Opportunities for current and prospective majors and minors to meet Ancient Studies faculty and each other. Presentation of programs and events in the Ancient Studies Department in AY 2026-2027, which include a tour of Rome and Southern Italy, opportunities for archaeological excavation in Greece and in Maryland, Ancient Studies Week events. Pizza and soft drinks will be served. 

Enjoy an evening learning about Senegalese culture through film! 

What are the films? 

Atlantiques - This is a 2019 supernatural romantic drama film directed by Mati Diop that follows Ada, a 17-year-old in Dakar, Senegal, who loves a construction worker named Souleiman, but is promised to a wealthy man named Omar.

Faat Kine - This is a highly acclaimed 2001 Senegalese comedy-drama film written and directed by Ousmane Sembène, who is widely considered the "father of African cinema". Set in contemporary Dakar, the movie offers a sharp, vibrant, and critical look at post-colonial Senegalese society through the lens of female independence and economic empowerment. 

Refreshments and movie snacks will be provided!

This event is sponsored by the UMBC English, Dance, MLLI departments & The Dresher Center for the Humanities (CIRCA)

Join the Department of English for a film screening of two films directed by Senegalese directors. Refreshments will be provided!

Atlantiques (2009, dir. by Mati Diop) recounts the odyssey of Senegalese friends who attempt a life-threatening boat crossing. Melancholic and mysterious, the film urgently and elegantly addresses the perils of illegal migration.

Faat Kiné (2001, dir. by Ousmane Sembène): A forty-year-old woman refuses to give in to the stigma of unwed motherhood and climbs the ladder of success in a male-dominated field.

And then join us again on Friday, September 11, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM on the Commons Terrace for performances by the Storytelling Griots (Amadou Kouyate and Mama Cheryl Hinton) and the Keur Khaleyi Dance Company.

These events are co-sponsored by the Department of English, Department of Dance, Department of Music, Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication, the Dresher Center for the Humanities, and the Center for Innovation, Research, and Creativity in the Arts.

Come have fun singing and make stickers while you're at it. Get creative, make your own stickers and belt it all out on the stage

Come celebrate with UMBC Hillel’s Israel Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6–8 PM in Sondheim 205! Enjoy delicious food, explore Jewish history, and discover traditions from around the world. We’d love to celebrate with you, and all are welcome to join us! RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 11:59 PM so we can get a head count for food:
https://forms.gle/HAWYopzRVMKkPC5d7

An energy-restoring course designed to increase flexibility and mind-body awareness through poses.

Pianist Matthew Palumbo presents a lecture-recital centering on the Piano Sonata, Op. 26, a masterwork by Samuel Barber. Composed in 1947 through 1949, the technically demanding Sonata was premiered by Vladimir Horowitz in Havana and quickly entered the 20th century piano repertoire.

Palumbo says, “I was raised with statements such as ‘great technique fits one’s unique physical structure and is governed by sincere artistry that is derived solely from the score.’ When one goes against the music, the body protests and injury occurs. 20th and 21st century music creates unique problems in this light, as much of it stacks dissonance with dissonance, or resolves dissonance with ‘lesser’ dissonance. As many students begin to understand the underlying musical implications of this 20th century music, much of the physicality has to be relearned. The goal: to refine and keep the musical intention, while releasing the tension in a healthy manner. This lecture-recital seeks to demonstrate methods for this type of musicianship using Barber Piano Sonata as a case example.”

Accomplished pianist and teacher Matthew J. Palumbo made his solo debut with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra at age thirteen as the winner of the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival. He performed across the United States and Europe in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Benaroya Hall, Friedberg Hall, and in 2015 was the Maryland Artist representative for the Music Teachers National Association where he performed more locally in Strathmore, Goodwin, Griswald, Katzen, Peters, Linehan, numerous others, and appeared on concert series such as First and Franklin, Cathedral Concert Series, Sound and Serenity, An Die Musik, Prince George’s Artist Series, and others. 

Mr. Palumbo is in demand as a teacher, adjudicator, and master clinician throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. Most recently, he has been a judge for the E. R. Davis, Hartman, Doris Chase, and Gottlieb competitions, and is currently the chairperson for the MTAGB Collegiate Scholarship competition in coordination with Steinway & Sons. He is a board member of the Maryland State Music Teachers Association, an associate professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, and was co-director and faculty at the Leon Fleisher Academy in 2022. His students have received numerous awards and have been accepted with highest scholarships to Peabody, University of Maryland, Towson, Howard, Susquehanna, and others, and have performed in venues such as Weill Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Admission is free, and tickets are not required.

Linehan Concert Hall, located in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, is easy to visit, with plenty of free parking. Please visit here for directions and parking information.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Palumbo.

Pianist Matthew Palumbo presents a lecture-recital centering on the Piano Sonata, Op. 26, a masterwork by Samuel Barber. Composed in 1947 through 1949, the technically demanding Sonata was premiered by Vladimir Horowitz in Havana and quickly entered the 20th century piano repertoire.

Palumbo says, “I was raised with statements such as ‘great technique fits one’s unique physical structure and is governed by sincere artistry that is derived solely from the score.’ When one goes against the music, the body protests and injury occurs. 20th and 21st century music creates unique problems in this light, as much of it stacks dissonance with dissonance, or resolves dissonance with ‘lesser’ dissonance. As many students begin to understand the underlying musical implications of this 20th century music, much of the physicality has to be relearned. The goal: to refine and keep the musical intention, while releasing the tension in a healthy manner. This lecture-recital seeks to demonstrate methods for this type of musicianship using Barber Piano Sonata as a case example.”

Accomplished pianist and teacher Matthew J. Palumbo made his solo debut with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra at age thirteen as the winner of the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival. He performed across the United States and Europe in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Benaroya Hall, Friedberg Hall, and in 2015 was the Maryland Artist representative for the Music Teachers National Association where he performed more locally in Strathmore, Goodwin, Griswald, Katzen, Peters, Linehan, numerous others, and appeared on concert series such as First and Franklin, Cathedral Concert Series, Sound and Serenity, An Die Musik, Prince George’s Artist Series, and others.

Mr. Palumbo is in demand as a teacher, adjudicator, and master clinician throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. Most recently, he has been a judge for the E. R. Davis, Hartman, Doris Chase, and Gottlieb competitions, and is currently the chairperson for the MTAGB Collegiate Scholarship competition in coordination with Steinway & Sons. He is a board member of the Maryland State Music Teachers Association, an associate professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, and was co-director and faculty at the Leon Fleisher Academy in 2022. His students have received numerous awards and have been accepted with highest scholarships to Peabody, University of Maryland, Towson, Howard, Susquehanna, and others, and have performed in venues such as Weill Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Admission is free, and tickets are not required.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Palumbo.

An energy-restoring course designed to increase flexibility and mind-body awareness through poses.

Come Explore the EntrepreneurShop on Main Pop-Up Event in the Commons!

Today in the Commons between 10 am-2 pm, come explore handmade products, art, accessories, services, and more—all created by UMBC students!

If you are an entrepreneur or creator and want to sign up for a free table at the next EntrepreneurShop event, sign up HERE!

For more information about the EntrepreneurShop on Main events and the EntrepreneurShop in the Bookstore, click HERE!

What?  EntrepreneurShop on Main

Where?  Commons Main Street

When?  Thursday, Sept 10th from 10 am-2 pm

The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery presents Lewis Hine in Maryland, on display from August 24 through December 18. The exhibition will be accompanied by Lisa Oppenheim/Lewis Hine: Spine/Verso.

From 1908 to 1924, documentary photographer Lewis Hine (American, 1874–1940) traveled throughout the United States, using his camera to document child labor on behalf of the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC). He photographed children working in coal mines, cotton mills, farms, tenements, and city streets. The NCLC used Hine’s photographs and eyewitness reports to support its campaigns for labor regulation and reform. His images appeared in pamphlets, posters, traveling exhibitions, and lantern-slide presentations across the country. Ultimately, these searing photographs helped shape labor legislation in the United States and established a model for documentary photography.

In July 1909, Hine visited Maryland, photographing child workers at Bottomley berry farms in Anne Arundel County and at the J. S. Farrand Packing Company in Baltimore. Drawn from UMBC’s Photography Collections, this exhibition explores the places and people behind these photographs. A selection of Hine’s most iconic and enduring images situates his Maryland work within the broader context of his documentary project. The exhibition also examines how Hine’s photographs functioned as tools of visual persuasion, working in tandem with captions, pamphlets, slogans, and posters to shape public opinion — and ultimately legislation — regarding the changing role of children in the workforce and in American society.

This exhibition commemorates MD250 and the U.S. Semiquincentennial, exploring themes foundational to the nation’s history, including immigration and migration, the power of documentary photographs, and social justice.

Public Programs

Curatorial tour and opening reception
Thursday September 17, 5 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Food and Labor in Maryland
Thursday October 22, 6 p.m., followed by a reception
This event is co-organized with Department of American Studies and the Orser Center for Public Humanities at UMBC.

Closing reception
Thursday December 3, 6 p.m.

All public program are free and open to the public.

Lisa Oppenheim/Lewis Hine: Spine/Verso

Lewis Hine in Maryland is accompanied by an installation of two works from artist Lisa Oppenheim’s Spine series, in which she appropriates images by Lewis Hine from the Library of Congress. Enlarged to life size, the photographs depict the backs of adolescent textile workers whose bodies were curved and misshapen by their labor. Oppenheim has bifurcated each image along the vertical axis of the spine, emphasizing the physical impact of repetitive work on the body. Lisa Oppenheim/Lewis Hine: Spine/Verso places Oppenheim’s works in dialogue with a selection of photographs from UMBC’s Lewis Hine Collection, displayed with their versos — or backs — visible to viewers.

In 2023, with support from a National Endowment for the Humanities Preservation Assistance Grant, Special Collections staff undertook a major initiative to rehouse the Lewis Hine photographs and digitize their versos. The backs of the photographs bear captions, annotations, and inscriptions by Hine and others employed by the NCLC, testifying to their use in the organization’s publications and promotional campaigns. Together, these materials reveal the many forms of labor documented in Hine’s work and the ways that labor is imprinted upon — and remains legible within — the bodies of his subjects.

Lisa Oppenheim was born in 1975 in New York, New York. She received a BA in art and semiotics from Brown University in 1998 and an MFA in film and video from Bard College in 2001. She attended the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Study Program for studio art in 2003. Oppenheim’s work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at MUDAM, The Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg (2025); Huis Marseille, Amsterdam (2024), Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (2017), and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (2016). In 2014, Oppenheim was the recipient of the AIMIA|AGO Photography Prize from the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Shpilman International Photography Prize from the Israel Museum. Her work is held in the permanent collections of The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Museum of Modern Art, New York, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, among others. She lives and works in Brooklyn.

Image: Lisa Oppenheim, Correct posture for 4663. Need for advice of examining physician, 2016. Dye sublimation print on aluminum, 41 3/4 x 61 1/2 inches; 106 x 156.2 cm (overall). Courtesy the artist and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York.

Visitor Information

Admission is free. For driving directions and parking information, please visit here.

Library Gallery hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Top image: Lewis Wickes Hine, Dangerous Business. Boy working at canning machine with open gearing. Many such machines and boys too. J. S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore, Maryland, 1909. Gelatin silver print, 5 x 7 in. The Photography Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), P858.

The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture presents Somewhere Over the Rainbow of Row Homes, We Fly, an intergenerational group exhibition organized by curator Angela N. Carroll. On view from August 25 through November 24, the exhibition features artists based in or connected to Baltimore, exploring the city’s cultural landscape through experimental and interdisciplinary practices. The exhibition title is inspired by the narrative poetry of multidisciplinary artist NIA JUNE.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow of Row Homes, We Fly includes work by Kelvin Bulluck, Roy Crosse, Brianna Faulkner, Darrius Fox, Lehna Huie, Jeffrey Kent, Ada Pinkston, Kim Rice, Margaret Rorison, Ernest Shaw, Shan Wallace, and Jasmine Gabrielle Washington, and the presentation of a filmic work produced by the collective NIA JUNE + Kirby Griffin + APoetNamedNate.

Through serial compositions, photographic triptychs, floating installations, and cinema, the participating artists examine themes of home, memory, and community. The exhibition aims to offer perspective on these themes through the lens of Baltimore’s creative community.

Public Programs

Thursday, September 3, 6–8 p.m.
Opening reception and artist panel moderated by Angela N. Carroll in conversation with with Brianna Faulkner, Jeffrey Kent, Kim Rice, Margaret Rorison, and Shan Wallace.

Thursday, October 15, 6–8 p.m.
Free outdoor concert by Brandon Woody alongside public projection of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers by NIA JUNE + Kirby Griffin + APoetNamedNate.

Thursday, November 5, 6–8 p.m.
Artist roundtable on experimental praxis, moderated by Ernest Shaw.

November 19, 6–8 p.m.
Artist talk on memory, communal and familial photographipc archives, and land sovereignty, moderated by Jasmine Gabrielle Washington.

About the Curator

In her curatorial work, Angela N. Carroll has organized exhibitions that examine and celebrate Black identity and community memory, elevating artists and historical narratives in the Upper South. Her latest effort, Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade at the Brandywine Museum of Art is accompanied by a monograph published by Rizzoli New York. As a scholar, Carroll has contributed critical writing to exhibition catalogs published by The Baltimore Museum of Art, The Des Moines Art Center, The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Nerman MOCA, and the CueArt Foundation, among many others. These writings evidence her significant contribution to contemporary art historical discourse. Carroll intermittently teaches at American University, MICA and UMBC.

Visitor Information

Admission is free.

The CADVC is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please visit here for directions and parking information.

Visitors who need specific accommodations to attend the exhibition or events should contact the CADVC at cadvc@umbc.edu or 410-455-3188.

All events at CADVC are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.

Photo by Tedd Henn for UMBC.

Join us in a Back to school flea market! Come discover local vendors and hidden gems amongst student sellers. Who knows? You might find your new staple piece!

Assessment 365 is the free monthly professional development highlighting assessment work from the Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) open to DoSA staff and the entire campus community.

Our September 2026 Assessment 365 will feature the following topic:

From Potential to Practice: The Ready to Lead Program explores what happens when emerging leaders are given the tools, connections, and opportunities to translate potential into practice. Through pre- and post-program quantitative data and qualitative alumni reflections, this session examines shifts in leadership competencies, confidence, collaboration, and the overall participant experience. Together, we’ll explore what the data reveal about the program’s impact—and what alumni insights can teach us about strengthening leadership development for future cohorts.

Presenters:

• Briana Lawson- Staff Culture and Professional Wellbeing
• Serena Studivant- Off-Campus, Commuter, and Adult Learner Engagement
• Dan Neeley- Student Affairs Communications and Marketing
• Riddhesh Patel- UMBC Transit
• Russ Warner- Facilities and Operations

For many years, visitors to UMBC’s Rock Garden — also known as the UMBC Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park — have shared their thoughts, contemplations, doodles and more in little yellow books tucked underneath a bench in the park. Nature Sacred, which provided funds to establish the site, this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of the yellow books at UMBC — and across the country, at other sites — with the Little Yellow Journal Tour.

Join us at this event to immerse yourself in a mindfulness walk, journaling exercise, and enjoy the company of others. All supplies provided.

At each stop on the national tour, local Firesouls and community members will contribute reflections on loose pages in response to a few simple prompts, including: If this Sacred Place could speak to the nation, what would it say? Those pages will be gathered along the way and bound into a single journal at the tour’s end.

Read more about the books here.

Admission is free.

The Rock Garden or Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park is located on the inside of Hilltop Circle between Commons Drive and Administration Drive, adjacent to The Knoll. Parking is available in The Commons Garage.

Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC.

Interested in a career in construction management, engineering, or project management? Join Whiting-Turner's Recruitment Session to learn about internship, co-op, and full-time opportunities with one of the nation's leading construction management firms.

During this recruitment session, Whiting-Turner representatives will provide an overview of the company, discuss their collaborative culture, and share insights into the exciting career paths available for students and recent graduates. Attendees will also learn about the hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that help employees grow and succeed throughout their careers.

Featured opportunities include:

• Field Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Engineer
• Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Engineer

This session is ideal for students majoring in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Science, and other related disciplines. Students with strong problem-solving skills and an interest in building innovative projects are also encouraged to attend.

Whether you're seeking an internship, co-op, or full-time position, this is a great opportunity to connect with Whiting-Turner recruiters, learn about the hiring process, and discover how you can build a rewarding career with one of the industry's top employers.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can build your future with Whiting-Turner!

Please note: This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy. 
UMBC is also committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.  If you would like to request accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreters, captioning, wheelchair access, etc.) for this event, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received after that time cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to make arrangements for program access. Please contact the event host (careers@umbc.edu) with your specific request and be sure to include the event title, date, and time.

We Believe You is a support group for survivors of gender-based harm, offering community-building, support, and healing through weekly topics. We will explore topics including: self-care, boundary-setting, and empowerment after trauma. 

Our first meeting of the semester will take place on Thursday, September 10th from 3-4PM in Commons 004. We'll do introductions, talk about goals, and make plans for the semester!

Whether you’re a returning participant or it’s your first time stopping by, we’d love to have you join the discussion. No prior attendance is needed—everyone is welcome!

Come as you are, bring your thoughts (or just come to listen), and let’s navigate these important conversations together.

Taking place weekly, the We Believe You discussion group aims to create a safe space to center the experiences of survivors of gender-based violence. This group will adhere to the Women's Center Brave Space model to provide a welcoming environment and thoughtful community to engage in conversations focused on support and healing for survivors. 

Fall 2026: We will meet weekly on Thursdays from 3:00pm-4:00pm in the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center Lounge!

All survivors and allies are welcome so long as they respect survivors and their truths. We request that students do not use this space for class research or interviews. This event and center is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Ready to level up from student to scholar? 

Whether you’re pursuing a Master’s degree or a PhD, stepping into graduate school is a major culture shift. You’re no longer just absorbing information; you’re here to challenge it, critique it, and create new knowledge. That transition can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out by trial and error.

Join us for a practical, step-by-step game plan designed for all incoming graduate students to help you conquer your first semester, master seminar expectations, and build a personalized roadmap for success.

What We’ll Cover

• The Mindset Shift: Move from memorizing answers to asking big questions and confidently leading seminar discussions.

• Smart Time Management: Say goodbye to daily firefighting! Learn how to prioritize high-impact goals (like literature reviews, major projects, and skill development) without burning out.

• Backward Planning: Learn how to break massive end-of-term papers and project deadlines down into clear, stress-free weekly action steps.

• Decoding Your Department: Unpack your handbook, map out your program's specific milestones, and meet key allies (including your GPD, GPC, and experienced peers who’ve been in your shoes).

• Your UMBC Resource Compass: Discover campus support networks built for every grad student—including Graduate Student & Postdoc Development (GSPD), Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL), the Graduate Student Association (GSA), and Retriever Integrated Health (RIH)

The Bottom Line: Whether you’re here for a two-year Master's or a multi-year Doctorate, walk away with less stress, a clear plan of action, and the network you need to thrive from day one. See you there!

Return to the Decoding Series

Join us for AIAA's first GBM of the semester, our Kickoff Event!

Discover what this organization does on campus and in what ways your interests in aerial systems allow you to find your place within our community. Learn about the two sub teams that work year-round to get ready for annual competitions on both the national and international level. Meet the board members that operate behind the scenes so that you can aim past the clouds!

Find out what AIAA means to you as you come in for this introductory seminar, regardless of your experience or career path, as launching your dreams is something everyone is able to achieve. 

We hope you all had a wonderful Summer break and enjoyed your time out in the sun! I first want to thank all of those that attended our events last year. It was wonderful to see so many new and familiar faces get involved. We're hoping to reach out to more new members this year and interest some of you in joining the board! It was so exciting meeting you all during involvement fest!

Our first event for the semester is our Board Game Night! This is coming up next week on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH from 5pm-7pm in PHYS 401. We want to give you all the opportunity to meet your fellow students and make some friends who share your interest physics! And yes there will be food provided!

 Board games and cards will also be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own games to share! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the board members!