Hailey Turney, M.A. ’21, first came to UMBC as a student pursuing an academic passion in the text, technologies, and literature program. She connected right away with faculty and other community members. Now, as an undergraduate academic advisor in the College of Engineering and Information Technology and an instructor teaching introductory English and university orientation classes, she helps current UMBC connect and find their own path, too. 

Hailey shares what she loves about UMBC and her advising job. Take it away, Hailey!

Q: Tell us about yourself. 

A: I am a COEIT academic advisor. I mostly work with mechanical engineering students now. I also teach a section of ENGL 100 each semester and UNIV 101 in the fall semesters. I love being able to help students and engage in my community, so advising and teaching feels like a great way to reach students on different levels. 

When I was an undergrad, I did not have the best advising experience, so being able to make a difference as an advisor now feels like an interesting, but great, twist of fate. I also like to play Volo soccer in Baltimore and do Dog’s Day Out at BARCS outside of work!

Q: Who are some of the people at UMBC who have most supported you?

A: My amazing boss Emily Abrams-Stephens is spectacular. She supports me and my fellow advisors every day. She is always advocating for us and showing us how much she cares everyday. Working with her, I never doubt that I am valued here. She always listens to our ideas and is a fantastic (and popular) morning chat partner.

I had a previous job that weighed on me every minute of the day—even outside of work. I missed the activities I loved to do because of it. At UMBC, I have a trusting team—my boss and my fellow advisors—that supports me. If I am ever away, I know my students will be taken care of by my colleagues. The trust I have in my team is something I will never be able to replace. The most remarkable thing about UMBC is the people.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: There will always be someone in your corner. I did my master’s here and it was the first time I immediately felt seen in my academic career. When I came to work here, I immediately felt wanted and supported. There are so many resources available to the UMBC community and there is always someone there to help you find them. As an advisor, it is now my job and honor to help students find those resources and their own supporting community.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: I love interacting with students and helping them find their way. Being that person that they can turn to when they don’t know where to go is the most important part of our job. We want students to succeed and feel secure in their place here at UMBC.

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place? 

A: I came to UMBC because I wanted to expand my knowledge on a topic I was passionate about. The faculty in the English department had so many interesting areas of study that I knew I would be well-supported in finding my own. After meeting with some faculty members for a graduate assistantship, I felt hopeful that this would be an interactive community. The faculty responded to my emails right away, were interested in what I had to say, and were encouraging from the beginning. I came for the academics and stayed for the community. This continued as I found a job here at UMBC as well—I was hesitant to leave. 

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: You will find a great community here. You will also find ways to continue to improve and learn no matter where you end up.

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

With full hearts and eyes fixed on the future, the UMBC Class of 2026 stepped across the stage last week, crossing the threshold into life’s next chapter. Surrounded by family, friends, and mentors, UMBC’s newest alumni embody the university’s spirit of curiosity, resilience, and community.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jonathon Heyward, who addressed graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, captured the moment: “You are standing in a very unusual place today,” he told the graduates. “You are simultaneously at the end of one journey, and at the very beginning of another.”

Heyward shared his own winding path—from a disastrous childhood solo performance to his unexpected choice of the cello—and encouraged graduates to embrace life’s detours. “Opportunity rarely arrives when you feel fully prepared for it. It arrives unexpectedly,” he said. “Sometimes disguised as inconvenience. Sometimes disguised as failure. … But perspective and resilience allow you to recognize opportunity when it finally appears.”

Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the Science family of academic journals, brought candor and optimism to graduates in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and the College of Engineering and Information Technology. Celebrating the Retrievers’ perseverance through the pandemic, divisive politics, and more, Thorp reminded graduates that “nobody’s normal,” openly sharing his own autism diagnosis and affirming that mental health challenges do not limit potential. His core messages—“Do the work” and “You’re right on schedule”—resonated with graduates from UMBC, which he described as “the original place where grit translates to achievement.”

A strong and supportive community

The personal stories of the Class of 2026 reflect these same themes of resilience, community, and bold possibility.

Graduates like Katie King’26, a biology and dance double major, Linehan Artist Scholar, and Dance Team co-captain, discovered at UMBC that they needn’t choose between seemingly disparate passions. “When looking at colleges, a lot of them told me I had to choose, but UMBC allowed me to do both,” King says. She leaves prepared to become a physician assistant while continuing to integrate science and the arts.

Others found a supportive community that helped them see new possibilities. Maia Turman Cooke ’26, an English and political science double major and McNair Scholar, reflected, “I never knew what a strong and supportive academic community could look like”—until she arrived at UMBC. That environment propelled her forward, and she will begin a Ph.D. in English while continuing her advocacy work.

Still other graduates overcame self-doubt in demanding technical fields. Carter Gerhardt ’26 switched into computer engineering mid-journey and gained confidence through faculty and peer support. “I’m getting a degree that I originally thought that I couldn’t do,” he said, as he graduates ready for a career in cybersecurity.

Equipped to lead and serve

UMBC awarded nearly 500 master’s and Ph.D. degrees this spring, along with nearly 1,400 bachelor’s degrees across its three colleges, the School of Social Work, and the Erickson School of Aging Studies. Across disciplines—from the humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, engineering, and the arts—UMBC graduates are positioned “to lead and to serve—to strengthen workforces and economies, families and communities, and ultimately, to bring a brighter future for our state, our nation, and our world,” as Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a Commencement video message.

Zareen Taj, Ph.D. ’26, who earned her doctorate in language, literacy, and culture after fleeing oppression in Afghanistan and Pakistan, described how UMBC empowered her voice and work, epitomizing the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. “I learned from this journey that I am different. I look different. I work differently. I see things differently, but my difference is not a problem,” she said. “My experience is an asset. It’s my wealth. The UMBC community…supported me at each stage of my life.”

As Heyward told the Class of 2026—just as Taj and so many others have realized through their experiences at UMBC—“The world does not need you to be flawless. It needs you to be bold enough to contribute your voice.”

Any graduates who plan to continue their academic journey at UMBC should take advantage of Free Graduate Application Week May 27 – June 3.

Read more about this year’s inspiring Class of 2026. 

“Bartleby NEEDS YOU!” This was the handwritten call to arms in 1979, for writers and poets to submit their work to Bartleby, UMBC’s creative arts journal. The sentiment of this flyer is not that different from its first publication in 1972 and from today’s social media posts alerting students to upcoming submission deadlines. 

This unwavering spirit brought Howard Quinn ’80, English, back to campus in fall 2025 for the Bartleby 50+ celebration. He shared his memories as one of six editors of the 1979 – 1980 edition and reveled at the Bartleby covers and works, displayed in showcases at the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, some with typed-up poems printed on newsprint or cardstock and stapled together like the edition with 35 pieces that he helped edit—including his own poem, “Wind Down Wind” about loss. 

In 2026, Bartleby—under the recently chartered Student Media Collective—editors read 200 art submissions, 120 poetry submissions, 60 fiction submissions, and 23 creative nonfiction submissions. The ensuing 160-page publication is book-bound and printed on glossy paper. Over five decades, Retrievers have continued to creatively express the personal and political events that have defined their lives, including war and national identity, rebellion, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ identity, social isolation, and joy and love. 

Quinn came to Bartleby’s retrospective to celebrate the publication’s ongoing impact and to share a message from his friend Martha Campbell ’82, American studies, a Bartleby editor for three and a half years.

“I know that Bartleby has endured because people showed up to create art, give voice, share ideas, and they did that work year after year,” wrote Campbell, perhaps inadvertently echoing a line from her poem published during her tenure: “And the clock moves on, slow, but certain in its ways.” 

Read more Spring 2026 UMBC Magazine stories.

Isabel Kendall ’26, modern languages and linguistics, is described by Julie Oakes, assistant director of curriculum and retention in UMBC’s Honors College, as someone who “truly represents what is best about well-rounded humanities folks.” This comes as no surprise, given her time at UMBC, where she took on mentorship roles in the Honors College, created art installations, and traveled abroad to multiple countries. She is ready to apply her artistic and creative spirit to a fulfilling career where she can see the impact of her work, after taking the time to travel around the world. 

Q: What led you to be so involved in different leadership and mentor roles?

A: I didn’t start out being super involved in mentorship or leadership roles or even extracurriculars. For my first two years, I was super focused on just the academic side of things. But in the Honors College, the first class that you take is called Honors Forum, and with that, there are team leaders who are like mentors slash teaching assistants for the first-year class. And at the end of my sophomore year, I applied for a team leader position. Once I had that job, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is like everything I love.’ It’s connecting with people, it’s being a mentor—which is a really rewarding role to have—and also you’re just connecting with people and the freshman class, which is cool to see them ushered into UMBC. 

Q: Tell us about your senior project.

A: It was so challenging, and so rewarding. I wanted my senior project to be multidisciplinary and just visual and creative. I did the honors independent study, and that’s where I did my whole senior project. I really pushed myself to make something I had never made before. It was actually just displayed at URCAD [Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day], and it was an art installation of ten six-foot by three-foot panels of paintings. It was super fun. I’m happy it’s over because it was so much work, but it was very rewarding. 

Q: How long did each of those paintings take? 

A: It really varied because it was also multi-modal. So some of the paintings took over a month for each stage. There were just a lot of layers to it, and then some of them I painted in an afternoon. It really varied depending on the medium I was using. 

Q: Do you have any plans for after graduation?

A: I’ve applied for a program called TAPIF, which is an English teaching program in France, and I’m still waiting to hear back about that. It’s basically teaching English at elementary levels and secondary levels. That’s on the horizon. I also really want to travel once I graduate. I’ve traveled in Europe because I studied abroad in Europe, and also in Japan. But I’ve barely seen the U.S. So I’d like to perhaps see California and do a road trip, or maybe travel down South. 

Q: Do you have any advice for any students who are thinking about studying abroad, but they’re still unsure? 

A: It’s such a good experience to get to know yourself outside of your comfort zone and build your own resiliency. And also, you just meet such cool people when you’re abroad. It’s such a wonderful experience, and I urge everyone to study abroad. It’s so worth it in every way. 

Q: Do you have any idea what you want your future career to look like?

A: Honestly, I’m not sure. I would love to continue my artistry, whatever that looks like. But I also love teaching, and that’s something I’m very passionate about. I think for the immediate future, it’s probably just dipping my toes in different things and seeing what works best for me and what I want. I think that’s one thing that I feel like I need to see the impact of my work; that’s important.

Q: In your time here at UMBC, who’s been the biggest influence in your studies?

A: I would say Dr. Julie Oakes, my research mentor. I’ve taken three classes with her at this point, not including the honors independent studies classes I have taken with her. She’s such a wonderful and brilliant professor and especially with my senior project, her support of my vision and my ideas was so unwavering, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor for that. Additionally, her classes were just some of the most fascinating history classes I’ve ever taken. 

Q: What part of UMBC do you think will have the biggest impact on you post-graduation?

A: The Honors College has been such a core part of my studies. My time in the Honors College has connected me with some of the best people, some of the best professors, and the best peers. I feel like I’ve gotten to know people that I’m going to know forever and people that I want to know forever. The Honors College make you feel very supported. It feels very all-encompassing like if you need something, the Honors College is there to help you. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself with the community? 

A: UMBC has just been a really wonderful experience, and I feel like I’ve gotten to grow so much. The interdisciplinary nature of my studies and my senior project and all the projects that I’ve undertaken have been so rewarding. That interdisciplinarianism is not only a core component of the Honors College, but also I feel like it’s valued at UMBC. I would urge anyone to lean into being interdisciplinary in their work and exploring that. 

Story written by Jason Conti, UMBC Library IT support associate. All photos courtesy of Kendall unless otherwise noted.

Read more stories about the Class of 2026.

What if we could peer back in time to understand how our galaxy was built—one exploding star at a time?

When massive stars reach the end of their lives, they don’t go quietly. They explode in spectacular fashion, forging heavy elements and hurling them across space. Some of these particles, known as cosmic rays, eventually reach detectors built by humans. By studying which elements arrive and in what amounts, scientists hope to piece together the story of our galaxy’s chemical evolution.

But there’s a problem: As these cosmic rays race through space, they smash into hydrogen atoms and break apart. These reactions, called “proton spallation,” turn heavier elements like iron into lighter ones like sodium or chromium. Without knowing exactly how often these “break-ups” happen, it’s hard to translate what detectors see into a true picture of what’s out there. But if scientists could accurately reverse-engineer the process, determining how much of one element came from another, they would better understand the galaxy’s true chemical makeup.

Now, Priyarshini Ghosh, a nuclear physicist at UMBC’s Center for Space Sciences and Technology, is performing a first-of-its-kind experiment, hoping to fill some of this knowledge gap.  

In early June, Ghosh and her collaborators led the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University to study, for the first time ever, how chromium-52 breaks apart when it interacts with hydrogen. Chromium-52 is of particular interest because it can shed light on processes happening in our galaxy, and yet it has never been measured before. Using a high-energy beam of this stable form of chromium, the team will record “proton spallation cross sections”—measures of the likelihood of violent interactions between protons and heavy ions. The experiment essentially recreates inside a Michigan laboratory what’s happening to cosmic rays in space, Ghosh says.

“Nuclear data acts as a translator from the data collected by missions like Voyager, converting it into a meaningful understanding of our galaxy,” Ghosh explains.

Mimicking cosmic rays

Current models don’t quite match what telescopes and spacecraft actually observe, especially for elements like chromium, titanium, and vanadium. The differences have puzzled researchers for years. These questions linger because the right kind of experimental data has been extremely laborious and expensive to obtain—until now.

“A sample of chromium-52 the size of a chocolate square can cost around $150,000,” Ghosh notes. So instead of using a large piece of chromium-52, FRIB’s chemists will collide a beam of less-expensive nickel-58 with a carbon target, producing a pure chromium beam—the first time this has ever been achieved. 

The team will run the experiment for about 43 hours, collecting data on 50 to 60 different fragments produced as the chromium beam collides with various detectors and breaks apart. Then comes the long work of analysis. The results are expected to sharpen astrophysical models and bring us closer to understanding how elements are created and spread throughout the Milky Way.

“What makes this project exciting is that FRIB lets us reproduce, in a controlled way, a process that naturally happens in the universe: cosmic rays traveling from a dying star through the galaxy,” says Jorge Pereira, FRIB’s magnetic spectrometer operation group leader.

“Arm-wrestling with nature”

This chromium experiment is the first in a program that Ghosh is developing at UMBC dedicated to building a comprehensive proton-spallation cross-section database. Proton-based reactions—like the ones cosmic rays experience with hydrogen—have received little attention, even though they’re crucial for interpreting data from space.

By building a reliable database of these proton cross sections, the team is laying the groundwork that could transform how we read the cosmos. The results will directly support the upcoming TIGERISS mission, set to fly to the International Space Station in 2027. TIGERISS will be the first instrument to measure elements from boron all the way to lead with remarkable precision—and Ghosh’s nuclear data will help scientists make sense of what it sees.

For Ghosh, the thrill lies in the experimental challenge itself. 

“This is such a feat of nuclear engineering,” she says. “We’re using detectors to expose the physics in very specific ways—arm-wrestling with nature to get the answers we need.”

Katie King ’26, biology and dance, completed an ambitious double degree, and not only thrived but also became co-captain of the UMBC Dance Team and worked for the admissions office as a Grit Guide. Looking forward, she plans to become a physician assistant, and hopes to find ways to combine her love of both dance and biology.

Q: What attracted you to UMBC?

A: I knew I wanted to double major in biology and dance. I’m planning to go into the medical field, so biology was the route I needed to take, but I have been dancing since I was three. When looking at colleges, a lot of them told me I had to choose, but UMBC allowed me to do both. I was accepted into the Linehan Artist Scholars Program, so that also drew me here—I really love the possibilities and experiences that the program gives.

Q: How did the Linehan Artist Scholars Program impact your time at UMBC?

A: My experience began with the first-year seminar, and that class really helped me get more exposure and awareness to the other arts. As a dancer of many years, I really only stuck to dance, so I never really dove into the music or the theatre sides, and I didn’t know a lot about visual arts at all. That class really helped open my eyes—we did skits, we had to learn how to play music. In the second year, we had to do service hours, and that was rewarding. I did service hours within the dance department, and it was nice to feel like I was giving back to a bigger cause. The different trips that we got to go on with the Linehan program were super fun—twice to New York and once to Philly, to visit art museums and see performances. I was also in the Living-Learning Community in Harbor Hall, living right next to everyone in my cohort.

Q: Can you share more about your dance and biology double major?

A: I knew I wanted to be in the medical field since I was little. My dolls would be wrapped in casts, and I bought my own crutches when I was 7 at the pharmacy! At the same time, I’ve been dancing since I can remember. For a while, I thought of going into physical therapy, combining my dance and biology backgrounds. Now, I’m thinking of becoming a physician assistant. Both dance and biology have been passions, and I haven’t wanted to give up either one. I worked in a physical therapy office for 5 or 6 years, and there I got the idea to specialize in dancers. So that was the route I thought for a while until I switched to physician’s assistant, but I’m hoping at some point those fields intercross.

Q: How did being a Grit Guide impact your experience?

A: During my freshman year, I joined the UMBC Dance Team to get more involved on campus, and the coach said that the admissions office was hiring. I was brought on as a visual and performing arts tour guide for dance, but later became a general tour guide, and it shaped my entire experience at UMBC. I’ve done it for four years now. Working with professional staff, I gained skill sets that I’ll be able to use in the future, especially if I go into the medical field or work with the public again.

Q: What motivated you to join the UMBC Dance Team?

A; At the start of my freshman year, I didn’t join anything—I thought I needed to get acclimated. But by November, I was bored! I’ve never been the kind of person who isn’t involved—I have to be going all the time. So I decided to try out for the Dance Team, and I was accepted. It was a super fun experience. During my last two years, I was co-captain for the team and built so many friendships. I love basketball and used to play, but had to give it up for dance. With the Dance Team, I could both dance and watch basketball, and this year they won championships—life was good! It was probably my favorite part of college.

Q: How did you maintain a work-life balance?

A: I prioritize sleep, and get eight hours every night. My calendar is my best friend, truthfully. A lot of my shifts for tour guides were in the mornings, and then I had classes, and then rehearsals at night, and then a 3 or 4-hour block at the end of the night where I would do homework. I didn’t do a lot of hanging out in general besides those things—my social time was being at those events and at work.

Q: Were there faculty or staff who made a difference for you?

A: Definitely Ann Sofie Clemmensen—I call her my school mom! She was my dance advisor, but also became my unintentional biology advisor. At the start of my freshman year, we sat down, and she helped me plan out all four years, saying, “We’re going to get you out in four years, both degrees done.” We planned everything out. We met all the time, and I text and call her all the time. She’s always been there. 

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?

A: I’m applying to physician assistant school and hope to start somewhere in January. Over the summer, though, I’ll be visiting Portugal, Spain, England, France, and Switzerland. I’m so excited—I haven’t been to Europe.

Q: What advice would you give to new students?

A: My advice would be to stay true to yourself and always go after what you want. I was told many times that I couldn‘t do both degrees, and then I found a way. Get involved. That changed my whole trajectory here at UMBC. It’s hard to get out of your shell sometimes, and hard to put yourself out there, but it’s so rewarding, especially here. Step out of your comfort zone!

Simone Kruse had a circuitous route to UMBC. She studied fashion design in her native country, Germany, and later, came to the U.S. as an au pair and began studying at Howard Community College. The community at UMBC and her ideal degree program—business technology administration with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation and an honors college certificate—prompted her to transfer.

“Simone has exhibited an amazing drive for success and community,” says Kendyl Walker, assistant director of recruitment and assessment in the Honors College, who got to know Kruse through the Honors College community. At UMBC, Kruse found the resources and people to meet her goals.

Q: How did you decide to come to UMBC?

A: I first learned about UMBC just by driving by. I loved that it was a large campus but still small compared to the University of Maryland, College Park. Then just walking around on campus—even before I was a student, I saw there were so many people outside enjoying the weather, or talking and studying together in The Commons. I could see that there was such a great, diverse community and I definitely wanted to be part of that. So when I learned that UMBC had a program that fit what I was studying, which is business technology administration, it was a very easy decision for me to apply and to accept my offer to go to UMBC.  

Q: What have been some of the best parts of your experience here?

A: The best parts are definitely the connections. People truly want to help you. What I heard from friends at other colleges is that they go to their lectures and then that’s it. But at UMBC, you can truly make a connection and learn from the professors, not just in the classroom but also outside of the classroom.

Q: Are there particular instructors who you have made a special connection with?

A: Prof. B (engineering and computing education assistant teaching professor Mark Berczynski, M.S. ’17, information systems) is definitely one of them. Also, Kendyl Walker and Dr. Julie Oakes (assistant director of curriculum and retention in the Honor College). All three were just great instructors. They always wanted to support their students and make sure they felt comfortable in their classrooms. It’s not just that they were teaching us their subject, they wanted us to experience their subjects while allowing us to share our thoughts and experiences in a safe setting as well. 

Q: Is there anything that surprised you at UMBC?

A: I was surprised by some of the amazing classes offered through the Honors College. They would never have fit into my major in any obvious way, but I loved them because they kept my mind open to other subjects. I took a class on how disasters have shaped societies, and another about Hello Kitty and kawaii culture. I just love talking about that class because there’s so much history and so much pop culture behind a little kitty character.

Q:  What are your plans for after graduation? 

A: I’m hoping to work for Turner Construction, as a field engineer in the DMV area. Once my visa is approved, it would be part of an optional practical training (OPT) program. As a field engineer, I would work on the job sites, coordinating subcontractors and ensuring that construction follows the design while staying on schedule and within budget. 

This role aligns well with my business technology degree, especially because I completed a project management course where we worked on a project with a construction company. That experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in the construction industry. I’m especially fascinated by how different teams can come together to build something from the ground up.

Q: What are you hoping to get out of this opportunity? 

A: I think it’s learning a new skill. I’m a very hands-on person. I really like being in the field, understanding what the managers are talking about, and then seeing something new come to life. Because of my project management class with Prof. Kahl (information systems assistant teaching professor Margaret Kahl), I’ve become really excited about focusing more on construction and gaining hands-on experience. I’m especially interested in applying and deepening what we learned through our semester project in a real-world setting.

Q: What do you think will be some of your strongest memories from UMBC? 

A:  My strongest memory is just the community. UMBC is so big on community—you can see it everywhere. I have friends from so many different kinds of classes, when we see each other we always say “hi,” and check in with each other. 

I took a Java class in my first semester and I was terrified of that class because I’d never done any programming before. I’m an introvert, so I usually hesitate to talk to other people, but I knew I might need some help. So I asked a classmate if I could sit next to him because he looked like he knew what he was doing. To this day, we still talk almost every week and I still call him sometimes when I need help. 

Everyone here is very friendly. People are interested in each other and always very supportive. College life is not just about preparing for a career, it’s also for you to learn something about yourself. UMBC really helps with that, and you can always get as much help as you need.