May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month

This month, we “Go Gray” to raise awareness, honor those living with brain tumors, remember loved ones lost, and support families, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals working toward better treatment and care.

Brain tumors can affect people in many different ways, including changes in movement, memory, communication, learning, vision, emotions, and daily functioning. Awareness helps reduce stigma, encourages early support, and reminds our community that no one should face these challenges alone.

At UMBC, SDS recognizes the importance of access, understanding, and inclusive support for students navigating health conditions and disabilities. This May, let’s take time to learn, share resources, and stand with those impacted by brain tumors.

May 18th is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the ongoing efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines to prevent HIV, while recognizing the researchers, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and advocates working to end the HIV epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV remains a major public health issue, but continued research, education, and prevention efforts have helped improve outcomes and save lives worldwide.

Observed every year on May 18, this day highlights the importance of scientific research, community participation, and equal access to healthcare resources. It also recognizes the progress made through global partnerships while emphasizing the continued need for prevention, treatment, education, and support services. HIV Vaccine Awareness Day encourages individuals and communities to stay informed and support efforts aimed at creating a future free from HIV.

You can take action by:
• Learning and sharing facts about HIV prevention and vaccine research
• Supporting organizations focused on HIV education and healthcare access
• Encouraging open conversations to reduce stigma surrounding HIV

Key prevention efforts to know include: routine HIV testing, using preventive tools such as PrEP, avoiding stigma and discrimination, and supporting access to healthcare and education for vulnerable communities.

Together, we can continue advancing research, promoting education, and supporting healthier communities for everyone.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

This year’s theme from @NAMICommunicate for Mental Health Awareness Month is: "Stigma grows in silence. Healing begins in community." Whether you're navigating anxiety, burnout, identity questions, or simply adjusting to college life, your experiences matter, and your strength is real.

Here at UMBC, Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) offers a range of supportive mental health services to help students care for their emotional and psychological well-being. RIH provides individual and single-session therapy to assist with managing stress, relationships, identity, and academic pressures. Group counseling options help students connect with peers in a safe and supportive environment, while workshops teach practical skills to manage anxiety, improve sleep, boost time management, and recognize signs of crisis. Peer support and skill-building resources are also available to empower students with tools to thrive both personally and academically.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Whether you’re navigating daily stress, big life transitions, or just trying to stay balanced during finals, these six strategies can help support your emotional well-being:

1. Talk to someone you trust: Staying connected is key. Reach out to a friend, professor, or mental health professional. You’re never a burden.
   
   

2. Look after your physical health: Prioritize sleep, movement, hydration, and balanced meals. Small habits can make a big impact.
   
   

3. Do things that bring you joy: Whether it's creating art, playing sports, or spending time with loved ones, engaging in meaningful activities can improve your mood and reduce stress.
   
   

4. Steer away from harmful substances:  Avoid using drugs or alcohol to cope. They often worsen mental health in the long run.
   
   

5. Establish a routine: Structure and consistency can provide stability, especially during uncertain or high-stress times.
   
   

6. Seek professional help:  At UMBC, Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) offers individual therapy, group counseling, workshops, and peer-based skill-building to help students navigate life and mental health challenges.

Mental health care is not one-size-fits-all. What matters most is finding what works for you and knowing support is available.

Learn more about mental health services at UMBC: studenthealth.umbc.edu

National mental health resources: nami.org/mham

You don’t have to go through anything alone.

• Visit the Center for Well-Being
• Call 410-455-2542 or schedule online at myRetrieverCare
•  Learn more: health.umbc.edu

Let’s reduce stigma, promote healing, and remind each other:
Every story has power. Every student deserves support. 
🔗 nami.org/mham

INDS B.S. Degree

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

To expand and explore areas of weaknesses.

List any UMBC faculty or staff you would like to highlight that helped or mentored you during your time here. 

• Krista Wallace

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

Pursuing a full time job in Manufacturing, Biotech, Government, and refining my business.

Congrats Michael!

The finish line is in sight! It's the last day of the Grad Finals Reset, and the OGSL Office is still open and ready to be your sanctuary from the exam crunch.

If your brain needs a break from the laptops and textbooks, swing by today. Whether you have 5 minutes to spare or want to stay and hang out longer, we’ve got exactly what you need to recharge:

• 🧩 Teamwork Puzzles: Help us finish up the community puzzles!

• 🖍️ Mindful Coloring: Grab some crayons or colored pencils and just zone out.

• 🛋️ Cozy Chill Space: No deadlines, no pressure—just a quiet, comfortable space to relax and breathe.

Take care of your mental well-being as you wrap up the semester. You’re almost there, grads—come take a well-deserved breather with us before it ends!

NDAG Community Roundup: May 19, 2026

Neurodiversity Dialogues: Removing Barriers to Learning Through Intentional Course Design (AV Links Included)

May 20th, 3:00-4:00 pm - Zoom

registration required: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/JSpSy-HJTYK3FoVkujL1Uw

Brought to you by Neurodiversity@Cornell (this is not a UMBC event)

Join us to hear from Beth Parrott, Director of Student Disability Services and Kim Benowski, Instructional Designer/Developer at the Center for Teaching Innovation (CTI) speak about how, by proactively designing courses with access and inclusion in mind, faculty can create classroom experiences that may reduce the need for some students to seek academic accommodations. Learn about both disability-related and non-disability-related barriers that can affect how students engage with lecture material, and how applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles can support all students in accessing what they need to learn.

More information: https://events.cornell.edu/event/neurodiversity-dialogues-removing-barriers-to-learning-through-intentional-course-design

Two new books added to Women’s, Gender & Equity Center Library:

• ADHD & Me: What I learned from lighting fires at the dinner table by Blake E.S. Taylor

• Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons that Medicine Cannot Teach by Vincent J. Monastra, PhD

Thank you to all who joined us for the BLX Celebration yesterday!

If you RSVP'd but were unable to attend, you can pick up your cord at The Mosaic on Tuesday or Wednesday from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

If you did not RSVP, you are also welcome to come to The Mosaic to pick up a cord. However, we have a very limited number of cords left for those who didn't RSVP, they will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. We will make an announcement once they have run out.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at themosaic@umbc.edu.

Have a great summer!

We are proud to congratulate Sahar Souizi (Environmental Engineering Ph.D. student, Dr. Lee Blaney) on being selected as a recipient of the Chesapeake Section, American Water Works Association (CSAWWA) College Scholarship Award. This competitive scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in engineering, science, environmental, or construction programs who demonstrate a passion for careers in the water utility industry. 

This scholarship is a well-deserved recognition of Sahar's dedication to advancing sustainable water quality and resource recovery technologies. More information about the scholarship can be found here: https://www.csawwa.org/scholarship-recipients.html.

Congrats, Sahar! 

Congratulations to the Division of Information Technology's student employees who will be graduating this week! Your contributions to our Networks, Communications, AV Services, Analytics, Cybersecurity, Systems, Project Management, Technology Support Center, New Media Studio, High Performance Computing, Desktop, and Business systems teams have improved UMBC's technology experience. We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to hearing about your future successes!

Congratulations DoIT Graduates

Jermaine Agboka

Aisosa Aimufua

Alina Aler

Sydnee Angus

Beamlak Bekele

Soumya Bhate

Sean Chalungsooth

James Cheng

Jowan Cook

Willis Crobsy

Ouwen Dai

Holland Davis

Aliza Garrison

Carter Gerhardt

Ben Guest

Suhas Honnegowda

James Hyatt

Rithik Kavanakudy

Wardan Kazzallabach

Adrian Mohepath

Yazlin Moujalled

DT Nguyen

Vy Ngyuen

Coco Ni

Daeun Oh

Timi Olayinka

Kellee Palmer

William Portillo

Grace Robinson

Aakriti Roka

Kidus Solomon

Ryan Walton

Steven Zhang

Joyce Zheng

Small items. Massive impact.

The UMBC HIPPY program and the UMBC Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center have teamed up for a special donation drive—and we need your help to keep our community supported, healthy, and thriving.

Why Your Donation Matters

Did you know that the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center provides essential health and hygiene supplies to UMBC students entirely free of cost? From emergency contraception to period products, the Center is a vital safety net on campus. However, keeping these shelves stocked relies heavily on the generosity of people like you.

At the same much-needed time, our HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) families have expressed a critical need for these exact same everyday essentials.

By donating, you are directly supporting a student striving for their degree and a local family working hard to give their children a strong start in life.

Items We Need Most

We are collecting specific, high-priority items that are both in high demand and easy for students and families to transport:

• Family Care: Baby diapers & pull-ups (larger sizes especially needed!), baby wipes.

• Personal Hygiene: Pads (all sizes, with or without wings), individually wrapped body wipes / no-rinse shower wipes.

• Health Essentials: Pregnancy tests, Xiromed Emergency Contraceptive Pills.

• Home Essentials: Laundry detergent sheets or pods (no large bottles, as they are difficult for families without vehicles to transport!).

Donate Items (Online or In-Person)

• Shop the Wishlist: Click our Amazon Wish List Link to buy items directly and have them shipped straight to us.

• Drop Off Locally: If you prefer to shop in person, you can bring your donations directly to the George and Betsy Sherman Center.

The RAC will be closed from May 22 until May 25. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 8 a.m.

All,

The campus will begin their annual high temperature hot water outage beginning this Friday, May 22nd. Both laboratory and domesstic hot water will be affected along with both humidity levels in the vivarium and most of our autoclaves. Humidity in the vivarium will be maintained by humidifiers, if required. 

The third floor autoclave on the right hand side will be operational for the duration of the outage which is scheduled to end on June 6th. This annual outage is critical for the maintenance of the steam used to heat the bulk of the campus.

Thank you for your understanding.