Known as University of Maryland University College for Nearly 50 Years, New Name for America’s Largest Online Public University Reflects Its Global Reach and Historic Mission
Adelphi, Md. (July 1, 2019) The institution that has been known as University of Maryland University College for nearly 50 years is now University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).
The massive effort to transition to the new name has already begun and will continue into 2020. Prospective and current students will begin to see the university’s new name, logo and look on the institution’s website and other materials beginning this fall.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation to change the name of America’s largest public online university on April 18. UMGC serves some 90,000 students annually in more than 20 countries. The new name more accurately conveys the institution’s public mission and global reach.
“From its founding in 1947, and now as UMGC, the university has been a leader and pioneer in adult higher education and a particular source of pride to Marylanders for its history of service to the U.S. military around the world,” said Governor Hogan at the time of the bill signing. “This new name reflects the institution’s established standing as a global leader in adult higher education, its impact as an innovator and early adopter of online education, and its focus on helping Maryland build its highly skilled workforce through affordable, accessible, and career-relevant academic programs.”
University President Javier Miyares expressed his appreciation to the governor and the Maryland General Assembly, which unanimously supported the legislation, citing Senator Paul Pinsky and Delegate Maggie McIntosh, who sponsored the bills in their respective chambers. “We are deeply grateful to these lawmakers for their guidance and advocacy as we take this historic step and for their long-standing support for and belief in the mission of our university.”
“I applaud the university’s dedication and commitment to its singular focus on serving adult students in our state and around the globe,” said Senator Pinsky. “I believe the new name is a catalyst for attracting even more Marylanders who seek a college education to compete for highly skilled jobs and leadership positions in this 21st-century economy.”
Added Delegate. McIntosh: “The university plays such an important role in building a pipeline of talent to keep Maryland companies competitive in a national and global marketplace. The new name draws on its unique history and better positions the university itself to compete on a national level and thrive in maintaining a quality and affordable education.”
UMGC was established as the College of Special and Continuation Studies at the University of Maryland specifically to make higher education more accessible for adult students with jobs and families, many of whom were GIs returning from World War II.
In 1949, UMGC became the first American institution of higher education to send faculty overseas to teach military personnel stationed in Allied-occupied Germany. The overseas program expanded across Europe, sending faculty to Asia beginning in 1956, to the Middle East in 2005, and even into war zones in Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 1959, the program was renamed University College, a term borrowed from British usage. It became separately accredited as University of Maryland University College in 1970, and was a founding member institution when the University System of Maryland was established in 1988.
“The name University of Maryland Global Campus affirms both our roots as a respected public institution in the state of Maryland and our global footprint,” said President Miyares. “It better reflects who we are today as we seek to broaden our reach in a highly competitive national landscape, thus keeping tuition low for Maryland students and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the university.”
About the University:
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 70 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of adult students in the workforce and the U.S. military. Today, UMUC continues that tradition online and offers more than 90 degrees, certificates, and specializations backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umuc.edu.
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