START Consortium

START’s fully online Summer Session courses at @UofMaryland start in June/July. Open to undergrad/grad and non-degree learners—build skills in #terrorism, #security studies & #riskanalysis. Register: go.umd.edu/STARTsummer

Today, we pause to remember those who gave everything for something bigger than themselves. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day as we honor the fallen and their loved ones.

Maryland public high schools: ICONS full catalog of 25 interactive simulations is FREE through 2026–27. Students practice crisis response, negotiation & decision-making on real-world issues. Maryland private schools & homeschools: reduced rates. Details: go.umd.edu/2b9t

Please join us in congratulating our instructor, Max Erdemandi, on defending his dissertation. Max has taught a variety of START courses, from online terrorism to research methods. Congratulations, Dr. Erdemandi!

This week a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employee was charged with threatening to kill President Donald Trump (cnbc.com/2026/05/05/faa…). 1/

START’s fully online Summer Session courses at @UofMaryland start in June/July. Open to undergrad/grad and non-degree learners—build skills in #terrorism, #security studies & #riskanalysis. Learn more and register: go.umd.edu/STARTsummer

Over the weekend, a former employee drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon. According to investigators, the vehicle contained 20 propane tanks and 10 explosive devices, most of which failed to detonate (opb.org/article/2026/0…) 1/

Elena Akers first joined START as an intern in fall 2020 and is now a full-time researcher studying radicalization and its real-world impacts. In this spotlight, she shares what’s driving her work and what’s next. Read the spotlight: go.umd.edu/2avo

Wondering if the Global Terrorism Studies Minor is right for you? Ask your questions tonight at 6 pm ET. 📆 Live Info Session: May 4, 6 pm ET 🔗 Registration required: go.umd.edu/2ask #GlobalTerrorismStudies #SecurityStudies #UndergraduatePrograms #UMDStudents #Terps

New brief: “Terrorism & Targeted Violence (T2V) in the U.S.: Workplace Violence.” T2V data show 271 premeditated workplace violence events (Jan 1, 2023–Dec 31, 2025). Nearly 70% were successful—102 deaths and 109 injuries. Explore the brief & key findings: go.umd.edu/2aof

The T2V database provides policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with data on violent events in the U.S. and its territories that affect public safety and/or the security of critical infrastructure and community services. Learn more: start.umd.edu/t2v/faq/

▶ 54.2% of recorded plots occurred in 2023–2024 ▶ 45.8% occurred in 2025 alone ▶ Nearly 80% of plots in the dataset targeted government officials

In light of Saturday’s assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, it’s important to highlight a troubling rise in assassination plots in the United States. What the Terrorism and Targeted Violence in the United States (T2V) database shows (2023–2025) ⤵️

START’s @Coursera course #Cybersecurity: Overlooked Threats to Your Strategy offers an adversary-centered lens missing from most training, focused on the people behind the threats. ~2 hours | Shareable certificate Access: go.umd.edu/CSOTYS #RiskManagement #CyberStrategy

We are excited to share START’s latest #MOOC on @Coursera, “Breach From Within: Introduction to Insider Risk and Threats,” led by Dr. Steve Sin. This course brings a human-centered perspective often missing from traditional security education. Enroll here: go.umd.edu/29zs

Advance your understanding of security, terrorism, and insider threats through START’s fully online #graduateprograms at the @UMDGradSchool. Fall 2026 deadline: July 24 Learn more and apply: go.umd.edu/GradSTART Info session April 15: go.umd.edu/29s5 #SecurityStudies

Meet Brandi Gronczniak, START’s instructional designer at the @UofMaryland, who found her professional calling here and now helps shape our innovative learning experiences. See how she uses new technology to build engaging, learner-centered courses. go.umd.edu/29o2

Wondering if the Global Terrorism Studies Minor is right for you? Ask your questions today at 12 pm ET. 📆 Live Info Session: April 6, 12 pm ET 🔗 Registration required: go.umd.edu/29lr #GlobalTerrorismStudies #SecurityStudies #UndergraduatePrograms #UMDStudents #Terps

Meet Dr. Richard Chasdi, the newest instructor in START’s Graduate Programs in Security and Terrorism Studies at @UMDGradSchool. In this spotlight, he shares his professional journey, career advice, and forecast on emerging threats. Read the spotlight: go.umd.edu/29co

Join START on Thursday for an info session and discover how our fully online graduate programs through the @UMDGradSchool can help you advance your academic or professional path in security and terrorism studies. Register for the online info session: go.umd.edu/28zd