Ellie Wolfe
@elliew0lfe.bsky.social
Proud graduate of Bates College covering higher education at the @thebaltimorebanner.com, say hi + send tips: ellie.wolfe@thebaltimorebanner.com
Scoop: All three main academic deans at the University of Baltimore have announced their departures in the last month, as the struggling institution continues to lose students and money.
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
University of Baltimore loses 3 academic deans in a month
Deans at the Merrick School of Business, College of Public Affairs and Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences have announced their departures at the University of Baltimore.
www.thebanner.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Scoop: All three main academic deans at the University of Baltimore have announced their departures in the last month, as the struggling institution continues to lose students and money.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Towson University is delaying the start of its spring semester, canceling classes and urging students to postpone their return to campus because of this weekend's expected snowstorm.
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Towson University delays spring semester as winter storm expected to slam region
Towson University announced Thursday it is delaying the start of the spring semester because of the approaching winter storm.
www.thebanner.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Towson University is delaying the start of its spring semester, canceling classes and urging students to postpone their return to campus because of this weekend's expected snowstorm.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
🎨After years of bleeding cash and students, the Maryland Institute College of Art announced new strategic investments to turn things around. My story about changes coming to Baltimore's art school and its 200th anniversary celebration, here:
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
As MICA hits 200, the art school looks to a new kind of student
After years of bleeding cash and students, the Bolton Hill-based college, MICA, announces a new strategy.
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January 22, 2026 at 4:22 PM
🎨After years of bleeding cash and students, the Maryland Institute College of Art announced new strategic investments to turn things around. My story about changes coming to Baltimore's art school and its 200th anniversary celebration, here:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
🚨: Johns Hopkins University has named an interim provost, who will take over once Ray Jayawardhana departs in mid-February for CalTech.
Meet Lainie Rutkow, known for leading the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Meet Lainie Rutkow, known for leading the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Johns Hopkins taps former COVID Center leader as interim provost
Lainie Rutkow, the university’s executive vice provost, will lead academics at Hopkins.
www.thebanner.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:16 PM
🚨: Johns Hopkins University has named an interim provost, who will take over once Ray Jayawardhana departs in mid-February for CalTech.
Meet Lainie Rutkow, known for leading the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Meet Lainie Rutkow, known for leading the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
New: The Maryland Public Employee Relations Board ruled that the University of Maryland, College Park and Baltimore City Community College both violated state labor laws while bargaining with their respective unions. The decision is unusual, experts say:
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
UMD, BCCC violated law in union negotiations, labor board finds
The University of Maryland in College Park and Baltimore City Community College violated state labor laws while bargaining with their unions, according to the Maryland Public Employee Relations Board.
www.thebanner.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:41 PM
New: The Maryland Public Employee Relations Board ruled that the University of Maryland, College Park and Baltimore City Community College both violated state labor laws while bargaining with their respective unions. The decision is unusual, experts say:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Thousands of people will testify before delegates and senators in Annapolis this year, all trying to convince them to see issues their way, to vote in favor of their positions. Most will get two minutes.
www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...
www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...
2 minutes of testimony can change the world. Here's how to do it.
Column: Thousands of people will testify before delegates and senators in Annapolis over the next several weeks, all trying to convince them to see the issues their way. Most have just two minutes to ...
www.thebanner.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Thousands of people will testify before delegates and senators in Annapolis this year, all trying to convince them to see issues their way, to vote in favor of their positions. Most will get two minutes.
www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...
www.thebanner.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Is this Morgan State policy a threat to free press? @elliew0lfe.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Is this Morgan State policy a threat to free press?
For years, current and former editors said, reporters at The Spokesman, the HBCU’s student newspaper, have hit a wall getting the information they need to cover the news.
www.thebanner.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Is this Morgan State policy a threat to free press? @elliew0lfe.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
NEW: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's redistricting commission plans to meet at 4 p.m. today to vote on recommending a new map of Congressional district boundaries.
The meeting is not open to the public.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
The meeting is not open to the public.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
Redistricting commission to vote on new congressional districts
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s redistricting advisory commission plans to vote Tuesday afternoon on new boundaries for the state’s congressional districts.
www.thebanner.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM
NEW: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's redistricting commission plans to meet at 4 p.m. today to vote on recommending a new map of Congressional district boundaries.
The meeting is not open to the public.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
The meeting is not open to the public.
www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
📝Morgan State University, Maryland's largest HBCU, is being accused by multiple national advocacy orgs of censoring its student newspaper. I spoke with experts, current and former student journalists and faculty about the policy. Here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Is this Morgan State policy a threat to free press?
For years, current and former editors said, reporters at The Spokesman, the HBCU’s student newspaper, have hit a wall getting the information they need to cover the news.
www.thebanner.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:14 PM
📝Morgan State University, Maryland's largest HBCU, is being accused by multiple national advocacy orgs of censoring its student newspaper. I spoke with experts, current and former student journalists and faculty about the policy. Here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
After a contentious renewal process, Baltimore is shutting down its only all-boys charter school. Two small traditional schools were also up for closure, but the board chose to kick the can down the road - to when they'll have a new CEO in charge of recommendations. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
After years of struggles, Baltimore’s only all-boys public school to close
The Baltimore City school board voted Wednesday to close its only all-boys public school, Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, while putting off decisions on two other proposed school closures.
www.thebanner.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:16 PM
After a contentious renewal process, Baltimore is shutting down its only all-boys charter school. Two small traditional schools were also up for closure, but the board chose to kick the can down the road - to when they'll have a new CEO in charge of recommendations. www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Catherine Torney was shot while attending a party at Towson University in 2021 and tried, unsuccessfully, to sue the public university. Now, the Maryland Supreme Court has agreed to hear her case. Read my latest with @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social:
She was shot at a Towson University party. Maryland’s Supreme Court will decide if she can sue. (w/ @elliew0lfe.bsky.social) (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
Maryland Supreme Court to decide if Towson University shooting victim can sue
Catherine Torney filed a lawsuit in 2023 against Towson University in Baltimore County Circuit Court that alleged negligence.
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Catherine Torney was shot while attending a party at Towson University in 2021 and tried, unsuccessfully, to sue the public university. Now, the Maryland Supreme Court has agreed to hear her case. Read my latest with @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social:
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
In a district of more than 156,000 students, just 56 families asked Montgomery County school leaders to excuse their children from reading books that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Many of the disputed titles had LGBTQ characters. Search the full list here: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Many of the disputed titles had LGBTQ characters. Search the full list here: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
January 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM
In a district of more than 156,000 students, just 56 families asked Montgomery County school leaders to excuse their children from reading books that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Many of the disputed titles had LGBTQ characters. Search the full list here: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Many of the disputed titles had LGBTQ characters. Search the full list here: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
The University of Maryland, College Park spent $600,000 on an investigation that ultimately cleared President Darryll Pines of plagiarism allegations. But despite being vindicated by the findings, Pines and the university refuse to release the report:
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
The $600,000 plagiarism report the University of Maryland won’t release
The University of Maryland, College Park, will not release a report that vindicated its president, Darryll Pines, of plagiarizing parts of a 2002 paper he co-authored.
www.thebanner.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM
The University of Maryland, College Park spent $600,000 on an investigation that ultimately cleared President Darryll Pines of plagiarism allegations. But despite being vindicated by the findings, Pines and the university refuse to release the report:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
🚨: Ray Jayawardhana, the provost at Johns Hopkins University, will depart after three years to serve as the 10th president of Caltech. The leadership change comes at a time when Hopkins deals with repeated blows from the Trump administration.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Johns Hopkins University loses top academic officer to Caltech
Ray Jayawardhana, provost of the Johns Hopkins University, is leaving after three years to lead the California Institute of Technology.
www.thebanner.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
🚨: Ray Jayawardhana, the provost at Johns Hopkins University, will depart after three years to serve as the 10th president of Caltech. The leadership change comes at a time when Hopkins deals with repeated blows from the Trump administration.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
During the month of December, I traveled to a few pantries on college campus that give food and household supplies to students for free. Pantries have popped up on campuses in recent years as more and more students struggle with food insecurity. My latest:
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
How Maryland colleges are fighting rising hunger
Campus pantries at schools like Coppin State University and UMBC give students free food and clothing, no questions asked.
www.thebanner.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:25 PM
During the month of December, I traveled to a few pantries on college campus that give food and household supplies to students for free. Pantries have popped up on campuses in recent years as more and more students struggle with food insecurity. My latest:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
For my first story of 2026, I dug into the numbers defining a trend that has exploded in Maryland since the pandemic: homeschooling. There's been a 50% uptick since the 2019-20 school year, holding steady as public school enrollment declines www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Homeschooling has exploded in Maryland
A by-the-numbers look at the increase in Maryland homeschooling since COVID-19 that seems here to stay.
www.thebanner.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:51 PM
For my first story of 2026, I dug into the numbers defining a trend that has exploded in Maryland since the pandemic: homeschooling. There's been a 50% uptick since the 2019-20 school year, holding steady as public school enrollment declines www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
McDaniel College, private liberal arts college in Westminster, announced Thursday it will offer free graduate tuition to those who teach at a Baltimore County private school, as the state continues to grapple with a teacher shortage.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
McDaniel College to offer free graduate tuition to McDonogh School teachers
Graduate tuition at the Carroll County college averages around $11,500 per year.
www.thebanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
McDaniel College, private liberal arts college in Westminster, announced Thursday it will offer free graduate tuition to those who teach at a Baltimore County private school, as the state continues to grapple with a teacher shortage.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
It's déjà vu for Maryland's only all-boys charter school, which is again fighting a closure recommendation from Baltimore City Public Schools. The district says there are major academic, financial concerns; school leaders say they're already making major strides www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Baltimore's only all-boys public school fights to stay open. Again.
Baltimore Collegiate was the only charter school recommended for closure this year, with public school officials citing academic and financial concerns.
www.thebanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
It's déjà vu for Maryland's only all-boys charter school, which is again fighting a closure recommendation from Baltimore City Public Schools. The district says there are major academic, financial concerns; school leaders say they're already making major strides www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
Maryland is boosting the share of foster kids living with family&loved ones, progress experts lauded, but the state still lags behind the national average. Have a story to share in Maryland foster or kinship care? I'd love to talk with you: maya.lora@thebanner.com www.thebanner.com/community/fa...
More Maryland foster kids are staying with family
Research shows that foster kids adjust better and are more likely to be reunited with the parents when they stay under the care of loved ones.
www.thebanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Maryland is boosting the share of foster kids living with family&loved ones, progress experts lauded, but the state still lags behind the national average. Have a story to share in Maryland foster or kinship care? I'd love to talk with you: maya.lora@thebanner.com www.thebanner.com/community/fa...
Reposted by Ellie Wolfe
University of Maryland Eastern Shore president sues ex-professor who accused her of plagiarism, @elliew0lfe.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore president sues ex-professor for defamation
Donna Satterlee, a former faculty member at the HCBU, accused its president, Heidi Anderson, of plagiarizing several paragraphs of her 1986 dissertation.
www.thebanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
University of Maryland Eastern Shore president sues ex-professor who accused her of plagiarism, @elliew0lfe.bsky.social reports. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)
The president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is suing a former professor for defamation and seeking $1 million after being accused of plagiarizing her 1986 dissertation. The two meet in court tomorrow, here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
University of Maryland Eastern Shore president sues ex-professor for defamation
Donna Satterlee, a former faculty member at the HCBU, accused its president, Heidi Anderson, of plagiarizing several paragraphs of her 1986 dissertation.
www.thebanner.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is suing a former professor for defamation and seeking $1 million after being accused of plagiarizing her 1986 dissertation. The two meet in court tomorrow, here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
BREAKING: University of Maryland College Park President Darryll Pines has been cleared of allegations he plagiarized his doctoral dissertation. Happy Friday night news dump!
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
UMD President Darryll Pines cleared of plagiarism allegations
The University System of Maryland announced Friday it has cleared its College Park president of allegations that he plagiarized a paper published during his time at the university.
www.thebanner.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
BREAKING: University of Maryland College Park President Darryll Pines has been cleared of allegations he plagiarized his doctoral dissertation. Happy Friday night news dump!
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
At Johns Hopkins, a once-robust diversity office has quietly withered, shrinking from 14 staffers to three, pausing programs for underrepresented scholars and restricting race-based initiatives on campus. The disappearing diversity programs at Hopkins:
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www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
The disappearing diversity programs at Johns Hopkins University
Under Donald Trump, Johns Hopkins University has changed policies and scaled back its diversity office.
www.thebanner.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
At Johns Hopkins, a once-robust diversity office has quietly withered, shrinking from 14 staffers to three, pausing programs for underrepresented scholars and restricting race-based initiatives on campus. The disappearing diversity programs at Hopkins:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
New: The University of Maryland, Baltimore County has settled out of court a federal defamation lawsuit filed by the school’s former athletic director over his role in surfacing an abuse allegation. Here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
UMBC and former athletic director settle defamation lawsuit
Brian Barrio, former athletic director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was not fired for cause, according to an out-of-court settlement announced Wednesday
www.thebanner.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
New: The University of Maryland, Baltimore County has settled out of court a federal defamation lawsuit filed by the school’s former athletic director over his role in surfacing an abuse allegation. Here's what you need to know:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
New: The chancellor of the University System of Maryland said today he fears "irrevocable damage” to the state's public colleges as Maryland faces another billion dollar deficit. Lawmakers have slashed the system's budget by $222 million in the last two years. Read:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
University System of Maryland leaders warn lawmakers of ‘irrevocable damage’
University System of Maryland leaders warned lawmakers in Annapolis on Tuesday that layoffs are imminent if the state cuts their budget for the third year in a row.
www.thebanner.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
New: The chancellor of the University System of Maryland said today he fears "irrevocable damage” to the state's public colleges as Maryland faces another billion dollar deficit. Lawmakers have slashed the system's budget by $222 million in the last two years. Read:
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...