OverviewUMBC is an honors university that combines the learning opportunities of a liberal arts college with the creative intensity of a leading research university. UMBC's Institute of Extended Learning (IXL) delivers community engaged programming with the intention of building bridges between UMBC and our broader community with a diverse portfolio of programs that include post-secondary non-credit certificates, customized programming, workforce development, academic programs for youth, and professional development for local, state, and federal agencies, non-traditional students, and lifelong learners. IXL's programs offers intensive non-credit courses, workshops, continuing ed for adult learners, as well as, courses for middle-high school students looking to be inspired and challenged through academically rigorous programing on the UMBC and Shady Grove Campuses. Our summer enrichment programs allow middle and high school students to tap into their creative talents, expand critical thinking, and hone their academic skills.

OverviewUMBC’s SUCCESS program-Students United for Campus-Community Engagement for Post-Secondary Success-was Maryland’s first 4 year non-degree, non-credit post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. Established in the Fall semester 2012 as a partnership between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the Maryland Department of Disabilities, SUCCESS was designed to enable Marylanders with intellectual disabilities to develop their independence, problem solving and employment skills. The college environment experience gave participants in the program an opportunity to interact with UMBC students, faculty, instructors and peers through a wide array of inclusive educational, social and recreational campus-based activities. The primary goals of SUCCESS were to foster independence, critical thinking, and problem solving, while promoting the employability of the participants in jobs they would not typically secure if they had not completed SUCCESS and independent living. Traditional UMBC graduate and undergraduate students served as course instructors, internship supervisors, and leads. Faculty and staff led courses, supervised interns, and engaged SUCCESS students in their research. Departments represented include: Departments of Psychology; Mechanical Engineering; Information Systems; Visual Arts; Theatre; Sociology; Social Work; Education; Career Center; Dining Services; Retriever Athletic Center; UMBC Women’s Center; and the Landscaping Department. As a pilot program, SUCCESS had been well received by participants and their families, as well as, UMBC students, faculty, and staff working with them. However, based on an assessment of university priorities informed by the development of a new strategic plan, UMBC decided not to expand the program beyond the class of 2018.

OverviewThe Choice Program at UMBC provides engaging programming, connection to resources & holistic case management to youth and families. The program has been committed to working with youth involved in Maryland’s juvenile justice, courts, education and social services systems for over 30 years. Since 1987, the program has served over 20,000 youth and families across the state of Maryland. Choice serves over 800 families annually with a community-based, family-centered, strength based case management approach to support the reduction of delinquent behavior, confront disproportionate minority confinement in facilities and promote youth development. The program also operates three social enterprises (Flying Fruit Café at the UB School of Law, Baltimore Inner Harbor Kiosk and Orioles Park Stand) to provide over 100 youth their first on-the-job experience.The Choice Program at UMBC recruits 50 college graduates from diverse backgrounds and fields to serve in a one-year position as a Community Service Learning Fellow. The service year provides Choice Fellows with extensive training, professional experience, and opportunities for personal and career development. The Choice Program at UMBC, is administered by The Shriver Center at The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The Shriver Center strives to engage the strengths and resources of higher education in finding creative solutions to some of the most urgent social challenges. Choice is recognized locally and nationally as a cost-effective, outcomes-based program. The Choice Program model has been successfully replicated in Hartford, Connecticut; San Diego, California; Syracuse, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; Wilmington, Delaware; and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Evaluations of these programs demonstrate a similar impact to the results in Maryland: reduction in delinquent behavior and reducing out-of-home placements.