Four UMBC students have been named Barry Goldwater Scholars this year. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation supports talented college sophomores and juniors who aspire to become leading researchers in science, engineering, and mathematics in the U.S. The award is one of the most prestigious for undergraduates in STEM. 

UMBC juniors Deeya Mistry, biological sciences, Jessica Slaughter, computer engineering, Phoenix Bryant, biological sciences, and sophomore Amir Walton-Irvin, computer engineering, are among the 454 scholars selected nationwide in 2026. They competed with nearly 1,500 students majoring in science, engineering, and mathematics who were nominated by their academic institutions for the award. 

This is the third time that a record four UMBC students have received Goldwater Scholarships in the same year.

“I’m always so impressed by the caliber of students at UMBC,” says April Householder ’95, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships, who works with students each year to prepare their Goldwater application materials. “And I’m excited to see what they do next, because this is also a springboard to even bigger and better opportunities.”

Read the full story in UMBC News, here:

https://umbc.edu/stories/umbc-goldwater-2026/

UR.umbc.edu

UMBC's Office of Sustainability is looking for undergraduate students who are excited about campus sustainability and want to be a part of our team of peer to peer educators.

Eco-Ambassadors lead unique events and campaigns throughout the academic year to spread awareness on environmental issues, engage the campus community, and drive impactful change in areas like waste, policy, and ecosystem conservation. 

Eco-Ambassadors receive a stipend of $1500 for their efforts, as well as access to professional development opportunities and real world experience in climate action and sustainability. 

If this sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, review the full job description here and apply with the google form before Sunday, May 3rd.

 Please email us at sustainability@umbc.edu with any questions!

Hi, please, I am looking for extra graduation tickets for the May 21st 3 pm commencement. I am willing to pay. I have a big family, and everyone wants to be present. Thank you. phone: 301 675 4734

Join AIChE Friday, May 1st, from 3-4 PM for a campus clean up. We will be meeting by the True Grit statue in front of the RAC. There will be popsicles!

Join us for Commuter Care: Chat N’ Chew in collaboration with our special guest, the Gathering Space. This program offers a welcoming space for students to connect, share conversation, and engage with the campus community.

Lunch will be provided during the event.

Date: April 29, 2026
Time: 12–1 PM
Location: Commons 318

We invite you to take a break, join the conversation, and be part of the community.

This event is open to all students and welcomes full participation regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable laws an university policy

Building on Gen AI & Teaching I, this interactive session highlights applied skills and practical use cases. Faculty will practice effective prompting, explore discipline-specific scenarios, and consider strategies for assignment design. Examples will touch on advanced features related to teaching, including custom GPTs/GEMs, Canvas Mode, Deep Research Mode, and agent mode. Faculty and staff can get more information and register here.

BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand

Hosted by the Office of Professional Programs, GEARS, and the Career Center

📅 April 28, Tuesday | 5:00–7:00 PM

📍 UMBC Commons, Rm. 329

📸 BIG bonus: We will have a professional photographer on site providing FREE headshots/ Linkedin Profile pictures.

📥 Please RSVP by pressing "Sign-up" button on the event page here.

😋 Snacks available!

Celebrate International Dance Day this Wednesday with Ashley! She’ll be leading an energizing 50-minute Zumba class at 8 p.m., taking the place of Strength with Paula.

On April 21, 2026, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) co-hosted the Congressional Showcase, “Igniting Discovery: How NASA Funding Advances American Science” at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. UMBC and its NASA centers were well represented: Dr. Mehdi Benna (CSST), Dr. Brent McBride (ESI), and Dr. Zhibo Zhang (GESTAR II, GPHI) joined Dr. Karl Steiner, Vice President, and Ms. Crocetta Argento, Executive Administrative Assistant, of UMBC’s Division of Research and Creative Achievement at the UMBC booth.

Dr. Benna presented the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) instrument, which will provide in-situ lunar measurements when it is deployed on the Moon during Artemis IV. Dr. McBride spoke about UMBC's connection with the PACE mission through HARP2 and HARP CubeSat; members of both ESI and GESTAR II are involved with PACE instruments, data retrieval, and research. Dr. Zhang discussed GESTAR II and the variety of earth science research being conducted between NASA and UMBC; he also discussed the Sun, space weather, solar wind, and other heliophysics topics. The UMBC team spoke with Congressional staffers from both the House and Senate, and with several staffers from Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen's office.

From the AGU blog The Bridge: "Today’s [congressional] showcase, Igniting Discovery, highlights the breadth and ambition of NASA-funded science, bringing together researchers from across the country to share their work with policymakers and advocates who believe in its importance." To quote Dr. Zhang, “Science advocacy is a responsibility we all share, and events like this one is where it happens.”

Photo: Zhibo Zhang, Crocetta Argento, Mehdi Benna, Brent McBride, and Karl Steiner stand together in the Atrium of the Hart Senate Office Building. The atrium consists of a light marble floor and Alexander Calder's 51-foot-tall black steel sculpture "Mountains and Clouds" (previously with four black aluminum clouds above). Credit: Provided by C. Argento.
Photo: In front of the UMBC booth, attendees mix with researchers and administration from UMBC and its NASA-related centers. Credit: C. Argento.
Photo: Mehdi Benna discusses the LEMS with a Congressional staffer at the UMBC booth. Credit: C. Argento.

Hey everyone, happy Tuesday!

We hope you're doing great. This week, we'll have our regular pickup, this time by Facilities Management! As per usual, we'll meet in front of the Dunkin' and leave at 3PM, and the map will be posted in our GroupMe for those who come late!

Can't make it this week? Next week we have an even more exciting event: A cleanup with the Apartment Community Council! Refreshments will be provided, with a raffle at the end for those who participate!

Lastly, we have a VERY important announcement to make.
WE. DID NOT. THROW OUT THE CHAIRS.

The accusation alone is slanderous, and our VP said the same!

Go forth and spread the word a la Paul Revere, and we'll see you Friday!

-The Eboard