The UMBC Connection | Convocation, Campus Updates, and Milestones

Dear Faculty and Staff,

This edition of The UMBC Connection brings together opportunities to participate in upcoming campus events, important updates affecting the university community, and a milestone advancing graduate student support.

You’ll also find key dates and deadlines for the weeks ahead. Beginning August 5, The UMBC Connection will return to its twice-monthly schedule, with editions published on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Opportunities & Events

Opportunities to attend, participate in, or engage with across the UMBC community.

• Key Dates for the Weeks Ahead
  As UMBC prepares for the start of the academic year, faculty and staff are encouraged to keep the following dates  in mind:

  • July 28: Academic regalia order deadline to avoid expedited shipping fees

  • August 18: Fall Opening Meeting, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Retriever Activities Center

  • August 20: Returning student move-in begins

  • August 21: New student move-in

  • August 23: Convocation, 3–4 p.m. in the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

  • August 24: First day of fall classes

• Help Welcome UMBC’s Newest Retrievers
  Faculty and staff are invited to attend Convocation on Sunday, August 23. Additional faculty and staff are especially needed to serve as event staff and help welcome incoming students and their families to campus. Faculty are also encouraged to participate in the Convocation procession. Faculty planning to process should order academic regalia by July 28 to avoid expedited shipping fees. Following the ceremony, faculty and staff are invited to join students for a campus cookout and soccer game.

• ASPIRE Leadership Development Program: Now Accepting Applications
  Coordinated by the HR & Strategic Talent Management team, ASPIRE is a semester-long program designed to help eligible non-supervisory employees develop the professional competencies and interpersonal skills needed to lead effectively in the future. The cohort-based experience combines engaging in-person instruction with team coaching. Applications are due August 7.

Campus Updates

Important updates, planning efforts, operational information, and community news affecting UMBC.

• 2026–27 Academic Calendar Introduces Fall Recess
  The fall semester will begin on Monday, August 24, and the new Fall Recess will take place October 12–13. No classes will be held during Fall Recess, though the university will remain open. The updated calendar also shifts both Winter Commencement ceremonies to Friday, December 18, following the conclusion of final exams. The Undergraduate ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. Faculty and staff are encouraged to account for these changes when planning courses, programs, events, staffing, and other activities for the academic year.

• Major Immigration Regulation Changes Affecting International Students and Exchange Visitors
  UMBC is preparing guidance regarding a new federal rule that changes the framework governing how long certain international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents may remain in the United States. The Center for Global Engagement is monitoring potential litigation and implementation developments and will provide resources, training, information sessions, and outreach for impacted community members, academic advisors, program directors, and campus partners.

University Milestones

Major achievements, recognitions, funding, and institutional accomplishments across UMBC.

• UMBC Receives $1.04 Million Gift to Expand Graduate Student Support in Computing
  Pam Offutt ’82, computer science, and Jay Offutt ’82, computer science, have established the Pam and Jay Offutt Graduate Student Endowment. The gift will expand the Center for Women in Technology model at the graduate level and help CWIT Scholars pursue advanced degrees at UMBC. The first cohort of Offutt Scholars will be named in fall 2026.

More from Across UMBC

Additional updates, resources, and community opportunities from across the university.

• Looking Ahead to the 2026–27 Athletics Season
  UMBC Athletics is preparing for the coming year, with season ticket packages and individual game tickets now available for men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. Men’s lacrosse and softball will also enter the new year under new leadership, withJames Purpura named men’s lacrosse head coach andChris Stelma selected to lead the softball program.

Help Shape The UMBC Connection

As this effort continues to take shape, your feedback will help guide how we strengthen internal communications across the university.We welcome your input and invite you to share your feedback on The UMBC Connection.

If you would prefer, you are also welcome to reach out directly to Jessica McGroarty, Director of Internal Communications, at jmcgro@umbc.edu.

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