Stop by Coffee Mondays to grab a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and take a breather between classes.

Whether you're coming to study, chat, or just refuel, this is your weekly reminder to slow down and connect with fellow grad students.

Where? Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons 308)
When? Every Monday | 10am - 2pm

Come as you are — pajamas, laptops, and coffee orders welcome.

Are you a UMBC graduate student looking for a paid campus opportunity that  … 

• supports you as a graduate-level writer?
• provides space and time for you to write and learn with other graduate students?
• prepares you for jobs in research, teaching, and beyond?

Apply now to become a UMB Writing Center Fellow and … 

• develop strategic research and writing practices for graduate and professional work, including thesis and dissertation writing
• join a vibrant network of mentors and student writers from Baltimore-area academic and professional programs
• learn research-based and equitable approaches to mentoring other graduate writers.

Fellows tutor graduate writers, including those writers enrolled in programs designated as undergraduate, online and on-site at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Writing Center in downtown Baltimore.

The Fellowship begins in early September 2026.

The award amount ranges between $1500-$3000 per semester, depending on your weekly commitment. 

The application will be open from March-August 2026.

Learn more and apply today at the UMB Writing Center Fellowship webpage linked  here. (Complete the UMBC-specific application) 

Reach out to James Wright, Associate Director of the UMB Writing Center, with questions: james.wright@umaryland.edu.

The University System of Maryland is conducting a survey to understand current attitudes toward and opinions of public higher education in Maryland and how it is perceived to impact the state. Because you are a student at a USM institution, we would value your participation. Please consider taking a few minutes to share your opinions by taking the survey.

TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey is being conducted by our marketing partner, BVK, on our behalf. Your responses will remain anonymous and will be automatically submitted to BVK and analyzed only in aggregate with others.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and, as a thank you for participating, you will be given the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon.com gift cards.

Review full drawing rules.

Thank you for your consideration.

TAKE THE SURVEY 

If you have questions about the survey, please send them to USMStudentSurvey@BVK.com

Thanks again!

There's no more food in Commons 308, thank you to those that came by.

Got an idea that could change campus life? It’s time to step into the tank! 🦈💡

The GSA Student Affairs Senators are hosting the Graduate Student Shark Tank, and we want to hear your pitches. Whether it's a new student resource or a campus improvement, this is your chance to get your ideas in front of university administrators and staff.

Here is everything you need to know:

The Details

• 🗓 Date: April 28

• 🕐 Time: 1:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Commons 329

• 🍱 Bonus: Enjoy FREE Biryani while you pitch!

The Format

• Pitch: 1–2 minutes to sell your idea.

• Q&A: 1 minute of questions from our "Sharks."

• Rewards: Win prizes for the best ideas!

How to Enter

To secure your spot in the Tank, scan the QR code and submit a brief 2-sentence summary of your idea.

[!IMPORTANT]

Deadline to apply: April 26

Don't let your ideas stay ideas—bring them to life and grab some lunch while you're at it. See you there! 🎓✨

FREE FOOD IN COMMONS 308

Make your own Halal Guys bowl in Commons 308, until supplies last!

Join us at OGSL for Circle Up for Community: OGSL Conversations—a space for graduate students to pause, reflect, and connect through guided conversation.

We’re using a restorative circle format where you can share your experiences, listen to others, and engage in meaningful dialogue around graduate life, stress, and support. There’s no pressure to speak—participate in whatever way feels right for you.

And yes—food is here now from The Halal Guys.

Come through, grab a plate, and be part of a welcoming, non-judgmental space centered on connection, care, and community.

Dear Graduate Students,

As we approach the upcoming academic year, I am writing to encourage you to finalize your course selections and enroll for the Fall 2026 semester. I understand that managing your finances may be a primary concern, however please note the following: 

• You can complete your registration for fall courses as soon as possible without an immediate financial transaction or bill.  
• Fall 2026 tuition bills will not be disseminated until August 1 and are not due until August 20, which allows for those awaiting funding or financial aid to be processed and reflected on your account. Click here to view UMBC's billing cycle. 
• Your academic department leaders need to get a sense of course enrollment to determine whether a class will reach the necessary threshold to run as scheduled. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to your program of study. Your presence and participation in our scholarly communities are vital to UMBC's success. 

Thank you, 

Dr. Christa Porter 

The Office of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Development invites you to attend the upcoming sessions hosted by the Division of Institutional Equity to create the framework for inclusive excellence at UMBC. Graduate students and postdocs are an important part of our campus community, and we want to ensure your experiences and perspectives are considered as we shape institutional change. For more information, see Tanyka Barber's original message below. 

Best,

Yarazeth

Help Shape UMBC’s Inclusive Excellence Framework

Dear UMBC Community, 

Inclusive excellence is at the heart of UMBC’s identity. We are strengthening this commitment by introducing a framework that helps form a shared definition to guide our work.

The Division of Institutional Equity team has developed a draft framework for inclusive excellence, building on ideas shared by our campus community through the series UMBC Talks in 2024 and 2025. The framework is intended to articulate our shared commitments, communicate our values, guide action, inspire collaboration, and support the development and implementation of UMBC’s next strategic plan.

This spring, we are inviting the entire campus community to participate in dialogue sessions to help continue to shape the framework. These conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on your values, and provide feedback to strengthen this work.

UMBC Talks dialogues are 90-minute, facilitated conversations led by Ciara Christian, M.A. ’18, Ph.D. ’22, director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue, and David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life.

The following UMBC Talks dialogue sessions are currently scheduled:

• Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. – noon, UC 312 - Focused on graduate student experiences, but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

• Friday, April 24, 2 – 4 p.m., UC 312 - Focused on undergraduate student experiences but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

• Tuesday, April 28, 3 – 5 p.m., Virtual - Open to all. Conversations will take place in mixed groups. RSVP here.

Each session will follow the same format, so you can choose the time that works best for you. We encourage you to participate and share your perspective as we shape this important work together.

Sincerely, 

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

Photo by Hussein Abdullah on Unsplash

It’s time to celebrate our grads! 🌟 Join The Mosaic for our end-of-year Affinity Celebrations & Awards: 

Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards | May 14 | 5:30 PM 

Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards | May 18 | 5:30 PM

📍 Location: UC Ballroom, 3rd Floor Dress in your "celebration best" and join us for food, awards, and performances.

Don't forget to RSVP by the deadline to receive your honorary graduation cords! 🎓✨

If you would like to nominate a community member for one of our Affinity Celebration & Awards, you may nominate them here using the Awards Nomination Form or https://forms.gle/TLH8uDwccy5gBJtj8. You may submit multiple nominations for the same or different individuals. Please submit all nominations by April 20th, 2026.