Reposted from the Global Asias Initiative:

Join us to celebrate Professor Sharon Tran's new book, Asian Girlhood in the Shadows of US Empire! We are excited to gather on Wednesday, 4/29 at noon in FA 558 to talk about this new book and enjoy some refreshments together.

Book Raffle:

Asian Studies will be giving away a copy of Dr. Tran's book to one affiliate faculty member and one student at the celebration. 

Book Summary:

Representations of the “Asian girl” as lucky objects of humanitarian rescue and rehabilitation have been used to advance America’s imperial ambitions from World War II to the wars in Korean and Viet Nam. In this compelling work, Sharon N. Tran traces the production and instrumentalization of this figure through an examination of state documents, military newspapers, documentary photographs, and other archival materials. Theorizing “Asian girlhood” as a technology of imperial power, Tran exposes how the Asian girl is invoked as a shield that protects the innocence of US empire while she is excluded from innocence herself—relegated instead to a precarious position between child and adult, human and nonhuman, plaything and laborer.

Offering fresh insight into how imperial power operates, Tran analyzes figures such as the Japanese American school-girl in the context of World War II incarceration, the elusive “camptown girl,” and the objectified image of the “Napalm Girl.” Her innovative feminist approach interrogates the tendency to reclaim innocence for the Asian girl or to reframe her as an empowered woman. She engages the work of writers and artists such as Kiku Hughes, Nora Okja Keller, Aimee Phan, and lê thi diem thúy to demonstrate how Asian American literature offers rich theoretical interventions for critiquing the child–adult dichotomy that underpins key structures of imperial domination, illuminating more capacious conceptions of girlhood.

Restoring the dignity and agency of a figure too often denied both, Asian Girlhood in the Shadows of US Empire is a groundbreaking intersectional contribution to studies of gender, race, childhood, and state power.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

We're taking it backkkk! 
Pull up to Decades Night and rep your favorite era, from 70s disco to 2000s
There will be music, games, & drinks!

Thursday, May 7th 7-9 PM
Commons 331
Come dressed, come ready, and come have funnnn!!

HEY GUYS!! Quadmania Showcase is kickstarting in 30 minutes!! 

Looking for one male working professional (single occupancy only) to share a 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse starting May 1 in Westland Gardens Apartments.

Requirements:
• Single occupant only (no couples / no additional residents)
• Preferably Full-time working professional or PHD candidate
• Clean, organized, and maintains hygiene in shared spaces
• Responsible with rent and utilities (paid on time)
• No smoking / no drugs
• No frequent parties or overnight guests

Details:
• Rent- $600  + utilities (bge + wifi), required: 1 month deposit + rent 
• Walking distance to Weis Markets (5 min), and Giant (15 min), Quiet and well-maintained home

• Walking distance to UMBC stop (2 min) and UMBC campus (15 min)

Please msg me on +1(667)-354-9010 with a brief intro about yourself.

On April 20, 2026, the Center for Women in Technology at UMBC gathered to celebrate the students and CWIT partners at the annual Spring into Leadership and Community Awards. 

The annual event is designed to foster networking and leadership dialogue and to celebrate the campus partners, mentors, and students who amplify the CWIT vision and mission to be change agents in creating technology workplaces that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The evening recognized the profound impact of scholars, students, mentors, faculty, and staff who are dedicated to the academic, professional, and personal success of the CWIT community within UMBC and their broader dedication to these values.

Carolyn Seaman, professor of information systems and CWIT Director, and UMBC Provost Manfred H.M. Dulmen delivered the Welcome and Opening Remarks. The event keynote speaker, Shannon Clancy, '19, mechanical engineering, shared how CWIT and UMBC shaped her teaching, research, and leadership philosophy, inspiring her to create inclusive communities grounded in care, joy, and support networks. Clancy is currently an assistant professor of engineering at Elizabethtown College in south central Pennsylvania.
Photo: Dr. Shannon Clancy '19, mechanical engineering was this year's Spring into Leadership keynote speaker. (Photo courtesy of Jess Meyers)

2026 awardees were presented by CWIT staff members.

• Outstanding Campus Partner – Gina King and Jeff Cullen
• Outstanding Research Partner – Roberto Yus
• Outstanding Alumni Partner – Candice Scarborough
  
  
• Outstanding Professional Partner – Mariela Guardado
• Exemplary Peer Mentor – Fisayo Oyoloya
• Exemplary Faculty Mentor – Bill Ryan
• Exemplary Industry Mentor – Rithy Chhay
  
  
• Student Academic Excellence – Hannah Mathew
• Student Professional Excellence – Hazael Magino
• Student Inclusive Excellence – Xavier Cohen
• Student Personal Excellence – Yael Chookrun
• Shining Star – Amaiyah Johnson and Jade Stanley

The event also celebrated student recipients of donor-supported scholarships and fall 2025 and spring 2026 graduates.

Congratulations to all awardees this year and to everyone who builds and sustains the CWIT community.

Hi MTC!

Voting for the 2026-2027 Executive Board is officially open! All active members are eligible to vote. To be considered an active member, you must have participated in our spring production as either cast or on the production team OR attended two or more GBMs and/or events.

Cast your vote using this Google Form. Voting will close Wednesday, April 29 at 11:59pm.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at umbc.mtc@gmail.com.

Happy Friday!

Please sign up for our last event of the year here!  We will meet on Wed 5/13 (study day) at 11:30-1 @ ITE 456 to discuss our major events for next year and reflect on our accomplishments this year.

If you would like to have your self-assessment reviewed for contract renewal, promotion and tenure, or serve as a reviewer, please complete the interest form here.  We will match reviewers with candidates soon!  

Have a great weekend!

If senior Kayla Nemirovsky’s passport could talk, the first thing it would likely say is, “I’m tired.” Despite having local roots, first attending Mount Hebron High School in nearby Ellicott City and then continuing her academic career 10 miles away at UMBC, Nemirovsky has always felt most at home on a plane. She has visited over 30 (!) countries with no signs of stopping her travel now. Thanks to the support and guidance she received from UMBC, she’ll be staying here to pursue a master’s in teaching. 

Q: With dual degrees in math and financial economics, it’s a little surprising that one of your greatest passions in life is traveling. How did you catch the travel bug? 

A: I was four, if not younger, when I took my first international trip. We traveled a lot as a family and have always had a big love of it. When I was in middle school and early high school, my grandpa took my cousin and me on three trips to Europe, which we’re very grateful for. It was a really great snapshot into a lot of places. Both of my parents are immigrants from the Soviet Union, so growing up, my dad traveled around the Soviet Union a lot with my grandpa. It’s just something that is ingrained in our family. Seeing new places, learning about cultures, trying new food, and learning about the history of places when I’m going to them—that’s what’s fun to me.

Q: With such a pull to travel and see the world, why did you decide to continue your education locally at UMBC? 

A: I knew I wanted to stay local-ish and take advantage of in-state tuition. My dad [Sergey Nemirovsky ’03, computer science] went here and I worked at the UMBC summer camp in high school. I met some people who went to UMBC and they showed me around and let me know what it’s really like. But when I was accepted into the Sondheim Scholars Program, that really sealed it for me. My brother [Sam Nemirovsky ’27, mathematics] is a first-year student here, and it’s funny because we’re both math majors but doing it in entirely different ways. He’s working with applied math, and I know that’s just not for me. It was also so important for me to build study abroad into my college experience. 

Q: How would you describe the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program to someone who isn’t familiar with it? 

A: We focus on not only policy, but also community engagement and service. Throughout all of freshman year, we’re doing community service, involved mostly in Baltimore and just getting a chance to see local communities. And then we go through our years at UMBC as a cohort. Some people graduate early, but for the most part, for us, it’s been 12 people, together. The other cool thing is it’s a very diverse group of majors so you get a lot of different perspectives and people trying to implement policy in different ways or just seeing how it comes to play, not just in government. It’s been great having that community throughout to push each other. We push each other to really exceed and make the most of our college experiences.

Q: Do you have any advice for students who are unsure what they want to do?

A: Go with what you like and what you enjoy. Obviously having a job is ideal, so be a little more realistic with what you’re studying but think about how you could apply it and investigate that. And be flexible! I texted my mom a couple of times my first year thinking out loud, “What if I add this minor? What if I do this major?” And she said, “If you want to and if it makes sense, do it.” 

I knew that I would love to have a job where I have the flexibility to travel but never really as a career. I had no idea what exactly I wanted to do but I always liked math, so figured maybe that route. And then I had a really good high school economics teacher [Vann Prime] who was state recognized, and I decided to go down that path and see where it takes me. 

Q: So many students think it’s not possible to study abroad with their academic course load or they can’t fit it into their schedule. What would you say to them? 

A: As an Education Abroad Advisor, I talk about this all day, every day. I think everybody should study abroad and there’s so many new ways to do it too, especially with the faculty-led programs that are really growing. Even in these super packed majors where you feel like you have to be here every semester, you can still travel for a short-term winter or summer faculty-led program. They’re really meeting students where they are to give them opportunities. 

Q: Have you had mentors who have influenced you throughout your academic career. What does mentorship look like and mean to you?

A: I view mentorship as something that has to be beneficial. Through the Sondheim Program, we were assigned mentors freshman year, and I originally wasn’t sure how to feel about it, and I didn’t know if we would connect in a meaningful way. But it’s been one of the things I’ve enjoyed most. Jess Cook [associate director of Sondheim] connected me to Josh Michael [’10, political science, Ph.D. ’22, public policy], who helped me get my internship at the Maryland State Department of Education and was one of my mentors. From there, this internship helped me solidify the work that I want to do in math education curriculum and policy and helped me figure out what my next steps need to be after college. The internship also helped me to expand my connections in the field and shaped my plans for senior year and beyond.

Q: Are there other ways your mentors have helped you? 

A: I’m a person who needs a path. And I realized once I got to college that there’s kind of no more path, I have to make my own. That was really scary to me, so having mentors who can help me make this path…give me advice and offer suggestions, that was extremely helpful. I really believe you have to choose the people you look up to and kind of aspire to be them. 

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

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

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

😋 Snacks available!

Whether you're job hunting, networking, or just starting to think about your professional presence online, this is the event for you! Join us for BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand,  an interactive workshop designed to help you craft and strengthen your digital identity in today's competitive landscape.

Who You Are:

• A graduate or undergraduate student looking to build or refine your online professional presence

What to Expect:

• Tips and strategies for building a strong, authentic digital brand
• Guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn, portfolio, and other professional platforms
• Networking opportunities with fellow students and career professionals
• Resources and support from the UMBC Career Center and Office of Professional Programs

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing presence, this is a great chance to invest in yourself and your future career.

Follow us on Instagram @gears_umbc for updates on upcoming events!

The University System of Maryland is conducting a survey to understand current attitudes toward and opinions of public higher education in Maryland and how it is perceived to impact the state. Because you are a student at a USM institution, we would value your participation. Please consider taking a few minutes to share your opinions by taking the survey.

TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey is being conducted by our marketing partner, BVK, on our behalf. Your responses will remain anonymous and will be automatically submitted to BVK and analyzed only in aggregate with others.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and, as a thank you for participating, you will be given the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon.com gift cards.

Review full drawing rules.

Thank you for your consideration.

TAKE THE SURVEY 

If you have questions about the survey, please send them to USMStudentSurvey@BVK.com

Thanks again!