Last week I shared the role music plays in setting the tone for my day and getting me ready for what comes my way. I asked for your songs to send graduates on their way and I was not disappointed.
From classic rock ballads to swinging jazz pieces, the submissions were as varied as our community. I appreciate the opportunity to explore and listen to the music that is moving and inspiring our community.
In the “song I’ve never heard before” category, Melissa Ferrick’s “Closer” is a great reminder that the road of life is composed of thousands of small steps taken every day.
But with every little bang, every little push
Every little step I take, I get closer
A second at a time, usin' my breath
Maybe it's true I've got a fear of success
But with every little bang, every little push
Every little step I take, I'm gettin' closer
I'm gettin' closer
As we finish the semester, I encourage you to celebrate the small steps that make the bigger journey possible.
While I haven’t had a chance to comb through all of the submissions yet, Amy Houghton’s suggestion of the “Backatown” album from Trombone Shorty led me to this NPR Tiny Desk Concert that had the top floor of the Administration Building swaying to the beat as we worked to put a cap on the semester. A few other highlights include Billy Joel’s “Vienna,”“Everything is Everything” by Lauryn Hill, Sade’s “By Your Side,” and “Free Ride” by Edgar Winter Group.
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NEWS & NOTES
Thank You to Connie Pierson and Welcome to Shannon Tinney Lichtinger
I want to thank everyone who joined us last week in celebrating Connie Pierson’s decades of dedicated service to UMBC. Her last day will be on Friday, May 29. Upon her retirement, Shannon Tinney Lichtinger will serve as interim associate vice provost, heading up the Institutional Research, Analysis & Decision Support (IRADS) office. Shannon began her career in institutional research at UMBC in the early 2000s and returned in 2019 to take the helm of the institutional research arm of IRADS. We wish all the best for Connie, Shannon, and IRADS as they move through this transition.
Honoring Shelly Wiechelt
On Wednesday, the Provost Office had the opportunity to honor Shelly Wiechelt for her years of dedicated leadership as the associate dean and chair of the School of Social Work. Shelly has been a trusted member of the academic leadership team and I appreciate her unwavering advocacy for her school and students. Her thoughtful and compassionate insight will be missed as she transitions back to the faculty.
Celebrating Bill LaCourse May 27
A celebration of Bill LaCourse’s 15 years of leadership as dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences will be held on Wednesday, May 27. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 20 if you are able to attend. Bill has been a steady force for progress at UMBC in his decade-and-a-half at the helm of CNMS. Please join us in thanking Bill for his many years of service.
Meet the Class of 2026
As we celebrate our graduates next week, take a minute to meet some members of the Class of 2026 and learn more about the many ways they left their mark on UMBC.
End of Semester Update from the Federal Orders and Actions Core Team
On Tuesday, the Federal Orders and Actions Core Team shared an end-of-semester update. Issues covered include travel considerations, impact of executive orders and federal actions on the promotion and tenure process, research and achievement, and available resources.
Call for Faculty Applications: 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program
The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is now accepting applications for the Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program for 2026-2027. This year-long program offers faculty a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise in AI pedagogy while contributing to evidence-based teaching practices across our system.
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
CNMS Dean Search Candidate Open Forum
Monday, May 18, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., University Center 310
We invite you to join us at an open forum with the last of the three finalists for the dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Science. During the forum, the candidate will share their academic journey, present a vision for the college, and participate in an open Q&A session with attendees. The forum will be moderated by the search committee chair. For additional information on the position, please visit the Provost Leadership Search listing.
Your participation is vital to the selection process, and we encourage you to join us for this important event.
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
Join colleagues to explore how generative AI can support teaching, course design, and student learning and where faculty judgment remains essential.
This session practically demonstrates how generative AI can support course design when embedded within a backwards‑design workflow. Rather than isolated prompting, faculty will learn to use AI iteratively to align objectives, assessments, and course activities. Participants will gain repeatable, model‑agnostic workflows for using Gen AI to augment design while preserving faculty voice and pedagogical intent.
The FDC is co-sponsoring this workshop, facilitated by John Schumacher, professor of sociology, anthropology and public health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. This workshop is a condensed version of The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint that was initially offered in January 2026.
Register for part III of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series.
2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition
May 13 – 22
Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture
The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents the 2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition, on display from May 13 through 22, presenting the broad and dynamic scope of senior undergraduate student work within the Department of Visual Arts.
2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition
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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.