Smith Welcomes MS Students

About 500 new students participated in orientation from Aug. 19 to 27 for the Robert H. Smith School of Business’ Master of Science in Business program. Activities took place on main campus, as well as the Smith centers at Shady Grove and the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.  

The Dean’s Office welcomed the students with remarks from newly-appointed Dean Alex Triantis, Interim Dean Michael Ball and Vice Dean Joyce Russell. 

Associate Dean of MBA and M.S. Programs Ken White introduced Triantis, who recounted school namesake Robert H. Smith’s career and visionary leadership of his family’s real estate development firm, the Charles E. Smith Co.  Dean Triantis noted Smith’s innovative creation of Crystal City – the office-residential mixed development of high-rise and underground space in Arlington, Va. – exemplifies, and endures as, a model for success through strategic persistence. 

Russell, as well as Jeff Kudisch, assistant dean of corporate relations and managing director of the Office of Career Services, shared career-building insight. 

White outlined insight gleaned from the students’ predecessors. “During last May’s commencement activities, I asked the graduating MS students for advice for this fall’s incoming class,” he said, sharing four points: 

• “Of course, work hard. Be ready for class by completing the readings and assignments. Be ready to challenge your professor in class and participate in the discussion. Do the work and be ready. 
• Ask questions in class. That may be difficult for some students but graduate students are expected to know the material and ask questions. We learn from discussion and debate. Ask questions. 
• Take advantage of the people and places our location has to offer. We learn from our classmates and professors. Listen to them and learn from them. In addition, there is so much to learn at UMD and in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. 
• Speak Up for Smith. When you see something good in your time here, tell someone about it. When you experience something ‘not-so-good,’ be a part of the solution. Graduate students are expected to solve problems. We expect our graduate students to step up and make our school and programs better.” 

Primers for each MS academic program included a Tysons Corner Center field exercise that involved 38 students in the new marketing analytics program browsing and assessing retailer pricing, décor and other characteristics. The group was directed by Associate Professor of Marketing Wendy Moe, academic director of the new program. 

An outdoor barbecue party and the ropes course at UMD’s Eppley Recreation Center provided ice breaker and team-building opportunities.  

A first-time, orientation-week expo of MS student organizations featured the resources and benefits provided through the clubs, which receive direction from the Smith Master Student Association. The organizations are the Master Student Finance Association, Information Systems Association, Supply Chain Management Association and Graduate Student Accounting Association.  

“Each orientation activity differed somewhat depending on the input of the program's academic director and the MPO liaison,” said White. “Basically, the goal of orientation is to ‘tee the students up’ for success and make them feel at home.” 

Go to the Smith’s MS home page for details about the programs in academic information systems, accounting, supply chain management, finance and marketing analytics.