Centers & Initiatives

Pioneering business research can prepare students to be transformational business leaders, and equip companies to transform themselves and their markets.

At the Smith School we have created a cluster of Centers of Excellence that serve as the intersection of scholarship and the marketplace, putting breakthrough research at the service of students and companies. Each of our centers immerses our students in complex and evolving marketplaces in which success depends on critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurship. 

We have also added exciting new Initiatives to further augment the learning experience, align with industry and government trends, and chart the future of business.

Centers

Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business

The Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business pioneers AI research and outreach. With a focus on human judgment and creativity, it fosters safe, innovative products and services through intentional AI-enabled design and governance frameworks.

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Center for Excellence in Service

The Center for Excellence in Service (CES) is an academic research center with a network of Smith faculty members who are thought leaders in service marketing and management. 

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Center for Financial Policy
Center for Financial Policy

The Center for Financial Policy leverages the Smith School’s world-renowned faculty, leading research, and proximity to Washington, D.C. to promote a collaborative exchange of ideas on the key issues that affect financial markets.

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Center for Global Business

The Center for Global Business (CGB) is the driver of internationalization and global mindset education at the Smith School and a preferred partner for international commerce in the state of Maryland, specifically in regard to training and supporting students, companies, and current and future business leaders to engage successfully in global business.

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Center for Social Value Creation

The Center for Social Value Creation embodies a passionate mission: to educate, engage and empower the Smith community and the world through thought-provoking dialogue, thought leadership, and hands-on experience.

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Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

At the Dingman Center, we create an inclusive environment where we educate, empower and equip students with the business skills needed to be an entrepreneur and the resources necessary to make their business ideas a reality.

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Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets

The guiding principle for the Ed Snider Center is that social progress is born of free and creative individuals who, driven by self-motivation, passion, and a positive approach to trading value for value, make the world a better place. 

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Supply Chain Management Center

The Supply Chain Management Center at the Robert H. Smith School of Business is dedicated to conducting research and education designed to further the discipline of supply chain management.

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Initiatives

Smith Analytics Consortium

Expanding understanding of business analytics and relevant careers, the Robert H. Smith School of Business runs the Smith Analytics Consortium (SAC). A partnership between industry and Smith’s diverse, inclusive community, the Consortium serves as a central hub for networking, thought leadership, experiential learning, co-curricular activities and collaboration opportunities enhancing the Smith student experience and giving back to the business community.

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Initiative for Veteran Lifelong Leadership
Initiative for Veteran Lifelong Leadership

Promoting veterans as strategic assets for a united economy.

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Future of Government Management Initiative

The imperatives facing America's government and market leaders have rarely overlapped with the complexity they do today. At the Smith School, we aim to help with new programs and partnerships to promote the future of U.S. public-private talent, training, and research.

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Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium

Corporate risk officers are grappling with a host of nontraditional risks associated with and ranging from cyber to climate. The Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium recognizes these emerging risks and endeavors to address them through research, tools and education.

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News

November 26, 2024
Smith Fraternities Compete in ESG-Focused Case Challenge
Seventy members from professional business fraternities at UMD competed in the Center for Social Value Creation’s ESG-focused pledging case competition. Phi Chi Theta’s team won, showcasing innovative solutions. The event featured alumni judges and engaged an audience of 150 students.
Read News Story : Smith Fraternities Compete in ESG-Focused Case Challenge
November 11, 2024
Former World Bank President Delivers Thoughts on Current World Economic Issues
David Malpass, former World Bank president, joined the Smith School’s Rajshree Agarwal to discuss global debt, economic policies, and the Federal Reserve’s role. Hosted by the Ed Snider Center, the event promoted fact-based discourse and encouraged critical, meaningful dialogue.
Read News Story : Former World Bank President Delivers Thoughts on Current World Economic Issues
November 1, 2024
Distinguished Speaker Shares Insights About Economic Development in India
The Center for Global Business hosted Raghuram Rajan in a discussion on India's economic growth, human capital needs, and innovation for long-term prosperity. Rajan emphasized job creation, skilled services, and democracy’s role in fostering creativity and economic progress.
Read News Story : Distinguished Speaker Shares Insights About Economic Development in India
November 1, 2024
CSVC Launches First Sustainability Conference
The Center for Social Value Creation’s inaugural Sustainability in Business Conference convened experts, policymakers, and researchers to address global sustainability challenges. Panels covered pathways to net zero, social enterprise, innovation in sustainable business practices, and human rights within corporate sustainability efforts.
Read News Story : CSVC Launches First Sustainability Conference
October 15, 2024
Working Together To Make the Case For International Expansion
Students aspiring to international careers put their skills to the test in the Center for Global Business Case Interview Competition, tackling real-world challenges and presenting global expansion strategies for N5 Sensors, Inc., while gaining valuable experience and industry connections.
Read News Story : Working Together To Make the Case For International Expansion
October 9, 2024
Smith Partners with Top 10 Business Schools Across the World for Student Exchange
The Robert H. Smith School of Business partners with top-ranked global universities, such as Bocconi University and Peking University, to offer student exchange programs. These exchanges provide students valuable global business experience, earning academic credit while enhancing adaptability and cultural awareness.
Read News Story : Smith Partners with Top 10 Business Schools Across the World for Student Exchange
October 7, 2024
Smith’s Center for Global Business Earns Top Honors from the State of Maryland
The Center for Global Business received the Maryland Secretary’s Citation and the Governor’s Citation, honoring its contributions to international trade and its President’s “E” Award for Export Service. The awards highlight CGB’s role in expanding Maryland exports and promoting economic growth.
Read News Story : Smith’s Center for Global Business Earns Top Honors from the State of Maryland
October 2, 2024
Careers Crossing Borders Shares Insights on the Day in the Life of a Global Tech Executive
The Center for Global Business recently hosted the Careers Crossing Borders keynote address by Greer Meisels, director of external affairs at Intel Corporation. Meisels shared insights from her global career journey, discussed the influence of technology on international business and current affairs, and offered tips on staying competitive in today’s global job market.
Read News Story : Careers Crossing Borders Shares Insights on the Day in the Life of a Global Tech Executive
September 17, 2024
Empowering Global Growth: A Look Back at CGB’s 2024 Summer Initiatives
The Center for Global Business at the Smith School offers experiential learning through programs like the Summer Language Institute Scholarship, Maximizing Maryland Internship, Maryland Global Consulting, and Global Summer Internship. These initiatives provide students hands-on experience in international business and cultural immersion.
Read News Story : Empowering Global Growth: A Look Back at CGB’s 2024 Summer Initiatives
September 13, 2024
Dingman Center Alum’s Startup Korion Health Wins $1M Hult Prize
Korion Health, co-led by Akshaya Anand ’19, won the $1 million Hult Prize for its USB-powered stethoscope enabling at-home heart and lung screenings. The device aims to improve cardiovascular health access, especially in underserved communities, by digitizing patient data for telemedicine.
Read News Story : Dingman Center Alum’s Startup Korion Health Wins $1M Hult Prize
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