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.
Current Initiatives
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Health & Life Sciences; Engineering & Technology
Underway: Spring 2026
Jacob DeGeal (UBalt), Dr. Scott Riley II (UMB), Sivan Saravanapavan (UMD), and Jarred Callura (UMD) 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.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Underway: July 7-23, 2026
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
Underway: Spring 2026
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.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology; Health & Life Sciences; Public Service, Education & Social Sciences; Business Enterprise
Date: Summer 2026
The podcast series is designed to equip students with practical, field-specific examples of how AI is used in real careers tied to their degrees. It cuts through fear and headlines by featuring faculty and industry experts who explain real tools, workflows, and ethical challenges. The series helps students become more job-ready by naming the exact AI skills employers now expect and embedding that learning directly into their courses.
Industry Sector Hub Sponsor: Engineering & Technology
Date: To Launch Summer 2026
The Engineering & Technology Industry Sector Hub co-chairs are sharing a Call for Proposals from Faculty offering two grants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each to support new summer or winter courses that promote the USG brand, attract applicants, and serve the community, with priority given to proposals fostering cross-institutional or cross-departmental collaboration and demonstrating additional institutional support. Similarly, a Call for Proposals from Students will offer two grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 each for projects that enhance the USG learning environment—such as improving accessibility or campus navigation with AR—under comparable collaboration guidelines, with opportunities for integration into capstone courses. This dual-grant approach is designed to increase faculty and student engagement, encourage diversity and inclusivity in E&T-funded initiatives, and focus institutional efforts on high-impact, collaborative projects.