Maryland Commerce Supports Research Professorships at Two Higher Education Institutions
Bowie State University and Goucher College raise matching funds to promote research and technology
BALTIMORE, MD (May 26, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Commerce, Bowie State University and Goucher College have endowed more than $2 million in new research professorships. The endowments were made through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF), a state program created to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at colleges and universities. The schools raised a total of $1 million in private funding and Maryland Commerce approved matching grants of $1 million to support the endowments.
“The past year has shown us time and time again why innovative thinking and creative new ideas are essential to Maryland’s economic prosperity. We can never be sure what obstacles life will throw in our path,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “By supporting these professorships, Commerce is helping make sure that some of the sharpest minds in Maryland continue their important work.”
Bowie State University will use the $500,000 Maryland E-Nnovation award to establish an endowed chair of cybersecurity, who will serve as the director of the Center for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies in the Department of Computer Science. The initiative will create a Bowie State ecosystem of cyber innovators, infuse entrepreneurship and technology in the STEM curriculum, and enhance Bowie State’s pipeline of students from traditionally underrepresented communities to become cybersecurity leaders.
“Bowie State University is grateful for the Maryland E-Nnovation award that will help enable us to launch the first endowed chair position in the history of this institution,” said Associate Provost Guy-Alain Amoussou. “Cybersecurity and entrepreneurship represent two areas of strength at Bowie State University, and the creation of this endowed chair position will contribute to build a pipeline of cyber entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic development of the region.”
Goucher College received matching funds of $500,000 from the Maryland Department of Commerce for a total of $1,000,000 to support the endowed professorship in integrative data analytics. This data science faculty position will support Goucher’s new integrative data analytics major and lead programming to develop students’ skills that can be applied to data analytics in local, state, and federal governmental agencies, as well as with non-profit organizations and local and global corporations.
“This matching grant, which brings the state’s total support to $1,000,000, further recognizes the innovation and importance of Goucher’s new integrative data analytics program and the long-term impact it will have on our students and the region,” said Kent Devereaux, Goucher College president. “We are grateful to the state and the Maryland Department of Commerce for their ongoing support that will allow us to fund the endowed professorship fully.”
The Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative was created by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session and has provided more than $54.3 million in funding to leverage more than $60.6 million in private donations. The funding can be used to pay salaries of newly endowed department chairs, staff, and support personnel in designated scientific and technical fields of study; fund related research fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students; and purchase lab equipment and other basic infrastructure and materials.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
