Notre Dame of Maryland University

Notre Dame of Maryland University stands as a pioneering institution in women’s education, having operated for 130 years since its founding in 1895 as the first Catholic college in the United States to award baccalaureate degrees to women. Under the leadership of President Marylou Yam, the private Catholic comprehensive university has evolved into a gender-inclusive institution while maintaining its core mission to educate leaders who will transform the world.

The university’s commitment to advancing women extends far beyond its historic roots. NDMU employs a faculty that is about 85% women, with most staff positions also held by women. Three of the institution’s four academic deans are women and the top two leadership positions – president and provost – are held by women. The university’s 26-member Board of Trustees reflects this commitment, with 65% of members being women, including the chair and vice chair positions.

NDMU’s dedication to mentorship crystallizes through the Women’s Leadership Institute of Baltimore, founded in 2018. The institute operates the Gators Connect speed mentoring program, launched in September 2024, which pairs sophomores, juniors and seniors as mentors for first-year students while engaging faculty, staff and alumni as mentors for seniors. The program exemplifies the university’s systematic approach to leadership development and professional guidance.

The institution actively combats inequality through multiple initiatives, including need-based scholarships, the Trailblazers program supporting first-generation college students and community partnerships. The York Road Education & Service Program partners with Baltimore City Public Schools to provide mentoring and tutoring, while the university offers free STEM and health camps for underserved youth. During Notre Dame Day, students assembled over 300 personal care kits for the Ronald McDonald House and other organizations serving vulnerable populations.

NDMU has achieved significant recognition as one of only two producers of the Women of the World Festival in the United States.The university hosted the WOW Festival Baltimore in April 2025, attracting 300 to 400 attendees and featuring three-time Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes as the spotlight speaker. The festival represents one of the world’s largest celebrations dedicated to women’s accomplishments and gender equality promotion.

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.