With full hearts and eyes fixed on the future, the UMBC Class of 2026 stepped across the stage last week, crossing the threshold into life’s next chapter. Surrounded by family, friends, and mentors, UMBC’s newest alumni embody the university’s spirit of curiosity, resilience, and community.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jonathon Heyward, who addressed graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, captured the moment: “You are standing in a very unusual place today,” he told the graduates. “You are simultaneously at the end of one journey, and at the very beginning of another.”

Heyward shared his own winding path—from a disastrous childhood solo performance to his unexpected choice of the cello—and encouraged graduates to embrace life’s detours. “Opportunity rarely arrives when you feel fully prepared for it. It arrives unexpectedly,” he said. “Sometimes disguised as inconvenience. Sometimes disguised as failure. … But perspective and resilience allow you to recognize opportunity when it finally appears.”

Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the Science family of academic journals, brought candor and optimism to graduates in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and the College of Engineering and Information Technology. Celebrating the Retrievers’ perseverance through the pandemic, divisive politics, and more, Thorp reminded graduates that “nobody’s normal,” openly sharing his own autism diagnosis and affirming that mental health challenges do not limit potential. His core messages—“Do the work” and “You’re right on schedule”—resonated with graduates from UMBC, which he described as “the original place where grit translates to achievement.”

A strong and supportive community

The personal stories of the Class of 2026 reflect these same themes of resilience, community, and bold possibility.

Graduates like Katie King’26, a biology and dance double major, Linehan Artist Scholar, and Dance Team co-captain, discovered at UMBC that they needn’t choose between seemingly disparate passions. “When looking at colleges, a lot of them told me I had to choose, but UMBC allowed me to do both,” King says. She leaves prepared to become a physician assistant while continuing to integrate science and the arts.

Others found a supportive community that helped them see new possibilities. Maia Turman Cooke ’26, an English and political science double major and McNair Scholar, reflected, “I never knew what a strong and supportive academic community could look like”—until she arrived at UMBC. That environment propelled her forward, and she will begin a Ph.D. in English while continuing her advocacy work.

Still other graduates overcame self-doubt in demanding technical fields. Carter Gerhardt ’26 switched into computer engineering mid-journey and gained confidence through faculty and peer support. “I’m getting a degree that I originally thought that I couldn’t do,” he said, as he graduates ready for a career in cybersecurity.

Equipped to lead and serve

UMBC awarded nearly 500 master’s and Ph.D. degrees this spring, along with nearly 1,400 bachelor’s degrees across its three colleges, the School of Social Work, and the Erickson School of Aging Studies. Across disciplines—from the humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, engineering, and the arts—UMBC graduates are positioned “to lead and to serve—to strengthen workforces and economies, families and communities, and ultimately, to bring a brighter future for our state, our nation, and our world,” as Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a Commencement video message.

Zareen Taj, Ph.D. ’26, who earned her doctorate in language, literacy, and culture after fleeing oppression in Afghanistan and Pakistan, described how UMBC empowered her voice and work, epitomizing the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. “I learned from this journey that I am different. I look different. I work differently. I see things differently, but my difference is not a problem,” she said. “My experience is an asset. It’s my wealth. The UMBC community…supported me at each stage of my life.”

As Heyward told the Class of 2026—just as Taj and so many others have realized through their experiences at UMBC—“The world does not need you to be flawless. It needs you to be bold enough to contribute your voice.”

Any graduates who plan to continue their academic journey at UMBC should take advantage of Free Graduate Application Week May 27 – June 3.

Read more about this year’s inspiring Class of 2026. 

Stay connected with the Wisdom Weavers and be part of the community we are building.  Your voice, perspective, and involvement are important to us, and we would be excited to have you participate in upcoming meetings and events.

Instagram linked here.

MyUMBC page linked here.

Wisdom Weavers  Group Me linked HERE .  Or visit https://groupme.com/join_group/115032589/eGngd4O2

Stay connected with the Wisdom Weavers and be part of the community we are building.  Your voice, perspective, and involvement are important to us, and we would be excited to have you participate in upcoming meetings and events.

Instagram linked here.

MyUMBC page linked here.

Wisdom Weavers  Group Me linked HERE .  Or visit https://groupme.com/join_group/115032589/eGngd4O2

The Pre-Law Society is excited to launch the UMBC Pre-Law Review!

The UMBC Pre-Law Review is a student-run academic journal dedicated to producing rigorous, original legal scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County — giving undergraduate voices a seat at the table of legal discourse. 

Explore original legal scholarship authored and edited by UMBC undergraduates across all areas of law and public policy!

Follow the UMBC Pre-Law Review on Instagram

Questions? Email: umbcprelawreview@umbc.edu

The Pre-Law Society is excited to launch the UMBC Pre-Law Review!

The UMBC Pre-Law Review is a student-run academic journal dedicated to producing rigorous, original legal scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County — giving undergraduate voices a seat at the table of legal discourse. 

Explore original legal scholarship authored and edited by UMBC undergraduates across all areas of law and public policy!

Follow the UMBC Pre-Law Review on Instagram

Questions? Email: umbcprelawreview@umbc.edu

We am excited to share the new board for the Wisdom Weaver Student Group

Congratulations to all of you on being elected as the new officers for Wisdom Weavers! We are thrilled to have such a dedicated group leading the way for the 2026-2027 academic year:

• Co-Presidents: Savae Carlson & Limaya Mapalagama
• Historian: Vidhi Patel
• Secretary: Dorian Donovan
• Treasurer: Abby Adams

We am excited to share the new board for the Wisdom Weaver Student Group

Congratulations to all of you on being elected as the new officers for Wisdom Weavers! We are thrilled to have such a dedicated group leading the way for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Co-Presidents: Savae Carlson & Limaya Mapalagama

Historian: Vidhi Patel

Secretary: Dorian Donovan

Treasurer: Abby Adams

Work with the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center in Highland Beach, MD, and the Maryland State Archives to help archive and preserve the community's rich history. They have a grant to restore the museum, which was the former summer home of the Douglass family, and have applied for additional state grants to complete archival work. They would like to hire a UMBC undergrad and a grad student to help them start the archiving and conservation project this summer, beginning in early July.  

Contact Dr. Liz Patton epatton@umbc.edu

Work with the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center in Highland Beach, MD, and the Maryland State Archives to help archive and preserve the community's rich history. They have a grant to restore the museum, which was the former summer home of the Douglass family, and have applied for additional state grants to complete archival work. They would like to hire a UMBC undergrad and a grad student to help them start the archiving and conservation project this summer, beginning in early July.  

Contact Dr. Liz Patton epatton@umbc.edu

UMMC is looking for a fall intern to support their Healing Arts Exhibition. This is a great opportunity for anyone internships in learnming more about art programming, exhibition planning, and arts management. Formal internship job description flyer is attached. 

To apply: Students should send a resume and paragraph of interest to Clare Ziemann at M.Ziemann@umm.edu. Use the subject line "Exhibition Intern Application". Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

This is an unpaid internship/practicum opportunity, with eligibility for academic credit through the student’s program. At UMBC, this internship will count as ART 494 Art Internship, 3 credits. For details on how to apply internships as credit, visit this link. 

Exhibition Coordinator (Student Intern / Practicum)

Healing Arts Exhibit – University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC)

Position Overview

The Exhibition Coordinator Intern will support the planning and execution of UMMC’s annual Healing Arts Exhibit—an initiative that highlights artistic expression from staff, their families, and volunteers, with a focus on healing, storytelling, and connection.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of healthcare, arts programming, and community engagement. The intern will work closely with a multidisciplinary team across Patient Experience, Marketing and Communications, Operations, and Quality Improvement to help bring the exhibit to life.

Learning Objectives

Through this experience, the intern will:

·         Gain exposure to arts programming within a healthcare environment

·         Develop project coordination and communication skills

·         Learn fundamentals of exhibit planning, curation support, and event coordination

·         Understand how creative expression contributes to team member and community well-being

Key Responsibilities

1. Exhibit Coordination Support

·         Assist with organizing and tracking artwork submissions (e.g., basic intake logs, participant communication)

·         Help maintain submission records and organize digital files (e.g., artist statements, images)

·         Support coordination of exhibit layout planning and space preparation (e.g., artwork labeling, layout planning)

2. Communications & Participant Engagement

·         Assist in drafting and organizing communications to participants (submission confirmations, updates, etc.)

·         Help respond to general inquiries under guidance from the project team

·         Support outreach efforts to encourage participation across UMMC campuses

3. Event & Reception Support

·         Assist with planning and coordination of the exhibit reception (logistics, flow, materials)

·         Support preparation of event materials (signage, labels, program content)

·         Help coordinate day-of event setup and engagement activities

4. Creative & Programmatic Support

·         Assist in organizing artist statements and storytelling elements

·         Support integration of creative programming (e.g., spoken word, music, or interactive components)

·         Contribute ideas to enhance engagement and participant experience

Structure & Supervision

·         The intern will work under the guidance of the Healing Arts Exhibit project team, including leads in event planning, creative programming, and patient experience.

·         Responsibilities will be clearly defined and supported; the intern is not expected to independently manage the exhibit.

Time Commitment

·         Estimated ~120 hours over the fall semester (flexible based on project phase)

·         Some flexibility for participation in key event dates (e.g., artwork drop-off/pickup, exhibit installation or reception)

·         Hybrid role with both onsite and remote responsibilities

Qualifications (Preferred)

·         Undergraduate student in Visual Arts, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, Public Health, Health Humanities, Communications, or related field

·         Strong organizational and communication skills

·         Interest in art, storytelling, and community engagement

·         Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment