What gives you energy? It is a simple question that is so profound and important. For me, conversations with faculty, staff, students, and alumni often have me in awe (although after almost two years at UMBC I now expect to be amazed by the creativity and innovation of our community).
On Tuesday evening, I attended an Alumni Hilltop Society event including a panel discussion on AI. The panel, led by Vice Provost and Chief AI Officer Anupam Joshi, was both thoughtful and provocative. I felt inspired and comforted, knowing our future is in the hands of UMBC graduates who are trained to be thoughtful, critical, and innovative. At the same time, I reflect on various meetings recently with faculty and staff in academic departments in the humanities and arts. These meetings remind me of the profound contributions these areas make in teaching our students lifelong skills (e.g. conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, perspective taking, and critical thinking). These skills are called lasting (or durable), as they are not emerging or dependent on technological changes, which are likely to become even more important in preparing students for the careers and jobs of the future. What an opportunity we have in this space at UMBC, particularly as we start rethinking our general education program!
As we lean into how AI can augment higher education, I encourage us also to lean into conversations about lasting skills. It is not an either/or. Our opportunity is to lean into both areas simultaneously and graduate students who are the best of both worlds. Meeting those students 20 years from now would give me energy!
Digital Accessibility as Inclusive Excellence
Late last week, we learned the federal government extended the official enactment of the new Title II ADA regulations regarding digital accessibility from today to April 26, 2027. However, this adjustment does not change UMBC’s proactive stance.
We view digital accessibility (DA) not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as a natural extension of our inclusive excellence mission. By ensuring our digital environments are accessible for all, we uphold our commitment to an equitable education and work environment for every student, staff, and faculty member and continue the essential work we have already begun.
With this in mind, and building on the “Strive for 85” campaign launched before Spring Break, I want to share several updates and resources to support your efforts:
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New Digital Accessibility Policy Added to UMBC Policies Site: Our formal Digital Accessibility policy is now published, providing a clear framework for our institutional standards.
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DoIT Offers CoRE (Course Roadmap to Equity) Summer Camp: Summer Camp Dates (June 3 or June 10): Join us for intensive workshops designed to help you refine your course materials.
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Support for Faculty Teaching in Summer 2026: Workshops and consulting are available now as Summer '26 Blackboard Course Shells have been created, allowing for immediate accessibility implementation.
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Accessible Math: In a new collaboration, DoIT, Math, and SDS have launched a dedicated Accessible Math support site to assist STEM faculty with complex formatting and notations.
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Raise a Fall 2026 Blackboard Course's Ally Score by Fixing the Prior Version: Use the Blackboard Ally Course Accessibility Report to identify and remediate gaps in previous course versions now. When Fall 2026 shells are released in late July, you can simply copy your improved, high-scoring content into the fresh shell.
Our collective efforts toward achieving equity across all courses ensure that UMBC remains a leader in inclusive digital learning.
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NEWS & NOTES
Faculty and Staff: Send Me Your Highlights
As we near the end of the semester, I want to encourage faculty and staff members to send me your highlights and accomplishments from the academic year. Our goal is to call out outstanding work and programs that positively impact UMBC and the community. If you or your team has done something cool, innovative, exciting, or just downright effective, let me know. Pictures of team members and activities are highly encouraged. The deadline to be included is Wednesday, May 6, so do not delay. Please email highlights and images to Aaron Burnett.
Order Your Regalia For Commencement
If you intend to participate in commencement and need to order regalia, the final day to do so is Saturday, May 2.
Provide Open Access (free access) to You Works in ScholarWorks@UMBC
Providing open access (free access) to your publications makes them available to more people and increases citations. You can provide open access to your works in ScholarWorks@UMBC without paying article processing charges.
The Albin O. Kuhn Library will add works to ScholarWorks@UMBC for you. Simply send a link to your Google Scholar page or your publications website, your CV, or a list of your works to Claire Johnson. The library staff can also add unpublished works such as presentation slides if you send them.
If you've previously sent a list of publications, or a link to a list of publications, you don't need to do anything. Each year, the library staff automatically adds your new works, contacting you if anything is needed.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Learn about Study, Internships, and Funding Opportunities in Germany
Monday, April 27, 12 – 1 p.m.
Fine Arts Building, Room 459
The German Program at UMBC is hosting an informational event on April 27 to learn about
studying, internships, and funding opportunities in Germany. Presenters include:
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Amelia Wallace: Information Officer, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
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Danielle Bolden, J.D.: UMBC Center for Global Engagement; Fulbright Fellow, Germany 2010
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S. Maila Raphael, DAAD RISE Intern ‘22, UMBC ‘21 B.S. Chem. Eng., B.A. German
This is a follow-up to the fall event focused on research, collaboration, and funding opportunities in Germany with representatives from the German Academic Exchange Service, the American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the German Research Foundation.
Generative AI in Teaching I: Basic Critical Literacy and Foundations
Part I of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series
Monday, April 27, 12 - 1 p.m., Virtual
This session introduces the basics of generative AI and its implications for teaching and learning. It focuses on AI literacy by examining what these tools are, what they can and cannot do, basic prompting, ethical & responsible use, and how they may impact classroom practice. Faculty will see short demos of ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity.
Part I of an Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series. The FDC is co-sponsoring a series of three workshops facilitated by John Schumacher, Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Public Health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. Whether you have already begun exploring AI for your teaching and for student learning, are an AI-skeptic, or are somewhere in between, joining Dr. Schumacher and your UMBC colleagues for these hands-on workshops will help you to deepen your understanding of how AI works, some of the ethical concerns of AI-usage, and when and how to use which Gen AI tools. This workshop is a repeat of one that was initially offered twice in Fall 2025.
Generative AI in Teaching II: Applied Skills and Use Cases
Part II of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series
Monday, May 4, 12 - 1 p.m., Virtual
Using Generative AI to Support Your Course Design: A Faculty Workshop
Use AI iteratively to align course objectives & activities.
Monday, June 1, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Virtual
Learn more and register for Generative AI in Teaching sessions.
Dialogue Sessions to Help Shape UMBC’s Inclusive Excellence Framework
Tuesday, April 28
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.
The campus community is invited to participate in dialogue sessions to help continue to shape the framework. The conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on your values, and provide feedback to strengthen this work.
The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28.
Learn more about the upcoming Dialogue Sessions.
Retirement Celebration for Connie Pierson
RSVP by April 30
After 27 years of service, Connie Pierson, associate vice provost for Institutional Research, Analysis and Decision Support, is retiring from UMBC. She is a beloved alumna, colleague, and friend. Join us in celebrating Connie on May 7, from 2 – 4 p.m. at Fat Tuesdays in the Commons.
Please RSVP for Connie Pierson's retirement celebration by Thursday, April 30.
Global Asias Symposium and Celebration
Monday, May 4
This daylong event will showcase and celebrate the work of the Global Asias Initiative, a three-year initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation that has created a forum for engaging in conversations in the fields of Asian American Studies, Asian diaspora studies, and Asian Studies. The initiative has created connections across disciplines, departments, institutions, organizations, and communities here on campus and beyond. With our grant from Mellon Foundation coming to a close this year, we are showcasing the many achievements of the initiative.
- 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Welcome & Belonging and Community Luncheon: Conversations on Asian experiences at UMBC
- 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. – Keynote Address with Dr. Anna Guevarra
- 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Global Asias in Dialogue
- 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Global Asias Student Showcase & Reception
- Learn more about the Global Asias Symposium and Celebration.
Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
University Center Ballroom
3-5 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Reception
Please join us in celebrating this year’s Presidential Faculty and Staff awardees, University System of Maryland awardees, and additional distinguished university honorees.
Learn more and register for the Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony.
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Help Make this Newsletter Better
The goal each week of this message is to deepen our connection to UMBC, whether that is learning about an upcoming event, a divisional accomplishment, an innovative program, or an update from the Office of the Provost. If you know of a program or event that should be highlighted, please share it here.