Undergraduate Program Directors

Undergraduate Program Directors (UPDs) administer undergraduate academic programs (majors and minors) on behalf of their respective departments. The UPDs are convened as a group by the Dean and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. They meet several times a year for the purposes of improving undergraduate education at UMBC. The primary objective of meetings is to disseminate relevant news from university leadership to the academic programs and vice versa. This objective involves sharing concerns, identifying common challenges, and providing department level input about programs and practices in development.

Africana Studies: Gloria Chuku
American Studies: Tamara Bhalla
American Studies: Mike Casiano
Ancient Studies: Melissa Kutner
Anthropology: Nick Welcome
Asian Studies: Fan Yang
Biochemistry: Allison Tracy
Bioinformatics: Daniel Lobo
Biological Sciences & Biology Education: David Eisenmann
Business Technology: Jennifer Carter
Chemical Biochemical and Environmental Engineering: Mariajose Castellanos
Chemistry: Lisa Kelly
Computer Engineering: Seung Jun Kim
Computer Science: Adam Bargteil and Jeanette Kartchner
Dance: Elizabeth Johnson
Economics: Doug Lamdin
Education: Vickie Williams
Engineering & Computer Education Program: Mark Berczynski
Emergency Health Services: Kyle Bates and Gary Williams
English: Tanya Olsen and Jody Shipka
English Language Institute: Ryan Sheldon
Gender & Women’s Studies: Kate Drabinski
Geography and Environmental Studies: Dena Aufseeser
Global Studies Program: Felipe Filomeno
History: Christie Chapin
History, Shady Grove: Andrew Nolan
Humanities Scholars: Tim Phin
Individualized Study Program: Eric Brown
Information Systems: Jennifer Carter
Information Systems: Richard Sponaugle
Judaic Studies: Aharona Gazit-Rosenthal
Management of Aging Services: Rumshah Khan
Math/Statistics: Justin Webster
Mechanical Engineering: Soonbum Lee
Mechanical Engineering (USG): Adam Bridendolph
Media and Communications: Kristen Anchor
Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication: Susanne Sutton
Music: Joseph Siu
Philosophy: Jim Thomas
Physics: Eric Anderson
Political Science: Devin Hagerty
Political Science (USG): Sunil Dasgupta
Psychology: Angela Katenkamp
Psychology, Shady Grove: Laura Rose
Public Health: Katie Birger
Social Work: Katherine Morris
Sociology (SAPH): Brian Soller
Theatre: Eric Abele
Translational Life Sciences (USG): Elizabeth Friar
Visual Arts: Kelley Yang

Academic Opportunity Programs: Corris Davis
Academic & Pre-Professional Advising: Monique Ransom
Academic Success Center: Amanda Knapp
Academic Transition Programs: LaToya Walters
Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation: Adriana Mason
Career Services: Christine Routzahn
College of Engineering, & Information Technology; Marc Olano
Division of Information Technology: John Fritz
Enrollment Management: Alan Byrd
Honors College: Jodi Kelber
Institutional Research, Analysis & Decision Support: Shannon Tinney-Lichtenger
Meyerhoff Scholars Program: Keith Harmon
Prestigious Scholarships: April Householder
Registrar’s Office: Pam Hawley
Sherman STEM Teacher Scholar Program: Corey Carter
Student Affairs: James Devita
Undergraduate Academic Affairs: Carlos Jensen and Diana Benoit
University Innovation Alliance Fellow: Ronita Walker

Next UPD meetings:

October 6, 2026
10 to 11:30 a.m.
or
October 7, 2026
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

March 30, 2027
10 to 11:30 a.m.
or
March 31, 2027
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

All meetings are held on WebEx

If you have any items you would like to suggest for a UPD agenda, please email Diana Benoit at:
dianabenoit@umbc.edu.

UPD Minutes

Please send list corrections to Diana Benoit, 410-455-6805 or dianabenoit@umbc.edu.