Hello everyone! 

We hope to see you there!

Please consider joining the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) Senator team this academic year to help your fellow Graduate Students.

There are currently 2 out of 4 open spots available. This is a paid position.

Follow this link for more information on what it is to be a CNMS Senator within the Graduate Student Association (GSA).

Apply here.

Posted on behalf of CNMS GSA Senators.

We're setting up a photo station to capture your first‑day glow, your fresh fits, and your iconic energy. Come click, pose, laugh, and make your first day unforgettable. Bring your friends, bring your smiles, and we’ll frame the moment — YOU make it iconic.

Returning students, join the comeback crew! Show us your previous First Day of Class photo with us and let’s capture the comeback.

(All polaroid pictures are valid while supplies last.) 

Meet us at the Commons Commuter Lounge from 10:00am to 3:00 p.m. 

We'll be ready to meet new faces and our returning UMBC comeback crew!

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Office of Graduate Student Life will be closed Tuesday, August 18 and will reopen Wednesday, Auguast 19. 

Our apologies for any inconveinence this may have caused. 

See you tomorrow! 

Welcome to UMBC! We are so glad you are here.

Whether you are transferring in, starting mid-year, or picking up where you left off, we are thrilled to have you as part of our diverse, inclusive community. Welcome Retrievers is one of UMBC’s favorite traditions. At the beginning of each semester, departments and offices from across campus come together to welcome new and returning students to UMBC. 

Graduate Students Welcome Events - Starting Aug 19

Join the Welcome Retrievers myUMBC group for updates and information.

Want to know more about events?  Have a question about life on campus?  Want to connect with a current student for some tips? As you find yourself asking questions, send an email to welcomeretrievers@umbc.edu

The Graduate Student Association is seeking graduate student representatives to serve on the Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee (GAAC) for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The GAAC is responsible for providing a platform specifically for GA’s to voice their concerns. We strive to work productively and coordinate with administrators to maintain a positive work environment and bring about positive changes for graduate assistant students. 

We are looking for:

1 representative from CAHSS

📅 Position Start Date: Aug 20, 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will begin immediately. Positions will be filled on a first-qualified, first-served basis, so we encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible.

This is a great opportunity to:

• Gain leadership and service experience
• Contribute to graduate assistants' betterment 
• Work closely with the GSA to support your graduate student community
• Earn a stipend for your time.

If you're interested in serving on the Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee, submit your application today! (https://forms.gle/UXVtCcYR3UhieTDD7)

We look forward to welcoming our new GAAC members!

The Graduate Student Association is inviting graduate students to join the Graduate Experiences, Achievements, and Research Successes (GEARS) Committee for the 2026–2027 academic year.

GEARS helps organize events and programs that showcase graduate research, celebrate student achievements, support professional development, and strengthen the graduate student community.

We are looking for motivated graduate students to support areas such as:

1. Event planning and logistics
2. Operations and registration
3. Outreach and partnerships
4. Communications and organization
5. Graphics and social media

This is a great opportunity to:

- Gain leadership and event-planning experience
- Help organize major events such as 3MT and the Graduate Research Symposium
- Work with campus partners and the GSA
- Support and celebrate graduate student success
- Earn a stipend for your time

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested students are encouraged to apply early.

Join GEARS and help bring graduate student research, achievements, and experiences into the spotlight at UMBC!

Submit your application here!

10 Years of Community Care: Share Your Voice and Win 100 Retriever Dollars

For a decade, Retriever Essentials has worked to ensure no Retriever goes hungry. What started as an effort to ease the immediate burden of food insecurity has grown into a campus movement of mutual aid, support, and care. Every meal provided, every pantry restocked, and every student served over the past ten years has been made possible by the dedication of our UMBC community.

As we mark our 10th Anniversary, we want to celebrate the heart of this work: student voices.

In partnership with Poetry X Hunger, we are calling on UMBC student writers and poets to submit an original poem exploring themes of hunger, food justice, or collective care.

The Award and Recognition

• 100 Retriever Dollars: One featured student writer will be awarded 100 Retriever Dollars.

• Live Performance: The selected student will read their poem live in front of an audience at our 10th Anniversary Celebration.

• Broader Platform: Winning selections will be showcased on the Poetry X Hunger website to inspire broader audiences.

Your words have the power to illuminate the reality of food equity, foster empathy, and drive meaningful change.

How to Submit

Please refer to the following post.

This post has been made on behalf of the Retrievers Essentials. 

This workshop by Women's, Gender, & Equity Center, is designed for faculty, staff, and students who may be the first person a survivor confides in.

Join us to:

• Learn about the Start by Believing campaign

• Build confidence in responding to disclosures of sexual assault, harassment, or domestic violence

• Strengthen our survivor-centered, trauma-informed campus community

Date: August 19, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Location: Virtual via Webex

Let’s work together to create a culture of support and safety at UMBC

If you plan to attend, RSVP on MyUMBC below:

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events/154881

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

This post has been made on behalf of the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center at UMBC.

10 Years of Community Care: Share Your Voice and Win 100 Retriever Dollars

For a decade, Retriever Essentials has worked to ensure no Retriever goes hungry. What started as an effort to ease the immediate burden of food insecurity has grown into a campus movement of mutual aid, support, and care. Every meal provided, every pantry restocked, and every student served over the past ten years has been made possible by the dedication of our UMBC community.

As we mark our 10th Anniversary, we want to celebrate the heart of this work: student voices.

In partnership with Poetry X Hunger, we are calling on UMBC student writers and poets to submit an original poem exploring themes of hunger, food justice, or collective care.

The Award and Recognition

• 100 Retriever Dollars: One featured student writer will be awarded 100 Retriever Dollars.

• Live Performance: The selected student will read their poem live in front of an audience at our 10th Anniversary Celebration.

• Broader Platform: Winning selections will be showcased on the Poetry X Hunger website to inspire broader audiences.

Your words have the power to illuminate the reality of food equity, foster empathy, and drive meaningful change.

How to Submit

You can use this submission form or follow the QR code in the image below. We look forward to reading your work and celebrating ten years of community support together.

Submission Requirements:

• Must be a UMBC student (Retriever Essentials staff members aren't eligible to submit poetry)
• Submission must be a Word Document 
• The Word Document or Google Form submission cannot contain your name (For impartiality)
• Submission must be a poem that focuses on the topics of hunger, nutrition, collective care, food stamps, food pantries, community gardening, sustainability, food waste or other hunger related topics.
• The submitted poem should be no more than a page long.
• No AI-assisted writing or hateful language