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Welcome From the Dean

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Douglas W. Oard

Douglas W. Oard, Interim Dean

Welcome to the University of Maryland College of Information (INFO).

Step inside, and you’ll feel the energy: students debating the future of AI in collaboration spaces, researchers behind glass walls prototyping assistive technologies, and faculty working alongside industry leaders to redefine what’s possible. Every corner buzzes with purpose—from the data visualizations framing our halls to the lecture rooms where tomorrow’s tech ethicists, cybersecurity experts, and user experience (UX) innovators take shape.

What ties it all together? A shared mission: harnessing information and technology for good. Whether you’re here to learn, teach, partner or support, you belong in this community. 

For Future Students  

You’ll be among 2,800+ students from 61 countries, all driven by a common question: How can we use information and technology to serve humanity? Our answer: Learn by doing. Through partnerships with top employers, hands-on projects, and a STEM curriculum rich with diverse perspectives, you’ll graduate ready to lead—as a UX designer, data scientist, archivist, or cyber analyst, which are among the many career options our students pursue. 

For Partners & Supporters 

Want to hire or support talent with technical mastery and human-centered vision? Our students  excel at leading teams, understanding human needs, and turning data into meaningful impact. Consider becoming an adjunct lecturer, collaborating on an iConsultancy project, or funding a scholarship to open doors.

For Future Team Members  

Join our faculty and staff who are reimagining information science—not just in research labs, but in how we collaborate across disciplines and institutions. Here, administrative excellence is as vital as academic discovery, and every voice shapes our culture. 

Dive deeper: Explore our latest breakthroughs in the INFO Insider magazine—or better yet, come see us in person. The future of information starts here, and we’re glad you’re part of it.  

Best,

Douglas W. Oard
Interim Dean
University of Maryland

Watch the video to learn more about Douglas W. Oard ⬇️