Meet the 2026–27 UMBC Analytics Mini Grant Recipients

To help UMBC turn data into action across teaching, faculty support, and administrative operations, the Division of Information Technology and Office of the Provost have selected six projects for the 2026–27 Analytics Mini Grant program. 

This year’s projects reflect the program’s expanded focus on analytics across UMBC. In addition to student success and retention, projects address faculty development and support and administrative efficiency and effectiveness. Across all three areas, the goal is the same: use current and historical data to better understand a problem, inform future interventions, and create opportunities for improvement.

Open Laboratory Access and Student Outcomes

Mercedes Burns will examine whether independent use of the BIOL 381L laboratory is associated with stronger course performance. Findings will guide decisions about open-lab access, course design, and the value of giving students flexible access to specialized learning spaces.

A Framework for Faculty Success

Mayank Chugh will explore a framework for examining faculty workload across teaching, research, mentoring, service, and institutional support. Using Biological Sciences as a test case, the project will develop measures that can inform workload planning, faculty support, and resource allocation

From Math Placement to Music Theory Success

Joseph Siu will study whether math placement and standardized math scores can help identify students who may benefit from additional support in first-year music theory. Findings will inform advising, tutoring, preparation resources, and future placement practices.

Personalized Chemistry Interventions

Sarah Bass and Tara Carpenter will be extending their work using course data and generative AI to create personalized General Chemistry outreach. The project extends their previous work on spaced practice, Virtual CHEM Prof, and AI-supported metacognition by creating a scalable workflow from student identification through instructor-approved intervention.

Learning to Identify Engineering Errors

Gautom Das and Christopher Hennigan will introduce intentionally flawed problems into two chemical engineering courses. The project will measure how students identify, explain, and correct errors and whether those skills help predict later academic performance.

Student Engagement and Success Dashboard

Mary Ellen Wade will develop a Tableau dashboard connecting co-curricular participation with academic performance, retention, and persistence. The project will help Student Affairs identify engagement gaps, evaluate program outcomes, improve resource decisions, and reduce recurring manual reporting.

About the Analytics Mini Grant Program

Each project receives a $2,000 professional development award. Recipients participate in UMBC’s Analytics Community of Practice and will produce and present a final report or other scholarly product, such as a conference presentation, external grant proposal, or publication.

Awardees also have access to UMBC analytics resources and support, including the REX Data Warehouse, Tableau training and consultation, the self-paced Analytics @ UMBC Blackboard course, and prior Analytics Community of Practice workshops and resources.

The mini-grant program grew out of UMBC’s Learning Analytics Community of Practice and its focus on using data to improve teaching, learning, and student success. Beginning with the 2026–27 cycle, that work has expanded to support analytics more broadly, including projects focused on faculty support, institutional effectiveness, administrative operations, and data-informed decision-making across the university.

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