Lama Mohamed's exhibit of illustrations explores how using creative methods can inspire greater thought and wonder in younger viewers’ first exposure to elementary science.

Special Exhibit, 10 – 11 a.m., RAC Upper Track, First Floor

Title: Imagining Science

Mentor: Chung-Wei Huang, Media and Communication Studies

Abstract:

Art has not been utilized nearly enough to visualize the complex relationships that exist within the broad disciplines of life sciences. The separation of creativity from science, and the rigidity of science within the arts has minimized the future possibilities of both fields. These illustrations explored how using more creative methods can inspire greater thought and wonder in younger viewers’ first exposure to elementary science. This was attempted through use of experimental art techniques such as collage, mixed media, and a focus on artistic appeal rather than strict accuracy of anatomy or scale. There are a total of three pieces: Scale, Unity, and Balance; all created with the intention of centering young audiences, but also the innate curiosity present in all people, regardless of age. Each illustration is centered around that inborn desire to understand and make meaning of the vast yet intricate world around us, and how it manifests in everyday life.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Peer Health Educator program allows students to serve as leaders on campus and promote health/well-being, and there's a stipend! 
Application is live! Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10.  2026- 2027 Peer Health Educator Application

UMBC instructors are invited to "enroll" in the self-paced, online Course Roadmap to Equity (CoRE) Foundations training, which provides practical tools to achieve the ‘Strive for 85’ digital accessibility goal -- an overall Ally course score of 85% or better by the end of 2026. 

In March 2026, UMBC’s Digital Accessibility Steering Committee launched Strive for 85 -- an institutional goal to achieve an overall Ally course accessibility score of 85% or better across all Blackboard courses by the end of 2026. This initiative represents a commitment to digital accessibility and inclusive excellence in course design. CoRE Foundations gives instructors practical tools to apply accessibility improvements in their own courses to make progress toward that goal.

How it Works

CoRE Foundations is flexible and self-paced. Begin with Module 1 (Strive for 85), then choose additional modules based on the type of content you teach. You can also earn an optional microcredential, recognizing your expertise in implementing digital accessibility best practices.

Getting Started

CoRE Foundations is available now on Blackboard. Instructors may self-enroll in CoRE Foundations to get started today. Department chairs may submit an RT request to have Instructional Technology enroll their faculty.

Join UMBC's campus-wide commitment to inclusive excellence!

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 
  • What's new in Ultra? | Known Issues 
• Open a ticket via RT
• Follow theInstructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
• Request a consult with instructional technology staff
• UMBC Digital Accessibility| Ally FAQs | Ally Demo | Ally Report (VPN required)
• PIVOT | Academic Continuity |Keep On Teaching |Student Technology Resources

The Election Board recently received an election complaint against the statements made by Sedat Sefik in his “All Election Candidates” bio on SGA’s webpage where he stated he has been involved with SGA “as a Finance Board member and First-Year Ambassador.”  The complaint alleged violations of the following election rule: 

Rule 13. “Making false statements of fact to promote or discredit a candidate orally, visually, or in writing, or misleading people about the voting process, either intentionally or because the person making the statements did not take reasonable steps to verify their accuracy, is prohibited.  True statements and statements of opinion or intention are welcome except when they violate UMBC rules. Infractions involving false statements about an opposing candidate or intentionally misleading people about the voting process will be considered especially serious violations.” 

After careful review, the Election Board has found the complaint to be valid related to the alleged Rule 13 violation on the grounds that, while candidate Sefik has shadowed Finance Board in his role as an SGA FYA in Fall of 2024, he has never been a member of SGA Finance Board.  

In response to the violation, the Election Board has decided to move forward with the following sanctions: 

• Candidate Sefik’s “All Election Candidates” bio on SGA’s webpage has been updated to read that he has been “involved with SGA as a First-Year Ambassador.” Candidate Sefik is able to request additional edits if they meet with the approval of the Election Board. 
• The posting of an acknowledgement of the misleading statement on candidate Sefik’s social media spaces, which must first be submitted to the Election Board for approval. The statement must be approved and posted by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026. 

The Election Board wants to reiterate that any student who believes that they have witnessed an Election Rules violation should report a complaint to the Election Board, remembering that complaints must be filed by 48 hours after an alleged violation is discovered OR by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 19th-- whichever is earliest. 

Thank you. 

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone who went to our previous event. This week we will have a regular General Body Meeting.

We will meet this Wednesday (4/8) from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Sondheim Building room 107.

Also we curently have our elections going on. To cast your vote please fillout the ballot at the following link: https://forms.gle/bowWHhoKrvuBCJZs8 

Elections will end on April 14th so please cast your vote before the 14th. 

Thank you!!!

Faculty navigate political conversations in their classrooms whether they plan to or not. When we understand politics broadly as the processes through which we figure out how to live together, rather than strictly as voting gameplay, these moments are not just unavoidable but pedagogically important. Faculty already bring experience to managing complex classroom dynamics, and this workshop builds on that foundation by offering a dialogic perspective designed specifically for conversations across political difference. Participants will explore what it looks like to hold commitments to both free expression and inclusive community in practice, examine the particular dynamics that make political dialogue feel high-stakes, and co-develop guiding questions they can adapt to shape their own classroom strategy when these moments arise. This workshop will be facilitated by Ricky Blissett (Center for Democracy and Civic Life).

To RSVP and get the link for this event, visit the original post on the Faculty Development Center's myUMBC, and they will send you a Google calendar invitation with a WebEx link one hour before the session. If you register less than an hour before the session, you will receive the WebEx link when you register. Please email fdc@umbc.edu if you have any questions. If you have registered and find that you can no longer attend, please kindly release your spot so that others may attend.

(Counts toward the ALIT Certificate)
(Counts toward the INNOVATE Certificate)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now soliciting interest for unpaid Interns in the Bureau of Economics for Summer 2026.  This is a great opportunity for rising juniors and seniors with coursework in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or Computer Science.

Below is application information for any students that might be interested in the position. We are open to this position being part of a person’s academic course of study (e.g., used for credit or independent study).

Duties:

In this role, you will gain real-world experience by working alongside PhD economists to protect consumers and promote competition in the US economy. Interns work with economists to support FTC matters, including:

o   Providing economic and statistical analysis in support of antitrust investigations, consumer protection cases, and rulemaking.

o   Conducting academic research and developing reports on the functioning of markets in the economy.

The ideal candidate for this position has:

o   A strong interest in and intuition for applied microeconomics.

o   Proficiency in programming languages widely used in economics, statistics, and/or data science such as Stata, R, or Python.

o   Excitement about conducting data analysis on a wide range of datasets in support of consumer protection and competition missions of the FTC.

o   Interest and aptitude in working with PhD economists on economics research projects that serve the mission of the FTC.

o   A desire to grow and build on skills in data analysis and microeconomics.

Position details:

o   Internships will run approximately from late May/June through mid-August, with exact start and end dates determined based on candidate availability.

o   The job location will be on site at the FTC Headquarters Building in Washington DC.

o   Candidates should plan to be on-site full-time at the FTC during the duration of the internship.

How to apply:

o   Send a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to econ_interns@ftc.gov

o   The deadline for applications is 4/12/2026 at 11:59PM EST.

Tips for the application

o   Cover letter: A strong cover letter will include the following:

§  A discussion of your interest in economics and the FTC.

§  Details on your experience with statistics, econometrics, and programming, including through coursework, class projects, employment, or any other experience.

§  Details about your interest and experience with economic research, including any noteworthy projects, employment, or oral presentations.

§  Details about your interest and experience in public policy, including in any topics related to antitrust or consumer protection, though these are not required.

§  Any other relevant experience or interest.

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

The Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, Dresher Center for the Humanities, and UMBC Department of English invite you to celebrate National Library Week and UMBC BookFest, April 19-25, 2026

Monday, April 20

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Banned Books Read-In | Library Rotunda

Exercise your freedom to read! Learn more about book challenges and bans in the United States, spend some time reading books that have been banned or challenged, and find out which 10 books were most frequently banned or challenged in 2025.

4:00 - 7:00 PM: Our Stories Matter: Books, Arts, and Community | Library 7th Floor

Make a mosaic that celebrates individual and community stories, embracing and amplifying all voices. This program is part of a series that will continue through 2026.

Tuesday, April 21

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: BookMarkIt | Library Plaza

Celebrate all things books with letterpress printing, zinemaking and swaps, a book drive, giveaways, and more!

3:00 - 5:00 PM: Find the Library at Transfer-Palooza! | UC Ballroom

Hey, transfer students! We will be at Transfer-Palooza with information about library services, plus stickers and swag!

5:00 - 6:30 PM: One Maryland, One Book: An Evening with Lawrence Burney, Author of No Sense in Wishing | UC 302

The author of the 2026 One Maryland One Book selection will join Assistant Professor of English Chris L. Terry to reflect on his essay collection, growing up in Baltimore, and his deep relationship to music. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, April 22

4:00 - 5:00 PM: A New Model: The Barack Obama Presidential Library with Dr. Kenvi Phillips, Barack Obama Presidential Library Director | Library 7th Floor

With approximately 95% of its records created digitally, the Obama Presidential Library is the first digital repository among the 16 presidential libraries stewarded by the National Archives and Records Administration. The library is constantly developing new pathways to process and make records available to the public. This talk will explore how the library is bridging the gap between traditional brick-and-mortar library needs and expectations and digital possibilities. Refreshments will be served.

4:00 - 6:00 PM: BCPL Mobile Services Visit | Library Plaza

Learn about the various mobile services offered by the Baltimore County Public Library - available for free to all UMBC community members!

Thursday, April 23

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch and Learn: Library Advocacy Workshop | Library Room 259 

Join the Maryland Library Association to learn how everyone can be an advocate for library access and services. Lunch will be provided.

4:30 - 6:00 PM: Freedom to Read: A Panel on Libraries and Democracy | Library Gallery

Book challenges and censorship efforts are on the rise across our state and nation. What can we do to protect the right to read and ensure access to library services? Join this timely conversation with Maryland librarians, the Maryland State Library Agency, and Citizens for Maryland Libraries. Refreshments will be served.

Friday, April 24

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Decorate a Library Tote Bag | Library Atrium

You need something to carry all those books! Stop by the library atrium to decorate your own totebag. All supplies will be provided.

All Week

Monday-Friday 12-4: Drop-in button-making | Alan and Wendy Wilson Innovation Lab

Use old book pages and covers to create one-of-a-kind buttons!

All library open hours: Drop-in blackout poetry | Library 1st Floor

Upcycle an old book page into a new piece of literature.

The semester is moving quickly and it is time to LOCK IN -- for this semester AND the next! 

With the last day to withdraw (or change to a S/U grading method) behind us, you are now officially "in it to win it" with all of your Spring 26 classes!

This is also a great time to try stepping things up by adding in at least ONE new study habit. Have you been keeping up with the ASC resources like tutoring or SI Pass? Maybe not as regularly as you would like?!? Book an appointment via TracCloud today and recommit to a successful semester.

OR -- try adding in ONE more study technique like an online flashcard maker like Quizlet or Anki. 

If time management is your main concern, habit-trackers like Forest, Flora, and Habitica can gamify your responsibilities and encourage you to set AND keep to a better schedule. 

Better yet, make sure that you have checked in with your assigned advisor for clearance to register for Fall 2026 classes and along the way you can also discuss your course standing and possible areas for improvement.

As a reminder, ALL returning UMBC students will be eligible to register for Fall 2026 classes by the END OF NEXT WEEK (Friday 4/17). In order to take advantage of your earliest registration date/time (determined by the number of earned credits), you will need to meet with your advisor ASAP and make sure that there are no other registration holds on your account. Examples of registration holds include financial, health, ECR training, and judicial requirements/restriction. You do NOT need to remove all of these other holds before meeting with you assigned advisor and advising availability is limited during this time. You can view your assigned advisor (and registration holds) via your myUMBC account AND a complete list of advising assignments can be found at this website (by major). 

Success is often a state of mind and your CNMS Advising team is HERE FOR IT! Let's finish the semester strong and be set up for success in the Fall! LET'S GO RETRIEVERS!