Hub Initiatives & Events
Initiatives and events developed through the Industry Sector Hubs are curated to meet strategic goals and priorities, and contribute to the development of seamless educational pathways for all learners.
The Industry Sector Hub Co-Chairs will receive proposals for initiatives on a rolling basis.
Academic Year 2025-2026 Initiatives
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Health & Life Sciences
Intended Launch: Spring 2026
Jacob DeGeal (UBalt), Dr. Rae Tan (UBalt), and Dr. Scott Riley II (UMB) are collaborating to connect their courses in design thinking, organizational theory, and technical writing for STEM, creating an innovative, cross-disciplinary learning experience. This connected course model provides students with the opportunity to engage in solutions-based projects that mirror real-world problem solving, combining creativity, structural analysis, and clear communication. By working across disciplines, students will gain valuable practice in teamwork, adaptability, and applying knowledge from multiple fields to develop impactful solutions — preparing them for today’s dynamic workforce. The spring 2026 Connected Course model will result in a partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). Students will apply human-centered design (HCD) research to explore and address organizational and community challenges related to entrepreneurship and small business development for underrepresented and marginalized populations served by LEDC. Through qualitative research—interviews, observations, and data analysis—students will generate actionable insights that inform both practice and scholarship. The data and artifacts produced will also shared across participating classes, enabling Dr. Tan and Dr. Riley’s students to examine themes such as mindfulness in entrepreneurship and business coaching.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences
Date: December 2025, February & March 2026
Target Audience: Students, Prospective Students, Colleagues in Higher Ed and Industry
The STEM Speaker Series will spotlight the expertise and research of program faculty on the USG campus through presentations, demonstrations and discussions that explore current challenges, innovations and opportunities in the Engineering & Technology and Health & Life Science fields.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Date: Spring 2026
Replicating the successful luncheon we held with colleagues from Montgomery College, academic partner staff and faculty will be invited to a meet-n-greet event with professional peers in related programs from other local community colleges.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Public Service, Education & Social Sciences
Date:
April 28 or April 30, 2026 for the primary election – tentative dates
September 29 or October 1, 2026 for the general election – tentative dates
USG is planning to host a Montgomery County Council Candidate Forum for the 2026 primaries—and potentially the general election—to provide the campus community and the broader public with an opportunity to engage with candidates and learn about their platforms. USG aims to raise awareness of the campus and its nine university partners, promote civic engagement among students, faculty, and staff, and strengthen connections between higher education and local government. In designing and implementing the forum, faculty and students will play an active role, helping shape the format, questions, and outreach strategies to ensure a meaningful and educational experience for participants. The event will be conducted in a neutral, non-partisan manner, giving all candidates equal opportunity to participate and attendees a clear view of community issues.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Date: Spring 2026
USG will host an “Exhibition Day” to showcase the creativity, innovation, and scholarship of students across a wide range of disciplines. This event will feature both undergraduate and graduate student projects and research, highlighting the breadth of academic inquiry and collaboration taking place across programs. By celebrating student achievement and fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, Exhibition Day will strengthen connections among students, faculty, and programs, while inspiring new ideas and potential areas for future collaboration. Following the event, faculty and program directors may convene for focused discussions to reflect on the showcased work, explore promising ideas, and consider opportunities to further develop or activate select projects for broader impact.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Public Service, Education & Social Sciences
Date: Spring - Summer 2026
This workshop will position USG as a regional leader in experiential civic engagement and advocacy education, empowering students, faculty, to be informed and effective changemakers. This flagship summer program blends hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and real-world advocacy practice through an introductory one-day workshop and an immersive three-day bootcamp. Participants develop essential career and civic skills—public speaking, coalition-building, policy understanding, and ethical leadership—while applying these competencies to real issues identified through student input. The program is strictly non-partisan, focusing on advocacy strategy and civic impact across all disciplines. Students gain career-ready experience, professional networks, and possible digital credentials, while faculty and community partners benefit from collaborative capstone projects that drive measurable local impact. By investing in Changemakers, USG strengthens its role as a hub for leadership, equity, and democratic participation, preparing graduates to lead meaningful change in their communities and professions.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Date: July 7-23, 2026 (tentative)
This three-week immersive program brings together early-college high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and community members in a collaborative, solutions-focused learning environment. Participants work in interdisciplinary teams to address real-world challenges while gaining mentorship, applied skills, and professional development. They engage in project-based learning, explore pathways in health and life sciences, and earn micro-credentials or certificates of completion. Undergraduates provide near-peer support and help facilitate workshops, strengthening teamwork and communication skills. Graduate students design and lead workshops, mentor younger students, and gain experience in teaching and curriculum development. Faculty oversee program quality, mentor graduate students, and explore scholarship opportunities in teaching and learning, while community members present authentic challenges, provide feedback, and strengthen university–community partnerships. Through this multi-level, collaborative model, all participants develop practical experience, career-ready competencies, and meaningful connections that advance learning, professional growth, and community impact.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences
Date: July 23-24, 2026
USG will host the STEAM Your Dreams Ocean Bowl Games again July 23-24, 2026, following the success of the 2025 event. This interactive program introduces 8–14 year olds and their families to the USG campus and its nine university partners while engaging them in fun, hands-on STEM and Arts activities. In 2025, the Ocean Bowl Games provided a lively, educational experience that sparked curiosity, encouraged teamwork, and inspired young participants to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a collaborative, campus-based setting.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Date: TBD
The Network will be a dynamic, cross-institutional community that unites faculty from all nine partner universities at USG to advance teaching excellence, scholarly collaboration, and professional growth. Unlike traditional campus-based centers, this Network will complement—not duplicate—home-campus resources by serving as a central hub for shared expertise, innovative programming, and recognition unique to the USG environment. The Network will create new opportunities for cross-campus mentorship, joint research, and applied learning initiatives that amplify both faculty impact and student success. By connecting faculty to broader resources, providing formal recognition for contributions, and fostering a culture of shared innovation, the Network will strengthen the collective academic community at USG and its partner institutions.