“Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences


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Many students come to UMBC with the goal of leaving the familiar behind to take on new challenges and gain a fresh perspective. Once they’re on campus, that’s also what inspires some Retrievers to explore international learning opportunities. Balancing course requirements, activities, research, and other responsibilities, while also pursuing study abroad, can prove challenging. But for these four UMBC students earning undergraduate degrees this month, it’s also been transformative. Continue reading “Appreciate the differences”: How study abroad shaped four UMBC student experiences

Petasis ‘19 at UMBC’s fall Senior Dance Concert. Photo by Marlayna Demond ‘11.

Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures


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He’s a bassoonist and chemical engineer. She’s a dancer and social justice advocate. UMBC students have a lot of focus, but that doesn’t mean they have to focus on one thing. For many, the UMBC experience is about figuring out how to combine their passions, not chose one or the other. Here, four UMBC students graduating this spring share how they have found their own unique balance. Continue reading Laser focus without limits: UMBC’s newest grads choose their own adventures

UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot


Science & Technology

Computing and coding skills are becoming integral to many jobs and industries, but students outside of computing disciplines are not always exposed to these fundamentals. UMBC is working to change that with new learning pathways for non-computer science majors. Continue reading UMBC makes intro computing courses available to students in any major through X + Computing pilot

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Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019


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At UMBC’s upcoming commencement ceremonies, students and their families and supporters will hear from three distinguished speakers recognized as leaders in their different fields. They include a UMBC alumnus recently elected county executive, the first woman conductor of a major American orchestra, and one of the world’s top addiction researchers. Continue reading Leaders in public service, music, and addiction research to address UMBC’s Class of 2019

Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record


Class of 2019, Policy & Society, Science & Technology2 Comments

Since 1970, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has chosen more than 70 UMBC students and recent alumni to represent the United States through conducting research, teaching English, or pursuing graduate studies internationally. This year’s recipients will pursue Fulbright experiences in Rwanda, Malaysia, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and more. Continue reading Fourteen UMBC students and recent alumni receive Fulbright awards, setting new record

UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths


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When students come to UMBC, they bring with them life experiences that shape the program they choose, the mentors they find, the research questions they ask, and the communities they build on campus. Here, five UMBC students earning their degrees this month share experiences that shaped their paths. Continue reading UMBC’s newest grads share what inspired their unique paths

Men's lacrosse player in action on the field, as players from the opposing team stand in the background.

UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory


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The Retrievers are America East champions again, with UMBC’s men’s lacrosse reclaiming the title for the first time in a decade. Now, the team is heading to the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship, facing MAAC Champion Marist on May 8, 7 p.m., at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, New York. Continue reading UMBC advances to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship after America East victory

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones, in gold and black, poses with UMBC Retriever mascot, in front of a crowd of people, during an evening celebration.

UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House


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“Delegate Jones exemplifies what we want to see in elected office today – leaders who are working hard for the good of all people,” said President Freeman Hrabowski. “Like so many of our alumni, she is making a real difference in people’s lives. We are so proud of her.” Continue reading UMBC alumna Adrienne A. Jones makes history as Maryland Speaker of the House

University president hugs undergraduate commencement speaker in congratulations following her remarks, while colleagues clap, all in graduation attire.

UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years


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“These findings confirm that Meyerhoff-like programs and student outcomes can be achieved elsewhere, even at institutions very different from UMBC,” says Michael Summers. “It is my hope that this initial effort has laid the groundwork for partnership expansion with an even broader range of institutions.”   Continue reading UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars replications at Penn State, UNC show notable success in first four years

URCAD 2018

URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas


Arts & Culture, Community, Policy & Society

These presentations affirm a core goal of URCAD. As Katharine H. Cole, vice provost and dean of undergraduate academic affairs, has shared, “UMBC encourages students of all disciplines to engage in mentored projects and through creative thought and focused inquiry, to discover in themselves their passion.” Continue reading URCAD 2019 features diversity-focused student research, with Baltimore, LGBTQ+, and international focus areas

“Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key


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Mechanical engineering major Karla Negrete was drawn to Deepa Madan’s lab after she took a course about the chemical and physical aspects of materials. “Dr. Madan has been a mentor to me in many ways,” Negrete reflects, “but the most important has been her ability to believe in me and stand behind me.” Continue reading “Researching” to “researcher”: UMBC students share why mentoring is the key

UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success


Community, Science & Technology

#1: Developing scientist identity. For example, in Ruben Delgado’s lab, “Every undergraduate has a project that they can define when they first start and then fine tune it as they move along,” says Meredith Sperling ’19. “Graduate students and Ruben are great at providing guidance, pointing out possible pitfalls, etc., but at the end of the day it’s really our research and where we want to take it.” Continue reading UMBC labs share four essentials for undergraduate research success

A woman speaks at a microphone in front of a group of seated students. Behind her is a backdrop of t-shirts in different colors and a sign that reads "Take Back the Night."

Retriever Courage partners take stock of community work to prevent and respond to sexual assault


Community

Six months into the Retriever Courage initiative, this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming at UMBC is especially meaningful for the University community. “Our efforts to support survivors and cultivate a survivor-responsive campus need to be a 365-days-a-year undertaking,” says Jess Myers, director of UMBC’s Women’s Center. “We all are responsible for this work.” Continue reading Retriever Courage partners take stock of community work to prevent and respond to sexual assault

Women wearing protective clothing works in a lab with faculty mentors blurred in the foreground.

UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars model heads to UC Berkeley and UCSD through a $6.9M investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative


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“It is truly thrilling to think about the national and global impact the Meyerhoff Scholars Program will have through partnerships like this,” says UMBC’s Michael Summers. “By working together we can help shape the future of our national Ph.D. pipeline, with inclusive excellence as a core shared value of our work.” Continue reading UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars model heads to UC Berkeley and UCSD through a $6.9M investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research


Community, Science & Technology

Whether wading in a cold stream or in the lab, mentors who foster independent thinking balanced with guidance—for research and for life—make the difference for UMBC graduate students on the national and international stage. A close-knit graduate student community adds a level of support that helps students succeed. Continue reading Biology graduate students from UMBC earn national honors for unique aquatic research

UMBC ranks #3 among U.S. universities in global social and economic impact


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“The new Times Higher Education impact rankings are distinct from other university rankings in that they are a measure of the difference UMBC is making in the world,” says UMBC’s Katharine H. Cole. “It is not surprising that UMBC is ranked so highly as it is this type of societal and economic impact that is at the very core of UMBC’s mission and values.” Continue reading UMBC ranks #3 among U.S. universities in global social and economic impact

UMBC’s Bradley Arnold develops laser-based technology to safely and quickly detect IEDs and other hazards in combat zones


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You’re a U.S. soldier, motoring across the desert at 60 miles an hour in an Army truck. Suddenly, a red light flashes on your dashboard—an instrument has detected traces of explosive material on the road surface ahead. You divert around the hazard and continue safely toward your destination. “There is currently nothing available to do this at this speed,” says Bradley Arnold. But that could soon change. Continue reading UMBC’s Bradley Arnold develops laser-based technology to safely and quickly detect IEDs and other hazards in combat zones

UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows becomes an ACE Fellow, as an emerging national higher ed leader


Policy & Society

“Tyson King-Meadows has long been a visionary leader at UMBC at every level, from department to College to University,” shares Scott Casper, dean of CAHSS. “I’m delighted that ACE has recognized his record of accomplishments, and I look forward to the exciting ideas and approaches he will bring back to us from institutions across the country.” Continue reading UMBC’s Tyson King-Meadows becomes an ACE Fellow, as an emerging national higher ed leader

Alex Sestok, Ph.D. student in chemistry, at GRC 2018. Photo by Marlayna Demond '11 for UMBC.

New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines


Arts & Culture, Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

“We want to provide an avenue for people to learn skills that they’re not going to get in the classroom or the lab,” says Alex Rittle, Ph.D. student in geography and environmental systems and chair of the GEARS planning committee. Continue reading New GEARS symposium offers professional development opportunities to grad students across disciplines

UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM


Community, Policy & Society, Science & Technology

Renetta Tull has worked with students, faculty, and staff across UMBC and the University System of Maryland to increase diversity in STEM disciplines for over a decade. At the end of March, Tull will begin a new role as vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UC Davis. Continue reading UMBC recognizes Renetta Tull for transformative leadership advancing diversity in STEM

UMBC’s Maheen Haq receives 2019 Newman Civic Fellowship, affirming the importance of supporting local and global communities facing discrimination


Community, Policy & Society

Whether she’s in Jordan or Baltimore, UMBC’s Maheen Haq brings a deep sense of duty to her work with communities facing discrimination. “Amanah is a word in Arabic that means trust. For me this means that if I have knowledge of oppression, I have been trusted with the task of standing up against it,” Haq explains. “I study very hard so that I can develop the best skills to serve communities dealing with grave injustices because they deserve the best.” Continue reading UMBC’s Maheen Haq receives 2019 Newman Civic Fellowship, affirming the importance of supporting local and global communities facing discrimination

UMBC delegation joins students from three continents at International Model African Union


Policy & Society

“The world seems small when we stay in one place, but when we travel we come to understand issues beyond our own culture,” says Marion Sillah ’22, political science, from Sierra Leone. “Broadening my point of view made me think about where I stand as a woman, a black woman, a Muslim woman, and an immigrant on a global scale.” Continue reading UMBC delegation joins students from three continents at International Model African Union

UMBC School of Public Policy and APPAM work to diversify the field through outreach to students


Policy & Society

“UMBC was uniquely positioned to meet APPAM’s goals in helping to diversify the field because of UMBC’s strong, diverse student scholars, many of whom are first-generation or come from underrepresented groups,” shares Jane Lincove, associate professor of public policy. Continue reading UMBC School of Public Policy and APPAM work to diversify the field through outreach to students

UMBC’s Joe Sherburne is named Academic All-American of the Year


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UMBC men’s basketball team captain Joe Sherburne ‘18, financial economics, has nabbed top national honors as the 2018-19 Google Cloud Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I men’s basketball. “With the passion he brings on the court and the dedication he brings to the classroom, Joe truly serves as a role model for our university,” says President Freeman Hrabowski. “We’re so proud of how he represents UMBC and the leadership he’s brought to the team.” Continue reading UMBC’s Joe Sherburne is named Academic All-American of the Year

An infant's hand. Photo by Limor Zellermayer on Unsplash.com.

Class project to clinical trials: UMBC’s affordable infant incubator wins Global Health Research Award


Science & Technology, Strategic Planning

Govind Rao and his students have developed a cardboard incubator to support premature babies in communities with limited resources, and in remote areas that do not have access to medical facilities. The inexpensive, easily constructed devices are poised to make a major impact. Continue reading Class project to clinical trials: UMBC’s affordable infant incubator wins Global Health Research Award

UMBC’s Jonathan Singer supports South Korean science teachers through Howard County partnership


Policy & Society

The Howard County Public School System, in partnership with the South Korean Iksan District Office of Education, recently invited Jonathan Singer to provide professional development to visiting secondary science teachers from South Korea. “Working with Dr. Singer was a great start,” said partnership coordinator Sunghwa Jung. “His research and the tasks he prepared benefited the Korean science teachers greatly, helping them to reflect on their own teaching practices.” Continue reading UMBC’s Jonathan Singer supports South Korean science teachers through Howard County partnership