We are proud to announce that Christopher (Chris) Moss has been awarded the DoIT Gritty Award for his tireless, high-stakes coordination of UMBC’s Commencement ceremonies and his incredible adaptability under pressure.

Mastering a Zero-Failure Environment

Managing technical operations for six Commencement ceremonies every year is a high-pressure, zero-failure mission. Chris coordinates the team managing the Tassel system (formerly Marching Order), which scans Grad Passes moments before students walk across the stage. This key process triggers the recording of each student's name and displays lower-third graphics on the live stream. Over several years, Chris has continually improved and expanded this system, introducing innovative solutions and vital fail-safes to ensure every graduate gets their well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Leadership and Clutch Adaptability

While Chris’s technical improvements keep the background running smoothly, his true grit shines through his leadership and cool composure:

• Empowering Staff: This year, Chris successfully empowered staff member Colin Corcoran to lead preparation and on-site coordination duties, remaining available as a steadfast safety net.

• Becoming the "Voice of UMBC": When veteran announcer Tom Moore had a sudden emergency right before a Thursday ceremony, Chris stepped in with zero notice—flawlessly pivoting from technical backup to becoming the literal voice of the afternoon event.

• Unseen Dedication: Behind the spectacle of Commencement, Chris handles intense backstage pressure with absolute professionalism, jumping in to assist with any task, big or small.

For his quiet leadership, constant innovation, and willingness to step up whenever needed, we present Chris Moss with the DoIT Gritty Award. Congratulations, Chris!

About the DoIT Gritty Award

The Gritty Award recognizes outstanding work within the Division and beyond. Full-time employees, student employees, and teams are all eligible. Do you know someone going above and beyond? Complete the Gritty Nomination Form today!

The first draft of this article was generated by GenAI and edited by the Communications Team. 

If you’ve ever felt the sheer panic of tackling a new technical skill while trying to survive grad school, UMBC international student Soumya Bhate’s new video is the ultimate comfort watch. Released as part of the "DoIT Student Digital Stories" series, the video features Bhate’s journey from a data-loving student to a confident campus IT professional. Balancing demanding coursework with hands-on roles as an IT assistant and Business Intelligence analyst, Bhate shows how on-campus jobs can turn intimidating concepts like SQL into a fun, real-world playground.

The heart of the video lies in Bhate’s relatable, down-to-earth advice for anyone stepping into a new job: never be ashamed to ask questions. She credits her supervisor with creating a super-supportive workspace where no technical doubt was too small, and mistakes were just stepping stones. This welcoming vibe didn’t just help her conquer data analytics; it also helped her shake off the unique nerves that come with adapting to a brand-new professional culture as an international student.

Looking ahead, Bhate is ready to take on the tech world with a smile, playfully noting that "it's data all around" as she eyes her dream career as a data scientist. 

Coco Ni, a UMBC student majoring in Information Systems with a certificate in Chinese Studies, shares her hands-on job experience with the Division of Information Technology’s (DoIT) A/V Services Installs Team. In May, Coco will be joining the other members of the Class of 2026 as they graduate from UMBC! 

Coco’s Digital Story

In celebration of this milestone, Coco recaps her experiences in the DoIT Student Digital Stories series. This video highlights her time and some of the hands-on work she has done performing installs and teardowns of A/V devices around different buildings and classrooms on campus. All of these helped her gain valuable skills to build up her resume and have motivated her to explore a career where she gets to help people with technology.

Congratulations, Coco, on your soon-to-be graduation! We appreciate your contribution to the A/V Services Team.

James Hyatt, a UMBC senior studying Media and Communications, has been an important member of the Division of Information Technology’s (DoIT) Communications team. His journey working for DoIT began with a UMBC partnership with the Southwest Visions Foundation and soon expanded into the world of internal communications, storytelling, and sports broadcasting. 

James’s Digital Story

As James Hyatt prepares to graduate this May, he shares a personal reflection in DoIT’s Student Digital Stories series about his DoIT experience. In this video, he reveals a journey of transformation shaped by hands‑on learning, campus engagement, and the steady development of professional identity. The video offers a brief but meaningful window into how James has grown as both a student and an emerging professional.

Work Highlights

Check out some of the great work James has completed in the past year and a half: 

History of Arbutus Highlight Video (30 seconds)

Hollywood Cinema in Arbutus Video (30 seconds)

Launching DoIT's Cybersecurity Newsletter (4-minute read)

Launching UMBC’s Sonography Program Application (3-minute read)

Congratulations, James, on your soon-to-be graduation! We appreciate all of your hard work, organization skills, and creativity!

Follow Joshua's story as he shares how connections made at DoIT have shaped his career aspirations. Discover the impact of friendships and networking in his journey towards becoming a cybersecurity expert.

Check out Joshua Cheeks Digital Story here!

Joshua Cheeks, a senior computer science major at UMBC, exemplifies how university experiences, particularly his role at the Division of Information Technology (DoIT)'s AV department, can profoundly shape one's career trajectory and personal growth. For two years, his work at the AV department has allowed him to apply his academic knowledge practically while building meaningful connections with colleagues and superiors, which he cites as a significant positive influence on his life, extending beyond professional boundaries. He advises new employees to actively engage with their peers and supervisors, stressing the future benefits of these relationships forged in DoIT's friendly environment.

The Division of Information Technology community extends its warmest congratulations to the exceptional Class of December 2025! This winter commencement marks a monumental achievement for all graduating students, symbolizing years of rigorous academic effort, personal growth, and dedication. We celebrate the unique contributions and relentless commitment of every Retriever reaching this milestone. Your journey at UMBC has prepared you not only with knowledge but also with the resilience and critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in your next chapter, and we eagerly anticipate the great things you will accomplish as new alumni.

A special and heartfelt congratulations goes out to the graduating students who have served as invaluable employees within DoIT. These student employees have masterfully balanced challenging coursework with the essential, hands-on work of keeping our campus technology running smoothly, whether through the TSC, desktop support, AV, cybersecurity, networks or other critical teams. The real-world experience gained in DoIT has provided a powerful complement to your academic learning, turning theoretical knowledge into practical expertise. Thank you for your incredible service, professionalism, and dedication to the UMBC mission. We wish you all the very best as you transition from UMBC students and staff to global leaders and innovators!

Congratulations to our DoIT graduates!

Pamela Adegbite

Saiteja Benkannagari

Joshua Cheeks

Jervon Drakes

Eugene Ferguson

Prudhvi Reddy Koduru

Michael Marti

Courtney Pelkey

Dereck Roman Rosario

Congratulations to DoIT New Media Studio student employee, Eugene Ferguson! He will be graduating with his Bachelors degree in Information Systems Major on December 18, 2025. 
Check out his DoIT Digital Story!

Eugene Ferguson's story highlights the value of embracing an interdisciplinary approach, successfully blending media communications and information systems (IS). Eugene realized the importance of self-reflection and adaptability, leading him to pursue a media communications certificate alongside his IS degree. A pivotal moment was joining the UMBC New Media Studio as a student employee, where he gained invaluable, hands-on experience in broadcasting, from operating cameras under the basket to capturing close-up action. This real-world exposure, combined with a collaborative studio environment, fostered essential technical skills, networking connections, and an understanding of live production workflow, ultimately leading to professional opportunities, including a role with the Baltimore Ravens.

Eugene's journey emphasizes that career success stems from curiosity, versatility, and proactiveness. He advises future professionals to "try everything" in the multifaceted media industry, be inquisitive, and value teamwork, as collaborative environments accelerate growth. Aspiring to work at the intersection of IT and media, such as in networks and video production, Eugene embodies the necessary adaptability for a rapidly changing technological landscape. His experience confirms that the ability to bridge technical and creative functions is increasingly vital, positioning him and others with hybrid skills for high-demand roles across sports, news, and corporate media.