As we prepare to close out the 2025–2026 GSA year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together and thank the graduate student community for allowing us to serve.

Over the past year, GSA has worked to advocate for graduate student needs, strengthen communication and transparency, and create more opportunities for graduate students to engage with one another and with university leadership. Through Meet & Confer, college and campus-wide town halls, weekly office hours, committee representation, advocacy meetings, grant funding, Graduate Student Appreciation Week, community-building events, and partnerships across campus, we have worked to ensure that graduate student voices are represented in conversations that impact student life and success at UMBC.

At the same time, we have continued to listen. Every email, office hour conversation, survey response, town hall discussion, committee report, and student concern helped guide the work we pursued this year. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the students who chose to engage, ask questions, provide feedback, challenge us, and help us identify ways to improve the graduate student experience.

As one leadership team prepares to pass the torch to the next, I am excited to introduce the 2026–2027 GSA leadership team, which will begin serving on July 1:

Executive Council

• President: Ahmet Kaan Aydin

• Vice President: Kennedy Davis

• Chief of Staff: Xixëllonjë Nebihu

• Secretary: Tori LaChapelle-Sproat

• Treasurer: Milind Ramesh Rampure

• Speaker of the Senate: Diane Placide

• GRP Chair: Aminah Amjad

• GEARS Chair: Gaurav Shinde

• GAAC Chair: Rishav Gupta

• EoF Chair: Pavan Raj Ravi

Student Affairs Senators

• Dharani Nadendla

• Diane Placide

• Aaryaa Rajendra Gaikwad

COEIT Senators

• Sreeja Lakkakula

• Krish Mehta

• Suma Ronanki

• Monika Battula

CNMS Senators

• Vaibhavkumar Ginoya

• Chelsea Hook

CAHSS Senators

• Elle Hook

• Carole Njoroge

• Alfred Boakye

Directors

• Director of Events: Bethel Gabriel Beyene

• Director of Communications and Marketing: Saad Ahmad Khan

Please join me in congratulating these student leaders and supporting them as they begin their service to the graduate student community. I know they will bring new ideas, energy, and perspectives while continuing GSA's mission of advocacy, service, and community building.

While the individuals serving in GSA may change, our commitment to graduate students does not. GSA will continue to advocate for your needs, amplify your voices, and work toward making graduate student life at UMBC the best it can be.

We are also still seeking graduate students interested in serving as GSA Senators. If you are passionate about representing your peers and helping shape the future of graduate student life at UMBC, we encourage you to get involved.

Interested in serving as a GSA Senator? Sign up here                               

Serving as your GSA President has been one of the greatest honors of my graduate journey. Thank you for your trust, your support, your feedback, and your willingness to work alongside us. I hope that, through our efforts this year, we helped make GSA a little more visible, a little more accessible, and a little more connected to the graduate students we serve.

With gratitude,

Aminah Amjad
GSA President, 2025–2026

Here are the links to what you all have been waiting for, recapping the memorable graduate student appreciation week! 

Note: Please log in with your myumbc account if you are unable to access the links.

• GSAW Pictures
• GSAW - Breaking the Mold 
• GSAW - Candle Making
• GSAW - Cultural Day 
• GSAW - Grad Prom & Awards 
• GSAW - GEARS Research Symposium 

Pixilated Photo Booth:

• GSAW - Grad Prom Pixilated Photo Booth Photos 4-10-26
• GSAW - Ebony Sneaker Ball 4-11-26 Pixilated Photo Booth Photos

Hello everyone!

Retriever Essentials will be closed tomorrow, 6/19, in observance of Juneteenth.

We hope to see you Monday!

Hello everyone!

Due to the HVAC system in the Apartment Community Center still being managed, Retriever Essentials will be at the Center for Wellbeing for the remainder of the summer (including today).

Please plan your trip accordingly, and we apologize for any incovneinces.

Good morning Retrievers, 

Please note that the Office of Graduate Student Life will be closed for the day today.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to your plans. We will resume our normal operating hours of 10AM - 2PM tomorrow.

What an incredible semester it has been for our graduate community! This spring, we brought together brilliant minds from across the university to share groundbreaking ideas, challenge perspectives, and celebrate the immense impact of graduate research.

From fast-paced stage presentations to vibrant poster sessions and insightful career discussions, our community truly shined. Here is a look back at the landmark event that defined our semester:

The Research Symposium: Innovation on Display

Our annual Research Symposium transformed the UC Ballroom into a bustling hub of academic discovery. Graduate and undergraduate students from diverse disciplines presented their work, sparking brilliant cross-departmental conversations with peers, faculty, and distinguished guests. With over 60+ research posters on display and more than 150+ attendees, the energy in the room was a testament to our university's thriving research culture.

• Congratulations to our Poster Winners:

  • BEST of COEIT - Dharani Nadendla
    Program - M.S.; Major - Data Science

  • Best of CNMS - Kushani Mendis
    Program - Ph.D.; Major - Chemistry

  • Best of CAHSS - Kaitlin Worzalla
    Program - Undergraduate; Major - Geography and Environmental Systems

  • People's Choice Award - Francheska Burrola
    Program - Undergraduate; Major - Biological Sciences
  • Provost's Choice Award - Aeon Kaplowitz
    Program - Undergraduate; Major - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition: Research in a Flash

Distilling years of dense, complex doctoral or master's research into a single, three-minute presentation using only one slide is no small feat—but our 3MT competitors made it look effortless! Our finalists took the stage to pitch their research to a panel of judges and a live audience, showcasing incredible communication skills, clarity, and passion.

• Congratulations to our 3MT Champions:

  • First Place: Reece Robertson
    Program - Ph.D.; Major - Computer Science

  • Second Place: Hedyeh Zamani
    Program - Ph.D.; Major - Biological Sciences

  • Third Place (Tie!): [1] Tamil Selvan Gurunathan 
    Program - Ph.D.; Major - Information Systems
    
    [2] Maria del Mar Aranda Gomez Guillamon
    Program - M.S. Major - Intercultural Communication

Bridging the Gap: Panel Discussion

In addition to research showcases, we hosted a panel discussion "Thriving in Graduate Education: Empowerment, Equity, and Influence at UMBC". We were joined by university leaders who shared invaluable, candid advice on Equity & Access in Graduate Education, Impostor Syndrome, and Student Influence on Policy and Change. The vibrant Q&A session that followed left attendees feeling inspired and equipped for their next professional chapters.

A huge thank you to our incredible panelists: 

• Dr. Renique Kersh, Vice President for Student Affairs

• Dr. Christa Porter, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School

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

A Sincere Note of Gratitude

These massive events would not have been possible without an immense village of support. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) for their support.

• Our faculty and guest judges who volunteered their valuable time and resources to support student growth.

• The GEARS Committee for working behind the scenes to handle the chaotic logistics, catering, and planning that made everything run seamlessly.

Most importantly, thank you to our graduate students for your courage, curiosity, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Want to relive the highlights? Check out our official event photo gallery here: Link to Photos

Hello everyone!

Due to the HVAC system in the Apartment Community Center not working, our Free Farmers Market will be CANCELED for today, 6/11/2026

We apologize for any inconviences

Hi everyone!

We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!  

The Center for Democracy and Civic Life and the Division of Institutional Equity are seeking feedback on  UMBC’s Draft Framework for Inclusive Excellence.

Over the past semester, members of the UMBC community have participated in UMBC Talks forums to share experiences, perspectives, and ideas that can help shape the university’s approach to inclusive excellence.

If you were unable to attend one of these sessions, you are encouraged to review the draft framework and provide your input.

Your feedback can help inform how UMBC advances equity, belonging, access, and community engagement across campus.

📄 Review the Draft Framework for Inclusive Excellence
📝 Submit Feedback via the Online Form
📅 Feedback Deadline: Friday, June 5

Graduate students are encouraged to participate and share their perspectives to help ensure that the experiences and needs of graduate learners are reflected in future planning and implementation efforts.

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important campus conversation. Your voice matters.

Warm Regards,
Aminah

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the BGSO is actively seeking new leadership through its Executive Board nominations. Interested students can explore various e-board roles designed to drive the organization's mission forward and advocate for the graduate student body. 

*May 31st is the last day to fill out the form*

Nomination Link