Smith MSIS Students Deploy AI-Powered Solutions for 17 Real-World Clients—from Food Rescue to Microloans
UMD’s MSIS capstone linked 20 student teams with 17 clients across industries, advancing AI-powered solutions. Projects like food-rescue and microloan platforms showcased hands-on innovation, mentorship, and purpose—proving the program’s power to transform students into impactful technology leaders.
AI Interview Prep Platform Guides Students From Classroom to Career
A student-led team at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business created STRATPATH AI, an experiential learning platform that uses artificial intelligence to simulate interviews, automate case grading and provide real-time feedback to better prepare students for careers.
Smith School Presents AI Research At Lightning Speed
The Robert H. Smith School of Business hosted AI Lightning Talks on Oct. 23, 2025, featuring 15 faculty and PhD presenters sharing fast-paced insights into recent AI research topics, from healthcare and entrepreneurship to generative AI and visual design.
Smith Students Gain Graduate-Level Edge in Data-Driven Decision Making
University of Maryland professors Dave Waguespack and Evan Starr developed “Making Better Business Decisions with Data,” a course teaching undergraduates causal inference and AI-aided data analysis for strategic decision-making, preparing them for graduate studies, internships, and data-driven careers.
Facial Recognition Flaws and Deepfake Solutions: Smith School Researchers Address AI Bias
Professors Lauren Rhue and Siva Viswanathan at the Smith School study AI’s societal impacts. Rhue reveals racial bias in facial recognition, while Viswanathan develops deepfake-based methods to detect and mitigate bias in decision-making and healthcare.
In-person Site Visits Matter, Even In the Age of AI
Smith School Associate Professor Sean Cao’s research shows investor site visits do more than gather information. On-site interactions also monitor managers, improving efficiency—an essential human role that artificial intelligence, he argues, cannot replace.
SERC Student Project Takes Center Stage at Google Higher Ed Leader Series Conference
Krisha Chheda, ’25 MQF, presented a Google-sponsored credit risk project at Google’s Higher Ed Leader Series, highlighting Smith master’s students’ use of AI to analyze banking and fintech practices through the Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium’s experiential learning program.
More than 37K Enroll in Smith AI Course for Career Empowerment
More than 37,000 learners worldwide have joined the Smith School’s free AI and Career Empowerment course—designed for transitioning federal workers but open to all—building AI literacy and career skills through expert-led, self-paced modules.
MSIS Mentorship Program Uses AI to Strengthen Alumni-Student Connections
Smith MSIS students launched a mentorship program connecting 80 students with 20 alumni mentors. Powered by LighthouseAI, the initiative enhances career guidance, tracks progress, and fosters long-term professional relationships. Expansion to other cohorts and programs is planned.
Maryland Lt. Gov. Miller Applauds Smith School’s AI Programs During Visit
The Smith School’s new AI certificate program has drawn over 20,000 global enrollees since May. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller visited July 1 to highlight its role in Maryland’s AI-driven workforce development.