Rebecca L. Bellinger is executive director of the Center for Global Business, a Center of Excellence at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business that is funded in part by a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education known as CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research). As head of the department, she oversees the School’s strategic international and government agency partnerships, CIBER grant activities, student global programs both on campus and abroad, internationalization in the curriculum, faculty internationalization programs, and new global initiatives. She co-leads the biennial CIBER Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) Program in Cuba. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of International Business Education and Research and was appointed in 2018 by Secretary Wilbur Ross to serve a four-year term on the Maryland-D.C. District Export Council. She previously served on the Executive Board of the Global Business School Network (GBSN). She holds the NASBITE International credential of Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP).
The Center for Global Business hosted members of BisNet (Business International Studies Network) at a meeting and reception at Maryland Smith’s campus in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C on May 30, 2019.
During the 2018-19 academic year, the Center for Global Business (CGB) continued to be the driving force behind the internationalization of Maryland Smith. Some highlights of this academic year include the renewal of Center for International Business Education (CIBE), a four-year, $1.2 million Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education, 61 global mobility and on-campus programs with nearly 1,300 student participants, $175,000 of scholarship funding awarded to students, and engagement with over 100 companies to provide students with experiential global learning.
Twelve faculty from colleges and universities throughout the United States traveled to Cuba from May 18-26, 2019, with the University of Maryland’s Center for Global Business (CGB) as part of the center’s Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) program. The goal of this FDIB was for participants to develop a better understanding of the Cuban economy within its broader historical, political, and cultural context.
In March 2019, the Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) hosted its annual Smith in the City in Washington, D.C. for Smith students to learn about career possibilities in their area of study and to gain exposure to the culture of specific companies. The Center for Global Business supported the International Business (IB) major trek, to encourage students to learn international business concepts and career paths. Students visited the United States Department of State, World Bank, and the United Nations.
On March 27, the Center for Global Business (CGB) welcomed newly-appointed Secretary Kelly Schulz of the Maryland Department of Commerce to highlight the priorities of and celebrate the continued partnership with the department. CGB’s executive director, Rebecca Bellinger, hosted the discussion with Schulz and addressed questions about her career path, keys to success in leadership, and international business development for the state of Maryland. The event, also a part of Women’s History Month at Maryland Smith, was the last installment of CGB’s Distinguished Speakers Series (DSS) in International Business for 2019 and was co-sponsored by the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets.
The Center for Global Business (CGB) launched the first annual spring break photo competition open to Smith students, faculty, and staff. In an effort to further promote the value and benefits of a global mindset, CGB created a platform for the Smith community to share their global experiences over spring break.
The Center for Global Business (CGB) launched a new portfolio of business language opportunities in this year as part of a commitment to the goals of the Title VI CIBE grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This grant supports international business and language programs for students and professionals to increase the United States’ capacity for international understanding and economic competitiveness.
Over 120 recently returned study abroad students participated in the Fourth Annual Global Showcase on February 14, 2019. The Center for Global Business (CGB) hosted the poster exhibition in a “gallery-style” walk in the 1400 and 1500 atriums of Van Munching Hall from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This was an opportunity for students to engage the Smith community and showcase their global learning from their winter faculty-led, short-term study abroad programs. The students participated in one of five study abroad programs to the following locations: Australia and New Zealand; France and Morocco; Japan; South Africa; U.K., France and Italy.
Full-time MBA student Ha Le, class of 2020, writes about the Distinguished Speakers Series event “Global Competencies for the 21st Century Workplace,” held on February 11, 2019, at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Undergraduate students at the Robert H. Smith School of Business have completed another successful cycle of the faculty-led short-term study abroad programs. This past winter semester, the Center for Global Business offered four programs that explored different topics in social entrepreneurship and innovation, accounting, and quality management across the globe.
