nearly 700 Smith Alumni who live in the area!
Smith School Leaders Meet with Alumni and Prospective Students in Seoul
Dean Prabhudev Konana recently hosted alumni and prospective students in Seoul, South Korea at the Robert H. Smith School of Business Seoul Community Reception. While there, he also visited the KAIST College of Business as a part of a delegation from the American Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools (AACSB). Konana connected with alumni in South Korea and shared the latest updates from the Smith School. The visit also allowed prospective students to learn more about Smith’s programs and the university’s commitment to excellence. The trip allowed school representatives to engage with the global alumni network and showcase the world-class education offered at the Smith School.
Supporting Experiential Learning
Thank you for making an impact on Smith students. Experiential learning opportunities give students access to industry leaders and allow them to uncover current challenges in business, build their practical skills, and help their community. Read more.
Alumni Hall of Fame
The Smith School celebrated the 25th year of our naming by launching a Hall of Fame to honor alumni and dedicated champions who embody excellence achieved through inspired business education. The Hall of Fame Committee, composed of faculty, alumni and Smith leadership, wants your nominations for our inaugural cohort.
Smith Business Magazine
The latest Smith Business Magazine highlights Changing the Game, exploring the Smith School's impact on the world of sports—past, present and future. This issue talks about the transformative gift from former Chicago Bulls marketing executive Stephen M. Schanwald '77, which positions the business school to become a leader in launching great sports careers. Schanwald's generous endowment led to the sports management program being named in his honor. Learn about other impressive sports alumni in Smith Business, Summer 2025, and find out how a Smith program is matching marketing students with UMD Athletics for NIL deals and how a professor is reinforcing his management analytics lessons with help from AI and a song.
Monthly Alumni Newsletter
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