hackUMBC is setting out on its 12th annual expedition!

Gather your gear and prepare to build at hackUMBC 2026, a 24-hour hackathon hosted by UMBC students on September 26 to 27, 2026, in the Engineering and ITE buildings. This hands-on experience is a great way to build skills, collaborate on innovative projects, and connect with a vibrant tech community. Whether you are starting your very first coding journey or you are an experienced builder ready to tackle tough challenges, hackUMBC welcomes students of all skill levels and majors.

Event Highlights:

• Beginner-friendly environment - no prior experience required

• Team competitions solving real-world challenges

• Workshops on AI/ML, Web Development, Game Development, and more

• Over $5,000 in prizes and lots of swag

• Networking opportunities with industry sponsors

• Explore internships, mentorships, and career pathways

• Free meals and snacks all weekend

• Fun activities like cup stacking, jousting, and gaming tournaments

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, build, and conquer your goals!

Register for your spot now at: https://www.hackumbc.tech/sign-up

For more event information, visit our hackUMBC Website and follow us on Instagram.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at hackumbc@gmail.com.

Your next great quest awaits at the castle!

- The hackUMBC Team

RSVP HERE!

Power through your week with the Office of Graduate Student Life! Whether you need a quick caffeine boost before class or want to take a break from the lab, stop by for a free hot cup of coffee, tea, and good conversation with your fellow grad community.

• When: Monday, August 31 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Where: The Commons, OGSL (Room 308)

• Who: All UMBC Graduate Students

Drop in anytime, fill up your mug, and start your week off right!

Bring your own reusable mug to help us stay sustainable!

Daksha Khatri, a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education Administration program at The George Washington University, is conducting a dissertation research study exploring the experiences of South Asian international graduate and professional students studying in the United States.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how South Asian international graduate and professional students navigate graduate education in the United States and the knowledge, relationships, skills, and cultural resources they draw upon throughout their educational experiences. If you are eligible or know someone who may be, please consider participating or sharing this opportunity with others.

 Who can participate?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 years or older
• Were born and raised in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, or the Maldives
• Moved to the United States to pursue graduate or professional education
• Are currently enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at a four-year college or university in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia

 What does participation involve?

• A brief 2–3 minute eligibility questionnaire
• If eligible, one 60–90 minute virtual interview
• Participants who complete the interview will be entered into a random drawing for one $50 electronic gift card

 Interested? Know someone who might be eligible?

Please consider participating or share this opportunity with your friends, classmates, student groups, network, and community!

 Check your eligibility here:
https://forms.gle/8ET41nBVv3VM75Gz7

 Questions about the study?
Contact Daksha at daksha.khatri@gwu.edu

Posted on behalf of Daksha Khatri

We are seeking volunteer support for our  2026 Annual UMBC McNair and Undergraduate Research Conference!! 

This is a national conference for undergraduate researchers to present their work, and our highlight is the variety of opportunities for students to connect with each other and our volunteer community. 

Our conference will take place at the Lord Baltimore Hotel (20 West Baltimore St, Baltimore MD, 21201)  beginning on 9/18 (Thursday) and ending on 9/20 (Saturday). We would love to have current graduate students as part of our volunteers, either as Poster Evaluators, Oral Presentation Moderators, and Networking Facilitators!

If you are willing to volunteer, please complete the 2026 Conference Volunteer Form. We are asking volunteers to give at least 3 hours of their time. If you are willing to do more, please let us know on the form.

FOR VOLUNTEERS: In addition to our Volunteer Guide, which will be released digitally (Google Drive) to our confirmed volunteers prior to the start of the conference, we will also be hosting a 1-hour "Conference Volunteer Training Session" on September 9th (Wed) from 12-1pm EST via Zoom!

The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising has openings available for Winter Orientation Advisors!

Advisors meet with incoming undergraduate students VIRTUALLY during the month of January in one-on-one sessions to plan out and register for classes. No previous experience is required, and we will provide all training necessary!

Besides compensation, this is a rare chance for graduate students to gain professional and interpersonal experience. Depending on your field, your time as a student may not open you up to many client-facing interactions, and this is a pathway to gaining that experience. If you are considering a career in academia, meanwhile, advising experience is highly sought-after in faculty openings.

Advisors are eligible to be compensated at the rate of $100 per afternoon session and $50 per evening or morning session, with the opportunity to work several sessions during the month. Although there are only a few days during which help is needed in January, advisors in good standing may be invited back to participate in our much larger Summer program afterwards.

Participants are also eligible to earn the Orientation Advisor microcredential! See more info here: https://badges.umbc.edu/

Grad students on F-1 visas ARE eligible for this work and invited to apply!

We are offering online informational sessions for anyone interested or who even just MIGHT be interested in finding out about this exciting opportunity to expand their skillsets, make meaningful connections, serve their departments, and get paid!

No RSVP necessary.

Tuesday, September 1 at 5:30pm (https://umbc.webex.com/meet/korossy1)

Monday, September 7 at 12:00pm (https://umbc.webex.com/meet/korossy1)

For additional details, see the application at Orientation Advising – Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising – UMBC, which is due by September 15.

This content has been posted on behalf of Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising.

Looking for a flexible on-campus employment opportunity that makes a meaningful impact in the community? The Reach Together Tutoring Program is currently hiring Math Coaches (Tutors) for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Reach Together partners UMBC with Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools to provide math tutoring to elementary and middle school students during the school day. Math Coaches work with students in grades 2-8, helping build foundational math skills and confidence.

Why consider this opportunity?

• No advanced math expertise required. Coaches work with students in grades 2-8 who are often two or more grade levels behind.
• All curriculum and instructional materials are provided.
• Ongoing professional development and support are included.
• Transportation from campus to school sites is often arranged.
• Flexible scheduling, with opportunities ranging from approximately 3 hours per week to 15-20 hours per week.

This position is a great opportunity for graduate students interested in education, mentoring, community engagement, or gaining experience working with youth while earning income during the academic year.

APPLY HERE

For questions about the program, please contact the Reach Together Tutoring Program team at darcyoaklan@umbc.edu

Are you looking to get involved on campus? Involvement Fest is the perfect place to get started and to get connected to over 250+ student organizations, both Undergraduate and Graduate!

Curious to see who will be at Involvement Fest? Check out our full list of student organizations. When you see an organization you’d like to learn more about, click on their myUMBC page!

If a group you’d like to connect with is not at Involvement Fest, don’t worry! Head on over to their myUMBC page where you can find the contact information of their officers.

RSVP here!

On Monday, August 31, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in University Center 312, UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life is hosting Democracy in the Making, a community art event where we’ll reflect on the kind of democracy we want to live in and what it takes to build it together.

As we kick off a new semester, come meet new people, share stories about the experiences that have shaped us, and imagine what democracy could look like in our communities and everyday lives. Then we’ll put some of those ideas on paper, exploring the hopes, ideas, and possibilities we hold for our collective future.

Write a poem, make a zine, draw, and more.

Whatever art you create will be yours to keep.

RSVP for this event here.

Refreshments and art supplies will be provided. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu. 

This program 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.

Democracy in the Making · Center for Democracy and Civic Life · myUMBC

Join the Office of Disability Access and Resources for our Open House and learn more about the people, programs, and resources that support accessibility at UMBC! This is a great opportunity to connect with the DAAR staff, discover the work we do, ask questions, learn how we create access for students throughout their academic journey as well as provide resources for employees with disabilities.

Stop by to:
• Meet the team and learn about our services
• Participate in our Open House scavenger hunt and get to know the people behind accessibility support
• Discover resources and support available to students and staff
• Ask questions about accommodations and accessibility
• Enjoy free snacks and win some swag!

Whether you are a new or returning student, faculty/staff with questions, or just curious and want to learn more about our office and disability inclusion, we invite you to stop by and connect with us as we kick off a new semester!

• Date: September 2, 2026

• Location: Math/Psychology Building (MP) Room 222

• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• RSVP HERE!

Posted on behalf of the Office of Disability Access and Resources (Previously Student Disability Services)

Happy First Day of Classes! Whether you are stepping onto campus for the very first time or returning for another exciting year of research and discovery, the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) is here to help you start your semester off right.

Join us for the very first Coffee Monday of the year! Grab a free hot cup of coffee or tea, pick up a pastry, and take a well-deserved breather to celebrate day one. It’s the perfect, low-pressure spot to meet fellow grad students, say hi to the OGSL team, and ease into your fall routine.

• When: Monday, August 24 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Where: Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons, Room 308)

• Who: All new and returning UMBC Graduate Students

No need to stay the whole time—feel free to drop in, fill your mug, and head to your first lecture or lab, or hang out and make some new friends.

We are so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to cheer you on this year. Welcome home, Retrievers!