"There has been a tendency in the past for business and the academy to think in terms of we and they, but enlightened institutions in this new century need to drop that language and talk about what it takes to have healthy universities and healthy companies, and about relationships that focus on success for both.

The community sees UMBC increasingly as a model university for developing partnerships in economic development. We have had tremendous success in leveraging resources with the corporate community. Our strength in building corporate partnerships means internships and jobs for our students, research collaborations with our faculty, and connections beyond the university community.

Our entrepreneurial approach has helped to make us an incubator for new businesses, a source for continuing professional education and training, and a springboard for student talent. We are in the business of education, and we understand our responsibility to help build the economy."