Reminder: FreeState Justice is hosting a virtual training for UMBC student volunteers on Thursday, April 23 (TODAY) from 12:00–1:00 PM.

This training is in preparation for the Legal Name Change & Gender Designation Clinic hosted by UMBC and FreeState Justice at the Catonsville Library on Monday, April 27.

All UMBC students are welcome to join the training and learn more about the importance of this work and how it supports the community.

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026

Time: 12:00-1:00 PM

Location: Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/284082005214544?p=pZGz66rfvmIqg9tvdt
Meeting ID: 284 082 005 214 544
Passcode: LM2pR6PN

The training will be recorded for those unable to attend live.

FreeState Justice is Maryland’s leading legal nonprofit working to improve the lives of Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

The Shriver Center is thrilled to announce the recipients of our Spring 2026 awards!

Thank you to everyone in the UMBC community who applied. This cycle saw a record-breaking number of applications, and we are grateful for your enthusiasm and engagement.

Samuel I. Rosenberg Citizenship Award: Victoria N. Saravia

Established in 1995 by Samuel I. Rosenberg, this award recognizes a UMBC student who has completed an outstanding apprenticeship within citizenship and public policy.

"I chose UMBC because I can continue thriving as a Digital Storyteller, since it has a partnership with Montgomery College, the community college I transferred from, where I developed my writing and communication skills and learned to create powerful stories. While exploring UMBC, I realized that I could double major and add multiple minors. I decided to pursue a minor in Latin American Studies because it could broaden my opportunities in animation. Also, many Latin American communities are underrepresented, and their rich cultures are poorly portrayed, and I want to change that. Along with my animation experience, this will help me create a Bolivian short series that shares my traditions with a broader audience."

The Samson, Rosetta A., and Sadie Feldman Award: Divine T. Anorchie

Established in January 1996 by Sadie B. Feldman in memory of her family.  Given to a student who has completed his/her junior year of studies and has demonstrated, through community service and academic activities, an understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship.

"My understanding of the responsibilities of community engagement has evolved through my continued involvement in UMBC’s community-engaged programs, including six semesters with College Night, one semester as a volunteer and five semesters as a student leader, as well as my work as a Shriver Summer Student Intern and a Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP) student worker through the Shriver Center. Through these experiences, I have come to understand that community engagement is not defined by a single act of service, but by long-term commitment, reflection, and a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to communities in ways that are respectful, informed, and responsive to their needs."

Congratulations to our winners!

Thank you to our award review committee members who spent many hours reviewing submissions in this competitive process. 

The Circulation/DML department is pleased to announce the following additions to our collection: the GoPro HERO13, the Rode Wireless GO II microphone kit + adapter, the Acer USB hub, and the Uni SD card reader.

You can request these models--and many more--through our Equipment Holds Page. They are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Digital Media Lab on the 2nd floor. (Note: everything is free to borrow for seven days with your campus card.)

Read on for highlights and direct any questions to circlib-group@umbc.edu.

GoPro HERO13 Black Creator Edition

• Creator edition includes microphone + windscreen, light, and combination tripod/remote/power bank
• Three unique formats: photo (27MP), video (up to 5.3K60), and time lapse
• Circulates as a kit in protective case and with bonus quickstart guide

Rode Wireless GO II Microphone Kit

• Kit includes two wireless mics (plus windscreens) and one wireless receiver 
• Dual-channel recording at a range of up to 656 feet
• Easily connect the receiver to a laptop via USB or to cameras with included mic cable

Interview Adapter for Wireless Mic

• An optional adapter that turns a Rode Wireless mic into a handheld device
• Circulates in a convenient carrying case

SD Card Reader

• Plug your SD card directly into your laptop/tablet/phone to transfer files
• Accepts both microSD and SD cards

USB Hub

• Plug multiple devices into one laptop port (USB only)
• Great to use with our Rode podcast microphones

Visit our Equipment Holds Page to place a request or stop by the Digital Media Lab to check them out!

On April 22, 2026, Shahin Hossain of LLC Cohort 23 successfully defended his dissertation and earned the title of Doctor of Philosophy.  His degree will be conferred next month.

His virtual defense went well and he gave a powerful presentation of his dissertation research, Measuring College Students’ Reliance on Large Language Models in Academic Writing: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study at a Minority-Serving Institution.

The program wishes to acknowledge the guidance and commitment of Shahin's committee:

Chair:

            Ramon Goings, Language, Literacy, and Culture

Members:

            Susan Sterett, Public Policy

            Yusuke Kuwayama, Public Policy

            Michele Stites, Education

            Lara Martin, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Congratulations, Dr. Hossain!

Dear UMBC Community,

In just a few short weeks, we will come together to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.

Each year, we invite Commencement speakers who reflect the values of our institution and the possibilities before our students. I am excited to introduce the voices who will help mark this important moment.

Please watch this video to learn more about our 2026 Commencement speakers.

I look forward to celebrating together in the weeks ahead.

Warm regards,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Living Water is having our weekly Large Group tonight Thursday, 4/23, at 7:30PM in MEYER030!

Join us for a powerful message on what it truly means to live like Jesus, marked by humility, love, and wise boundaries. Discover how following the examples of both Jesus and Paul can shape your life and help you shine brightly in the world!

Hope to see you there!

Updates provided by the President

• Strategic Planning

  • The University Steering Committee (USC) and shared governance leaders are participating. The goal is to offer participation opportunities through many modalities, including surveys (campus-wide survey closes on April 17).

  • The five pillars of the plan came from 22 hours of Bold Conversations listening sessions, not from senior leaders creating them.

• Federal Government, Federal Orders and Actions

  • A core team of 6–7 leaders has been meeting since January to assess federal impacts on higher education and UMBC.

  • The university provides guidance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the Federal actions and orders website and on cards around campus. They are also providing monthly updates to the campus community. Update On Federal Policy Changes 

  • We have had 42 grant cancellations, 9 of which are being reinstated. 

  • Research funding reached $150M in 2024, and this year, the second-highest level in our history. We hit $185M in 2025.

• Budget (FY27)

  • The Governor signed the budget 3 hours before this meeting, and President Sheares Ashby assumes no further cuts, although last year's cut was not restored.

  • There will be an operational cut because UMBC must use its own budget to cover the portion of COLA funding not provided by the state - this has always been the case.

  • In the last two years, UMBC has experienced about a 10% cut.

• VP Administration & Finance Search

  • The search is "dangerously close" to completion (The President was jumping with excitement!)

  • President Sheares Ashby is seeking a candidate who can manage institutional change and value inclusive excellence, not just someone with the standard A&F skillset.

  • “I’m basically looking for somebody who can walk on water, which is unfair, but I need it. It’s not worth making a mistake. If I’m not convinced you’re not gonna be convinced.”

• Being in the News

  • Spring Grove (SG): UMBC received the gift of 175 acres of the Spring Grove state hospital along with $27M for environmental and infrastructure remediation several years ago. Four hundred residents are still on the property, but most of the property has not been used for many years. UMBC does not have development plans yet and is focused on remediating infrastructure first.

  • Herbert Run: UMBC and Whiting Turner were cited by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for project issues. UMBC has met with MDE and Whiting Turner and has resolved the issues and has had no new violations. 

  • Athletics:The university entered into a voluntary settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, in April 2024: Department of Justice-UMBC Agreement. We continue to adhere to the provisions set forth in the settlement agreement, and there have not been any issues to date with us meeting those provisions. Personnel and student conduct issues cannot be discussed publicly due to legal issues, and to ensure people feel comfortable reporting in the future.

• Happy Monday Messages

  • President Sheares Ashby encourages reading these messages as a reminder of the good work being done, which is happening alongside the negative news coverage.

  • Highlights included the College Track partnership in Baltimore City and four Goldwater Scholars this year, which is one short of the national record.

Open Q&A

• Question: Are you aware of other federally funded colleges that have implemented more values-based approaches to alerting communities when immigration enforcement (USCIS fact-finding visits) is present?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: UMBC police will not assist ICE. Regarding communicating if ICE is on campus, President Sheares Ashby is "still processing" the decision. Her priority is the safety of the individual and the community, noting that communicating could incite harm, but not communicating prevents people from making decisions for themselves. Campus members should look at the card for clear direction. She clarified each person has the right to their own choices, but if someone on this campus gets hurt, that is her responsibility and she needs to ensure the campus is safe.

• Question: Climate survey data shows students who interact with multiple support services are the least satisfied (45% approval rating). What steps will senior leadership take to structurally embed inclusive excellence?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: The next strategic plan will address gaps in fully living up to Inclusive Excellence as one of our core values. Structurally, all disability services have moved under the Division of Inclusive Excellence (DoIE). The goal is to move from a "start-up university mentality" to operating at a higher level (UMBC 2.0 → UMBC 3.0) by being prepared for people before they arrive. An external review of all things disability services was just completed to get a sense from national leaders about how we can do better and improve.

• Question: Is UMBC planning a coordinated communication response to the articles concerning Spring Grove?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: A response is not straightforward, and President Sheares Ashby has engaged GES faculty to gain a larger understanding of the situation. The final communication plan is uncertain, but they are meeting with closely related entities first. President Sheares Ashby needs full clarity to maintain credibility and does not want to create a constant cycle of response to every news article.

• Question: Given budget constraints, what is the future for pre-transfer advising growth, as there is currently only one pre-transfer advisor?

• President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: President Sheares Ashby recognized the importance of the work, noting that nearly 50% of graduating students are transfer students, and that there is representation from each MD community college. The future person-power and specific charge for pre-transfer advising will be determined in the strategic plan, which is not yet complete. She encouraged continued work with Carlos Jensen, Vice Provost of Student Success and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, to discuss this issue in more detail.

Join us this evening for "Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy" 
5:00–6:30 p.m. — Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise across our state and nation. What can we do to protect the right to read and to ensure access to our nation’s library services? Join some of Maryland's distinguished librarians and advocates for a panel discussion: 

• Morgan Miller, Maryland State Librarian
• Stacey Nunn, Library Media Specialist, Southwest Academy Magnet School for Science and Engineering and finalist for School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year
• Christine Feldmann, Anne Arundel County Public Library
• Andrea Lewis, President of Citizens for Maryland Libraries
• Betsy Peisach, Maryland Public Television

This event is co-sponsored by the Maryland State Library Agency. Refreshments will be served!

GIVE! Throughout BookFest, we will be raising funds for Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD), a non-profit that supports the LBPD in its mission to make reading and all library services accessible to Marylanders!

Interested in learning how maps are created and how spatial data is used in the real world? GES 286 introduces Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis through hands-on activities and real applications.

This course satisfies the GEP Science requirement with a lab component and is a great option for Summer I.

What you will do
• Learn the basics of GIS and spatial analysis
• Work with mapping tools and real data
• Participate in engaging activities, including balloon mapping

Summer 1 Term Sections
Section 01 TuTh 1 - 4
Section 02 TuTh 4 - 7

Have questions?
Contact Prof Charlie Kaylor at ckaylor@umbc.edu

Sign up now and explore how mapping and data come together to solve real problems.

Join us this evening for "Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy"
5:00–6:30 p.m. — Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise across our state and nation. What can we do to protect the right to read and to ensure access to our nation’s library services? Join some of Maryland's distinguished librarians and advocates for a panel discussion: 

• Morgan Miller, Maryland State Librarian
• Stacey Nunn, Library Media Specialist, Southwest Academy Magnet School for Science and Engineering and finalist for School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year
• Christine Feldmann, Anne Arundel County Public Library
• Andrea Lewis, President of Citizens for Maryland Libraries
• Betsy Peisach, Maryland Public Television

This event is co-sponsored by the Maryland State Library Agency. Refreshments will be served!

GIVE! Throughout BookFest, we will be raising funds for Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD), a non-profit that supports the LBPD in its mission to make reading and all library services accessible to Marylanders!