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.

At the CEO at Smith event, Jay Sunny Bajaj, UMD ’99, shared lessons from building and selling DMI and launching DigiCap, emphasizing purpose-driven entrepreneurship, defining exit goals, supporting others, disciplined leadership and using AI as a tool, not a substitute for innovation.

University of Maryland’s Financial Wellness Hub opened in McKeldin Library, offering peer mentoring, workshops and classes on budgeting, investing and loans, aiming to improve financial literacy for students, faculty and staff across campus.

University of Maryland’s Smith School hosted its annual AI and Analytics for Social Good Workshop, convening experts to showcase data-driven research addressing societal challenges, advancing responsible AI, informing policy and preparing students for an evolving, technology-driven workforce.

At the 2026 AI Symposium on Design and Governance, speakers examined how artificial intelligence is shaping work, healthcare and software, emphasizing human-centered design, emerging skills, ethical oversight and the responsible integration of AI to augment, not replace, human capabilities.

Dean Prabhudev Konana begins a second term, highlighting growth in AI initiatives, new funding and a Baltimore campus. He pointed to strong MBA rankings, expanded events and partnerships, and a continued focus on students, research and community impact.

The Smith School’s Investing in Excellence event honored scholarship donors and recipients, highlighting record enrollment and more than $6 million awarded. Speakers said philanthropy expands opportunity, builds community and shapes futures for students and alumni across generations.

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is the top-ranked business school in Maryland, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Graduate Schools list.

UMD and American University students competed in the seventh annual Smith Analytics Consortium Datathon, using Maryland data to propose transit-linked mixed-use communities. A cross-university team won top honors, while state and industry partners praised students’ real-world, data-driven solutions and collaboration.

Film producer Mark Ciardi spoke at UMD’s Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series, sharing his journey from student-athlete to MLB pitcher to Hollywood executive, and offering career advice on resilience, relationships and embracing an underdog mindset to succeed across industries.