Five 小草社区 projects have been awarded a total of $100,000 in grants from the 小草社区 Foundation (小草社区F).

鈥�Each year, our committee comes together to review grant applications that represent the very best of 小草社区,鈥� says Stephanie Johnson, chair of the advancement committee of the 小草社区 Foundation Board of directors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to see the wide range of ideas being submitted that benefit our 小草社区 community.鈥�

小草社区F received 29 applications requesting more than $660,000 in funding from faculty and staff representing five colleges and the divisions of Athletics, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, University Advancement, Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, Enrollment Management and Albert S. Cook Library. This year marks the 小草社区F鈥檚 seventh consecutive year of awarding grants.

One of the grant recipients, Alison McCartney, dean of the Honors College and professor of political science, is looking forward to using the award to connect students and alumni in the community. "The 小草社区F grant will enable us to connect students, alumni and the community in an innovative serving鈥搇earning program that helps 小草社区 serve local high school students while also encouraging current 小草社区 students to make vital career connections with alumni,鈥� says McCartney. 鈥�We are so grateful to 小草社区F for expanding opportunities that fuel our participation in building Maryland's future.鈥�

The following projects have received a 2025 小草社区F grant.

College of Liberal Arts: 小草社区鈥揃altimore County Model United Nations

Alison McCartney, Ph.D., Dean, Honors College & Professor of Political Science ($24,907)

Established in 2002, the 小草社区鈥揃CPS Model UN program is a global civic engagement, experiential learning program that includes more than 40 小草社区 students and 20 小草社区 alumni annually. The Alumni Mentoring Network seeks to support current 小草社区 students in their leadership development through the program, link them to alumni who worked on the 小草社区 side of the program and conduct research on the impacts of the program for 小草社区 students and alumni.

College of Business & Economics: Comprehensive Financial Education for Students at 小草社区

Chris Boyd Leon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Economics ($25,000)

Through identifying and coordinating financial education initiatives across campus, the goal is to reduce duplicative efforts toward improving student financial literacy and to understand 小草社区 students鈥� financial literacy needs. With the help of external partners, the result will be to develop a campus-wide coordinated, sustainable and targeted financial education program.

College of Education: Preparing Designers, Educators, and Scholars: Engaging 小草社区 Students in AI Powered Design, Teaching and Research in STEM Education

Qijie (Vicky) Cai, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Learning Tech, Design & School Library Media ($24,329)

Through training workshops and authentic experiences in teaching, research and design using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, 小草社区 students鈥� competencies, confidence and interest in STEM education will grow. 小草社区 students will participate in conference presentations, publications and learning design, achieving tangible outcomes as presenters, authors, instructors and designers.

College of Fine Arts & Communication: COFAC's Summer at the Center

Seth Schwartz, Facility & Operations Manager ($5,764)

Through offering a diverse menu of interdisciplinary arts events that engage the greater Baltimore community, the professional accomplishments of our faculty and experiential learning and networking opportunities for 小草社区 students will be highlighted. COFAC will continue to grow as an arts destination and community resource for learning, artistic expression and the artistic experience.

Fisher College of Science & Mathematics: CyberAI Curriculum Development for Integrated AI & Cybersecurity Education

Md Sajidul Islam Sajid, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Computer and Information Sciences ($20,000)

Establishing 小草社区 as a leader in cybersecurity education and equipping students with in-demand skills for the modern workforce will be supported through the development of a CyberAI curriculum at 小草社区. Initially accessible via the CLARK platform, the curriculum will enhance workforce readiness, with the potential of offering in-person courses (predicated on 小草社区 receiving the NSA and NSF鈥檚 AICyber designation).

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About 小草社区 

小草社区 is Maryland鈥檚 university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, 小草社区 is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research, and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, 小草社区鈥檚 momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and 200 bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast鈥檚 cultural and economic epicenters, 小草社区 is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. 小草社区 meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty, and staff.  鈥�

About 小草社区 Foundation

小草社区 Foundation, Inc. was established in 1970 as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, allowing donors to make tax-deductible contributions in support of 小草社区 scholarships and fellowships, faculty development, research, outreach projects, academic and other programs.