Taking on Grand Challenges

When Annabella Davis transferred to the University of Maryland two years ago, she wanted to focus on conflict, identity, reconciliation, and the real-world consequences of political violence. Now a senior majoring in International Relations and minoring in International Development and Conflict Management (IDCM), Annabella has taken that ambition beyond the classroom.

On a summer morning in Seoul, eight students gathered around a whiteboard and filled it with ideas, from legal knowledge to insight on how migration looks in their home countries. Their challenge: develop a solution to support climate refugees. By the end of the week, their brainstorming evolved into a website tool that earned their team third place in the Climate Corps competition.

By COMM StaffCOMM Lecturer Lamia Zia has been awarded one of the honorable and prestigious International Affairs Fellowships from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for 2026–2027!

In October 2025, early-career researchers and doctoral students from U21 member institutions and a policy leader convened in Dublin for the biannual Universitas 21 Health Research Exchange (U21HREx) symposium. Chaired by Dr. Negin Fouladi of the University of Maryland (UMD), the U21HREx network brings together participants from UMD, the University of Birmingham and University College Dublin as a growing global community of practice.

For over three months, the Global Terps for a Greener Future (GTGF) interns, Abigail (Abbey) Vanasse ‘27, a junior information science major and sustainability minor, and sophomore Omarichachukwu (Oma) Obiorah ‘28, a mechanical engineering major, have excelled in cultivating sustainability engagement and education across campus.

When Viktoriia Savchuk Kennet Ph.D. ‘25 crossed the stage at commencement this May, she carried not only a doctoral degree, but a mission—to return home and use her research on communication and resilience to help rebuild her country.“I love Ukraine. It is a beautiful country,” Viktoriia says. “I cherish every opportunity to be here with my family, friends, and my people, and to contribute in any way I can to positive change and good memories despite everything.”

Maryland Global celebrated excellence in global education at the Global Classrooms Showcase, highlighting both faculty innovation and student achievements in virtual international collaboration.

Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, the University of Maryland has produced 1,175 alumni who have served abroad as volunteers. Currently, 28 alumni are serving in 17 countries around the world.

The UMD School of Public Health recently welcomed scholars from Ireland, Germany and the U.S. for the Spring 2025 U21HREx Symposium.

The University of Maryland is proud to announce two student-led projects – SEWING and The Movement Street – as its representatives for this year's Universitas21 (U21) RISE Showcase and Awards.