Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year! As we begin this journey together, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued dedication to inclusive excellence and student success. Whether you are returning to campus or joining us for the first time, your passion and expertise are the foundation of UMBC.

As faculty, you play a central role in supporting our students. Your engagement, empathy, and mentorship has a profound impact. In addition to helping our students thrive, I urge you to be proactive in recognizing when they may need additional support and to refer them to appropriate campus resources when necessary. You should have received an email from our Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Renique Kersh, sharing additional resources. Additionally, if you are not sure where to send students for support, please consult with your Department Chair. 

While lifting up our students is critical, we also support you in the classroom. At UMBC, we are committed to assisting you on your professional journey and helping you thrive in the classroom. I encourage you to explore the resources available through theFaculty Development Center, which provides services and resources to aid you in teaching at UMBC. 

Academic Leadership Team 

We have several new academic leaders joining UMBC or stepping into new roles as we kickoff the fall semester, including Alan Byrd as vice provost for enrollment management and planning; Marc Seigar as dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences; Christia Spears Brown as dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and Nancy Kusmaul as the interim dean of the Erickson School of Aging Studies and associate dean and chair of the School of Social Work. The executive academic leadership team can be found on the Office of the Provost website. Additionally, a current list of department chairs and program directors is available on the Faculty Affairs website. 

Convocation and Community Cookout

There are several events in the coming days and weeks where we will have opportunities to build community and start the academic year strong. I encourage you to attend and participate in the opening Convocation on Sunday, August 23 from 3-4 p.m. Convocation will be directly followed by the Community Cookout. During this event, please find your college table, pick up your Proud UMBC Faculty t-shirt, and connect with students interested in academic disciplines within your college. Faculty are welcome to stay for the soccer game after the cookout as well. Please bring your campus ID.

Provost’s Teaching and Learning Symposium

Please mark your calendars and register for the 10th annual Symposium on Friday, October 2 in the University Center. We are excited to partner with the UMBC Re-Envisioning General Education Faculty Core Committee to center this year’s Symposium around Re-envisioning General Education. This event is a wonderful time to celebrate UMBC’s commitment to student success and to share your work around teaching, learning, and assessment.

Thank you for the work you do every day to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and prepare our students to go out in the world and make a meaningful difference and be the best version of themselves. I look forward to a rewarding and successful academic year ahead.

Warm regards,

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues, 

It’s that time of year again! We are eagerly preparing for the start of the fall semester and welcoming our new and returning students to campus.To help you support students and answer questions they may bring to you, I want to share three messages recently sent to students about our Welcome, Retrievers program and the resources and opportunities available to them:

• Resources to Support Student Success

• Employment and Professional Development Resources 

• Resources for Connection and Wellbeing

There are also several upcoming opportunities for faculty and staff to connect with students and help us welcome them to UMBC:

Retriever Fest: Friday, August 21 

Today is new student move-in day, and students and their families will be stopping by Erickson Field to connect with campus offices, departments, and off-campus partners from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty and staff are welcome to stop by the family and hospitality tent, which will feature campus resources and opportunities to connect with students and their families. There will be music, face painting, and tabling by the Family Advisory Board. We will also highlight athletics, student entrepreneurs, and more! Chartwells will host A Taste of UMBC, featuring delicious food options, and the Bookstore will be promoting new UMBC gear. 

Community Cookout: Sunday, August 23 

Immediately following Convocation, we will gather as a community on Geffen Hill to enjoy a delicious cookout as we head into the new academic year. This is a great opportunity to welcome new students and reconnect with colleagues. Please bring your campus ID. After the cookout, cheer on the men’s soccer team as they play Loyola University at 6 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park.

Gathering on the Green: Saturday, September 12

The annual Gathering on the Green: Making Neighbors Out of Strangers, takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the green space on the corner of Linden Avenue and Shelbourne Road.UMBC community members and local neighbors will come together for an evening of connection, fun, and celebration. Enjoy a free cookout, live music, games, and activities for all ages. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, build connections, and celebrate the spirit of our community. Hosted by UMBC and local community leaders – everyone is welcome! Bring a friend, bring your family, and come be part of this vibrant neighborhood tradition.

Please share the UMBC events calendar with students, too, to encourage them to participate in all that UMBC has to offer throughout the year. 

We want every student who steps onto our campus to know that we are ready for them. They will undoubtedly be looking for our help and our guidance as we welcome them to campus, so let’s make it easy for them to find us. I encourage you to wear your UMBC gear during the first week, look out for students who may be lost or in need of guidance, and show your excitement as we welcome students back to campus! 

Finally, we know that as the academic year progresses, students may face a number of challenges, and I want to ensure that you are aware of the available resources to support student’s health and well-being. If you find that students need health, wellness, or basic needs support, Retriever Support Services and Retriever Integrated Health are both important resources. 

Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive learning environment where all UMBC students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Thank you for your partnership and your energy. If you have any questions, please contact studentaffairs@umbc.edu. 

In partnership, 

Renique Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs 

Hello everyone!

The Fall Semester is here! Retriever Essentials is back to our regular hours of 11:30am - 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Thursday we are closed, but come to our Free Farmers Market at the Center for Well-being!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) is back this fall! Join us throughout September for breakfast, community, and opportunities to connect with fellow commuter students.

Tuesday, September 1 — Breakfast Biscuits | 8:30 AM–11:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 8 — French Toast Breakfast | 8:30 AM–10:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 15 — True Grits Breakfast | 8:30 AM–10:00 AM | True Grit’s Dining Hall

Tuesday, September 22 — Breakfast Burritos | 8:30 AM–11:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 29 — Good Afternoon Commuters | 12:00 PM–2:00 PM | UC 312

All commuter students are welcome to join us. Follow Commuter Connections on MyUMBC for updates, event details, and upcoming programs.

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except one a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events/154863

The Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts), a multi-purpose non-profit arts agency, seeks a self-directed, outgoing individual for upper management position in a small, fast-paced office environment. The Development Director is responsible for planning and driving fundraising, community engagement strategies, and activities to sustain and grow contributions and revenues to support the HoCo Arts’ annual operating budget and revenue goals. This position reports to the Executive Director.

We are excited to share our latest Alumni Spotlight featuring Kevin Heffner, CEO of LifeSpan Network and a graduate of our Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services program! In this spotlight, Kevin Heffner shares insights into his professional journey, leadership in the aging services field, and how his education at the Erickson School of Aging Studies helped shape his career. Click here to read Kevin Heffner's full story

"We are excited to share our latest Alumni Spotlight featuring Kevin Heffner, CEO of LifeSpan Network and a graduate of our Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services program! In this spotlight, Kevin Heffner shares insights into his professional journey, leadership in the aging services field, and how his education at the Erickson School of Aging Studies helped shape his career. Click here to read Kevin Heffner's full story"