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About

How We Make A Difference

We are Fearlessly Global in our pursuit of excellence and positive impact to make the world a better place. Together, we learn, discover, and co-create in service of the global common good.

Maryland Global Strategic Plan


No. 46
Among public and private universities nationwide
- U.S. News & World Report
No. 50
Among best global universities
- Academic Ranking of World Universities
No. 57
Among best global universities
- U.S. News & World Report

Explore Maryland's Global Story to learn how we got here.


We Never Stop Growing

The University of Maryland has earned our reputation as one of the premier universities in the world. These rankings are a measure of progress in the investments we are making: investments in our people and faculty research, in making high-quality education accessible and affordable, and in recruiting and retaining an academically talented and diverse student body.

We Back Global Learning Everywhere

At Maryland, we believe in the power of international experiences for our students, faculty, and staff. Education Abroad makes that happen for our students every day, and we're not slowing down. At a glance, we celebrate:

  • 300 study abroad destinations in 58 countries and 204 cities.
  • 53 faculty-led programs.
  • 1,569 students abroad during ‘23 Spring semester, including 171 first generation students and 70+ students traveling abroad for the first time.
  • 11,562 miles away is our farthest program at the University of Western Australia.
  • 300+ Maryland students have received Gillman scholarship, supporting high-achieving Pell Grant students to study abroad, making UMD a Top 20 Gilman producer nationally
     
  • 65+ Global Classrooms courses and 2,626 students since 2018
  • 427 student participants in universal global learning project-based modules in 2023
  • 420 U21 Global Citizen participants since 2020
  • 123 U21 Sustainable Micro-internship participants since 2020
  • 15 U21 RISE student participants since 2019
     

There's no denying the irreplaceable value of our international student community, on campus and beyond. We're thrilled to have them as a part of our Terrapin network. Since our first international student Pastor A. Cooke arrived from Panama in 1871, we've continued to expand on this commitment to diversifying our campus. Here's a look at our progress:

  • We welcome international students from 123 countries
  • We hosted 747 undergraduate and 3,474 graduate international students in the Fall 2022 semester
  • Supported 1,420 international alumni on Optional Practical Trainings/STEM in Fall ‘22
  • Hosted 534 international faculty and scholars from 61 countries in 2022
  • Hosted 381 international Fulbright scholars from around the world since 1946
     

Maryland’s participation in Fulbright programs, both as a sending and receiving institution, underscores our dedication to fostering global engagement and cultivating a rich scholarly environment.

  • In 1947, we welcomed our first incoming Fulbright scholar, Felicitas Salvador Tacderas, from the Philippines. Since then, we’ve welcomed 350+ international scholars to campus.
  • Our faculty members received their first Fulbright grants in 1952 to pursue their research and teaching interests in India and France. 
  • Since our first scholars went abroad to Denmark and the United Kingdom in 1966, we've sent a total of 280 scholars abroad to destinations around the world.
  • Since the program's founding in 1946, 222 University of Maryland students have received Fulbright grants.
  • Over the past 20 years, we've been recognized as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 
  • Seven of our faculty and post-doctoral students have received Fulbright grants to teach and research abroad in 2023-2024.
  • 69 students and scholars accepted Fulbright grants in the past five years: 48 student awards and 21 faculty/staff awards.

Maryland has been a top-producer of Peace Corps volunteers, ranking fourth nationally in their 2020 top colleges list. Our students don't hesitate to step into service, domestically and internationally.  

Additionally, Maryland hosts several other internationally-oriented service organizations on campus, including:

  • Public Health Beyond Borders 
  • Alternative Breaks Experiences
  • Humanity First @ Maryland
  • Engineers Without Borders

Want to know how you can get involved? Explore this comprehensive list of service oriented organizations at Maryland. 

 

  • In 2023, we climbed nine spots in our overall U.S. News & World Report ranking among all public and private institutions—now, we're No. 46 among the top universities nationwide.
  • When it comes to our place on the world's stage, the prestigious Shanghai Ranking places us at No. 50 in the top universities globally
  • A combined 69 undergraduate and graduate programs were ranked among the top 25 of their respective fields in 2023.
  • Ranked No. 1 Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students by Campus Pride Index. 

As a globally recognized top research institution, we are excited by the endless opportunities our research has to offer. 

  • In 2021, we raised $1.1 billion combined research expenditures with the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
  • Through a Fearlessly Forward Reinventing Teaching & Learning Grant in 2022, we facilitated the design of universal global learning modules, centered around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, which we piloted in the Spring 2023 semester.

UMD chapel.

In Short: You Can Count On Us.

Through our dedicated hubs for global learning, global community and global partnerships, we help build universal networks for immersive and project-based learning, discovery and action to amplify Maryland’s mission to shape a brighter future for all.

Meet Our Team
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