Microcredential governance at UMBC operates through two complementary structures: the Microcredential Advisory Committee (MAC), which provides strategic guidance on the direction of microcredentialing, and the Microcredential Review Board (MRB), which reviews and approves individual proposals against institutional quality standards.
Microcredential Review Board
Unlike the MAC, which focuses on high-level strategy and direction, the MRB is UMBC’s primary governance body for microcredential quality assurance. It reviews all formal microcredential proposals to ensure they align with institutional standards, UMBC’s microcredential taxonomy, and the Microcredential Evaluation Rubric. MRB members contribute interdisciplinary expertise from across UMBC’s academic and administrative units to the review process.
Proposals are evaluated using the Microcredential Evaluation Rubric — twelve criteria grouped into six standards: About the Microcredential, Learning Context, Alignment, External Relevance, Stackability, and Rationale. For each criterion, reviewers select “meets,” “meets with minor revisions,” “does not meet,” or “not applicable” and provide written feedback to help proposers strengthen their submissions. A proposal must meet, or be recommended with minor revisions, at least 85% of applicable criteria to be recommended to the Vice Provost for approval.
MRB Fall 2026 Schedule:
FA2026-1
- Proposals Submitted: August 28
- MRB Review Period Begins: August 31
- MRB Review Period Ends: September 18
- MRB Decision Deadline: September 23
FA2026-2
- Proposals Submitted: September 18
- MRB Review Period Begins: September 21
- MRB Review Period Ends: October 9
- MRB Decision Deadline: October 14
FA2026-3
- Proposals Submitted: October 9
- MRB Review Period Begins: October 14
- MRB Review Period Ends: November 6
- MRB Decision Deadline: November 11
FA2026-4
- Proposals Submitted: November 6
- MRB Review Period Begins: November 9
- MRB Review Period Ends: December 4
- MRB Decision Deadline: December 9
FA2026-5
- Proposals Submitted: December 4
- MRB Review Period Begins: December 7
- MRB Review Period Ends: December 23
- MRB Decision Deadline: January 6
MRB Members
+1 410 455 8645
Katie Birger
Associate Teaching Professor
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health
Public Policy 220
+1 410 455 6512
+1 410 455 8095
Chris Marron
Professor of the Practice
Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Information Technology & Engineering 359
Marc Olano
Associate Professor / Associate Dean
Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Information Technology & Engineering 354
+1 410 455 3094
Aneeka Ratnayake-Sargent
Assistant Professor
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health
Public Policy 211
+1 410 455 3617
Microcredential Advisory Committee
The Microcredential Advisory Committee (MAC) plays a strategic role in shaping UMBC’s microcredential landscape. Composed of faculty, staff, students, employers, and other key stakeholders, the MAC provides guidance on the direction of microcredentialing efforts at the university — rather than reviewing or approving individual proposals, it engages in high-level discussions about scope, purpose, and alignment and helps ensure that microcredentials reflect both learner needs and community values.
The broad charge of the MAC is to:
- Shape UMBC’s microcredential landscape;
- Contribute subject matter knowledge and pedagogical insights;
- Support microcredentials that align with market needs and reflect the competencies earners value.
MAC Members
+1 410 455 2883
+1 410 455 5782
+1 410 455 2947
Sarah E Chard
Associate Dean for Student Success
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health
Gerontology Ph.D. Program
Fine Arts 439
+1 410 455 3380
Jun Chu
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health
Public Policy 223
Diane Crump-Fogle
Associate Director for Career Development
Career Center
Mathematics/Psychology 209
+1 410 455 3907
James Michael DeVita
Assistant Vice President of AP & HIE
Student Affairs
Community Leadership
The Commons
Tim Finin
Professor Emeritus
Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Information Technology & Engineering 329
+1 410 499 3522
Stephen J Freeland
Interim Dean and Vice Provost of UAA
Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Academic Affairs (Division of)
Sherman Hall (Academic IV Bldg) 148B
+1 410 455 2024
+1 410 455 6839
Julie M Gilless
Assistant Vice Provost, Marketing
Division of Professional Studies
Public Policy 127
+1 410 455 3049
+1 410 455 8439
Mariann Hawken
Director, Instructional Technology
Division of Information Technology
Engineering 101B
+1 410 455 2920
+1 410 455 2832
+1 410 455 1244
Gina M King
Director, Undergraduate Admissions and Orientati
Admissions and Orientation (Undergraduate)
Albin O Kuhn Library & Gallery 010A
+1 410 455 1224
Crista D Lenk
Clinical Associate Professor; Director, PACE
Emergency and Disaster Health Systems (EDHS)
Sherman Hall (Academic IV Bldg) Room 315 ~ A Wing
+1 410 455 3781
+1 410 455 3731
+1 410 455 2623
+1 410 455 2135
+1 410 455 3671
Jeremiah Thomas Sawyer
Assistant Director, Internships & Employment
Career Center
Math & Psychology 203
+1 410 455 2391
Aubrey Jackson Soller
Associate Professor and Interim Director
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health
Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies
Center for Social Science Scholarship
Public Policy
+1 410 455 1082
+1 410 455 2582
Susanne S Sutton
Teaching Professor, UPD, Coordinator of German
Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication
Fine Arts 468
+1 410 455 2003
Elliot Talbert-Goldstein
Director, Digital Strategy
Division of Professional Studies
Public Policy 125
+1 410 455 5609
+1 410 455 6552
Ronita J Walker
University Innovation Alliance Fellow (Director)
Undergraduate Academic Affairs (Division of)
Sherman Hall (Academic IV Bldg) 106-H
+1 410 455 1098
Jill Weinknecht Wardell
Director, Talent Learning & Org Development
Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management
Administration Bldg 509
+1 410 455 1442
Melody Anne Wright
Learning and Development Manager
Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management
Administration 508
+1 410 455 8001
Questions about microcredential governance? Check out the FAQs or submit a support ticket.