Press Release - USM Institutions Finish High in Annual Survey by Black Issues in Higher Education July 25, 2001 USM Institutions Finish High in Annual Survey by Black Issues in Higher Education Institutions of the University System of Maryland (USM) placed in the nation 's top five in 15 categories in Black Issues in Higher Education's annual survey of top awarders of graduate degrees to minorities, including African-Americans. Three institutions - the University of Baltimore, Bowie State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore - finished first in the respective categories of Law & Legal Studies (number of African-American master's graduates), Computer and Information Science (number of African-American master's graduates) and African-American First Professional - All Disciplines Combined (among traditionally white universities). The issue was published July 19. "While we would like to be number one in many more categories, our institutions are clearly moving into the front ranks in terms of graduating minorities, in particular African-Americans," said USM Chancellor Donald N. Langenberg. "To have so many of our campuses place quite high in such a broad range of categories is indicative of a student recruitment and retention strategy that works. Let's keep moving in this direction." The annual survey, coupled with a survey on undergraduate rates released by the magazine last month, provides a comprehensive picture of how minorities are faring in higher education across the U.S. It examines the top producers of minority graduates in categories ranging from Agricultural Business and Production to Social Sciences and History, as well as an intensive look at the health and legal professions, business, and information technology. "The results of the latest Black Issues survey are quite encouraging," said Karen R. Johnson, Maryland Secretary of Higher Education. "The USM institutions are showing real movement in attracting qualified minorities who go on to graduate. In a diverse state like Maryland, success in this area is of vital importance." The University of Maryland, College Park was cited nearly 40 times in the July survey. Its best finish was in Physical Sciences (Hispanic doctorates), where it placed second only to Texas A&M University and tied with the University of California at San Diego and the University of Washington, Seattle Campus. College Park and Towson University tied for fifth place among producers of African-American master's recipients in English, Literature and Letters. The University of Maryland University College received a third-place ranking in the production of African-American master's degree recipients in Business Management and Administrative Services, and a fourth place in the same discipline for master's degrees for all minorities. The University of Maryland, Baltimore placed in the top 10 in five different categories, including a fifth place in African-American First Professional - All Disciplines Combined (among all universities surveyed). Howard University placed first in that category. The USM's historically black institutions also were cited repeatedly in the graduate survey. Besides Bowie's first-place finish in Computer and Information Science, the institution was referenced in 13 other categories, including a fourth place for All Disciplines Combined - African-American Masters (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and a tie for third place among all universities for Communications - African-American Master's. Coppin State College was ranked 23rd in the former category, while the University of Maryland Eastern Shore was tied for 13th in the category of Computer and Information Science - African-American Master's. In three disciplines where shortages of qualified professionals can have an adverse effect on the economy at large - Computer and Information Science, Education, and Health Professions and Related Disciplines - several USM institutions are among the leaders in producing graduates. Bowie State came in fourth place for master's degrees for all minorities in computers as well as 14th place for Hispanics in the same discipline, in a tie with College Park and several other institutions. Bowie State also is among the top 20 largest producers of master's degrees in education for African-Americans. The University of Maryland, Baltimore placed 21st in the production of master's degrees in health and related professions for all minorities, and sixth in health professions master's for African-Americans. - USM - The University System of Maryland is governed by a 17-member Board of Regents and includes 13 distinct and complementary institutions: Bowie State University; Coppin State College; Frostburg State University; Salisbury State University; Towson University, University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College. Contact: Chris Hart Phone: 301/445-2739 E-mail: chart@usmd.edu
