Staff are invited to help support Welcome, Retrievers, UMBC’s campus-wide initiative to create a welcoming and memorable start to the academic year, through event support roles taking place before the start of the fall semester.  We especially encourage members of our community to consider supporting Convocation as part of this year’s Welcome, Retrievers experience.

Explore available opportunities and sign up by August 14.

From Convocation and move-in to new student programs and weeks of welcome activities, these events help students build connections, navigate campus, and feel that they truly belong from the moment they arrive.

Whether you have been part of Welcome, Retrievers for years or are considering getting involved for the first time, we invite you to join us in welcoming our Retrievers home.

Support opportunities include:

• Helping welcome the incoming class at Sunday’s Convocation

• Welcoming students and families during residential move-in

• Assisting with programs and events

• Helping students navigate campus and connect with resources

• Creating a positive first impression through friendly conversations and encouragement

The registration form includes details about each opportunity, including dates, times, responsibilities, short training requirements, and remaining openings.

We hope you will find an opportunity, or several, that fits your schedule and allows you to be part of this exciting campus tradition. Even a few hours of your time can have a lasting impact on a student’s transition to UMBC.

For questions, please contact welcomeretrievers@umbc.edu.Thank you for helping us create an inclusive, welcoming, and memorable start to the semester. We look forward to welcoming our Retrievers home, together!

Warm regards,

New Student Experience Engagement Subcommittee

Deep in UMBC’s climate-controlled Special Collections are 750,000 prints, negatives, and transparencies from The Baltimore Sun dating from the 1930s through the 1980s. 

Before faculty and students can use the collection, archivists must create finding aids. These inventory documents describe a collection—its origins, number of pieces, types of materials, their quality, dates, number of archival boxes, box measurements, and more. It’s a road map guiding users through each piece of a collection.

Reese Finnigan, studying the history of the Soviet Union and learning Russian, developed these archival skills working on The Baltimore Sun collection during her first year in the Master of Arts in Public History program. This year, when looking for summer internship opportunities, Finnigan was excited to find that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Shapell Family Collections, Conservation and Research Center in Bowie, Maryland—a museum she had tried to secure a curatorial or research internship with for years—was seeking an intern with her exact skill set.

“In retrospect, this is the first year that I’ve had the skills and resume needed for this level of archival work,” says Finnigan, grateful that Maryland is home to such a prestigious research center with the largest concentration of Holocaust-related records in the United States, and to learn from archival experts with decades of experience. “The opportunities UMBC has given me to learn Russian, historical research, and archival skills dovetailed very nicely with the center’s Archival Affairs Division internship, which required knowledge of Eastern European history and languages.”

Needle in the digital stack

The finding aids for the Eastern European collection that Finnigan is working on do not always directly correspond to what is in the archive. Some materials are in the wrong order or are missing finding aids. Other times, some things aren’t listed in the original file but are actually in it. Finnigan also has to translate the words on the document, which could be a translation of the original language, depending on where the document was recovered from. It could be Russian, a Slavic language, or any language using the Cyrillic alphabet, which is used for various languages across Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and the Soviet Republics of Central Asia. 

She spends hours cross-checking inventories, documents, photos, descriptions, and creating new spreadsheets that reflect the latest information. She then hands it off to another archivist to double-check her work. It’s a cycle of verification and refinement to align the finding aids with the accurate collections. The maze of finding aids is the result of different archival processes carried out across borders, countries, and decades. “The researcher should be able to come in and find something quickly without ever having to think too much about it. The easier they can find things, the better,” says Finnigan. 

A note from the past

Some mysteries are beyond languages and locations, stumping even a team of experts and bringing them together to do serious detective work. That’s exactly what happened when Finnigan noticed a small symbol on some original photos in a Lithuanian KGB (national security and intelligence agency) collection placed by the original archives. She asked archivists Julie Schweitzer, her boss, and Alla Dvorkin, her direct supervisor, but they hadn’t seen it before either. The mystery quickly spread throughout the building, ensuing a string of emails with experts weighing in, hoping to reveal the meaning of what looked like a small bean. They found that the symbol was a mark used in some European archival systems to note the poor quality of the writing or the photography.

Finnigan showing the mysterious mark she came across in a set of photographs.

“People often imagine archival work as simply preserving historical materials. In reality, a surprising amount of the job involves acting as part historian, part detective, part translator, and occasionally part conspiracy theorist—until someone finds the answer,” Finnigan posted on LinkedIn. “It’s a reminder that expertise is often collective. No single person knew the answer. The solution emerged through conversations, institutional knowledge, and a network of colleagues willing to chase down an obscure question simply because it mattered.” 

To preserve and share

In the last few weeks of her internship, Finnigan received additional training from Adam Fielding, a processing archivist who works primarily with personal papers. Fielding, who has been at the center for 11 years, began by showing Finnigan the Rudolph Daniel Sichel papers, an example of what a finished collection can look like once the personal papers have been digitized and preserved in archival boxes.

(Top) Finnigan with Fielding, Dvorkin, and Schweitzer (center), reviewing Rudolph Daniel Sichel‘s military uniform and personal camera. (Bottom) The Sichel collection archival boxes and Sichel’s camera and camera case.

The Sichel papers, donated by Rudolph’s children, consist of seven boxes with documents dating from 1903 to 1978, many of which connect Sichel to Maryland. Sichel was a “Ritchie Boy,” one of thousands of Jewish refugees who immigrated to the U.S., enlisted in the army, and trained at the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie near Cascade, Maryland, a little over an hour north of UMBC. 

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The additonal training gave Finnigan the techniques to work with non-digital items that require special care, like the folder Fielding tasked her with, full of primarily prewar family photographs related to the Kugelman family from Bedzin, Poland, dating between 1930 – 1942.

While putting these skills to use was exciting, the greater reward was seeing the impact of the team’s work. Finnigan’s interest in archival work is not only about preserving history but also making archives accessible to the public, which are two of the center’s priorities.

“There is no point in preserving all of this history if the public can’t access it. We want to preserve the history and make it easily accessible, whether through exhibitions, digital archives, or physical collections. Good archival work should essentially be invisible,” says Finnigan. This includes special handling and storage methods, like cold storage (35°F to 50°F) and cool storage (55°F to 65°F) to dramatically slow chemical decay, stop pest activity, and extend the lifespan of sensitive artifact and media collections.

“The collections at the Shapell Center are evidence of atrocities, of war crimes, of survival,” says Finnigan. “If the items are damaged, they can’t be replaced, and then that piece of history is lost.”

Learn more about internship opportunities at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s archives.

CWIT is excited to announce that we have a few spaces remaining for CWIT Affiliates to participate in CWIT’s Industry Mentoring Program (IMP) for the 2026–2027 academic year! We are currently accepting applications, and students who are selected will be matched with a professional in a computing or engineering field to help guide you through your academic and professional journey.

Mentors are professionals with at least three years of full-time experience in computing and engineering fields. This is a great chance to get one-on-one advice and insight from someone working in an area you're interested in!

Featured Mentor Openings
While we encourage all interested students to apply, we want to highlight open mentor spots available in several specialized areas. We particularly encourage students with the following majors, technical interests, or career goals to apply:

• Big Tech & Mobile App Development: CS students interested in iOS UI/Frontend and Big Tech recruiting.
• Cybersecurity, Reverse Engineering & Defense: CS/IS students interested in Ghidra, Linux, and Red Teaming.
• Cybersecurity, Full-Stack & Cloud: CS/IS/CE students looking for software engineering and cloud computing.
• Tech Leadership, Consulting & Entrepreneurship: BTA/IS/CS students seeking high-level career coaching, business founding, or consulting guidance.
• R&D, PhD Track & Materials/ChemE: ChemE/MechE students exploring research, graduate school applications, or biomaterials.

Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must be a CWIT Affiliate who is a sophomore, junior, or senior. 
Not sure if you're a CWIT affiliate? Make sure you're registered for the 2026-27 year by filling out this form.

Program Commitment:
This year-long mentorship experience also includes a semester-long pass/fail practicum that requires a few commitments on your part. Please only apply if you are able to:

• Attend all practicum sessions held on campus on Fridays from 3:00–4:30 PM: September 18th, October 2nd, 16th, 30th, and November 13th.
• Complete all practicum assignments.
• Meet with your assigned mentor once per month throughout the 2026–2027 academic year.

How to Apply?
Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. For the best chance of being matched with a mentor, apply early.

• Final Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 28th
• Decision Notifications: Friday, September 4th

👉 Apply Here

Please Note: Our goal is to ensure a meaningful connection and high-quality experience for everyone involved. Because we select affiliates who best match our available mentors, please keep in mind that space is limited and not all applicants may receive a match.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jess Myers at jessm@umbc.edu.

All the 4th floor Millipore water polisher has been upgraded and serviced. Each floor now has access to purified RO water. The three units are in room 221C, 317 and 417. Thank you for your patience as the units needed to be retrofitted for new UV bulbs. 

Dear Retrievers,

As we prepare to begin a new academic year, I want to extend a warm welcome to each of you. Whether you're joining the UMBC community for the first time or returning for another semester, I hope you'll take full advantage of all that UMBC has to offer.

If you're searching for an on-campus job, exploring internships, preparing for your first full-time position, or simply figuring out where to begin, the Career Center team is ready to support you. 

• Be sure to activate your Handshake account, UMBC's career platform. 

  • Search thousands of jobs and internships, connect with employers recruiting UMBC students, schedule appointments with the Career Center, and register for upcoming events. 

• The Career Center also offers resume reviews, employer information sessions, networking events, recruiting opportunities, workshops, and much more. 

As you settle into the semester, take advantage of two signature Career Center events:

• UMBC On-Campus & Part-Time Jobs Expo: Thursday, September 3
  Meet campus departments and local employers hiring UMBC students for on-campus and part-time positions.

• UMBC Fall Career & Internship Fair: Wednesday, September 16
  Meet more than 120 employers representing corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations recruiting UMBC students and alumni for internships and full-time opportunities. Students from every major and every stage of their academic journey are encouraged to attend.

• You can view the full calendar of events in our myUMBC group, and be sure to follow us for updates!

Some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond the classroom. A conversation with an employer, an internship, an on-campus job, a research opportunity, or a leadership role can become a transformative experience that helps you discover new interests, build confidence, and prepare for what's next. Challenge yourself this year to say "yes" to opportunities that help you grow personally, academically, and professionally.

Welcome to our newest Retrievers, welcome back to our returning students, and best wishes for a successful and rewarding fall semester. I'm excited to see what you'll accomplish this year.

Warm regards,

Christine Routzahn
Director, Career Center

Yesterday, Procurement held August's Supplier Spotlight with Amazon Business.  If you were unable to make it, here are the resources to view at your convenience.

A recording of the session (60 minutes) can be viewed at this link.

Slides from the presentation can be viewed at this link.

Our Supplier Spotlight for September will be with 4imprint.  Look for details to follow.

Great news, UMBC Travelers! We’ve just activated the UMBC Travel Card transaction feed in SAP Concur to streamline your travel reconciliation process and reduce manual paperwork.

What’s new? Your prepaid travel expenses (like airfare and train tickets) and booking fees will now automatically flow directly into your Available Expenses queue! This means less manual data entry for you and improved budget accuracy for your department.

While the system does a lot of the heavy lifting, there are a few quick steps you'll need to take to clear your queue before submitting an expense report—especially regarding travel agent fees.

We promise this new process is easy! Read the full details on our travel webpage and watch the quick Available Expenses – Assigning to an Expense Report mini demo to see just how simple it is.

If a flight was purchased through Concur/Altour before 8/8/26, the automated transaction feed was not yet in effect. As UMBC Travel Card is no longer an option to select for the payment type, please process your Expense Report as you normally would, with the following changes:

• Select UMBC P-Card as the payment type.

• Add a comment to the expense noting that you were unable to select UMBC Travel Card as the payment type.

This is a temporary transition process and applies only to flights purchased prior to 8/8/26.

Upcoming Training & Support Sessions

• September 3, 2026: Traveler Training (Virtual), 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

• September 9, 2026: Drop-In Help Desk (Virtual), 10:30 am to 11:30 am

• September 17, 2026: Traveler Training (Virtual), 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

• September 21, 2026: Traveler Training (LIVE), 10:30 am to 1:00 pm (Location TBD)

• September 30, 2026: Drop-In Help Desk (Virtual), 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Please visit and follow our myUMBC group to save your spot.  

Want to make a real impact on campus culture, gain valuable leadership skills, and earn Retriever Dollars?

The College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) is recruiting Peer Dialogue Leads for our Fall 2026 Student Climate focus groups!

In this role, you’ll partner with a staff/faculty member during 1 to 3 focus groups this semester to help break the ice, encourage open dialogue, and ensure your fellow engineering and computing peers feel safe and heard. At the end of the semester, you’ll also help review the findings to directly influence recommendations made to COEIT leadership.

What’s in it for you?

• Earn While You Lead: $25 in Retriever Dollars added to your campus card per focus group session you support and reflect upon. 
• Low Pressure, High Impact Time Commitment: You’ll participate in 1 lunch training + 1 to 3 focus groups over the semester + 1 end-of-semester data review for a total of approximately 5-8 hours over the semester). 
• Build Resume Skills: Gain hands-on experience in inclusive leadership, active listening, and problem-solving—skills top engineering and tech employers look for.

Full position details are attached or available via this link.

How to Apply:

Fill out this quick, 5-minute application form: https://forms.gle/SHiv5PaFMGj5BhdS6

(Note: You must be signed into your UMBC account).

Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply by Monday, August 31st for best consideration!

Questions? Reach out to Jess Myers at jessm@umbc.edu.

I'm moving and selling several household items. Everything is used but in good condition unless noted otherwise.

📍 Pickup at my apartment in Gwynn Oak

📸 Pictures are attached — please see the photos for condition and details.

• 🍽️ Dining table + 3 chairs — $50 OBO
  One chair needs some repair. Selling as-is.

• 🪵 Large wooden coffee table — $25

• 🪑 Wooden rocking chair — $20

• 🧹 Bissell PowerForce Compact Turbo vacuum — $25

• ☕ Cuisinart coffee maker — $15

• 🔊 Amazon Echo Dot — $15

• 📡 ARRIS SURFboard SBG10 modem/router — $25 OBO

• 🔥 Lasko tower heater — $15

• 💡 Floor lamp — $15

• 👕 Folding drying rack — $10

• 🚶 Walker — $15

• 🥪 Nostalgia sandwich maker — $5

• 🖼️ Folding tray table — FREE

💰 Prices are negotiable, especially if you're interested in multiple items!

Cash or Venmo accepted. Pickup only. First come, first served.

📩 Message me here or email me at golnazm1@umbc.edu if you're interested.

Join us in the Graduate Student and Postdoc Development (GSPD) unit this fall for the Teaching Assistant ADVANCED Series, a 5-session professional development workshop series designed to support Teaching Assistants, Postdocs, and graduate students in general in building effective, inclusive, and transferable teaching skills. It is also a opportunity to earn a CIRTL certificate!

      Location:Admin 218 Conference Room and Hybrid on Webex
      Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
      When: THURSDAYS this Fall
      Hosted by: Dr. Robin Cresiski & Dr. Jamie Gurganus 

Fall 2026 Workshop Schedule:

Click each date to sign up!

1. September 17: Reverse Course Design

2. October 1: Writing an Inclusive Syllabus

3. October 15: Lesson Planning

4. October 29: Designing Assessments

5. November 12: Leveraging Group Work

This 5-session series contributes toward earning a CIRTL Certificate, a strong addition to your CV or resume and a valuable credential for future academic and professional opportunities.

We hope you will join us for a fall of learning, reflection, and community-building!

Please sign up for each session by clicking on the links abve and add to your calendar. We will send a reminder e-mail closer to each workshop date to those who RSVP to each session.

We also have a TA Basic Skills series; check it out!

Share this post and the flyer below with your fellow TAs, postdocs, and graduate students. You can still earn a CIRTL certificate if you are not a TA--all graduate students are eligible!