Passing the Torch

VALERIE S. ASHBY REFLECTS ON A YEAR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ForValerie Sheares Ashby, 2023 has been a year of major professional and lifestyle changes that she has embraced and continues to celebrate.

She moved her life from North Carolina to Maryland; began serving as the first Black female president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); and fulfilled a wealth of commitments as Women of Color magazine’s Technologist of the Year.

Before becoming UMBC’s sixth president, Sheares Ashby spent seven years at Duke University as dean of the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. As dean, she led the development and implementation of strategic plans that resulted in significant new investments in faculty recruitment and development, philanthropy, and student engagement, as well as a realignment of operations that enhanced services and created operational efficiencies. Throughout, she consistently advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion as imperative to excellence in both teaching and research.

As president of UMBC, she also holds a faculty appointment in UMBC’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In her new role, Sheares Ashby guides an academic institution with a student body of nearly 14,000 students and 1,100 faculty.

FOR VALERIE SHEARES ASHBY, 2023 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF MAJOR PROFESSIONAL AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT SHE HAS EMBRACED AND CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE.

Asked to describe her Technologist of the Year experiences, Sheares Ashby said organizations approached her about participating in various gatherings—forums, webinars, workshops, talks—of students, young professionals, and veteran leaders. Individuals seeking her advice and guidance about challenges they face also repeatedly contacted her.

“It was an incredible surprise and an extreme honor,” said Sheares Ashby of being named Technologist of the Year. “It was really special because it brought people to me and gave me an