Discovery District Maryland is home of the Next First: a nexus of innovators in a growing community including housing, research labs, and public spaces.
The University of Maryland (@UofMaryland) has again been recognized as a national leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, earning a top-10 spot in The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine’s annual ranking of the best schools for student entrepreneurship and receiving an Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ (APLU) 2025 Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award.
UMD placed No. 7 across all institutions and No. 5 among public universities for undergraduate entrepreneurship studies, according to 2026 rankings released Wednesday by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur—marking Maryland’s 11th straight year in the top 10 of this annual list. The university also ranked No. 15 overall for graduate studies and No. 1 in the mid-Atlantic region.
“Innovation and entrepreneurship are woven into the fabric of the University of Maryland,” said Dean Chang, chief innovation officer. “Our students are not only learning how to launch ventures—they’re also developing the design skills to solve complex challenges in every field. This ranking reflects the strength of Maryland’s entire innovation ecosystem, from engineering and the arts to business, science and social impact, as well as the selfless I&E leaders who overdeliver year after year.”
https://t.co/xmtsjzIcAB
The University of Maryland (@UofMaryland) has been ranked No. 22 on Fast Company and Inc.’s list of 2025 Ignition Schools released on Tuesday, recognizing top colleges making a measurable impact in entrepreneurship and innovation.
UMD, which also ranks No. 5 among U.S. public schools on the Ignition Schools list, is home to a vibrant, growing and inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Nearly one in four undergraduates—7,318 spanning 92 majors—were enrolled in undergraduate entrepreneurship courses at UMD in 2024-25; they were taught by 60 faculty members across 29 departments. Beyond traditional entrepreneurship, UMD also offers over 100 courses in innovation-related areas like creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, social value creation, business models and design thinking.
“This recognition by Fast Company and Inc. reinforces what we see every day at Maryland: Students from all backgrounds are applying their innovation skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to solve real-world problems and drive lasting societal impact far beyond campus,” said Dean Chang, the university’s chief innovation officer. “Whether they’re launching startups or social ventures, leading intrapreneurship at large organizations or government, or commercializing their research discoveries, our students, faculty and alumni are fueling a growing innovation and entrepreneurship hub that’s helping shape the future.”
https://t.co/rzJq24OB09
At UMD, we pursue excellence in all that we do. This week our work was recognized on a national stage with our highest-ever rankings from @usnews.
This rise reflects our growth and highlights our investments in education, research and service.
Read more: https://t.co/HZsyWikkTA
Today we celebrate Jim Henson, who revolutionized puppetry and entertainment, on what would’ve been his 89th birthday! 💚
Celebrate by checking out our Muppets retail line, which is 20% today as part of our Buy Week promotion.
Shop now: https://t.co/p7JOdRpI4s
#HensonDayUMD
Getting curious about #UMD alum Jim Henson on this, his 89th birthday? Get the low-down on the University's Henson-related research resources from Archivist Emerita @AnneTurkos: https://t.co/8IbpDq7jok
#HappyHensonDay#HensonDay
We had a blast celebrating the life, legacy and creativity of #UMD alum Jim Henson today!
How do YOU make fun and creativity part of your life?
#HensonDay#HappyHensonDay
The Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library is your home for collections involving the fields of music, theatre and dance. Come help us inspire your creativity, and stamp your UMD Libraries passport along the way!
More info: https://t.co/XyqBEpaOf3
Our Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences celebrated #HensonDay with "In the spirit of Jim and Jane Henson: The Neurodiversity & Autism Transition Services Supports Neurodiverse Ways of Being," an event promoting neurodiversity knowledge and allyship. https://t.co/PCeGxpbSy3
🎉 #HappyHensonDay from the A. James Clark School of Engineering!
We are proud to celebrate his legacy of creativity, imagination, and inspiration that continues to shine across Maryland our campus community. 🐢✨ Learn more about #HensonDay2025 at https://t.co/eKnKHAa4cU
Honoring alum Jim Henson ‘60 on what would’ve been his 89th birthday. I hope all Terps can embody his creative spirit!
To help, many campus offices are hosting #HensonDay2025 celebrations. Find one and stop by:
Happy Henson Day! 🌟We’ve been celebrating one of @UofMaryland's most beloved alums this week by asking our students, “How Do You Henson?” Terps have been sharing the creative ways they express themselves through art, music, science, community, and more. #HensonDay#ArtsforAll
Happy Jim Henson Day!
Today, we proudly celebrate the legacy of Jim Henson — a visionary creator, innovator, and proud University of Maryland (@UofMaryland) alumnus. His groundbreaking work has left a lasting impact on storytelling, entertainment, and the arts around the world.
We're honored to recognize his enduring contributions and the inspiration and joy he continues to provide to generations of creators: https://t.co/5KzkdiqCWz
#HensonDayUMD #TerpsHeartHenson
The University of Maryland and Microsoft are collaborating on a quantum research lab, a huge step in helping the university becoming a global leader for quantum information science and technology innovation.
IonQ has completed its acquisition of @OxfordIonics, accelerating our path to fault-tolerant quantum computing, expanding our global footprint, and bringing world-class talent & IP into the IonQ ecosystem. Learn more: https://t.co/FPUxSTipqr
It's official - @microsoft is coming to Maryland!
Microsoft will be opening a quantum research center in the heart of #UMD's Discovery District (@UMDResearchPark)
Read more at UMD Right Now: https://t.co/7mzpfa4ytW
These rankings highlight UMD's commitment to groundbreaking research and ensuring that a world-class education is accessible to all talented students. #FearlesslyUMD https://t.co/uXRTl8EEJW
The University of Maryland (@UofMaryland) has named Gretchen Campbell, an internationally recognized researcher and national leader in advancing the field of quantum science, as associate vice president for quantum research and education, effective July 13, 2025.
In this newly established position, Campbell will collaborate with faculty, students and campus partners to further UMD's prominence in quantum science and technology. Her position will focus on shaping UMD’s strategic vision for quantum research; advancing Gov. Wes Moore’s (@GovWesMoore) vision for transforming the state and region into the global Capital of Quantum; expanding quantum curricula for K-12 through graduate programs; and forging strategic partnerships that position Maryland at the forefront of quantum research, education and innovation.
"Dr. Campbell brings an exceptional combination of scientific expertise, national leadership and deep experience in building partnerships across academia, government and industry," said Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice. "Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing Maryland’s bold vision for quantum research and education, and strengthening our position as a global hub for quantum innovation."
https://t.co/lUPw8rOcvZ
The University of Maryland(@UofMaryland) is a top five American producer of doctorates in several technology areas that are key to national security and science-driven innovation, according to a new study.
The working paper, released in June by the National Bureau of Economic Research, found that UMD ranked in the top five universities in the number of Ph.D. graduates trained in each of five critical areas from 2000 to 2022: quantum science, artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, networked sensing, and data privacy and cybersecurity. UMD sits alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley in these rankings.
"This recognition highlights the University of Maryland’s leadership in preparing the next generation of scientists to innovate in an ever-changing world," said @President_Pines. "Our top rankings in critical technology fields reflect the strength of our faculty and research enterprise to make meaningful impact in addressing the grand challenges of our time.”
https://t.co/FOKywIfdil