Full Time Graduate Assistant Opportunity with LSAMP Program 12-month position Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program assists universities and colleges in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students matriculating into and successfully completing high-quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in order to diversify the STEM workforce. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders. 

Please see attached document for the full GA position description. 
]]> Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program assists universities and colleges in their efforts to significantly increase the numbers of students matriculating into and... Document https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/f645ad241109bb339021c96706745833/6a02f95a/news/000/094/788/1d9b1a8b18c79139022fa537f4a12fd7/20-21 LSAMP GA Job Ad (1).pdf?1597242097 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94788/guest@my.umbc.edu/1a9dde43a599616fcd09aefa8e0afd1c/api/pixel UMBC Department of Education https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/educ https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xsmall.png?1573154056 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/original.png?1573154056 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xxlarge.png?1573154056 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xlarge.png?1573154056 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/large.png?1573154056 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/medium.png?1573154056 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/small.png?1573154056 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xsmall.png?1573154056 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xxsmall.png?1573154056 Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) 0 0 true Wed, 12 Aug 2020 10:23:04 -0400 Position has been filled: GA Position For IUSE Grant Transforming Undergraduate Mathematics Teacher Preparation
Update 8/20/2020: This position has been filled. Please keep an eye out for future GA postings. :)

Transforming Undergraduate Mathematics Teacher Preparation using the PrimeD Framework 

A project funded through the National Science Foundation, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program



Drs. Michele Stites and Chris Rakes seek a graduate research assistant for a multi-year grant project. The grant is housed in the Department of Education of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science. This project will study the use of a professional development framework to guide teacher preparation programs and improve teacher candidates' classroom practice. The study will address both the systemic and individual challenges found in teacher preparation. The project's professional development is organized into four iterative phases: design, implementation, evaluation, & research. Structural supports of the project include network improvement communities, plan-do-study-act cycles, and coursework. This collaborative project involves partnerships with University of Maryland Baltimore County (lead), University of Central Florida, University of Kentucky, and Berea College. The four-year project aims to structure undergraduate mathematics teacher preparation programs at these four institutions and study the use of the Professional Development: Research, Implementation, and Evaluation framework (PrimeD) to improve teacher preparation programs and teacher candidates' professional practice. Using design-based research, the project will follow a multi-group treatment-only longitudinal, triangulation mixed methods design. The project aims to understand the following research objectives: (i) How well does PrimeD improve program development of undergraduate teacher candidate pedagogical content knowledge in ways that connect to their teaching? (ii) How well does PrimeD improve program development of undergraduate teacher candidates’ preparation to implement research-based teaching strategies? (iii) How well does PrimeD reposition stakeholders (e.g., classroom teachers, field experience supervisors, undergraduate teacher candidates, faculty) as partners, mentors, and co-learners in the program? 


This position is full time (20 hours per week) and will be “work from home” until it is safe to return to face-to-face. Hours are flexible and will be adjusted to accommodate course schedules and any obligations that arise from working from home. Tuition and health benefits are included. Ph.D. students are preferred, but master’s degree students with a research background will be considered. A background/interest in math education is helpful but not a requirement of the position. 
]]> Update 8/20/2020: This position has been filled. Please keep an eye out for future GA postings. :) Transforming Undergraduate Mathematics Teacher Preparation using the PrimeD Framework  A... http://education.umbc.edu Document https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/c28e62ccf545e819eaff67593361ee19/6a02f95a/news/000/094/757/251eefb551c170faf67836ac84a75931/IUSE_PrimeD_GA_Position_Announcement.pdf?1597155257 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94757/guest@my.umbc.edu/ce0751903ebed6807b59b35b2c1af979/api/pixel UMBC Department of Education https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/educ https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xsmall.png?1573154056 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/original.png?1573154056 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xxlarge.png?1573154056 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xlarge.png?1573154056 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/large.png?1573154056 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/medium.png?1573154056 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/small.png?1573154056 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xsmall.png?1573154056 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/476/022dd5a7de2507f5eb49a55e6ceb8930/xxsmall.png?1573154056 UMBC Department of Education 0 0 true Tue, 11 Aug 2020 10:16:30 -0400 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 11:07:15 -0400 Undergraduate Researcher of the Week: Ridhi Chaudhary Understanding how HIV assembles its genetic material
Ridhi Chaudhary is a junior, majoring in Biological Sciences. She is a Meyerhoff and HHMI scholar, and also a member of the Honors College. Outside of undergraduate research, she has served as a learning assistant for general chemistry courses for the past year and a half, and she plans to start tutoring at the Chemistry Tutorial Center (CTC) in the fall. She is also a member of the Meyerhoff Student Council and the Secretary of the UMBC Medical Journal Club. Additionally, she has been volunteering with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Aquatics Program through the Shriver Center since her freshman year.
 
Title of your research project: 
Identification of the Initial Nucleocapsid Recognition Element in the HIV-1 RNA Packaging Signal
 
Description of the Research:
Selective packaging of the HIV-1 genome during virus assembly is mediated by interactions between the dimeric 5ʹ-leader of the unspliced viral RNA and the nucleocapsid (NC) domains of a small number of assembling viral Gag polyproteins. We found that the dimeric 5′-leader contains more than two dozen NC binding sites with affinities that reside within a ∼150-nt region of the leader sufficient to promote RNA packaging (core encapsidation signal, ΨCES). The four initial binding sites with highest affinity reside near two symmetrically equivalent three-way junction structures. Unlike the other high-affinity sites, which bind NC with exothermic energetics, binding to these sites occurs endothermically due to concomitant unwinding of a weakly base-paired [UUUU]:[GGAG] helical element. Mutations that stabilize base pairing within this element eliminate NC binding to this site and severely impair RNA packaging into virus-like particles. NMR studies reveal that a recently discovered small-molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 RNA packaging that appears to function by stabilizing the structure of the leader binds directly to the [UUUU]:[GGAG] helix. Our findings suggest a sequential NC binding mechanism for Gag-genome assembly and identify a potential RNA Achilles’ heel to which HIV therapeutics may be targeted.
 
The full work can be found in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS): 
https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/07/08/2008519117.abstract
 
Who is your mentor for your project? 
My PI is Dr. Michael F. Summers in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. I work under the guidance of Dr. Pengfei Ding who is a post-doc in the lab. 
 
What research experiences have you had? 
I am an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Michael Summers lab. I have been working here as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Scholar for the past 1 year and 3 months. I work under the guidance of Dr. Pengfei Ding and our research focuses on understanding the selective packaging mechanism of the HIV-1 genome, and the specific interactions between the Gag polyprotein and the viral RNA that facilitate packaging.
 
Prior to starting undergraduate research at UMBC, I was a Werner H. Kirsten student research intern at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) during my senior year of high school. At NCI, I was part of the RAS structural biology group that was focused on understanding the structure and function of various RAS proteins using X-Ray crystallography techniques. 
 
How did you find the research opportunity? 
I found this research opportunity through the Meyerhoff Scholars program as well as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) scholarship.
 
What academic background did you have before you started?
When I started my undergraduate research journey in Dr. Summers lab, I was just completing my first year at UMBC. As such, I had introductory knowledge to the biology concepts used in his lab and very little knowledge of the biochemistry principles. By spending time in the lab performing experiments, reading papers, attending seminars, and having meaningful discussions about the research with my lab peers, I have developed a stronger understanding of the broader disciplines including biochemistry and NMR structural biology that are integral to the research conducted in Dr. Summers lab.
 
How did you learn what you needed to know to be successful in this project?
Dedication and a willingness to learn are perhaps the most important components of being successful in a research lab. In Dr. Summers lab, I acquired the skills that are needed to be successful in the research i.e. RNA preparation, protein purification, and DNA recombinant technologies by training with more experienced undergraduates and graduate students. Reading and analyzing scientific papers is another useful skill that I have improved upon by working more closely with my mentor, Dr. Pengfei Ding and by participating in various journal clubs. 
 
What was the hardest part about your research? 
The hardest part about the research was the beginning phase when I was trying to wrap my head around the scientific world that governs the research. A lot of the techniques such as in-vitro RNA transcription were completely new to me and it took some time to understand not only how to perform a protocol correctly but also the scientific reasoning of why each step was done in a specific way. Becoming accustomed to the style of thinking that is needed to understand the intricacies of the research takes time, but the process certainly becomes much smoother by engaging with the research consistently.  
 
What was the most unexpected thing?
The most unexpected thing was switching from wet-lab work to remote research due to COVID-19. I really enjoy actively working in the lab by performing experiments and visualizing the results. Thus, the abrupt switch to all remote research took some getting used to as remote research for wet-labs tends to be more passive. 
 
How does this research experience relate to your work in other classes?
A lot of HIV-1 structural biology research is founded on basic biology and biochemistry principles. As such, a lot of the knowledge that I have gained through this research can directly be applied to courses like organic chemistry and biochemistry, and vice versa.  
 
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?  
If you are in any way interested in research, I suggest that you reach out to the various undergraduate research offices and programs on campus so someone can help you get connected with a lab that matches your interests. For instance, the Meyerhoff office is a really great resource that can help you get access to research opportunities on campus. If you are not a Meyerhoff scholar, you can apply to be an affiliate and receive the same advising as other Meyerhoff scholars. 
 
Once you are in a lab, be willing to learn the ideas and techniques that are important for your research. Also, be open to interacting with the people in your lab and don’t be afraid to ask questions and get advice when you need it. In the beginning, you may feel like your questions are ‘dumb’ but just remember that everyone goes through the process of understanding the basics of the research which more often than not includes asking for clarification on seemingly ‘easy’ concepts. Lastly, try to read papers from your field on a regular basis as this will significantly improve not only your knowledge of your research but also your confidence while engaging with the research.
 
What are your career goals?
After graduating from UMBC, I aspire to earn an MD/PhD and pursue a career as a physician- scientist. I enjoy teaching and mentoring younger students, so I hope to incorporate those aspects into my future career as well.
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Thanks to the Women's Center for donating menstruation and sexual health products to the pantry! Pads, tampons, and condoms can now be accessed by the community here. We are so grateful for our strong partnership with the Women's Center especially during this challenging time. Stay well everyone!


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Creating accessible content and interactions to support diverse learning preferences are the guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and support a wide range of learners, whether or not they identify as a person with a disability.

More information on upcoming trainings for faculty online teaching enhancement, especially for supporting accessible course materials is posted on the Instructional Technology myUMBC page. 

Can't wait to learn more?  Sign up for the next Ally training here. (Thursday).

Want to know more about what Instructional Technology is training about? Here is more detail from their post:

Improving the accessibility of course content not only helps ensure students with different abilities can access materials, but it improves the learning experience for everyone, including those who use mobile devices. 

Their workshops  offer ideas for developing a +1 strategy to improve your course accessibility and highlight tools to get started. 
These tools start with Blackboard Ally. Available in both Original and Ultra courses, Ally scans content in Blackboard and provides feedback and tools to identify and fix accessibility issues. 

Leverage Ally's powerful alternative format options yourself, and let students know they can download content in multiple formats that give them choices in how they watch, read, or listen. 


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*UPDATE: Check out some updates to our programs by going to this link.


Hello i3b community members,

As we approach this upcoming Fall semester, we look forward to welcoming you back to our virtual campus. We are excited to announce our Fall and Winter 2020 events calendar! Please see below for direct links on all the opportunities open to students, staff, faculty and alumni. If you miss any events, recordings, attendee list, and materials will be available in this Google Drive within one business week of the event unless otherwise specified**. 

Questions or accessibility concerns? Please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff at mosaic@umbc.edu, interfaith@umbc.edu and/or at lgbtq@umbc.edu. For questions related to our Interact Program, please contact Ciara Christian at cichris1@umbc.edu.

-The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers staff

____________________________________________________________________

AUGUST

Where My People At? Multicultural Engagement: A virtual Mosaic open house for new students

  • Tuesday, August 18, 2020 | 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers Virtual Open House: Check Out What We Have in Store in Our BRAND NEW Department!

  • Monday, August 24, 2020 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Lisa Gray |lisamgray@umbc.edu

SEPTEMBER

The Interact Dialogues Program Kick-Off (Session I)

Learn more about this cohort style program!

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | noon - 1 p.m.| Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

The Interact Dialogues Program Kick-Off (Session II)

Learn more about this cohort style program!

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

[Re] Fresh Friday: Processing Our Collective Grief: How to deal when everything is different

  • Friday, September 4, 2020 | 2:30  - 4:00pm | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | Blackboard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Heidy George | hmg@umbc.edu

I.D.E.A.L. Student Facilitator Cohort Info Session 

Learn about a BRAND NEW program to be a part of new change at UMBC!

  • Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

Mundo Lingo: COVID-19 International: The global response to the Coronavirus

  • Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30pm | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | Blackboard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Heidy George | hmg@umbc.edu

[Free]dom Fridays: The Brown Power Movement and Liberation: The Brown Power Movement and the Continued Struggle for Immigrant Rights

  • Friday, September 18, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

OCTOBER

[Re]fresh Fridays: Healing from Difficult Dialogues: Coping with the aftermath of a challenging discussion

  • Friday, October 2, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

PAWTalks: Janel Martinez: Ain't I Latina?: Deconstructing Anti-Blackness in the Latine/x Community

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2020 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

National Coming Out Day Celebration: Celebrating our LGBTQ+ Journeys

  • Thursday, October 8, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact:  Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

Retriever Immigrants United 2.0 Welcome**: A check-in conversation on your needs! 

  • Thursday, October 15, 2020 | 12:00 -1:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

[Free]dom Fridays: The Yellow Power Movement: Exploring Asian-American movements for liberation & freedom

  • Friday, October 16, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 


Where My People At? Community Lounge Space

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

myUMBC Event Post: Link | Webex Events: Link

Interfaith Dialogues: Religion & Social Change: The historical and current role of religion in social change

  • Tuesday, October 27, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 

NOVEMBER

[Cancelled]Bagels and Banter: Election Day Results: Now What?: Looking at what's to come for the next four years

  • Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | 11:00am - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

[Re]Fresh Fridays: Caring for Our Bodies: A self-celebration of our bodies

  • Friday, November 6, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 

[Cancelled] Bagels & Banter: Public Safety Re-Imagined: Deconstructing "Defund the Police" and "8 Can't Wait"

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2020 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 

What’s the Tea? : Who is “Karen”?: More than Just a Meme

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

[Free]dom Fridays: The Red Power Movement: A discussion & celebration of Indigenous rights movements

  • Friday, November 20, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 


Where My People At? Holiday Themed Discussion

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

myUMBC Event Post: Link |Webex Event: Link


DECEMBER

[Cancelled] Pawsitive Bodies & Minds: COVID-19's Assault on Black & Brown Bodies: A Presentation on Race and COVID-19

  • Tuesday, December 1, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

How to Be a Better Ally: The Unemployed and SES Crisis: Look at what’s to come in 2021

  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu

Clear Mind, Calm Heart: You made it through 2020!: A holding space to process 2020

  • Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 

Retriever Immigrants United: Heritage, Family, and Culture**: A discussion on our culture and most meaningful relationships 

  • Tuesday, December, 15, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

JANUARY

[Free]dom Fridays: Beyond MLK: Celebrating Obscured Black Power & Civil Rights Leaders

  • Friday, January 15, 2021 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu 

Where My People At? Identity-Based Engagement at UMBC

A virtual departmental open house for new students

  • Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

[Postponed] SafeZone LGBTQ+ Allyship Workshop: Lite Edition: An Abbreviated LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop

  • Friday, January 22, 2021 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate

  • myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link

  • Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu

**No recording will be available for confidentiality purposes.

Spring & Summer 2021 Calendar (Link forthcoming)


]]> *UPDATE: Check out some updates to our programs by going to this link. Hello i3b community members, As we approach this upcoming Fall semester, we look forward to welcoming you back to our... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94610/guest@my.umbc.edu/c8e36c5b4b45a0207154a3cd3d5aa0fe/api/pixel diversityandinclusion fall2020 mosaiceventscalendar welcomeweek The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/original.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/large.png?1755890395 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/medium.png?1755890395 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/small.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxsmall.png?1755890395 The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/xxlarge.jpg?1596473010 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/xlarge.jpg?1596473010 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/large.jpg?1596473010 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/medium.jpg?1596473010 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/small.jpg?1596473010 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/xsmall.jpg?1596473010 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/610/537a2fe031a796a3bde99679ee8c24f5/xxsmall.jpg?1596473010 7 0 true Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:53:11 -0400 Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:43:15 -0400 Undergraduate Researcher of the Week: Katie Poteet Patriotism in countries with mandatory service requirements

Katie Poteet is a Global Studies and Political Science major with an Arabic minor, who will graduate in May 2021. She is a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar, a member of the Honors College, and a URA Scholar.

Title of your research project:Building a Nation: How National Service Requirements Affect Patriotic Sentiment

Describe your project: This project will investigate whether countries with mandatory military or civil service requirements for young adults also have higher levels of patriotism throughout the country. The results will help understand whether these policies are effective in increasing patriotism throughout a country.

Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
My mentor for this project is Dr. Carolyn Forestiere, Chair of the Political Science Department. I chose to research this topic under the supervision of Dr. Forestiere because she has extensive knowledge of Western Europe, which is the region I will be studying, and because I enjoyed working with her as a research assistant as she rewrote her book on research methods in political science over the spring semester. Dr. Forestiere is so encouraging and enthusiastic about research!

How did you become interested in this project?
I first thought of this research project during the fall of 2019 while taking POLI 301: Research Methods in Political Science with Dr. Forestiere. The topic was outside the scope of the class because our research projects had to focus on the United States, so I saved the idea until there was an opportunity to pursue it further. I chose to focus on Western European countries (in addition to a select number of Central and Eastern European countries) after talking with Dr. Forestiere because there are a number of countries in the region that have some type of mandatory service policies or have recently done away with them.

What has been the hardest part about your research? What was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
I expect to encounter many confounding variables that may be hard to identify. Many factors can influence citizens’ levels of patriotism that have nothing to do with mandatory service such as a widespread shared identity or a well-liked leader of the country. It will be difficult to determine whether high levels of patriotism are caused in part because most of the population has engaged in mandatory service, but I plan to do this by comparing many different countries with varying degrees of national service requirements and analyzing the differences in overall levels of patriotism in those countries.

What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part will be contributing to the larger conversation around national service requirements in the public policy sphere. There has not been a lot of research on this topic because researchers have traditionally focused on how one country’s patriotism changes when the country implements or removes a mandatory service requirement, which does not happen very frequently. I am excited to see if my approach will yield new results and help policymakers foster patriotism and high spirits in their countries, or whether such requirements should be phased out of the conversation.

How will you disseminate your research?
I plan to present my research at URCAD and submit my final paper to undergraduate research journals like the Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Public and International Affairs. This project will serve as my honors thesis for the political science department.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Sign up for a research methods class in your major or a related one! Even if it is not required to graduate, it can strengthen important analysis and writing skills that will be helpful for your future. It will also walk you through the research process step-by-step so you can understand the basics before starting your own research.

What are your career goals?
I want to be a researcher at an international affairs or public policy think tank and conduct research on transitional justice. I am currently interning at the Brookings Institution researching the intersection of climate change and girls’ education and I really enjoy the process of investigating an issue, writing up the findings, and sharing it with an audience. I plan to get my Ph.D. in human rights one day and work at an organization like Brookings, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or even the United States Institute of Peace.

Photo: Katie at the United States Institute of Peace (one of her dream jobs).

]]> Katie Poteet is a Global Studies and Political Science major with an Arabic minor, who will graduate in May 2021. She is a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar, a member of the Honors College, and a... http://ur.umbc.edu https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94605/guest@my.umbc.edu/92e5fe43422a699cf7aea9230ae93aa0/api/pixel Undergraduate Research https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/undergradresearch https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xsmall.png?1600355057 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/original.jpg?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xxlarge.png?1600355057 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xlarge.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/large.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/medium.png?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/small.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xsmall.png?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xxsmall.png?1600355057 Undergraduate Research https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/xxlarge.jpg?1596463784 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/xlarge.jpg?1596463784 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/large.jpg?1596463784 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/medium.jpg?1596463784 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/small.jpg?1596463784 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/xsmall.jpg?1596463784 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/605/da89fc134f0d7c76e3007a0a1ead0cf5/xxsmall.jpg?1596463784 15 1 true Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:16:43 -0400 Tue, 04 Aug 2020 08:30:47 -0400 Important Announcement: RIU Transition Please read from an important update on our new program

Hello Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Center Community members,

As of July 1, 2020 Retriever Immigrants United became inactive as a student organization.However, we acknowledge the importance of supporting our fellow immigrant community members and wish to continue the good work set by previous RIU student leaders. 

We are delighted to announce that starting Fall 2020, RIU will transition over to The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers as an ongoing discussion and support group self-identified immigrant students, as well as staff, faculty, and alumni. We are excited to see what new opportunities and connections this new iteration of RIU will bring to the UMBC immigrant community. Please note that this group is centers those who self-identify as first, 1.5, or second-generation immigrants regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status. This is subject to change according to attendees and potential event opportunities and initiatives. See below for a list of definitions. 

As members of this page we encourage you to follow The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers myUMBC group page to stay up to date with upcoming RIU discussion topics. Our current sessions are scheduled for 10/15/2020 (Link) and 12/15/2020 (Link).

The RIU myUMBC group page may become inactive in the following months. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to former RIU Advisor, Carlos Turcios at carlos6@umbc.edu. 

In solidarity, 

]]> Hello Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Center Community members, As of July 1, 2020 Retriever Immigrants United became inactive as a student organization.However, we acknowledge the importance of... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94545/guest@my.umbc.edu/59970db1e933ce186c16f1c8e9030b03/api/pixel daca diversityandinclusion immigrant international retrieverimmigrantsunited tps undocumented The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/original.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xlarge.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/large.png?1755890395 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/medium.png?1755890395 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/small.png?1755890395 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xsmall.png?1755890395 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/079/8da8369525d899e6fa49decd5a80b73f/xxsmall.png?1755890395 The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/xxlarge.jpg?1596127587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/xlarge.jpg?1596127587 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/large.jpg?1596127587 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/medium.jpg?1596127587 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/small.jpg?1596127587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/xsmall.jpg?1596127587 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/545/9e61fa98d7556e2fd9e168be475be693/xxsmall.jpg?1596127587 3 0 true Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:52:57 -0400 Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:12:09 -0400 New Remote Media and Communications Internship! Building Our Team

The Retriever Essentials Team is looking for a Media and Communications intern!

The intern must be creative, social media savvy, and passionate about food security! Please see this position on UMBCworks. 

In addition, we are looking for ambassadors for our Student Leadership Board! Please email rebferg1@umbc.edu for more information.

]]> The Retriever Essentials Team is looking for a Media and Communications intern! The intern must be creative, social media savvy, and passionate about food security! Please see this position on... https://umbc-csm.symplicity.com/students/app/jobs/detail/ba8728c6f78d5d462daf3fd3b351ef42 Photo https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/54da767adebc118d8e1ecc1911488502/6a02f95a/news/000/094/484/7176e1f950de6aa93e9d9d7cd5156c95/IMG_8175-300x288.jpg?1595878369 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94484/guest@my.umbc.edu/a3157b34e6e46e701b14af749410ca69/api/pixel Retriever Essentials https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/retrieveressentials https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/xsmall.png?1762874117 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/original.png?1762874117 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/xxlarge.png?1762874117 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/xlarge.png?1762874117 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/large.png?1762874117 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/medium.png?1762874117 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/small.png?1762874117 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/xsmall.png?1762874117 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/389/07b12dca5bf1da16311c6d47125fe746/xxsmall.png?1762874117 Retriever Essentials https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/xxlarge.jpg?1595878022 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/xlarge.jpg?1595878022 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/large.jpg?1595878022 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/medium.jpg?1595878022 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/small.jpg?1595878022 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/xsmall.jpg?1595878022 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/484/e01b265b2ebf34b59d7fbd1f625861d7/xxsmall.jpg?1595878022 2 0 true Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:39:24 -0400 Undergraduate Researcher of the Week: Ouriel Ndalamba Turning waste pollutants into high-quality fertilizer
Ouriel Ndalamba is a Sophomore Chemical Engineering major. She is a CWIT Scholar, member of the Honors College, a summer LSAMP participant, and a URA Scholar.

Title of your research project: 
Dissolved carbon dioxide flotation for nutrient extraction and recovery from poultry litter.

Describe your project: 
Land application of poultry litter and other agricultural wastes by farmers causes nutrient runoff into water bodies and creates dead zones, which negatively impact water quality and aquatic life. My research aims to develop a new technology to effectively remove and recover the nutrients in poultry litter and agricultural waste to not only protect the environment, but also generate valuable fertilizers and soil amendments that can be sold to offset operating costs.

Who is your mentor(s) for your project? 
My mentors are Dr. Lee Blaney and Michael Fleming in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering (CBEE). I was introduced to Dr. Blaney by Dr. Miller and Dr. Wagner as I expressed an interest in engineering after I graduated high school. In the lab, I work alongside Michael Fleming, a graduate student. I asked Dr. Blaney to mentor me for this project, because I am interested in solving water pollution problems. 

How did you become interested in this project? 
I became interested in this project after learning more about different types of water pollution and, in particular, how nutrients were dangerous to the aquatic life of many rivers in the US and other parts of the world. The recycling aspect of the project, namely turning a waste source like poultry litter into a high-quality fertilizer, also fascinated me.

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? 
The most unexpected thing about being a researcher was understanding that the answer to one question just leads to more questions.  Every day of working in the lab (or reading the literature) brings me motivation to seek more understanding about my research project, allowing my work to progress and evolve.

What has been the most rewarding part? 
The most rewarding part has been seeing how much I can learn from working in the lab and using that knowledge to help people and the planet.

How will you disseminate your research (URCAD presentation, conference, publication, etc?) 
I will present my research at URCAD next April!

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? 
Do not be afraid of trying new experiences, even if you do not feel ready. You can learn if you put in the work and time.

What are your professional goals? 
My goal is to go to graduate school.
]]> Ouriel Ndalamba is a Sophomore Chemical Engineering major. She is a CWIT Scholar, member of the Honors College, a summer LSAMP participant, and a URA Scholar. Title of your research project: ... http://ur.umbc.edu https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/94463/guest@my.umbc.edu/e2173b48d5ca4fa55bca81a4ef20d245/api/pixel cwit honors-college ura urcad Undergraduate Research https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/undergradresearch https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xsmall.png?1600355057 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/original.jpg?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xxlarge.png?1600355057 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xlarge.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/large.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/medium.png?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/small.png?1600355057 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xsmall.png?1600355057 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/006/875606ced2b629148af4caa1a4e8dd3c/xxsmall.png?1600355057 Undergraduate Research https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/xxlarge.jpg?1595855291 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/xlarge.jpg?1595855291 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/large.jpg?1595855291 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/medium.jpg?1595855291 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/small.jpg?1595855291 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/xsmall.jpg?1595855291 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/094/463/4fe60f70a35850a39ea7733c005bf14d/xxsmall.jpg?1595855291 15 1 true Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:15:57 -0400 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:24:57 -0400