Montgomery College’s criminal justice program has recently gained recognition with the selection of Professor Bridget Lowrie for the prestigious 2026 MC-Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship. This fellowship is a yearlong academic partnership that connects faculty with Smithsonian collections, scholars, and digital resources, focusing on enhancing educational experiences through cultural artifacts.
The theme for the 2026 fellowship, “Fostering a Culture of Critical and Ethical Learning to Shape Future Leaders,” will allow Lowrie to explore critical issues surrounding leadership, ethics, and civil disobedience. Her project aims to establish connections between museum artifacts and contemporary discussions in criminology. Through her fellowship, she plans to collaborate with institutions such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian, utilizing virtual artifact collections to facilitate discussions on the intersections of disability, protest, and justice.
Lowrie emphasized the importance of tangible learning experiences in her teaching. “As an attorney and criminal justice professor, I see students wrestling every day with questions about power, fairness, and accountability,” she stated. “Working with Smithsonian collections on civil disobedience and social movements will give them concrete objects, stories, and images to ground those conversations, not just abstract theories.”
Fellowship’s Impact on Education
The MC-Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship, managed by the Paul Peck Humanities Institute at Montgomery College, has been instrumental in enhancing educational opportunities since its inception in 1998. The initiative has involved over 256 faculty members and engaged more than 26,000 students and their families. This unique collaboration marks the first of its kind between the Smithsonian Institution and a community college, bridging gaps between academic theory and practical application.
Lowrie’s students will have the opportunity to engage with her fellowship project starting in the fall of 2026. They will participate in class visits, utilize virtual collections, and work on research assignments focused on leadership, ethics, and civic engagement. This hands-on approach aims to foster a deeper understanding of the crucial issues faced in today’s society.
About Bridget Lowrie
Professor Lowrie teaches within the Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Department at Montgomery College. She began her teaching career in 2013 after nearly a decade spent in law practice, where she served as a Maryland attorney and prosecutor. Lowrie holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, where she was an associate editor of the Maryland Law Review and a Rosa Zetzer Fellow. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from American University and an Associate of Arts from Prince George’s Community College.
Recognized for her contributions to education and community, Lowrie has received the Top 40 Under 40 honor from the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. She actively participates in civic and legal organizations, which informs her teaching and helps connect students with various career paths in criminal justice.
For more information about the MC-Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship, visit the Paul Peck Humanities Institute’s fellowship page on the Montgomery College website.
