Recent Articles

Experiential / Reality-based Learning

Smith Students Turn Cutting-Edge Analytics into Real-World Financial Insight

With spring semester past midpoint, University of Maryland Smith School students are completing experiential and capstone projects with industry partners, applying AI and data analysis to financial market questions, producing research on mortgage risk, banking trends and private credit exposure.

Experiential / Reality-based Learning

QUEST Students Explore Innovation in Silicon Valley During Spring Break 2026

Twenty University of Maryland QUEST Honors students visited Silicon Valley over spring break, touring major tech companies, meeting alumni and exploring careers in AI, engineering and product development during the program’s Design and Innovation elective.

Smith Professors Make Sense of March Madness Marketing Trends and AI-Involvement in Bracket Building

Despite few upsets, the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments remain compelling, with millions tracking brackets. One perfect bracket remains. Smith professors Henry C. Boyd III and Daniel McCarthy discuss AI, marketing trends, NIL and fan behavior.

Snider Center Launches Social Media Market Dynamics Lab

Social media is reshaping capital markets, influencing sentiment, trading and volatility, as seen in meme stocks and crypto. The University of Maryland’s SMMD Lab gives students research, analytics and forecasting experience to help investors, regulators and policymakers navigate information-driven markets.

Smith’s Center for AI in Business Awarded $1M+ Federal Grant to Help Small Businesses Adopt AI

The University of Maryland’s Smith School received $1.031 million in federal funding to help Maryland small businesses adopt AI, offering tools, training and research to improve efficiency, expand access and support economic growth statewide, officials said.

Scholarship Tax Rules Leave Students Confused, Smith Expert Says

A case at a volunteer tax site highlights a gap in U.S. tax reporting that leads students to underreport taxable scholarship income, according to Samuel Handwerger, as forms and software often fail to prompt required calculations and the IRS lacks matching data.

Fishlinger Shares Keys to Sustained Success in Business at Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series Event

William J. “Bill” Fishlinger ’71, CEO of Gramercy Risk Holdings, shared lessons on leadership, risk and decision-making at the Smith School’s Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series, emphasizing responsibility, curiosity, communication, innovation and perspective in business.

Paying It Forward

H. Kent Baker’s career was shaped at Maryland and transformed finance through behavioral research. His legacy includes decades of scholarship, a major gift to Smith and hands-on student experiences, as the school advances finance education, policy impact and industry-ready training.

Smith Research

Referred for the Job, Less Welcome by the Team

Employee referrals can aid hiring but carry hidden downsides. Research by Smith’s Rellie Derfler-Rozin finds staff often see referred hires as less meritorious and offer less support, despite strong performance. Clear communication about hiring rigor and involving employees can reduce bias.

Alumni

Investing in the Future

Isa Farhat ’96 switched from architecture to accounting during a recession, building a career as a Deloitte partner. A first-generation student, he overcame personal challenges and now gives back to Smith through mentorship and support for future accounting professionals.

Alumni

Alumnus Dials in the Dollars in Senior Role at T-Mobile

Johannes Thorsteinsson, MS ENGR ’05, MBA ’07, leveraged engineering and finance training at UMD to rise to T-Mobile senior vice president and treasurer. He credits Smith for shaping his career and now mentors students, emphasizing curiosity, resilience and relationships.

Alumni

Building Meaningful Relationships

Wealth management advisor John Bates, ECON ’83, mentors Smith finance students through the Financial Advisory Council. With decades of industry experience, he emphasizes networking, real-world skills and collaboration with faculty to better align education with careers in financial services.

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