To all our new and returning students, faculty and staff, welcome to the Department of Information Systems.
At UMBC, the Department of Information Systems is dedicated to preparing students to lead at the intersection of technology, people, and organizations. Our programs, spanning Information Systems, Business Technology Administration, Software Engineering, Health Information Technology, and Human-Centered Computing, equip students with the skills to address today’s most pressing challenges, from advancing health informatics and securing data systems to applying artificial intelligence and designing user-centered technologies. What makes our department unique is the hands-on experience students gain through research opportunities, industry partnerships, and community projects that bring classroom learning to life. Guided by world-class faculty and supported by a collaborative, innovative culture, our students graduate ready to make an impact in their careers and communities, shaping the future of technology and its role in society.
This year, we are pleased to share a new initiative designed to connect classroom learning with professional pathways. Meagan Wade, Program Coordinator, has developed a series called Fall Career Talks. These weekly events, held in ITE 459, will expand upon what students are learning in the classroom by offering direct insights from professionals across diverse industries. Highlights include: Careers in Non-Profit IT: Insights from The Trevor Project, Careers in Public Sector Technology with Precise Solutions, Women in Tech: Career Journeys & Insights, Soft Skills: Knowing Your Audience, Gaming for Good: Career Paths and Community Impact, and Careers at the Intersection of Technology and Social Good. We encourage all students to participate and invite you to visit our Events page for the full schedule of these important opportunities.
Our growing department now includes 47 faculty members who are recognized globally for their expertise and contributions to the field. Their groundbreaking research and prestigious grants have positioned UMBC as a leader in information systems research. This year, we are especially excited to welcome six new faculty members: Michelle Antero, Ph.D., Fiona Bell, Ph.D., Md Tariqul Islam, Ph.D., Carlos Jensen, Ph.D., and Neha Singh, Ph.D., who join us this fall, along with Shaila Zaman, Ph.D., who began in the spring. Their diverse expertise will further strengthen our department and help us continue to lead in research, teaching, and innovation.
We also want to take a moment to recognize the retirement of Dana Smith, Associate Teaching Professor, who concluded more than 20 years of dedicated service to the department this summer. Dana has been a cornerstone of our undergraduate programs, advising, and teaching, and her impact on generations of IS students will be felt for years to come. We thank her for her lasting contributions and wish her the very best in this next chapter.
I am also proud to highlight several faculty accomplishments from over the summer:
- Dr. Yasmine Kotturi was named a 2025–2026 CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellow by the Computing Research Association.
- Dr. Karuna Joshi co-chaired the Women in Services Computing (WISC) Symposium at IEEE Services Congress 2025 and was also selected for the 2025–2026 cohort of the prestigious Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program.
- Dr. Vandana Janeja received a new NSF award, “CAIG Deep Learning for Deep Chlorophyll Maxima: Predicting Vertical Distributions of Biogeochemical and Physical Properties,” in collaboration with Dr. Greg Silsbe at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
These achievements underscore the exceptional quality and impact of our faculty, and they reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines our department.
We continue to experience significant growth, reflected in our impressive enrollment numbers; IS students now account for over one-third of the degrees awarded in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. We are proud to provide our students with the skills, resources, and community needed to thrive in both academic and professional settings.
Additionally, our Online M.S. program continues to rise in national rankings, reaffirming its position as one of the best in the country. This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering top-tier education that meets the needs of a diverse and global student body.
As we settle into this new academic year, I encourage each of you to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead. Engage with our esteemed faculty, participate in groundbreaking research, and immerse yourself in all that information systems has to offer. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and make meaningful contributions to our world.
Zhiyuan Chen, P.h.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Information Systems, UMBC