After Shanika Freeman ’24 walked across the stage, she had something on her mind—basic human rights. For the past four years, Freeman’s research has focused on the reentry experiences of formerly incarcerated women in the United States and Maryland. Basic human rights—including access to healthy food, education, housing, healthcare, clothing, and job skills development—are difficult to access for people in the reentry process due to limited to no financial resources, support networks, services, and stigma. 

“In Maryland, over 15,000 women are released from prison every year. Just imagine, you’ve been released, and unfortunately, you couldn’t get a transitional program or reentry program, so you are basically by yourself,” said Freeman during her individualized study major’s capstone presentation. “You go out, you kiss the ground because you know you are free, but you are only given about $50 to $100 of gate money to find transportation and all your basic needs.”

Reentry programs are not the root of these obstacles. During her research, Freeman learned that the U.S.incarceration system’s emphasis on punishments rather than rehabilitation means many women are released without workforce skills needed to meet the demands of a changing job, let alone recreate a new life. All of these factors increase recidivism rates.

“I wasn’t born to be caged up and chained up,” is a quote by Susan Burton that inspired Freeman to continue her research on successful reentry pathways. Burton is the founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, a non-profit organization in California that provides safe housing, pro bono legal services, advocacy, and family reunification for formerly incarcerated women. Leading with compassion inspired Freeman to seek similar approaches in her own work. 

She didn’t know at the time that her search would lead her to Norway, whose incarceration system is widely recognized as one of the most humane rehabilitative institutions in the world. Their rehabilitation process emphasizes mentorship, skill-building, communal living, mirroring regular life based on the Norwegians’ belief that the only right a person loses through incarceration is liberty. As a result, Norway has one of the lowest rates of recidivism in the world. Thanks to a 2025 – 2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program award, Freeman crossed the Atlantic to Bergen, Norway, to conduct research on the reentry experiences of Norwegian women into the community after incarceration. 

Janteloven, a culture of humility 

For the first time, Freeman boarded a plane, leaving the United States and Baltimore for Bergen, a city on Norway’s southwestern coast known as the city between the seven mountains. Freeman quickly found that life in Bergen is about enjoying nature. She remembers walking from her small studio apartment to the University of Bergen and seeing hikers everywhere. While cross-country skiing is the official national sport, hiking is an integral part of Bergen culture. Freeman joined the locals on both activities, and suited up with hiking boots and cross-country skis—also a first. 

“I love this city. It’s not crowded. You can take a hike up a mountain any day of the week. Mount Fløyen is the closest and most popular mountain in Bergen,” said Freeman. “So many beautiful views and at the top, you can also get hot chocolate, coffee, and Norwegian waffles. It’s all really nice.” While she enjoyed the outdoors, Freeman did have some first-day jitters when it came time to join the research team.

“I was a bit hesitant when I arrived because I had just graduated with my bachelor’s, and most of my colleagues had a Ph.D. or were earning one. I was a bit worried about fitting in. But they welcomed me with open arms,” says Freeman. “Bergensere really value you and your voice, no matter what. It doesn’t matter if you have a degree or not, they really value you and make sure your voice is heard.”

This practice of equality and community above all is called Janteloven, a Scandinavian cultural, social, and literary concept that emphasizes equality, humility, and collective conformity over individual achievement. Freeman’s welcome was an example of Janteloven. This extends to architecture, clothing, and even standing in line. 

“From my perspective, a lot of Norwegians are sort of hard to crack because they don’t usually do small talk. Back in Baltimore, if you’re standing in line at the grocery store, you can strike up a conversation with anyone. Not here so much,” explains Freeman. “They’re not being rude. They value your time, and they value their time as well, and don’t want to inconvenience anybody. It’s a cultural norm.”

Janteloven in the prison system

Possibly because of this norm, it took time for Freeman to find participants who wanted to focus on their own story. “It’s such a sensitive subject that I researched. One of the challenges I faced was helping participants feel comfortable speaking,” said Freeman. “I talked about their feelings during incarceration and reentry. It’s a very vulnerable state to be in.” Her Fulbright research advisors stepped in and connected Freeman with a few participants and guided her to pivot from solely focusing on reentry to include the system side of the process by speaking with experts in the field of criminology and penology—the philosophy, management, and effectiveness of prison systems and rehabilitation methods.

“One of my main findings was that Norway’s successful reentry is shaped primarily by its welfare system. It is set up to help with social support, housing, education, and job support. They have something called the import model,” said Freeman, “which means that they rely on external public services like healthcare, education, and libraries that are delivered by community providers rather than the prison staff themselves.” Freeman notes that this is in stark contrast to what she found in her research on the U.S. reentry process, where these services are usually contracted out. In Norway, staff are almost always civilians from the same communities into which the residents—Norway doesn’t use the term inmate or prisoner—will be released.

Freeman found a successful example to observe at WayBack, a Norwegian nonprofit foundation that supports formerly incarcerated individuals’ return to society by coordinating services and building networks for successful reintegration. However, the process doesn’t end there. WayBack’s approach to intervention is also based on peer-to-peer mentorship, a form of rehabilitation support Freeman has rarely seen in Baltimore.

“Norway’s welfare state and broader cultural belief systems, Janteloven included, reinforce the idea that the conviction and sentence to prison itself is the punishment,” Freeman explained. “So while you are inside, rehabilitation should be the main priority.”

But nothing is perfect. Another of Freeman’s findings includes the shortcomings of the Norwegian incarceration system. Freeman explained that there are prisons where women have limited gender-specific support and lack the services needed to overcome major barriers, including trauma, addiction, and mental health. “There was a recent report criticizing Trondheim Prison, a few hours from Bergen, due to human rights violations,” said Freeman, after submitting her research. “This was extremely surprising to me. They were in violation of mishandling medication, isolation, and unsanitary conditions, to name a few. So, despite all of the progress, there are still things that aren’t being addressed as quickly as others might want, but at least they are working to address it.”

Human rights in Bergen and Baltimore

After four seasons in Norway, Freeman is packing up and preparing to return home to Baltimore, leaving with a greater appreciation for Janteloven. She is hopeful that one day she will return to the city between the seven mountains either for travel or to pursue a master’s program to continue her research. In the meantime, Freeman is already working on adding a visual element to her research, as she plans to spend the summer filming a documentary on the impact of incarceration on Baltimore communities and families. 

“Having both the reentering system and the criminal system perspectives made my research stronger. My main goal is to work with reentry programs or even programs inside the prison system,” says Freeman. “I want people to think about the human rights of people in the prison system. No matter what they did, just because they were inside, it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve basic human rights.”

Read more Fulbright stories and learn about UMBC’s Fulbright preparation.

Roundtable: Sustaining Research Growth in Today’s Funding Environment 

Thursday, June 25th | 12-12:45 PM ET / 9-9:45 AM PT

REGISTER NOW

Amid rapid changes in the federal funding landscape, institutions of higher education are confronting a host of new challenges as they strive to sustain and grow their grant portfolios.

In this roundtable discussion, we will hear from grants and research leaders about the strategies they are deploying to keep their organizations on course.

Topics will include efforts to diversify funding sources, respond to shifting priorities, strengthen institutional research capacity, and explore emerging opportunities in uncharted areas.​​

Panelists:

• Kirsten Wisneski – Founding Director, Research Development Office, University of North Carolina Wilmington (NC)
• Tamara Gabrus – Senior Director, Research Advancement and Strategy, University of Central Florida (FL)
• Dr. P. Karen Murphy – Associate Dean for Research and Outreach, The Pennsylvania State University College of Education (PA)
• Dr. Randy Heflin – Senior Associate Vice President Research and Innovation, Virginia Tech (VA)

Moderators:

• Mallory Waters – Grants Advisor, Hanover Research
• Tom Kuhn – Senior Grants Consultant, Hanover Research

Unable to attend? Register and Hanover will send a copy of the recording and slides after the webinar.

About Hanover Research: Hanover provides research development, grant writing, and strategic advising support to a wide range of organizations. Our professionals deliver customized proposal review, revision, and production support, while also helping to align strategic priorities to funding trends and opportunities at all levels.  To learn more about Hanover Research, visit www.hanoverresearch.com.

Graduate School at UMBC

Dissertation Fellowship Fall 2026 

Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026

Overview: The UMBC Dissertation Fellowship provides promising doctoral candidates with the financial support necessary to focus on writing and completing their dissertations. This fellowship grants students the critical time and resources needed to expedite the final stages of their degree.

Eligibility & Conditions:

Except in extraordinary circumstances, these awards are limited to one term per student. To be considered, Ph.D. candidates must be in good academic standing. Additionally, they must have:

●        No other financial support: This fellowship is strictly for students who do not have UMBC-administered financial support (such as an assistantship) during the fall term. Note: Funding status will be verified prior to application review and applicants with a GA contract through fall 2026 will not be reviewed.

●        Time to commit and focus on writing: Recipients must commit at least 20 hours per week exclusively to dissertation writing for the entire fall term. No other work assignments, besides dissertation writing, may be associated with this fellowship.

Award Details (Fall 2026):

The fellowship is awarded for the summer term only and includes:

●      A maximum stipend of $12,500.

●      Tuition remission for 9 credits of course 899 (billed at 2 credits). Please note: The university provides tuition remission for the cost of 899 tuition only. Fellowship recipients are required to pay all mandatory fees associated with 899 registration.

Selection Criteria:

A committee selected by the Graduate School Leadership Team will review applications. Priority will be given to students who demonstrate that this award will provide the critical support needed to complete their writing, finalize revisions, and successfully defend their dissertation within the fellowship period (by the end of the fall term). Selection is based heavily on the applicant's readiness to finish, and the quality and feasibility of their management plan.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documentation as a single PDF:

1. Fill out the application form with your information (attached).

2. Letter of Support from the Chair of the Dissertation Committee that:

○      Describes the current state of the dissertation and the probable impact of the Fellowship on the student's progress.

○      Verifies that no UMBC-administered financial support is available for the student.

     3. Management Plan (1–2 pages), written by the applicant and signed by the Chair of the Dissertation Committee. This must describe the dissertation format (regular or 3-essay/paper), status of the dissertation work, remaining steps, and a timeline for completion of those steps.

    4. Research Abstract for Lay Audience (maximum 1 page), written by the applicant in plain language for a non-expert audience, describing their research and its relevance.

    5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (most recent version). Example of CV.

    6. Employer Documentation(if applicable): If employed outside the university, written evidence from the employer indicating a willingness to reduce the student's job hours and duties during the fellowship.

   7. Optional Statement: A brief response to the prompt: "Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about your situation and the need for a Dissertation Fellowship?"

Submission & Deadlines

●        Deadline: Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 10, 2026.

●        How to Apply: Email your completed application as a single PDF to dissertationfellowship@umbc.edu.

●        Notification: Recipients will be announced by Friday, July 31, 2026.

The application is attached.

Traffic around the arena will be very heavy beginning at 7:30am on 6/5/2026 and throughout the day to accommodate two high school graduations. Graduation start times are 9am and 1:30pm. Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to avoid entering campus from I-195, as parking on the east side of campus will be difficult to access. Please plan to park in any available legal permit space across campus. Parking Services will be enforcing parking regulations for safety concerns only. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to manage increased traffic and event activity

We are currently experiencing technical issues with the Dine On Campus website.

While we work to resolve the issue, please refer to the attached Hours of Operation flyer for the most up-to-date dining hours and locations.

Thank you for your patience!

UMBC Dining Services

Executive Council Members

Council Members:

       President: Nico Bartolomeo (nicolab2@umbc.edu)
       Vice President: Marley Cosgrove (marleyc1@umbc.edu)

Advisor: Dr. Matthew Kvalheim (kvalheim@umbc.edu)

Consultant: Dr. Justin Webster, Undergraduate Program Director (websterj@umbc.edu)

The RAC is looking for a student photographer to start in the fall semester. This is a paid on campus job. Details and how to apply below. They will be reviewing applicants soon!

This position would be grat for any student who wants to build some professional experience in photography. 

Any questions about the position can be directed to Alea Shilling (aleab@umbc.edu), Assistant Athletic Director of RAC. 

RAC Student Photographer Position Description: 
UMBC Recreation is seeking a student photographer for the fall semester to support the promotion and documentation of campus recreation programs and activities. This role focuses on capturing dynamic, action-oriented photography that highlights the energy, engagement, and atmosphere of intramural sports, club sports, and recreational events. The ideal candidate enjoys sports and event photography and has an eye for storytelling through fast-paced, authentic moments in a recreational setting. The photographer will play an important role in showcasing campus recreation through high-quality images used for marketing, social media, and the RAC website.

Timeframe/Semester:
The position will begin in the fall semester, with the option to continue into the spring.

Modality:
Hybrid. Photography work will be completed in person at events, while editing and related tasks can be done remotely. If structured as an internship, this may be adjusted based on academic or departmental requirements.

Hours per Week:
Approximately 5 hours per week.

Student Responsibilities:

• Capture photos of club sports, intramural events, and other recreation special events/classes
• Provide content for use on the website and social media platforms

Desired Traits:

• Personable and professional
• Dependable, including punctual attendance at scheduled activities and meetings
• Organized and detail-oriented

Compensation:
We have a couple of options available:

• Hourly rate of $15/hour
• Alternatively, an internship-based structure may be possible depending on departmental alignment (similar to our current arrangement with Public Health). We are open to discussing what works best.

Additional Requirements / Notes:

• Willingness and ability to travel off campus for select events, if needed

Application Materials & Submission:
Please submit the following via email to Alea Shilling at aleab@umbc.edu:

• A short paragraph of interest
• A resume (if available/desired)
• Samples of work or a photography portfolio (especially event/action/sports photography)

MSRP webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of their retirement plan.

Registration closes 2 hours before the start of the webinar.

Click here to Register. All webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length.

Building Better Credit: Habits that Make a Difference 

Credit impacts more than one may realize, from loan approvals and interest rates to future financial opportunities. Join MSRP for this webinar and discover how credit scores are calculated, what influences a score, and smart strategies to build and maintain healthy credit habits. 

• Monday, June 15 at 11am
• Thursday, June 25 at 1pm

Getting to Know EMPOWER: Participant Technology in Action

Explore the tools, technology, and experiences that help participants make the most of their retirement journey with EMPOWER. 

(Presented by Empower, MSRP's Contractor for Plan Administrator) 

• Wednesday, June 17 at 1pm
• Friday, June 26 at 11am

Your MSRP 457(b) and 401(k) Benefits: A Smart Start To Financial Security

Join MSRP for a comprehensive overview of the State of Maryland’s 457(b) and 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Plans, designed to help employees make the most of their available retirement benefits. Whether they are a new employee or looking to refresh their knowledge, this session will explain how these plans work, outline their key advantages, and show how they can support employees' long-term retirement goals as public sector employees.

• Monday, June 15 at 1pm

Your Pension, Social Security, and MSRP: Retirement Income For Life

Wondering how much income one needs in retirement, when to claim Social Security, and how the State Pension and MSRP savings fit together? Join MSRP  to learn how to estimate benefits from all retirement income sources and plan with confidence.  

• Thursday, June 11 at 1pm
• Thursday, June 25 at 11am

Wellbeing And Medicare Essentials: Plan For A Thriving Retirement

Whether retirement is right around the corner or a few years away, this webinar helps employees plan holistically, so they can retire with clarity, confidence, and purpose. In this session, they will discuss Medicare essentials and how smart healthcare choices support overall wellbeing, peace of mind, and quality of life in retirement.

• Thursday, June 11 at 11am

Click here to Register. All webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length.

Hi everyone!

We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!  

UMBC CSEE Professor Roberto Yus received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to support his research on democratizing the Internet of Things (IoT) by introducing a semantic abstraction framework that hides the complexity of raw sensor data. While IoT devices collect vast amounts of valuable data, most organizations struggle to use it because transforming raw readings into actionable insights requires deep technical expertise in sensor selection and AI modeling. To bridge this gap, his research will enable users to directly query high-level concepts, such as occupancy or energy consumption, while the computer system automatically manages the underlying sensors, machine learning models, and data pipelines to find the answers.