“Education is the great equalizer. It is by far the best and most rewarding investment anyone can make in the future of a young person, our local communities, our state, our nation and our world. The Incentive Awards Program is a vital part of this mission, providing opportunities for some of the most talented and dedicated students in our community to excel. We all benefit from this investment.”
In 1998, then University of Maryland president, C.D. Mote, Jr. noticed a glaring problem that required urgent attention. An abysmally low number of students from Baltimore— by far the largest city in Maryland—were applying and enrolling at the state’s flagship university. Mote had dealt with a similar problem while serving as vice chancellor for university relations at the University of California, Berkeley. He led the effort at UC Berkeley to create a program aimed at attracting and nurturing students from underrepresented areas and he set out to put in place a similar model at Maryland.
Launched as a pilot program in Baltimore, the Program was designated The Suzanne G. and Murray A. Valenstein Baltimore Incentive Awards Program in 2006, and was expanded to select schools in Prince George’s County a short time later. Generous gifts made it possible to expand to additional schools, including to those in Montgomery County.
Over twenty years after the program’s inception, the university’s commitment continues under the leadership of President Darryll J. Pines. As IAP students graduate and the alumni base continues to grow, the positive impact will be even more profound on the communities these students call home.