Dear Students,

I am reaching out today to invite you to take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Students who complete the survey will have a chance to receive a $100 UMBC Bookstore gift card. You can access the online survey here. The survey is anonymous and will be open from Wednesday, April 15 until Thursday, April 30. 

This survey is intended to gather information about sexual and gender-based violence on campus, your knowledge of related policies and resources, and your opinion about how helpful and supportive these resources are. The survey takes 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary. You may choose to skip questions or stop responding at any point.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears after the survey and is available now on the ECR website. 

By taking the survey, you play a major role in helping UMBC tailor its sexual violence prevention efforts and to improve campus response. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights will be reviewing the results of this survey and sharing what we learn with the campus community. We will incorporate your feedback to shape our policies and practices to promote a safer, healthier, and more welcoming campus.

All students who participate in the 2026 Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey will be eligible to enter a randomized drawing for one of five $100 UMBC Bookstore gift cards. After completing the Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and contact information in a separate voluntary incentive form in order to be entered into the drawing.

Nothing you report in the survey will be linked to your personal information. Your answers are confidential and will only be reported in terms of groups of students rather than as individuals. Your answers to the Campus Climate Survey are not linked in any way to the incentive drawing survey. You are not required to answer a certain number of questions or report specific experiences to be eligible to participate in the incentive survey. 

If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at ecr@umbc.edu or 410-455-1717.

Thank you in advance for your participation! 

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

Dear Students,

I am reaching out today to invite you to take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Students who complete the survey will have a chance to receive a $100 UMBC Bookstore gift card. You can access the online survey here. The survey is anonymous and will be open from Wednesday, April 15 until Thursday, April 30. 

This survey is intended to gather information about sexual and gender-based violence on campus, your knowledge of related policies and resources, and your opinion about how helpful and supportive these resources are. The survey takes 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary. You may choose to skip questions or stop responding at any point.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears after the survey and is available now on the ECR website. 

By taking the survey, you play a major role in helping UMBC tailor its sexual violence prevention efforts and to improve campus response. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights will be reviewing the results of this survey and sharing what we learn with the campus community. We will incorporate your feedback to shape our policies and practices to promote a safer, healthier, and more welcoming campus.

All students who participate in the 2026 Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey will be eligible to enter a randomized drawing for one of five $100 UMBC Bookstore gift cards. After completing the Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and contact information in a separate voluntary incentive form in order to be entered into the drawing.

Nothing you report in the survey will be linked to your personal information. Your answers are confidential and will only be reported in terms of groups of students rather than as individuals. Your answers to the Campus Climate Survey are not linked in any way to the incentive drawing survey. You are not required to answer a certain number of questions or report specific experiences to be eligible to participate in the incentive survey. 

If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at ecr@umbc.edu or 410-455-1717.

Thank you in advance for your participation! 

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

From our friends at the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program:

Dear Friends of the Sondheim Scholars Program,
We are excited to announce that applications are open for the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Affiliates Program! Please share this information with your students and departments:

Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program Affiliates

In honoring UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence, the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program has established an Affiliates Program to support more undergraduate students in pursuing their public service goals. The Affiliates Program creates an opportunity for UMBC students who did not apply for or were not selected for the Sondheim Program as prospective freshmen, but whose qualities and goals align with the Sondheim Program. 

Eligibility

• For the 2026-2027 academic year, applicants may be:

  • Freshmen

  • Sophomores

  • Juniors

  • Transfer students with at least two years remaining at UMBC

• Seniors, graduate students, and current Sondheim Scholars are not eligible to apply

• Applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA. 

Application and Selection Process

Deadline: July 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET

The application process will include completing an online application form, and submitting a resume and unofficial transcript by email to sondheimscholars@umbc.edu.

We plan to accept a cohort of up to 10 Sondheim Affiliates for the upcoming academic year. Affiliates will have access to many of our Sondheim events, resources, and activities. After 1 year of active participation in the program, Affiliates will be eligible to apply for an Experiential Learning Award (up to $5,500) and an Academic Enrichment & Professional Development (up to $550) Award. 
The Affiliates Program is open to students who will be incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and transfer students (with at least 2 years of time remaining at UMBC).
Sondheim Program Affiliates Information Sheet
Sondheim Affiliates Application
The application deadline is July 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Questions can be directed to sondheimscholars@umbc.edu. 
This program 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.
Thank you for your help spreading the word!
Jess

From our friends at the UMBC Institute of Politics:

My name is Mileah Kromer, and I'm the Director of the UMBC Institute of Politics. I'm reaching out to invite you to an upcoming event in our Politics Everywhere series.

Investments in parks, recreation, and public lands are investments in public health!  So, I hope you can join the UMBC Institute of Politics for Politics Everywhere: Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands.  This event features a keynote address by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Josh Kurtz, and a panel discussion with state and local leaders in parks and recreation, including Angela Crenshaw. (Crenshaw is the first Black woman to serve as Director of the Maryland Park Service, and was recently named as one of USA Today's Women of the Year.) The event will focus on the big questions about access, equity, and expansion, as well as daily operations, budgetary issues, and long-term planning.

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. Click here to RSVP.

• Date: Wednesday, April 29
• Time: 7:00 to 8:45 pm
• Location: Fine Arts Recital Hall

I hope to see you there! Bring a friend!

Thanks,

Dr. Mileah Kromer
Director, UMBC Institute of Politics

Join us for our end of the year Celebration & Awards! 

Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards

Thursday, May 14, 2026

5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

University Center Ballroom 3rd Floor

This celebration commemorates the achievements of graduating UMBC students while celebrating the vast cultural diversity of Asian communities and heritage on our campus. We recognize the difficulty of choosing just one identifier or term to capture the vast diversity of all people with heritage in the Asian continent, representing 49 countries and hundreds of cultures. We seek to honor the breadth of experience of people across Asia - East, South, Southwest, West, and Central Asia. 

During the gathering, we'll enjoy food together, we'll showcase keynote speakers, student musical and dance performances, and award presentations to honor student contributions, as well as the faculty and staff who've contributed to their success.

Light refreshments and appetizers will be served starting at 5:30 pm for all guests in attendance. 

Graduates must check in no later than 5:45 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 

Dress code: We encourage all attendees and graduates to dress in their "celebration best." While cap and gown are not required, we would be thrilled to see attendees embracing cultural attires.

If you would like to nominate a community member for one of our Affinity Celebration & Awards, you may nominate them here using the Awards Nomination Form or https://forms.gle/TLH8uDwccy5gBJtj8. You may submit multiple nominations for the same or different individuals. Please submit all nominations by April 20th, 2026. 

For those interested in attending, you can RSVP HERE!  Save the date on your calendars! Graduates that RSVP by Thursday, April 30th at 6pm will be highlighted during the event and receive honorary graduation cords.

If you have any questions, please email us at themosaic@umbc.edu.

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. 

Join us for our end of the year Celebration & Awards! 

5th Annual Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards

Monday, May 18, 2026

5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

University Center, Ballroom 3rd Floor

This celebration is in recognition of the achievements of UMBC's Black and Latina/e/o/x graduating students as well as contributing community members.Black and Latine/x students have made invaluable contributions to the wider UMBC community. This celebration is in recognition of Black and Latine/x graduating students and of all the allied staff, faculty, alumni, and programs that work to support them.

During the gathering, we'll enjoy food together, we'll showcase keynote speakers, student musical and dance performances, and award presentations to honor student contributions, as well as the faculty and staff who've contributed to their success.

Light refreshments and appetizers will be served starting at 5:30 pm for all guests in attendance. 

Graduates must check in no later than 5:45 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 

Dress code: We encourage all attendees and graduates to dress in their "celebration best." While cap and gown are not required, we would be thrilled to see attendees embracing cultural attires.

If you would like to nominate a community member for one of our Affinity Celebration & Awards, you may nominate them here using the Awards Nomination Form or https://forms.gle/TLH8uDwccy5gBJtj8. You may submit multiple nominations for the same or different individuals. Please submit all nominations by April 20th, 2026. 

For those interested in attending, you can RSVP HERE!  Save the date on your calendars! Graduates that RSVP by Friday, May 1st at 6pm will be highlighted during the event and receive honorary graduation cords.

If you have any questions, please email us at themosaic@umbc.edu.

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. 

The 2026 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey was launched! Information gathered from the survey will be used to inform our ongoing education, prevention, and response work, and is an important component in campus-wide efforts to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct at UMBC.

All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100
UMBC Bookstore gift cards.

You can access the online survey here. The survey will be open from Wednesday,
April 15 until Thursday, April 30, and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. After completing the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address in a separate voluntary survey to enter for a chance to win one of the gift cards.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and
interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and
may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

The 2026 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey was launched! Information gathered from the survey will be used to inform our ongoing education, prevention, and response work, and is an important component in campus-wide efforts to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct at UMBC.

All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100
UMBC Bookstore gift cards.

You can access the online survey here. The survey will be open from Wednesday,
April 15 until Thursday, April 30, and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. After completing the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address in a separate voluntary survey to enter for a chance to win one of the gift cards.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and
interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and
may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

URCAD is looking for volunteer photographers for April 22nd! URCAD.umbc.edu

If you are interested in volunteering, email Dr. April Householder (aprilh@umbc.edu), director of undergraduate research.

The Center for Health, Equity, & Aging (CHEA) and the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health (SAPH) are now recruiting for the 2026-2027 cohort of SMaRT (Student Mentoring and Research Training) Scholars program.

This program is a hands-on opportunity to get involved in research with faculty in public health, sociology, and anthropology. As part of the program, students enroll in a structured summer course (SOCY 497/698, that provides training in research methods, professional development, and key topics in health, alongside direct faculty mentorship and participation in active research projects. SMaRT is ideal for students who are curious, motivated, and interested in building skills for their resumes, graduate school, or careers in health and social science fields. 

More details here!: https://saph.umbc.edu/chea/smart/