Dear Colleagues, 

It’s that time of year again! We are eagerly preparing for the start of the fall semester and welcoming our new and returning students to campus.To help you support students and answer questions they may bring to you, I want to share three messages recently sent to students about our Welcome, Retrievers program and the resources and opportunities available to them:

• Resources to Support Student Success

• Employment and Professional Development Resources 

• Resources for Connection and Wellbeing

There are also several upcoming opportunities for faculty and staff to connect with students and help us welcome them to UMBC:

Retriever Fest: Friday, August 21 

Today is new student move-in day, and students and their families will be stopping by Erickson Field to connect with campus offices, departments, and off-campus partners from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty and staff are welcome to stop by the family and hospitality tent, which will feature campus resources and opportunities to connect with students and their families. There will be music, face painting, and tabling by the Family Advisory Board. We will also highlight athletics, student entrepreneurs, and more! Chartwells will host A Taste of UMBC, featuring delicious food options, and the Bookstore will be promoting new UMBC gear. 

Community Cookout: Sunday, August 23 

Immediately following Convocation, we will gather as a community on Geffen Hill to enjoy a delicious cookout as we head into the new academic year. This is a great opportunity to welcome new students and reconnect with colleagues. Please bring your campus ID. After the cookout, cheer on the men’s soccer team as they play Loyola University at 6 p.m. at Retriever Soccer Park.

Gathering on the Green: Saturday, September 12

The annual Gathering on the Green: Making Neighbors Out of Strangers, takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the green space on the corner of Linden Avenue and Shelbourne Road.UMBC community members and local neighbors will come together for an evening of connection, fun, and celebration. Enjoy a free cookout, live music, games, and activities for all ages. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, build connections, and celebrate the spirit of our community. Hosted by UMBC and local community leaders – everyone is welcome! Bring a friend, bring your family, and come be part of this vibrant neighborhood tradition.

Please share the UMBC events calendar with students, too, to encourage them to participate in all that UMBC has to offer throughout the year. 

We want every student who steps onto our campus to know that we are ready for them. They will undoubtedly be looking for our help and our guidance as we welcome them to campus, so let’s make it easy for them to find us. I encourage you to wear your UMBC gear during the first week, look out for students who may be lost or in need of guidance, and show your excitement as we welcome students back to campus! 

Finally, we know that as the academic year progresses, students may face a number of challenges, and I want to ensure that you are aware of the available resources to support student’s health and well-being. If you find that students need health, wellness, or basic needs support, Retriever Support Services and Retriever Integrated Health are both important resources. 

Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive learning environment where all UMBC students can thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Thank you for your partnership and your energy. If you have any questions, please contact studentaffairs@umbc.edu. 

In partnership, 

Renique Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs 

Hello everyone!

The Fall Semester is here! Retriever Essentials is back to our regular hours of 11:30am - 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Thursday we are closed, but come to our Free Farmers Market at the Center for Well-being!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) is back this fall! Join us throughout September for breakfast, community, and opportunities to connect with fellow commuter students.

Tuesday, September 1 — Breakfast Biscuits | 8:30 AM–11:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 8 — French Toast Breakfast | 8:30 AM–10:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 15 — True Grits Breakfast | 8:30 AM–10:00 AM | True Grit’s Dining Hall

Tuesday, September 22 — Breakfast Burritos | 8:30 AM–11:00 AM | Commons Sports Zone

Tuesday, September 29 — Good Afternoon Commuters | 12:00 PM–2:00 PM | UC 312

All commuter students are welcome to join us. Follow Commuter Connections on MyUMBC for updates, event details, and upcoming programs.

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except one a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events/154863

The Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts), a multi-purpose non-profit arts agency, seeks a self-directed, outgoing individual for upper management position in a small, fast-paced office environment. The Development Director is responsible for planning and driving fundraising, community engagement strategies, and activities to sustain and grow contributions and revenues to support the HoCo Arts’ annual operating budget and revenue goals. This position reports to the Executive Director.

We are excited to share our latest Alumni Spotlight featuring Kevin Heffner, CEO of LifeSpan Network and a graduate of our Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services program! In this spotlight, Kevin Heffner shares insights into his professional journey, leadership in the aging services field, and how his education at the Erickson School of Aging Studies helped shape his career. Click here to read Kevin Heffner's full story

"We are excited to share our latest Alumni Spotlight featuring Kevin Heffner, CEO of LifeSpan Network and a graduate of our Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services program! In this spotlight, Kevin Heffner shares insights into his professional journey, leadership in the aging services field, and how his education at the Erickson School of Aging Studies helped shape his career. Click here to read Kevin Heffner's full story"

Come join us at the Erickson School of Aging Studies Open House on Tuesday, September 1, from 12–2 p.m. at 5523 Research Park Drive, Suite 230. Enjoy pizza and meet the Erickson School of Aging Studies team! Click here to RSVP!

See attached map for directions.  FREE PARKING!  Bring a Friend!

"We are excited to share our latest Alumni Spotlight featuring Kevin Heffner, CEO of LifeSpan Network and a graduate of our Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services program! In this spotlight, Kevin Heffner shares insights into his professional journey, leadership in the aging services field, and how his education at the Erickson School of Aging Studies helped shape his career. Click here to read Kevin Heffner's full story"

Picturing Pluralism

Call for Nominations: Join the newly launched Center for Religion, Spirituality, & Pluralism and other students, staff, and facultyat UMBC as we use photos to explore how religious, secular (non-religious), and spiritual identities shape our community! Take quick snapshots of campus life as we celebrate diversity, explore difference, and better tell our story(ies). 
Important Note: photography experience is needed and participants with religious and non-religious (secular) identities are invited to participate!

Please use this form to nominate yourself or someone you know to participate.

About the Project: Picturing Pluralism is a semester-long photography, conversation, and dialogue project that will take place during the Fall 2026 semester with a cohort of 40-50 students, staff, and faculty. CRSP will be partnering with Interfaith Photovoice to guide this group-curated project, with an official gallery opening on Wednesday, December 2nd in the AOK Library Rotunda Gallery. All participants will receive a $250 Retriever Dollars at the conclusion of this project.

Picturing Pluralism seeks to lift up the experiences that campus community members have with the idea of pluralism, which CRSP defines as "engagement with religious, secular, and spiritual diversity towards a positive outcome." This project aims to help lift up UMBC's value of Inclusive Excellence through visual storytelling as we uncover the spaces and moments where our campus community connects across difference. Though this project will emphasize religious, secular (non-religious), and spiritual identities, participants will be encouraged to explore other important social identities and how these identities intersect as they find and create spaces for belonging and meaning-making on campus. 

Time Commitment:

1. Take part in one 1-hour Cohort Introduction Meeting during the week of September 14.
2. Attend a two-day, in-person workshop during UMBC's Fall Break (October 12-13) to discuss, explore, and curate these photos.
3. Share your photos in a curated exhibit to culminate the project on December 2.