Wow, what a year! As we tuck the 2025-26 academic year into bed, I will say that the hectic last weeks of a semester are also some of the most fulfilling and rewarding weeks. I enjoyed meeting so many of you over the past weeks and celebrating all you accomplished throughout the year! 

Today’s Provost’s Perspective will be the final installment until fall semester. I hope that you have found these weekly round ups to be informative and beneficial. I have enjoyed sharing a little bit about what makes me tick and connecting in a way that can’t always be realized in a formal setting. If you have themes you would like to explore in the newsletter when we pick back up in the fall, please share them here.

On Wednesday and Thursday I had the honor of addressing the Class of 2026. I discussed the often overlooked importance of kindness and care for others in both our personal and professional lives. Kindness helps us work on solutions together that we cannot find alone. Kindness transforms ordinary acts into extraordinary actions by influencing how messages land with the receiver of the message. And lastly, when we are kind to each other it brightens our day. Have you seen anyone get mad or upset by someone being kind to them? I encourage you over the summer to embrace kindness and its transformative effects. 

The last two Provost’s Perspectives have been heavy on music, so I figure why not make it three in a row. It came to my attention this week that Bill LaCourse, the outgoing dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, curated a special Spotify playlist for his upcoming celebration honoring his 15 years of leadership of the college. Bill will be returning to the faculty following a research leave. Do you have a Spotify playlist that is perfect for the summer? Do you have a go-to playlist when lounging by the pool or taking in the sun and scenery on the shore? I would love to hear what brings you joy and helps you relax and let go. Share your playlists here. 

___________________________________

NEWS & NOTES

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, 1-3 p.m. in UC 312. 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.

Thank You to John Stolle-McAllister

I want to thank John Stolle-McAllister for his leadership as the interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences since July 2025. John proved to be a thoughtful and effective leader for CAHSS. I greatly appreciate his insightful contributions to the academic leadership team. He will be returning to his role as professor and chair of modern languages, linguistics, and intercultural communication. Please join me in thanking John for his service to CAHSS and UMBC.  

Meet the Class of 2026

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.

Final Day for Faculty Applications: 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program

Today is the last day the USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation will accept 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.

Learn more about the call for faculty applications for the 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program.

____________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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.

___________________________________

Help Make this Newsletter Better

The goal over the last academic year of this newsletter 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.

Reviewers have been assigned to all requests received by May 21.  The google form is not longer accepting submissions. If you need a peer reviewer for your self-assessment, please contact Liang Zhu (zliang@umbc.edu) directly. 

Have a great summer! 

Have a great summer! 

****** Original Post ******

Happy Friday! 

Contract renewals, promotion and tenure (P&T) are important milestones of faculty advancement.  AAAFSC can provide peer support in this process! 

If you will be submitting your dossier in the Fall and want feedback from a senior colleague outside of your department,  please complete this peer review interest form by 5/20. 

Senior faculty members of AAAFSC, if you are interested in serving as reviewers please also complete this peer review interest form by 5/20. 

Please reach out to Shuyan (suns@umbc.edu) if you have any questions.

The last day to return any course materials purchased for the Summer 2026 session 1 semester with proof of dropped course is Monday, June 1st.

*All books and materials must be returned in the same condition as purchased. Shrink wrapped books must be returned in original sealed shrink wrap for any refund. Receipt required.

Monday, June 1st is the last day to opt-out of CMI for Summer 2026 Session 1 courses. Opting out is done through the courses page on Blackboard. Adjustments to student's accounts occur after the opt-out deadline.

Visit bookstore.umbc.edu/cmi for more information on CMI, including the LIVE LIST with pricing and a guide to opting out.

Contact textbook@umbc.edu prior to the deadline if you have any questions or encounter any errors when opting out.  

B.A.: Narrative Design

Degree Mentors: 

• Sharon Tran| Assistant Professor| UMBC English and Affiliate Faculty in the Gender, Women’s, + Sexuality Studies department & Asian Studies
• Andrew Devos| Instructor| UMBC American Studies & Media and Communication Studies
• Steven McAlpine, Individualized Study

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I heard about INDS at orientation. When I heard that there was only a creative writing minor, I wanted to create my own major that could combine both my love of writing, and my love of art/comic books. This is where I settled, and I've enjoyed every minute of it!

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

I plan on going into freelance writing-- making and writing storyboards and coming up with ideas for novels and comic books I want to write.

Any thing you would like to share about your time at UMBC or in the INDS program?

I really enjoyed my time at UMBC and the INDS program, if you told me I would have the connections I have now with UMBC or INDS, I thought you'd be lying. I've met so many people and friends through this college and program, and have really enjoyed it.

For More information on Dani's INDS journey please Click Here!

Visit the INDS Website

Shreya Singh, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was recently selected as one of the recipients of the 2026 Shirley C. Sorensen Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 022BC-University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Shreya was selected by the awards committee for their outstanding academic excellence and active participation within the university and the broader community. In particular, the committee was impressed by their perseverance to succeed and to serve others. Shreya recently graduated in May of 2026 with a Bachelors degree in Individualized Study focusing on Healthcare Provider Wellness.

Each spring, the UMBC chapter invites applications from its undergraduate student members to apply for the $1,000 award. The Shirley C. Sorensen Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award is bestowed in recognition of the numerous contributions that Dr. Sorensen has made over many years to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and especially to the former five-campus chapter, University of Maryland Chapter 22, which was chartered in 1920.

Chartered in 2010, Chapter 22BC invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Facilities Management will begin work on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 to replace the two ILSB entrance vestibule ceilings. The work is needed to provide proper access to HVAC equipment located in the vestibule ceilings. The work sequence will be as follows:

• From May 26, 2026, through June 5, 2026, the vestibule facing the Physics Building will be closed, while the Quad-side vestibule will remain open.
• From June 8, 2026, through June 19, 2026, the Quad-side vestibule will be closed, and the vestibule facing the Physics Building will remain open.

During each closure period, the affected vestibule entrance will remain accessible for emergency exit use only. Signage will be posted at the affected vestibules indicating alternate entrance and exit routes.
Accessibility considerations are integrated into the project. FM works in partnership with the Office of Accessibility & Disability Services to support the needs of those with accessibility concerns. If you have an accessibility concern or required disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services through their website.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this necessary work.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Dennis Cuddy (Cuddy@umbc.edu)

Ayokunnumi Ogunsanya of Lagos, Nigeria was recently selected as one of the recipients of the 2026 Marilyn Demorest Love of Learning Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 022BC-University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Ayokunnumi was selected by the awards committee for their outstanding academic excellence and active participation within the university and the broader community. In particular, the committee was impressed by Ayokunnumi's perseverance to succeed and to live life by the PKP Motto - Philosophia Kateito Photo - Let the Love of Learning Rule Humanity. Ayokunnumi is currently pursuing a PhD in Biological Sciences.

Each spring, this chapter invites applications from its graduate student members. Two $500 awards will be distributed each year to the selected awardees. The Marilyn Demorest Love of Learning Award is bestowed in recognition of the many significant contributions made by Dr. Marilyn Demorest as a key founder and seminal leader of Chapter 22 UMBC of Phi Kappa Phi.  Dr. Demorest's clear-eyed determination, detailed planning, and appreciation of both tradition and innovation infused the infant chapter with the carefully-built scaffolding needed for it to grow into the chapter we enjoy today.  Marilyn's dedication to PKP and her own love of learning are the foundation for this award.

Chartered in 2010, Chapter 22BC invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

All,

Autoclave waste must be put into a black bag prior to being put into the autoclave trash cans in the research wings for disposal.

Three autoclaved red bags made their way to the loading dock before being discovered were found this morning.  I realize folks are rushing to attend to their labs needs while autoclaves are available, but please don't skip any steps that keep people safe.

Thank you! 

Audrey Grutzik, of Marriottsville, Maryland, was recently selected as one of the recipients of the 2026 Shirley C. Sorensen Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 022BC-University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Audrey was selected by the awards committee for their outstanding academic excellence and active participation within the university and the broader community. In particular, the committee was impressed by their perseverance to succeed and to serve others. Audrey is currently pursing Bachelors degrees in Political Science, Philosophy, and English.

Each spring, the UMBC chapter invites applications from its undergraduate student members to apply for the $1,000 award. The Shirley C. Sorensen Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award is bestowed in recognition of the numerous contributions that Dr. Sorensen has made over many years to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and especially to the former five-campus chapter, University of Maryland Chapter 22, which was chartered in 1920.

Chartered in 2010, Chapter 22BC invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.