We are nearing the end of the semester, and closing out the fall means celebrating with the season of giving and gratitude. UMBC feels the love of its community all year round, and that support is what inspires our Retrievers to give back. 

UMBC Retrievers are acting on their gratitude for community members in various ways. ‘Tis the season, so let’s take a look at how our Retrievers are giving back.

Save-a-Swipe Program

Thanks to generous UMBC community donations, the Save-a-Swipe program reached a record 1,050 meal swipes this fall. This partnership between Retriever Essentials, Retriever Card Center, and Dining Services enables members to donate meal swipes to students facing food insecurity. 

Assistant director of Retriever Essentials, Michael Berardi ’19, media and communication studies, shares insight on just how important the donations received are and what it means to the community, saying, “Donations are what help nourish our community. Now more than ever, Retriever Essentials is a critical resource for thousands of Retrievers facing food insecurity. Nearly everything we distribute is either directly donated or purchased with donated funds and grants. We’ve seen incredible generosity from folks all around campus, and are so grateful for the consistent support for our students, staff, and faculty in need.”

Food for Fines

Food for Fines is a clever way to turn parking citation fines into charity donations to those in need. Partnering with Retriever Essentials, UMBC Parking Services reduces one citation to a warning in return for five toiletry or non-perishable food items. Food for Fines previously collected 388 pounds of donations, and they set a goal for 500 pounds this semester to help those in need. Thanks to the outpouring of generosity from UMBC students, they collected 879 pounds of food, making this likely the single largest physical donation in program history. 

Athletics fundraiser

The highly anticipated women’s basketball beltway battle is not only an exciting game between UMBC and Towson, but it also served up a canned food drive! For every can donated, each person received $1 off concessions for the game.

10 for 10

For the past 10 years, Retriever Essentials has been dedicated to nourishing our ever-growing UMBC community by fighting food insecurity and providing essential resources to students, staff, and faculty. To celebrate a decade of service, Retriever Essentials is holding a 10 for 10 campaign, which encourages individuals to donate a recurring $10 per month (or as much as you are able) in honor of 10 years.

***

Learn more about how you can support Retriever Essentials and give back to our UMBC community.

"Looking behind, I am filled with gratitude. 
Looking forward, I am filled with vision. 
Looking upwards, I am filled with strength. 
Looking within, I discover peace." - Quero Apache prayer

The DOIE staff are embracing a season of gratitude. We invite you to read the heartfelt expressions below from staff about what they value and join us in recognizing the many ways our campus community fosters belonging, connection, and inclusive excellence. Have a restful break!

________

"I am thankful to be a part of such a strong group of like-minded humans who have all been welcoming and kind. I am thankful to learn from each of you in different ways that inspire me to further educate myself and those around me, also inspiring me to be better each day."
Sunny Warden
she/her
Testing Manager

"health, friends, family (especially my nieces), meaningful work, fun hobbies, travel, a cozy home, my supportive partner"
Wendy Low
she/her
Coordinator, Center for Social Justice Dialogue

"the amazing people in my life"
Selena Benitez- Cuffee
she/her
Deputy Title IX Coordinator

"I am so thankful to work with amazing students, co-workers, and division leaders who care about and are invested in making the world a better and more loving, and just place."
Zoe Brown
she/her
Assistant Director of the WGEC 

"I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the division of institutional equity, my supportive supervisors, and the learning opportunities this role provides"
Deborah Dada
she/her
Graduate Assistant, Community & Culture

"My supportive team members!"
Reilly Metzger
she/her
ECR Training and Prevention Manager

"I'm thankful for all of the intelligent, compassionate and hard-working individuals that joined the team in the last year!"
Caleb Adrian Ruck
he/him
Graduate Assistant, CSJD

"I am thankful for my colleagues and our incredible partners in the campus community who understand and support our mission of equal access to learning!"
Cassie Kilroy Thompson
she/her
Assistant Director, SDS

"I'm very thankful for the learning opportunities presented in my practicum placement and the engaging events we are able to host for students, faculty, and staff. I really enjoy how much student engagement is a priority and the intentionality around creating events."

Chloe Kastner
she/her
MSW Intern

"I'm thankful for a staff who shows up with heart, integrity, and commitment every day. Their passion for supporting students, faculty, and staff, and advancing equity, makes our work meaningful and reminds me why I love what we do."
Lauren Allen
She/Her/Hers 
Senior Director of the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center 

"This semester, the C&C team hired several new professional, graduate, and undergraduate staff. I have so much gratitude for the skills, experiences, passion, and joy they bring to our work."
Jasmine Lee
she/her
Associate Vice President for Community & Culture/Co-Director, Center for Social Justice Dialogue

One room in the townhouse near UMBC is available for rent from January 1st, 2026. It is located at Welkins Ave & Maiden Choice, Catonsville. Nice house and safe community.5 min walking to UMBC shuttle bus,3-5 min drive to UMBC. The room is furnished, clean and quiet. Kitchen room and washer and dryer are shared in the house. Private Parking lot in front of the house. 

Rent price is $480 plus utilies. Male only. Please text me at 616-7173732 if you are interested. Thank you.

Register here

Event 1: Public Forum — The Ethics of Cryptocurrency

Join the Center for Ethics and Values on December 4th at 7:00 PM in the Fine Arts Recital Hall for the next Public Forum of the Fall 2025 semester: The Ethics of Cryptocurrency.

The evening will feature a moderated, informal conversation with three panelists, followed by time for audience questions and open discussion.

Preregistration is recommended but not required, and a livestream will be available through UMBC's YouTube channel. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with a timely, thought-provoking topic!
Click here for details!

Event 2: The EntrepreneurShop 

Calling all creators and innovators!

Have a product, business idea, or creative project you want to share? Join us on December 5th from 10 AM to 2 PM in The Commons for The EntrepreneurShop, a free pop-up space where UMBC students can showcase, test, and sell their work.

Interested in vending? Secure your spot by completing the form here!

Not vending? Come shop! Browse handmade products, art, accessories, services, and more — all created by fellow UMBC students.

Hi everyone, 

We have an exciting message from U-RISE:

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD in the biomedical sciences? If so, please join the U-RISE Program Interest Meeting on Monday, December 1st, at 12:00 p.m. in ILSB, Room 118.

U-RISE Scholars receive:

• A scholarship for partial tuition, fees and housing

• Year-round participation in research with a mentor

• Summer research stipend 

• Special advising, seminars & workshops 

• Funds to travel to & present at conferences 

• Help with graduate school applications 

• Experience presenting at URCAD & other national meetings 

This Interest Meeting is intended for sophomores, who will be Juniors in Fall 2026. If you cannot make the Interest Meeting live, we will share the link to the recorded session. Applications for next year's cohort will open December 5, 2025, in Scholarship Retriever, and close January 22, 2026.

You can also email the Associate Director Dr. King at jking3@umbc.edu, with any questions or concerns.

Happy Thanksgiving!

- SACNAS E-Board

I'm looking for a female roommate for a master bedroom with a private 1/2 bathroom in my 2-bedroom apartment in Catonsville. Rent is $747.5/month, and the deposit is $500.

The room is bright and spacious, and it has two full closets. 

This is a great 2-bedroom apartment in Catonsville in a safe, quiet, and convenient area. The UMBC bus stop is right across the street; it's 5 minutes to UMBC if you drive (parking is available), and the MTA bus to Downtown Baltimore stops on the corner of the street. The current roommate is a UMBC student. The apartment has utilities, including internet, a heating and cooling system (around $80/mo), and a full kitchen. The living room is furnished. The laundry is shared in the building. Surface lot parking is available. 

I am a PhD student looking for a clean and well-mannered roommate.  If interested, email me at ssemsar1@umbc.edu

Please message me for more information and to schedule a visit.

-Everything is furnished except the bedroom.

Requirements: 

- No smoking 

- No pet