Are you a new student here at UMBC looking to get involved?

Look no further and join the First Year Ambassador Program, presented by UMBC SGA. The First Year Ambassador Program is dedicated to first year undergraduate students and transfers who want to develop leadership skills as they learn the foundations of student governance.

The application  is open from August 31st to September 14th. Head right to this link: https://forms.gle/A6mtr2wG4HJde6Eb6

For Questions or Concerns, please contact Averi Grayson via email: averig1@umbc.edu

Welcome new and returning Retrievers! CNMS Advising is excited to have everyone back on campus and we are eager to help you tackle the fall semester!

Some important reminders/updates are as follows: 

1.) The CNMS Advising Office will be holding walk-in office hours for the entirety of the schedule adjustment period (through 9/14) Mo-Fri 10AM-12PM & 1PM-4PM in UC 205. If you are a new/incoming student please feel free to drop by at any time. Returning students should follow up with their assigned advisor (see here). Advisors can assist with schedule adjustments, registration troubleshooting, and general questions. Walk-in advising support is on a first come, first served basis and may result in a lengthy wait time during busy hours. Scheduled appointments can be arranged via email (CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu). 

2.) The last day of schedule adjustment (i.e. last day to add/drop/swap your classes) is Friday, September 4th.  Make sure that you are happy with your classes, that you are FULLY registered for a minimum of 12 credits (if you need to be a full-time student), and that you have established a balanced plan for the semester. Feel free to check in with your assigned advisor if you have any questions/concerns. First semester students can follow up with CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu for support.

3.) Take some time to update your record! Check your myUMBC account to determine/confirm your declared major(s). If your record does not accurately reflect your plans you can submit an updated Declaration of Major Form HERE. When completing the form, be sure to declare/ADD your new major intentions as well as remove/DELETE any unwanted programs.

Keep an eye out for this every month’s CNMS Advising Newsletter which highlights important dates, upcoming workshops, study hall hours, study group socials, practice exam sessions, campus support staff, and helpful tips to help you FALL into healthy academic habits from day one!

CNMS Advising is running weekly STEM-specific events every week in The Learning Collaboratory (TLC) -- UC 115 ranging from workshops to study groups. We will update the list of events every month HERE. Bookmark this page to stay in the loop!

Want to stay in touch with us throughout the semester? Follow us on Instagram @cnmsadvising. We will post event updates as well as STEM college success tips/tricks on a regular basis.

Coming up  -- The Learning Collaboratory (TLC) Kickoff Reception THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26th from 12-4PM. Snacks, prizes, crafts, games, a photobooth, and more! 

Hello everyone! We hope your Fall Semester is starting off strong!

For those who are unaware, over the summer we've upgraded our system to PantrySoft! This is a seamless process for not only our staff, but you as well!

Before you visit our pantry today, if you haven't already, please sign up for PantrySoft using the QR code shown on the flyer. If you have any questions, please email us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu

This fall, the Center for Social Justice Dialogue is hosting Interact, a series designed to help participants hone the skills to successfully engage in dialogue across difference. If you are a first year undergraduate student interested in upscaling your dialogue, register now!

WHAT IS INTERACT?

Interact is a four-week program for undergraduate students focused on creating an introduction to the dialogue skills required to engage in difficult conversations, dialogue across difference, and intercultural dialogue.

The goal of Interact at UMBC is to develop foundational skills connected to competencies for dialogic community building including critical self-reflection, generous listening, cultural storytelling, and loving accountability. As a result of participation in Interact, participants will have the skills to engage in dialogue within any type of situation and any topic of conversation.

Participants meet weekly in small groups for 90-minute sessions that are co-facilitated by 2-3 facilitators. Each small group consists of 10-15 participants. During these sessions, participants learn and practice the necessary skills to become inclusive leaders and engaged community members.

Participants who attend at least three of the four sessions will be entered into a raffle to win prizes. 

To register, click this link!

Hey retrievers! This year, The Pride Center will be open from 10am-5pm, daily, Monday-Friday, starting Monday, August 23rd. We can't wait to see you all!

In this Analytics Community of Practice session, UMBC's Campus Portal Architect, Collier Jones, describes the methodology and technical process for crunching the numbers behind the 2025–2026 myUMBC report. He'll cover how AI assisted in parsing search query behavior, evaluating search response times, and processing topic categorization. This is a hybrid event with lunch provided for registered in-person participants. A virtual link will be sent to all registered participants the morning of the event. Get more information and register here.

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!

Hey everyone, I have a family sized box or gluten free Cheerios that I bought by accident, they are Opened but I've only poured out one bowl and they haven't come into contact with anything. I live at hillside if someone wants to collect them! They'd just go to waste otherwise

Interested in the future of microcredentials at UMBC? Join us for an orientation to the Microcredential Advisory Committee (MAC) and learn more about how UMBC is working to strengthen and expand its microcredential ecosystem.

The MAC brings together partners from across UMBC to help inform the strategic development of microcredentials and support a thoughtful, sustainable approach to digital credentials across the university.

During this session, we will:

• Learn about the MAC, its purpose, history, and role in UMBC’s broader microcredential ecosystem
• Explore our work to date, including how the MAC has helped shape the development of microcredentials at UMBC
• Introduce this year’s three strategic subcommittees and the areas of work they will focus on during the 2026–27 academic year
• Discuss opportunities for collaboration and engagement across the UMBC community
• Look ahead at where we hope to take microcredentialing at UMBC in the coming year

Whether you’re already involved in microcredentials, curious how they might support your learners or programs, or simply interested in learning more about this emerging area of work, you’re welcome to join us.

All members of the UMBC community are welcome to attend! Faculty, staff, students, and extended community members — if you’re interested in learning more about microcredentials or getting involved with the MAC’s work, we’d love to have you join us.

RSVP

Interested in attending or a copy of the recording? Click "Sign Up" in the myUMBC event and be sure to add it to your calendar! Registered participants will receive a calendar invitation.

We will record the session for those who can't attend live.

Questions? Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Collin Sullivan, Program Director for Digital Credential Innovation, at collinsullivan@umbc.edu

Posted on behalf of the Microcredential Advisory Committee. 

Dear UMBC Community, 

Greetings to you all on UMBC’s first day of the fall semester! 

Please enjoy this video celebrating what is always one of my favorite days of the year. 

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby