PROMISE is the hub of professional development for all graduate students and postdocs at UMBC and is a part of a PROMISE network across the University System of Maryland. PROMISE provides a community of learning and support from the time you arrive on campus to the proud day that you depart for the next stage of your career.
In your time here, we hope you come to rely on PROMISE for seminars on preparing for a career as a faculty member, building skills in teaching and public speaking, enhancing your writing and writing productivity, and learning to effectively network to build a community of peers and mentors. You can find out about the latest offerings and workshops from the PROMISE website as well as the PROMISE myUMBC page. We partner frequently with the Graduate Student Association and other organizations on campus.
Besides monthly workshops, some of PROMISE’s signature events include:
- Dissertation House: A multi-day intensive writing workshop with one-on-one coaching to help you make significant progress on your proposal, thesis, or dissertation
- The Annual PROMISE Research Symposium: An event that honors the work of underrepresented graduate scholars throughout the University System of Maryland
- Fall Harvest Dinner: A community building event that brings the whole PROMISE group together for a warm meal and sharing of stories.
- Summer Success Institute (SSI): A professional development conference, hosted by PROMISE program volunteers from across the University System of Maryland that serves as a platform to highlight researchers from underserved backgrounds, and facilitates networking opportunities for current graduate students, postdocs, and early career faculty across the State to propel their careers.
PROMISE has a long history not just here, but through the University System of Maryland, as PROMISE was originally developed as part of a state-wide alliance through an NSF Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) grant. To get additional history on the 2003-2018 AGEP programming, visit the PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP website.
In 2018, PROMISE received new NSF AGEP funding directed at diversifying postdoctoral scholars and transitioning them into tenure-track faculty positions. This is an effort in alliance with four other University System of Maryland institutions. We are thrilled to offer a community as well as career support, skill building and inspiration in this important part of their academic journey. You can learn more about this new program at the AGEP PROMISE Academy Alliance website. You can register for events by going to my.umbc.edu/groups/promise.
Contact
Email: promise@umbc.edu