Office of Undergraduate Studies
The Office of Undergraduate Studies (UGST) is home to programs such as the Incentive Awards Program, the Maryland Promise Program and Academic Achievement programs, all of which are designed to recruit, retain, support and graduate first-generation and low-income students. These programs make higher education a reality for many students in the area and support students exploring a degree that can change the trajectory of their lives and their communities.
Why Undergraduate Studies
The impact of a college education goes far beyond the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the classroom. UGST takes this responsibility seriously: it shapes undergraduate education through enriching experiences in an inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
Supporting student experience is crucial for the programs housed in UGST. These students are often the first to go to college in their families and they need to learn about how to network, how to job search, how to handle an interview over a meal. Our program provides critical support and wrap-around services for a vulnerable population. These services support higher student retention, high GPAs and a strong sense of belonging.
Our Momentum
#11
top learning communities
U.S. News & World Report "Program to Look For"
98%
retention rate for Incentive Awards Program students from 1st to 2nd year
10%
UMD Air Force ROTC ranked top 10% nationally
AFROTC Headquarters Viability Assessment
Why now
We have large populations of students in these UGST programs supported through scholarships. We need to ensure they are supported through the duration of their college experiences. A college education extends far beyond the classroom. UGST supports students' academic, personal and career goals, helping them stay engaged and connected on the path to graduation. We seek to support students with academic and career advising, community service, counseling, wellness education and an improved sense of belonging through staff support and program activities.
In Undergraduate Studies, our mission is to support students as they pursue their purpose and their path forward. With significant investment, we seek to strengthen advising, broaden experiential learning and build a campus where all Terps can flourish and graduate ready to change the world.
William A. Cohen
Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Our Priorities
Empowering students to connect their learning to the world and realize their dreams
The Office of Undergraduate Studies guides students to navigate their learning, make meaning of their experiences, and prepare for the future.
UGST is home to programs such as Incentive Awards (IAP), Maryland Promise (MPP), Southern Management Leadership (SMLP) and Academic Achievement Programs (AAP), all of which are designed to recruit, retain, support and graduate first-generation and low-income students. These programs make higher education a reality for many students in our local area. This initiative supports students exploring a degree that can change the trajectory of their lives and their communities.
Broadening Access to Education
As our signature scholarship programs and their impact on students have grown, we must continue to grow and enrich the programming and wrap-around services supporting them, including counseling, advising, building community, ensuring connections and a strong sense of belonging. Students regard these programs as their home base on campus. We want to ensure these programs serve students wherever they are and whatever their needs.
Designing High-Impact Student Experiences
We offer robust, academically themed living-learning communities to foster a sense of belonging and to prepare students to be leaders. Private philanthropy helps make it possible for students in the Honors College, College Park Scholars, UMD Fellows and other UGST programs to take unpaid internships, study abroad, conduct meaningful research and travel to off-campus learning locations.
Creating Innovative Learning Communities