Congratulations to the AIChE Student Chapter on receiving the Event of the Year Winner during UMBC Office of Student Affairs annual end of the year event, CelebratingOrgs which honors and recognizes student organizations for their valuable work at UMBC. 

Event of the Year Winner - AIChE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference

Event of the Year Award Description - While events are made to better the UMBC community and celebrate our grit and greatness as a campus, the events made by student organizations are like no other. Student organization events celebrate the diversity of our cultures and beliefs, educate the community, and provide a space to unwind from the stress of the school year. This award recognizes the student organization for the Event of the Year. 

AIChE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference details - As the premier chemical engineering student conference in the region, this event brought over 350 attendees from 30+ different universities and industry sponsors to the UMBC campus. While the conference is geared toward undergraduate students, the conference hosted several graduate students, post-docs, faculty and staff, and industry professionals. The conference was a hub for extensive student networking, professional development opportunities, and friendly competition. Specifically, the event included a career fair alongside several industry-sponsored workshops and keynote addresses which helped attendees build their networks and shape their careers. A committee of 13 undergraduate students planned the event, which allowed numerous students to gain invaluable leadership and project management experience. These students worked tirelessly to connect with and coordinate the efforts of numerous UMBC departments and services including the CBEE Department (Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering), COEIT College of Engineering and Information Technology), OIA (Office of Institutional Advancement), Career Center, UMBC Graduate School, and ECS (Event and Conference Services). Through these efforts, over $60,000 in total was raised. 

Committee Members: 

Sponsorship & Funding Sub-Chair                      Raey Hunde

Corporate & University Relations Sub-Chair      An Dang

Corporate & University Relations Sub-Chair      Danny Sebrosky

ChemE Car Sub-Chair                                         Afrah Ahmed

ChemE Car Sub-Chair                                         Ahmed Al-Anesi

ChemE Car Sub-Chair                                         Jacob Craft

ChemE Jeopardy Sub-Chair                               Anh Bui

Workshops Sub-Chair                                         Nelanne Bolima

Workshops Sub-Chair                                         Meredith Morse

Research Presentations Sub-Chair                   Sarah Yoda

Logistics Sub-Chair                                            John Velkey

Communications Sub-Chair                               Terra Miley

Committee Chair                                                 Pavan Umashankar

Congratulations to Dr. Lee Blaney, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering for Marilyn E. Demorest Award for Faculty Advancement at annual Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards.

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A huge THANK YOU to all the amazing students who supported our Good Morning Commuters (GMC) events this year! Your participation made GMCs a success.

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Wishing you all the best of luck on exams - you've got this! 

According to the Oxford Dictionary imposter syndrome is “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” 

When you are suffering from imposter syndrome the following signs may occur:

• Fear of failure
• Fear of success
• Burnout
• Perfectionism
• Lack of confidence
• Comparison to others.

All of these signs can be experienced in the workplace. For example, you may procrastinate on a project because you’re suffering from fear of failure. Or, you may spend your days comparing yourself to others in your office, hindering you from making connections with your co-workers. Finally, you may be in a state of perfectionism to show your value, which can result in burnout. Imposter syndrome can cause these scenarios and more, leading to less-than-ideal outcomes.

So how do you overcome it? Try one of these methods:

• Keep track of reminders. Keep a folder in your inbox where you can drop in positive notes (“kudos”) from colleagues and supervisors. Every once in a while, look back at those emails.
• Reframe your thinking. Tell yourself that you’re not the only one who has felt this way. Turn around negative sentiments into more positive ones.
• Practice self-empathy.  Know that you’re not alone, and that you are worthy of the job position you’re in. Give yourself grace and credit for how much you’ve already accomplished.
• Commiserate with others. Find colleagues or mentors who know what it’s like to suffer from imposter syndrome. Perhaps there is even an affinity group you can join. Remember that we all go through it at one point or another!
• Take a broader view. Try to look at your situation from a wider lens. You may get a more realistic picture of how you’re performing vs. zooming in under the microscope.

Need help taking the broader view when it comes to your career? Take the FOCUS 2 Assessment to see how you can best apply your strengths, which can help you avoid imposter syndrome. 

Congratulations to Nathaniel Glover, ’25 chemical engineering, biotechnology and bioengineering track on receiving the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship! Nathaniel's dedication to research and innovation shines through in his work on developing a dual-phase steel to combat hydrogen embrittlement. As a Meyerhoff Scholar, Nathaniel exemplifies UMBC's commitment to fostering excellence in STEM fields.

UMBC's remarkable streak of producing Goldwater Scholars for the fifth consecutive year reflects the university's unwavering support for student success. With 31 Goldwater Scholars since 2005, UMBC continues to stand out as a leader in undergraduate research and scholarship.

Nathaniel's experience in the lab of C. Cem Taşan at MIT, coupled with mentorship from Dr. Kyung-Shik Kim, has undoubtedly shaped his journey and prepared him for future endeavors. We're thrilled to see Nathaniel's passion and hard work recognized with this prestigious scholarship, which will undoubtedly propel him towards a bright future in academia and beyond.

Here's to Nathaniel Glover and UMBC's continued tradition of excellence in research and scholarship! 

Nelanne Bolima, ‘24 chemical engineering, biotechnology & bioengineering track was honored as the Black Undergraduate Student of the Year award by the Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO). This recognition emphasizes Nelanne's dedication to excellence and her significant contributions to the community.

In her gratitude, Nelanne extends heartfelt thanks to her peers, mentors, and the BGSO and NSBE community for their unwavering support and inspiration. Motivated by this honor, Nelanne pledges to continue striving for excellence and making positive impacts.

Read more about Nelanne’s research in Dr. Mark Marten’s lab: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/cbee/posts/133755