The University of Maryland, College Park, is a public research university, the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland, and the original 1862 land-grant institution in Maryland. The University of Maryland is one of only 61 members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). In keeping with the legislative mandates of 1988 and 1999, the University of Maryland is committed to achieving excellence as the State's primary center of research and graduate education and the institution of choice for undergraduate students of exceptional ability and promise. While the University has already attained national distinction, it intends to rank as an impressive public research university in the United States. To realize its aspirations and fulfill its mandates, the University of Maryland advances knowledge, provides outstanding and innovative instruction, and nourishes a climate of intellectual growth in a broad range of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. The University of Maryland also creates and applies knowledge for the benefit of the economy and culture of the State, the region, the nation and beyond.

As the flagship of the University System of Maryland, this Maryland college shares its research, educational and technological strengths with other institutions and their constituencies in the USM and throughout the State. The academic programs at the University of Maryland and expanding computer and information technology infrastructure at the Maryland college serves many audiences, and the entire State has access to and depends on the libraries at the University of Maryland.

In conjunction with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, this Maryland college serves the State's agricultural needs through the Maryland Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. The University of Maryland delivers continuing education programs that are consistent with its research mission and core competencies to an increasing number of degree-seeking and professional audiences. Using technology, the University of Maryland provides selected quality programs to audiences worldwide to share its knowledge and extend and enhance educational opportunities. The University of Maryland also provides administrative support to other USM institutions in the areas of accounting, communications, engineering and architectural services, environmental safety, personnel management, and purchasing.