The UMBC Connection | What’s Ahead This October

Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,

October is bringing plenty of activity across UMBC, with important dates and resources to keep on the radar, new opportunities to connect and participate, and exciting work taking shape across the university.

This edition of The UMBC Connection includes what you need to know for the weeks ahead, ways to engage with our community, and recent developments reflecting UMBC’s momentum in student success, research and creative achievement, civic engagement, and public impact.

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

• Support Retriever Essentials at the Campus-Wide Winter Clothing Drive — October 16
  Retriever Essentials and the Wisdom Institute, UMBC’s association for retirees, are partnering for a campus-wide drive on Friday, October 16, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Faculty and staff are invited to donate clean, gently used adult coats and winter clothing. Donations can be dropped off at the Administration Drive Circle without leaving your car.

• Celebrate 10 Years of GRIT-X — October 17
  GRIT-X returns for its 10th anniversary on Saturday, October 17, from 4–6 p.m. in Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall. The annual showcase brings together compelling presentations highlighting UMBC’s impact through research, scholarship, innovation, and creative achievement.

• UMBC Jazz Ensemble Presents “Electric Miles” — October 18
  The UMBC Jazz Ensemble, led by Matt Belzer, will celebrate the Miles Davis Centennial with Electric Miles, featuring music from Davis’ groundbreaking electric era. The free concert begins at 3 p.m. in Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall, and tickets are not required.

• Critical Social Justice Month Continues Across Campus
  Critical Social Justice continues throughout October with programming inviting students, faculty, and staff to explore equity, inclusion, community care, and civic life. Upcoming programs include Politics Over Dinner: How to Talk About Issues That Matter on October 20 and Who Gets to Belong: When Equity Language Meets Accountability on October 21.

• Get Ready for Homecoming Week
  Homecoming is just around the corner, bringing a week of Retriever spirit, connection, and community to campus. This year’s celebration will center the current student experience, with student activities throughout the week, the Homecoming Bonfire, a soccer and tailgate experience, and more. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join events open to the broader campus community and help bring some extra black and gold spirit to the week.

Campus Updates
Important information and resources that may affect your work and the broader UMBC community.

• Fall Recess Is October 12–13
  Fall Recess takes place Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13. No classes will be held, but the university remains open. Faculty and staff should follow normal work expectations unless otherwise directed.

• State Health Benefits Open Enrollment Begins October 19
  Open Enrollment for State of Maryland health benefits runs from Monday, October 19, through Friday, November 13, at 5 p.m. Employees who are not making benefit changes generally do not need to take action, but anyone who wants a healthcare or dependent care flexible spending account for 2027 must re-enroll. Employees should also confirm they can access SPS Workday before enrollment begins. A virtual UMBC Open Enrollment Information Session will be held October 28 at noon.

• Make Your Plan to Vote in the 2026 General Election
  The Center for Democracy and Civic Life has shared nonpartisan resources to help the UMBC community prepare for the November 3 election. The deadline for eligible Maryland residents to register in advance is Tuesday, October 13. The resource also includes information about mail-in voting, UMBC’s ballot drop box, serving as an election judge, and other ways to participate in civic life.

• Read the Latest Federal Orders and Actions Update
  UMBC’s Federal Orders and Actions Core Team has shared its first update of the 2026–27 academic year. The update includes developments affecting international students and scholars, visa and immigration processes, international research collaborations, and federal research funding. Faculty and staff whose work intersects with these areas are encouraged to review the latest information and available university resources.

University Milestones
Institutional progress and accomplishments from across UMBC.

• UMBC Launches Bold Moves: Strategic Ambitions for the Future of UMBC
  UMBC has officially launched Bold Moves, the strategic plan that will guide the university’s next chapter. Shaped by input from thousands of members of the UMBC community, the plan centers on five pillars: growing student opportunity and success, transforming teaching and learning, redefining excellence in research and creative achievement, cultivating organizational innovation and vitality, and strengthening Maryland and its communities.

• New UMBC-BCCC Partnership Expands Early Research Opportunities
  A new College of Engineering and Information Technology initiative connected Baltimore City Community College students with UMBC research teams for a summer of hands-on research. The first participants contributed to projects ranging from biodegradable plastics to the use of artificial intelligence to surface untold Baltimore stories, with organizers hoping to expand the partnership in the future.

• Nearly 600 Students Come Together for hackUMBC
  Nearly 600 students from UMBC and other institutions participated in September’s student-run hackUMBC, a 24-hour event focused on learning, collaboration, and building solutions to real-world challenges. The annual hackathon gave participants opportunities to develop technical skills, explore new ideas, and learn from one another.

More from Across UMBC
Additional ways to connect with campus life and the Retriever community.

• Cheer on the Retrievers at Home This Week
  Fall competition continues with several opportunities to support the Retrievers at home. Men’s soccer hosts nationally ranked Vermont on Saturday, October 10, at 7 p.m.; women’s soccer welcomes Binghamton on Sunday, October 11, at 1 p.m.; and volleyball takes on Howard at The Peake on Tuesday, October 13, at 5 p.m. Women’s soccer enters the week after a 5–0 win over UAlbany, its third consecutive victory.

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.

University Communications and Marketing