Welcome back to campus!

We hope you had a wonderful summer!!

Happy Fall Semester! The campus is buzzing again, and The George and Betsy Sherman Center is so excited to see everyone back on campus.

Whether you're stepping into your very first college lecture, grabbing a bite at the Commons, or heading into your final year, a fresh semester brings brand-new energy, big goals, and endless possibilities.

Take a breath, support your fellow Retrievers, and make time to enjoy the journey this fall. We're cheering you on every step of the way!

Join Jeremiah Program Baltimore at the BWTech South Building @ UMBC on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET for an inspiring and candid panel discussion.

Featuring inspiring leaders Nicole Lynn Lewis, Joy Thomas Moore, Angel Webb Reese, Chastity Lord, and Danielle Staton, we’ll dive deep into lived experiences, economic mobility, the true power of higher education for single parents, and the narratives that shape our communities. Don't miss out on this crucial dialogue—check out the flyer below for full event details and RSVP by August 28.

The Reach Together Tutoring Program is officially hiring Math Coaches for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year!

We are searching for motivated, dynamic UMBC community members who want to make a tangible difference in the lives of local elementary and middle school students. If you have a desire to mentor, serve, and help students succeed, we want you on our team.

Position Overview

UMBC Math Coaches provide targeted math intervention for students in grades 1–8 across Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools.

• The Commitment: Tutoring a small cluster of students (2–3) at least 2–3 times per week.

• Session Length: 45–60 minutes per session, conducted during the school day.

• Program Timeline: September 2026 to May 2027.

• Compensation: $18.00 / hour.

How to Apply

• Learn More: For additional details regarding our mission and impact, please visit the Reach Together Tutoring Program Website.

• Apply Now: Ready to join us? Complete the Math Coach Application today!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the brilliant young minds of our Maryland Invention Convention Team!

This past week, our team spent three inspiring days at the Invention Convention US Nationals, hosted at the historic Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Representing our community on a national stage, these young inventors immersed themselves in unique learning experiences, connected with fellow creators, and proudly showcased their original inventions to a crowd of over a thousand attendees!

Bringing Home National Honors

The competition was fierce, featuring 513 innovative projects from across the country. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Maryland's very own Gabriel Gomez-Quintero received one of only two prestigious Best Logbook Awards for his outstanding work on PolePal!

We want to extend a massive thank you to our mentors, families, and community members whose support made this inaugural year such a resounding success. We are already looking forward to brainstorming, building, and inventing for next year!

To view the full list of award winners, click this link.

To learn more about Invention Convention US Nationals, click this link.

Small items. Massive impact.

The UMBC HIPPY program and the UMBC Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center have teamed up for a special donation drive—and we need your help to keep our community supported, healthy, and thriving.

Why Your Donation Matters

Did you know that the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center provides essential health and hygiene supplies to UMBC students entirely free of cost? From emergency contraception to period products, the Center is a vital safety net on campus. However, keeping these shelves stocked relies heavily on the generosity of people like you.

At the same much-needed time, our HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) families have expressed a critical need for these exact same everyday essentials.

By donating, you are directly supporting a student striving for their degree and a local family working hard to give their children a strong start in life.

Items We Need Most

We are collecting specific, high-priority items that are both in high demand and easy for students and families to transport:

• Family Care: Baby diapers & pull-ups (larger sizes especially needed!), baby wipes.

• Personal Hygiene: Pads (all sizes, with or without wings), individually wrapped body wipes / no-rinse shower wipes.

• Health Essentials: Pregnancy tests, Xiromed Emergency Contraceptive Pills.

• Home Essentials: Laundry detergent sheets or pods (no large bottles, as they are difficult for families without vehicles to transport!).

Donate Items (Online or In-Person)

• Shop the Wishlist: Click our Amazon Wish List Link to buy items directly and have them shipped straight to us.

• Drop Off Locally: If you prefer to shop in person, you can bring your donations directly to the George and Betsy Sherman Center.

To our newest graduates: Your hard work and dedication have officially paid off! We are incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the incredible impact you'll make as you officially enter the teaching workforce.

You are joining a legacy of educators making a difference every day, and we are honored to welcome you to the professional community.

Are you, or do you know someone who is a part of the Early Childhood community and ready to drive meaningful change in Maryland?The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP) is officially seeking applicants for its next transformative cohort.

The MECLP Experience

Strengthen your leadership skills and commitment to equity through this yearlong, graduate-level hybrid course designed for ECE change-makers. Join a statewide network of leaders and receive personalized coaching to drive meaningful change for Maryland's children and families.

Important Dates

Don't miss the chance to learn more or submit your application:

• Virtual Info Session 1: May 8 @ 10:00 AM 
• Virtual Info Session 2: May 27 @ 7:00 PM 
• Application Deadline: June 24, 2026

Ready to Lead?

Apply Today Here For session links, email marloeli@umbc.edu or visit umbc.meclp.edu for more details.

Please find the flyer attached for more details!!

Our latest newsletter is officially here! This month, we are diving into the classroom at Glen Burnie High Schoolwith one of our incredible alumni,Adrianna-Marie Urbina-Ruiz. Get the full breakdown of our community updates, from campus tours to alumni networking and read about her inspiring journey from Sherman Scholar to full-time mathematics educator!

"Happy Birthday to Betsy Sherman, the heart behind our center. Your dedication to empowering people through education is a gift to our entire community. Wishing you a future as bright as the one you've helped build for others!"

" Our latest newsletter is officially here! This month, we are diving into the classroom with one of our scholars at Cherry Hill Elementary Middle School. Get the full breakdown of our community updates and read about the journey from Sherman Scholar to full-time educator. "