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From the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color to fatal encounters between police and African Americans, UMD sociology Professor Rashawn Ray acknowledges it would be easy to be pessimistic in the face of addressing such challenges. Yet during his speech on Saturday for the inaugural Homecoming “Beyond the Field” address, he was hopeful, encouraged by the progress that can be made through academic inquiry. “I believe in the power of critical thinking,’ Ray said. “I believe in the power of research to create meaningful change.”

There are myriad benefits to learning a new language—from conversing with people from other backgrounds, to easing international travel, to advancing your career. But acquiring a new language as an adult is not always easy, particularly if a person is trying to distinguish phonetic sounds not often heard in their native language.

Visa policies in the United States hold immigrants back from starting new ventures, restrict their employment choices early in their careers and can limit their entrepreneurship later, a new University of Maryland study has found.