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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161567" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161567">
<Title>RO water</Title>
<Tagline>Part 3</Tagline>
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    <p>All,</p>
    <p>I had Hydro replace the resin tanks for the RO system yesterday. These tanks are located prior to the reverse osmosis equipment and not a part of the recirculating system. Therefore, I have dumped just under 90% of the storage RO water while the system was both producing and recirculating RO. </p>
    <p>Any residual issues we saw with pH should be taken care of with the turnover of the resovoir of product. </p>
    
    <p>Thank you for your patience. </p>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>All,   I had Hydro replace the resin tanks for the RO system yesterday. These tanks are located prior to the reverse osmosis equipment and not a part of the recirculating system. Therefore, I have...</Summary>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161563" important="true" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161563">
<Title>August Awareness Days</Title>
<Tagline>Together in awareness, care, and respect.</Tagline>
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    <p><strong><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/inline_images/news/161563/64879" alt="Graphic with an orange and brown abstract background. Large white text reads “August Awareness Days,” with the message “Together in awareness, care, and respect.” below it. At the bottom, four illustrated people stand together with their arms around one another, symbolizing community, support, and inclusion." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></strong></p>
    <p><strong>August is Psoriasis Action Month</strong></p>
    <p><a href="https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Psoriasis Action Month</a> is observed each year in August to raise awareness about psoriatic disease, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and encourage education, support, and advocacy for those affected. Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation and can impact the skin, joints, and overall quality of life. More than 8 million people in the United States live with psoriasis, and nearly one-third may develop psoriatic arthritis.</p>
    <p>This year’s Psoriasis Action Month focuses on sharing trusted information, uplifting patient stories, and connecting individuals with resources to better understand and manage psoriatic disease. Raising awareness helps reduce stigma, promote early care, and ensure those affected have access to the support they need.</p>
    <p>You can take action by:<br>• Learning the facts about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis<br>• Sharing accurate information to increase awareness and understanding<br>• Supporting individuals living with psoriatic disease<br>• Advocating for research, improved care, and access to resources</p>
    <p>Key facts to know include: psoriasis is more than a skin condition, psoriatic disease can affect joints and daily life, and early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms. Through continued research, education, and advocacy, we can work toward better care and a future without psoriatic disease.</p>
    <p>Together, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, support the psoriatic disease community, and help advance efforts toward a cure.</p>
    <p>#PsoriasisActionMonth #PsoriasisAwareness #PsoriaticArthritis #HealthAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #ChronicIllnessAwareness #DisabilityAwareness #UMBC</p>
    <p><strong><br><br><br></strong></p>
    <p><strong>August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month</strong></p>
    <p><a href="https://www.curesma.org/sma-awareness-month/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">SMA Awareness Month</a> is observed each year in August to raise awareness about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling, and walking. SMA is caused by a deficiency of a motor neuron protein called SMN, as well as other rare forms of SMA that result from chromosome mutations. Through increased awareness, advocacy, and support, communities can help improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by SMA.</p>
    <p>This year’s SMA Awareness Month focuses on shining a brighter spotlight on the needs, experiences, hopes, and voices of the SMA community. While awareness efforts continue year-round, August provides an opportunity to foster conversations, promote understanding, and encourage action through education, advocacy, fundraising, and community support. Misinformation, limited awareness, and barriers to resources can impact the lives of those living with SMA, making continued education and outreach essential.</p>
    <p>You can take action by:<br>• Learning about SMA and sharing accurate information with others<br>• Raising awareness by sharing SMA stories, resources, and educational materials<br>• Advocating for policies and programs that support individuals and families impacted by SMA<br>• Participating in SMA Awareness Month events, fundraisers, or community activities<br>• Supporting organizations that fund research, care programs, and resources for the SMA community</p>
    <p>Key facts to know include: SMA affects the motor neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement, symptoms and progression can vary widely among individuals, and ongoing research has led to advancements in treatments and support options for people living with SMA. Community advocacy has also played an important role in expanding newborn screening, improving access to care, and advancing research efforts. With continued awareness, education, and support, we can help create a future where individuals with SMA have greater opportunities, resources, and quality of life.</p>
    <p>Together, we can amplify SMA voices, celebrate the strength and resilience of the SMA community, promote understanding, support research and care initiatives, and work toward a future where everyone impacted by SMA has the support they need to thrive.</p>
    <p>#SMAAwarenessMonth #SpinalMuscularAtrophy #CureSMA #DisabilityAwareness #RareDiseaseAwareness #Accessibility #HealthAwareness #RareDiseaseCommunity #UMBC</p>
    <p><strong> </strong></p>
    <p><strong>August 21- World Senior Citizens’ Day</strong></p>
    <p>World Senior Citizens’ Day is observed each year on August 21 to recognize the contributions of older adults and raise awareness about issues affecting seniors, including health, elder care, and social inclusion. The day encourages appreciation, respect, and support for the aging population.</p>
    <p><strong>You can take action by:</strong><strong><br></strong>• Learning more about the experiences and needs of older adults<br>• Showing appreciation for the contributions of seniors in our communities<br>• Supporting efforts that promote healthy aging, care, and inclusion</p>
    <p>At UMBC, the<a href="https://erickson.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Erickson School of Aging Studies </a>prepares future leaders to improve the lives of older adults and caregivers through interdisciplinary education, research, and hands-on experiences. Students learn about aging, public policy, management, and innovative solutions that support aging communities.</p>
    <p>Together, we can celebrate older adults, promote awareness of aging issues, and continue building communities where seniors are valued, respected, and supported.</p>
    <p>#WorldSeniorCitizensDay #SeniorCitizensDay #HealthyAging #AgingAwareness #UMBC #EricksonSchool #CommunitySupport</p>
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<Summary>August is Psoriasis Action Month   Psoriasis Action Month is observed each year in August to raise awareness about psoriatic disease, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and encourage...</Summary>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161562" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161562">
<Title>The UMBC Connection | Welcoming Students Back and Supporting Their Success</Title>
<Tagline>Connecting the people and work shaping UMBC</Tagline>
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    <p>Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,</p>
    <p>As students prepare to return to campus, this edition of <em>The UMBC Connection</em> highlights ways faculty and staff can help create a welcoming and supportive start to the academic year.</p>
    <p>You’ll find key dates for the weeks ahead, opportunities to participate in Welcome, Retrievers, resources for connecting students with support, and stories celebrating student achievement across research, global engagement, career-connected learning, and athletics. With this edition, <em>The UMBC Connection</em> returns to its regular twice-monthly schedule, with editions published twice per month. </p>
    <h3><strong>Opportunities &amp; Events</strong></h3>
    <p><em>Opportunities to attend, participate in, or engage with across the UMBC community.</em></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://welcomeretrievers.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Key Dates as Students Return to Campus</strong><strong><br></strong></a>As UMBC prepares to welcome students back, faculty and staff are encouraged to keep the following dates in mind:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 12: </strong><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ess/events/154799" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">ESS/NESS Annual Staff Cookout</a></p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 14: </strong><a href="https://welcomeretrievers.umbc.edu/support/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Deadline to sign up for Welcome, Retrievers support opportunities</a></p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 18:</strong> <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff/events/154628" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Fall Opening Meeting</a>, with the program livestreamed from noon–1 p.m.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 19:</strong> International Student Welcome and Orientation</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 20:</strong> Residential move-in begins</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 21:</strong> New student move-in and Retriever Fest</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 22:</strong> Commuter Welcome Day</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 23:</strong> <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff/events/154631" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Convocation</a>, 3–4 p.m. in the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>August 24:</strong> First day of fall classes</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff/posts/161421" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Be Part of Welcome, Retrievers</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Faculty and staff are invited to support Welcome, Retrievers through event support roles connected to Convocation, residential move-in, new student programs, and other activities before the semester begins. These events help students navigate campus, build connections, and feel a sense of belonging from the moment they arrive. Additional faculty and staff support is especially needed for Convocation on Sunday, August 23. <a href="https://welcomeretrievers.umbc.edu/support/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Explore available opportunities and sign up by August 14.</a></p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ess/events/154799" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Register for the ESS/NESS Annual Staff Cookout</strong><strong><br></strong></a>All UMBC staff members are invited to the annual ESS/NESS Staff Cookout on Wednesday, August 12, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. on Main Street in The Commons. Classic barbecue food and vegetarian options will be available. Please RSVP to help with food planning. Opportunities to help with the event are also available.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://youtube.com/live/B9hdhP6GEY0" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Watch the Fall Opening Meeting Live</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Join the UMBC community online for the Fall Opening Meeting on Tuesday, August 18. The program will be livestreamed from noon–1 p.m. from the Retriever Activities Center for colleagues who are unable to attend in person. <a href="https://youtube.com/live/B9hdhP6GEY0" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Visit the livestream page to set a reminder.</a></p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <h3><strong>Campus Updates</strong></h3>
    <p><em>Important updates, planning efforts, operational information, and community news affecting UMBC.</em></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements/posts/161532" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Federal Updates Affecting International Students, Travel, and Research</strong><br></a>UMBC’s Federal Orders and Actions Core Team has shared several important updates related to immigration, travel, visa processing, and federal research policy. Of particular note as the semester approaches, some admitted international students are experiencing visa processing delays and may be unable to arrive before the first day of classes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to be understanding of students navigating these challenges. The update also includes information about new immigration requirements for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, recent ICE activity at U.S. airports, travel restrictions, and potential changes affecting federal research funding.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://studentaffairs.umbc.edu/resources/student-resources-for-care-and-support/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Know Where to Connect Students for Care and Support</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Faculty and staff can help students access support by becoming familiar with UMBC’s resources for health and well-being, basic needs, personal concerns, and belonging and engagement. If you are concerned about a student’s well-being, you may also consult with or <a href="https://studentaffairs.umbc.edu/student-support/retriever-support-services/retriever-care/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">submit a referral to Retriever CARE</a>.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://umbc.edu/academics/programs/graduate/computer-science-electrical-engineering/artificial-intelligence-master-of-science/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>New M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Launches This Fall</strong><strong><br></strong></a>UMBC is launching a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program, with its first cohort beginning classes this fall. The program provides a focused pathway into AI research, development, and deployment and prepares students to apply core AI principles across a wide range of fields and industries.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <h3><strong>University Milestones</strong></h3>
    <p><em>Major achievements, recognitions, funding, and institutional accomplishments across UMBC.</em></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://umbc.edu/stories/umbcs-2026-student-fulbright-recipients/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>UMBC Student Fulbright Recipients Take Their Research Global</strong><strong><br></strong></a>UMBC’s 2026–27 Fulbright recipients are taking community-driven research from Baltimore to the Dominican Republic, India, and Mexico. They join a distinguished group of Fulbright alumni whose achievements have helped make UMBC a three-time Fulbright Top Producing Institution.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://umbc.edu/stories/key-bridge-rebuilding-internship-summer-2026/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Four Retrievers Selected for Key Bridge Rebuilding Internship</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Four UMBC students earned four of the ten positions in this summer’s Key Bridge Internship Program, a partnership between the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The students are gaining hands-on experience in project management, environmental analysis, construction oversight, community outreach, and other areas connected to the rebuilding effort.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://umbc.edu/stories/niaid-funds-hiv-prevention-research/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>UMBC Researcher Receives NIAID Grant to Advance HIV Prevention</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Herana Kamal Seneviratne, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has received an approximately $440,000, two-year award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study how key HIV-prevention drugs work inside the body. Graduate researchers will take leading roles in the project, with additional opportunities for undergraduate students.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <h3><strong>More from Across UMBC</strong></h3>
    <p><em>Additional updates, resources, and community opportunities from across the university.</em></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://umbctickets.universitytickets.com/w/packages/Packages.aspx" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Fall Athletics Seasons Get Underway</strong><strong><br></strong></a>Support UMBC’s student-athletes as fall competition begins. <a href="https://umbcretrievers.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule/2026" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Women’s soccer</a> opens its regular season at home on August 13, followed by the <a href="https://umbcretrievers.com/news/2026/6/16/mens-soccer-announces-2026-schedule.aspx" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">men’s soccer</a> home opener on August 20. The defending America East champion <a href="https://umbcretrievers.com/news/2026/6/30/womens-volleyball-volleyball-releases-2026-schedule.aspx" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">volleyball team</a> begins competition on August 29. Season packages and individual game tickets are now available.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>UMBC Magazine Now Available Across Campus</strong><strong><br></strong>The latest issue of <em>UMBC Magazine</em> is now available at select campus locations, including The Commons, the Administration Building, and the Performing Arts and Humanities Building. As UMBC moves away from mailing individual copies to faculty and staff, community members can pick up a print issue on campus or explore the expanded digital magazine, which now includes additional stories, web-only features, and multimedia content. If you notice a magazine stand running low, please contact <a href="mailto:magazine@umbc.edu">magazine@umbc.edu</a>.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <h3>
    <strong>Help Shape </strong><strong><em>The UMBC Connection</em></strong>
    </h3>
    <p>As this effort continues to take shape, your feedback will help guide how we strengthen internal communications across the university. <a href="https://forms.gle/oNoiupxx25pehgrE9" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">We welcome your input and invite you to share your feedback on <em>The UMBC Connection</em>.</a></p>
    <p>If you would prefer, you are also welcome to reach out directly to Jessica McGroarty, Director of Internal Communications, at <a href="mailto:jmcgro@umbc.edu">jmcgro@umbc.edu</a>.</p>
    <p><em>University Communications and Marketing</em></p>
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<Summary>Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,   As students prepare to return to campus, this edition of The UMBC Connection highlights ways faculty and staff can help create a welcoming and supportive start to...</Summary>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161542" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161542">
<Title>13 Tips to Get Your Blackboard Course Ready</Title>
<Tagline>Checklist to optimize your course before the semester starts</Tagline>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">
    <p>The week before the semester starts can feel like a sprint: A full inbox, a syllabus that still needs one more edit, and a course shell that isn’t quite ready for students yet. Before the scramble sets in, work through this updated baker’s dozen checklist to get your Blackboard course ready to go.</p>
    <p><strong>1. Before you get started:</strong></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Check out the latest news to learn what’s new for your courses. Our Blackboard site receives <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts?tag=ultra-update" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">updates and enhancements every month</a><strong>.</strong></p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Depending on your course size, enrollments, and needs, you might want to <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/uR3VAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">merge your Blackboard enrollments</a>: Manage content, communication, and grades for multiple sections in the convenience of one course site.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>2. Copy your course content from a previous semester.</strong></p>
    <p>Bypass the long wait and digital file transfers required for export and import. <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/IRzVAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Use course copy</a> -- it’s faster and more convenient since import is only available <a href="https://doit.umbc.edu/request-tracker-rt/doit-myumbc-blackboard/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">via RT ticket</a>.</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>TIP: Prep your courses ahead of the new semester for a stress-free start. Request <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/9QYgB" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">a development course shell</a> for ongoing content development and maintenance. </p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>3. Refresh course materials</strong></p>
    <p>Next, <a href="https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Ultra/Course_Content/Create_Content" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">add or update content</a> in Blackboard, to include syllabus &amp; faculty information; course materials and assignments; and, if you use them, publisher integrations or other resources.</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Don't forget to check course links for broken or missing content. If you use a lot of external links and third-party tools, check the validity of those resources. </p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Verify permissions for <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/RwOGBQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Google</a>, <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/6wLnAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Box</a>, and <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYCLVw" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">YuJa</a> to make sure your students can view these essential media and files.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>4. Update library reserves.</strong></p>
    <p><a href="https://library.umbc.edu/reserves/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Digital course reserves</a> are available through <a href="https://library.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">the AOK Library</a>, making it easy for you to request from your desktop and for students to access, read, view, or listen from the convenience of their own devices. Course reserves are <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/GD-VAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">synchronized through your Blackboard courses</a>. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>TIP: Submit reserve requests early -- processing takes time, especially for materials requiring copyright clearance, digitization, or accessibility improvements.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>5. Upload multimedia to YuJa and large files to UMBC Box or Google Drive.</strong></p>
    <p>Please remember that Blackboard is not a streaming service. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>When you update your course content with new resources, be sure to place multimedia (video, audio) in YuJa and <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/fIopB" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">other large files to cloud storage</a>. </p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>6. Update due dates, release conditions, support staff, etc.</strong></p>
    <p>Use the <a href="https://help.anthology.com/blackboard/instructor/en/course-and-content-management/edit-and-manage-content/batch-edit.html" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Batch Edit</a> to modify nearly everything with a date in your course whether <a href="https://help.anthology.com/blackboard/instructor/en/course-and-content-management/content-release-conditions.html" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">availability or release conditions</a>. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>You should also review and update settings for:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Ultra/Tests_Pools_Surveys/Test_and_Survey_Options" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Assessment feedback settings</a> for tests and assignments</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Imported announcements (if you plan to reuse)</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>If you have a TA or grader in your course, you can <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/jQPVAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">add them now</a>. There is no self-enroll step, so it’s important that you do this or they won’t have access to your course.</p>
    <p><strong>7. Create a central Start Here area for your students so they know how to get started.</strong></p>
    <p>Include a welcome video. Let students know what to do first before classes start and where to find important content. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Use <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYCLVw" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">YuJa</a> to invite students to explore the course with a course tour and orientation. Be sure to <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/faq/pages/1468760065/YuJa#Accessibility" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">caption your videos</a> for accessibility.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>8. Check your course content for accessibility.</strong></p>
    <p>Use <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=87884573" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">your course’s Ally accessibility report</a> to gauge the accessibility of course content and prioritize improvements.</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Set alternative text &amp; descriptions for images.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Structure Word/PowerPoint files with headings &amp; styles rather than font changes.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Avoid PDFs consisting only of scanned images.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Caption videos or provide transcripts. </p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>Ally automatically creates alternative versions of your files for students including Electronic Braille and mobile-friendly HTML.</p>
    <p><strong>9. Set up your virtual gradebook.</strong></p>
    <p>Students <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/65634" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">benefit from knowing how they’re doing</a> in your course throughout the semester. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>The <a href="https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Ultra/Grade/Grade_Columns#ultra_overall" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Overall Grade</a> can be calculated as weighted, points, or advanced calculation using a formula.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Review your grade posting policy so grades release when you’re ready to publish.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Update the grade schema to customize how scores map to letter grades.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>10. Prepare virtual meeting places.</strong></p>
    <p>Create spaces to meet with students virtually. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Use <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AoArHw" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Google Meet</a>, <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/tlfVAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Microsoft Teams</a>, or <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Webex" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Webex</a> for lectures, office hours, drop-in support, student study groups, and more.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>11. Set the tone for your course with a welcome message.</strong></p>
    <p>No matter what format you teach, create an online introduction to create a sense of connection and build community in your course. Send an opening email or <a href="https://help.anthology.com/blackboard/instructor/en/interact-with-students/announcements.html#announcements-749367" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">post an announcement</a> to your course to greet your students. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>TIP: You can use YuJa to post the same video across all of your courses, or create a short, unique video within each Blackboard course using a video announcement.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>12. Configure your personal notifications.</strong></p>
    <p>Choose <a href="https://help.anthology.com/blackboard/instructor/en/getting-started/your-account/notifications.html#set-up-notifications" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">which notifications you receive</a> about activity in your courses. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Notifications can appear in the Activity Stream or via email digest for new messages, gradable items, discussion posts, or student performance alerts.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><strong>13. Set your course availability.</strong></p>
    <p>Students cannot access your course until <a href="https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/x/JQDVAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">you make it available</a>. </p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>TIP: If you'd like to open your course earlier than 3 weeks before the semester starts, you might need to request support to make sure students see your course when you want them to have early access.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p><em>Do you have a tip to share with other faculty? Please comment in this post and let us know!</em></p>
    <p>Would you like to learn more about Blackboard? Join <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">one of our training sessions</a> or review <a href="https://umbc.edu/go/blackboardfaqs" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">the Blackboard FAQs</a>. </p>
    <p><strong>Connect with Instructional Technology</strong></p>
    <p>As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://www.umbc.edu/faq" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Check our extensive FAQ collection</a></p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/LohnB" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">What's new in Ultra?</a> |<a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/bwrSAQ" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Known Issues</a></p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://my.umbc.edu/go/request-help" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Open a ticket via RT</a></p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Follow the <a href="https://my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Instructional Technology</a> &amp; <a href="https://my.umbc.edu/groups/doit" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">DoIT</a> myUMBC groups</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><a href="https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/staff/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Request a consult</a> with <a href="https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/staff" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">instructional technology staff</a></p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>The week before the semester starts can feel like a sprint: A full inbox, a syllabus that still needs one more edit, and a course shell that isn’t quite ready for students yet. Before the scramble...</Summary>
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<Tag>checklist</Tag>
<Tag>course-prep</Tag>
<Tag>fa2026</Tag>
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<Sponsor>Instructional Technology</Sponsor>
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<PostedAt>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0400</PostedAt>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161559" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161559">
<Title>UMBC Special Topics class: Applied AI for Cybersecurity</Title>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><p>CSEE Assistant Professor <a href="https://clementfung.me/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Clement Fung</a> is teaching a new special topics class (CMSC 491/691) this fall on  <a href="https://clementfung.me/teaching/cmsc491-691-f26.html" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Applied AI for Cybersecurity</a>. It will cover the intersection of AI with a broad selection of cybersecurity topics, such as network security, systems security, usable security, and more. The class is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:45 in Engineering 231.</p></div>
]]>
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<Summary>CSEE Assistant Professor Clement Fung is teaching a new special topics class (CMSC 491/691) this fall on  Applied AI for Cybersecurity. It will cover the intersection of AI with a broad selection...</Summary>
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<Group token="cybersecurity">UMBC Cybersecurity Institute Group</Group>
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<Sponsor>UMBC Cybersecurity Institute Group</Sponsor>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161560" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161560">
<Title>Part time job opportunity</Title>
<Tagline>BW Tech</Tagline>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">
    <ul>
    <li>
    <strong>Position Title</strong>: Assistant Office Administrator (Part-Time – 2 Openings) <br><br>Location: In-Person | bwtech@UMBC North Campus (Catonsville, MD) <br><br>Hours: Part-Time, approximately 12–18 hours per week</li>
    </ul>
    
    <ul>
    <li>
    <strong>Role Overview: </strong><br><br>Our Residential Service Agency is hiring two part-time Assistant Office Administrators to work in-person at our bwtech North office in Catonsville. In this role, you will serve as a primary contact for our clients, families, and caregiving staff. You will handle daily front-office administrative tasks, coordinate caregiver schedules, and help roll out digital tools that support our care aides in the field. <br><br><strong>Key Responsibilities:</strong> <br><br>Serve as the primary in-person contact at our bwtech North office for phone calls, client inquiries, and staff needs. <br><br>Manage daily scheduling and dispatch operations to ensure reliable care coverage across all clients. <br><br>Help introduce, troubleshoot, and support mobile apps and software used by field care aides. <br><br>Maintain accurate, confidential client files and staff documentation. <br><br>Work with agency leadership to improve office workflows and daily administrative procedures. <br><br><strong>Qualifications:</strong> <br><br>Caregiving Experience (Preferred): Background as a CNA, GNA, CMT, or Home Health Aide is highly valued. <br><br>Availability: Able to work in-person at our bwtech North office for 12–18 hours per week. <br><br>Communication: Strong customer service, phone etiquette, and problem-solving skills. <br><br>Tech Comfort: Comfortable using computers, scheduling software, and mobile applications, with the ability to guide caregivers through basic tech tools.</li>
    </ul>
    
    <ul>
    <li>
    <strong>How to Apply</strong>: Email your resume and cover letter to <a href="mailto:office@comforthomecarellc.com">office@comforthomecarellc.com</a> with the subject line RSA Applicant.</li>
    </ul>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>Position Title: Assistant Office Administrator (Part-Time – 2 Openings)   Location: In-Person | bwtech@UMBC North Campus (Catonsville, MD)   Hours: Part-Time, approximately 12–18 hours per week...</Summary>
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<Sponsor>UMBC Management of Aging Studies - Undergraduate Programs</Sponsor>
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<PostedAt>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:48:14 -0400</PostedAt>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161311" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161311">
<Title>What Your Next Great Hire Can Actually Prove</Title>
<Tagline>The resume tells you what. It doesn't tell you how.</Tagline>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">
    <p><em>This is the fifth post in our series on the new LER briefs. <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/badges/posts/161036/233b4/ecb51465aa702fe8b75f75a90fa95a37/web/link?link=https%3A%2F%2Fmy3.my.umbc.edu%2Fgroups%2Fbadges%2Fposts%2F161034" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Catch the intro post here if you missed it.</a></em></p>
    <p>Every resume you read makes claims: "data analysis," "project management," "cross-cultural communication." But a bullet point doesn't tell you what someone actually did, how it was assessed, or why you should trust the claim in the first place.</p>
    <p>Research on hiring practices has found that employers consistently ask four questions about any candidate:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>What skill is being claimed?</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>What did the individual actually do?</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>How was that skill assessed?</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Why should I trust this claim?</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>A resume rarely answers any of these well. And the problem is getting worse: as AI-generated applications become the norm, hiring teams are facing hundreds of polished, plausible submissions that are nearly indistinguishable from one another. The result is longer interview cycles, more reference checks, and more cost, just to get basic confidence in a candidate.</p>
    <p><strong>What a UMBC-verified microcredential actually answers</strong></p>
    <p>Since 2015, UMBC has issued verified digital credentials across research, internships, leadership, and service-learning — now more than 200 active credentials. Each one is built to directly answer the four questions above:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p><strong>The skill</strong> maps to specific competencies informed by labor market data, aligned with the terminology your recruiting team already uses.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>The evidence</strong> shows what the student actually did: the project, the task, the deliverable, not just a course title.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>The assessment</strong> is published and consistent: criteria are set in advance, applied the same way to every student, with no ambiguity or grade inflation.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>The issuer</strong> is UMBC. The credential is digitally verifiable and can't be self-reported or fabricated.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>In practice, that means when a candidate shares a badge, it links to a record showing the specific competency, what they did to earn it, how it was evaluated, and who's standing behind it. That's a meaningfully different signal than three resume bullet points. For example, a hiring manager evaluating two candidates with similar resumes may gain additional confidence from a credential that shows exactly what work was completed and how it was assessed. </p>
    <p><strong>Why this is picking up speed</strong></p>
    <p>Skills-based hiring is now standard practice for the vast majority of employers worldwide, and the infrastructure to support it at scale is still being built. Congress held a bipartisan hearing this past December specifically on Learning and Employment Records, and legislation introduced this spring aims to build state-level talent marketplaces around verified credentials. UMBC was selected as one of 25 institutions nationwide for the inaugural LER Accelerator cohort, and Maryland had more institutions represented than any other state.</p>
    <p><strong>Where employers fit into building this</strong></p>
    <p>Credentials designed with employer input are more trusted and more useful in practice. When employers help define what skills matter and how they should be demonstrated, the credential becomes something your team can actually act on. A few ways to get involved, with minimal time investment:</p>
    <ul>
    <li>
    <p>Join a focus group on skills-based hiring to help shape which competencies UMBC credentials measure.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Review a draft credential aligned to roles you hire for and give feedback.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Co-design a credential pathway tied to an internship or other work-integrated learning experience.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p>Join an advisory conversation on how verified skills data could change your hiring process.</p>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>You already know UMBC students. This is a chance to help shape what they can show you before they ever walk through the door.</p>
    <p>Want the full brief? <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OGinA7oDzOhjDnpiBdFFgEcTF8FYua-hc6L3MaRSAEI/edit?usp=drive_link" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Read it here.</a></p>
    <p>Questions? <a href="https://microcredentials.umbc.edu/request/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Submit a support ticket</a> or <a href="https://microcredentials.umbc.edu/about/staff/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">reach out to the DCI team</a> directly.</p>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>This is the fifth post in our series on the new LER briefs. Catch the intro post here if you missed it.   Every resume you read makes claims: "data analysis," "project management," "cross-cultural...</Summary>
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<Sponsor>Digital Credential Innovation</Sponsor>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161557" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161557">
<Title>Reminder! Annual Staff Cookout</Title>
<Tagline>TOMORROW (Wednesday) Hosted by ESS and NESS</Tagline>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">
    <p>Join us for the<strong> <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ess/events/154799" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">annual UMBC staff cookout next week</a>,</strong> August 12th from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event is free, and we'll have plenty of food (including vegan/vegetarian options).<br><strong>A few notes:</strong></p>
    <ul>
    <li>We'll be inside the Commons on Main Street </li>
    <li>Please bring your campus ID</li>
    <li>If you haven't yet, please <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ess/events/154799" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">RSVP in the myUMBC event post</a>
    </li>
    </ul>
    <p>We look forward to seeing everyone!</p>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>Join us for the annual UMBC staff cookout next week, August 12th from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event is free, and we'll have plenty of food (including vegan/vegetarian options). A few notes:...</Summary>
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<PostedAt>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:03:25 -0400</PostedAt>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161472" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161472">
<Title>UMBC alumna selected for CRA Trustworthy AI Fellowship</Title>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><p><strong><a href="https://www.utep.edu/aaii/people/bio/anantaa-kotal.html" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Anantaa Kotal</a></strong>, Ph.D. ’24, computer science and current assistant professor of computer science at the University of Texas at El Paso, has been selected as a Computing Research Association (CRA) Trustworthy AI Research Fellow. The fellowship, funded by Microsoft, supports early-career computing researchers who advance trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) through interdisciplinary collaboration with humanistic social sciences. <br><br>“Being named a CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellow affirms that the questions we've been asking—what does trust mean, and how do you build it into a model—matter to the broader research community,” says Kotal, who works to make AI systems more transparent, fair, and secure. “I'm grateful for the foundation UMBC gave me as I built toward this recognition.” <br><br>Over the next year, fellows participate in intensive interdisciplinary training and sustained peer collaboration. The fellowship includes a four-day, in-person AI Field School in which they engage in Trustworthy AI initiatives with CRA partner institutions and receive mentorship from established scholars. Selected fellows receive a $17,000 stipend, along with support for travel, lodging, and meals associated with in-person fellowship activities. Through the fellowship, participants advance their own research at the intersection of computing and the social sciences, while helping shape scalable models for interdisciplinary training in responsible computing. <br><br>This is the second year in a row that a UMBC-affiliated researcher has been selected for the fellowship. In 2025, the CRA selected <a href="https://hcc.umbc.edu/people/faculty/yasmine-kotturi-phd/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><strong>Yasmine Kotturi</strong></a>, assistant professor of information systems, for its <a href="https://umbc.edu/quick-posts/kotturi-trustworthy-ai-research-fellow/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">inaugural cohort of Trustworthy AI Research Fellows</a>.</p></div>
]]>
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<Summary>Anantaa Kotal, Ph.D. ’24, computer science and current assistant professor of computer science at the University of Texas at El Paso, has been selected as a Computing Research Association (CRA)...</Summary>
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<Sponsor>College of Engineering and Information Technology</Sponsor>
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<EditAt>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:27:15 -0400</EditAt>
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<NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="161829" important="false" status="posted" url="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/posts/161829">
<Title>Meet a Retriever&#8212;Rishav Gupta, COEIT Computing for Social Good Award recipient</Title>
<Body>
<![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">
    <p><em>Meet </em><strong><em>Rishav Gupta</em></strong><em>. After spending five years as a mobile engineer, he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in computer science at UMBC to deepen his expertise and choose projects with the clear objective of improving people’s lives. Rishav is working in the <a href="https://leetton.github.io/fsi/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Future Sensing and Interaction Lab</a> of professor <strong>Dong Li</strong> on a project to use everyday smartphones as affordable and accessible blood pressure monitors. </em></p>
    
    
    
    <p><em>This May, the work was recognized when Rishav was selected as one of two recipients for the inaugural COEIT Computing for Social Good Award, made possible by a generous donation from alumnus <strong>Akshay Java</strong></em>, <em>M.S. ’03, computer science, Ph.D. ’08, computer science. Awardees were selected in a competitive review process by COEIT faculty reviewers and departmental leadership. Rishav was choosen for his project “</em><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FsM3WhlHpsiDOT5DuuqZyU1UUE4iVzJ-/view?usp=drive_link" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><em>Enabling Affordable and Accessible Blood Pressure Monitoring Using Only a Commodity Smartphone</em></a><em>.” Take it away, Rishav!</em></p>
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: What brought you to UMBC?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>As an international student from India, I left a comfortable career to come here. After five years as a mobile engineer in industry, I was a generalist who could build things, but I wanted to understand them, to master a domain and create research that genuinely gives back to the community and helps people. UMBC’s work in health sensing was exactly that chance.</p>
    
    
    
    <p>UMBC’s welcoming and inclusive environment made the transition less daunting. From peers who’d walked the same path to a community that genuinely wants your feedback to others considering it: you won’t be figuring things out alone here.</p>
    
    
    
    <img width="1200" height="900" src="https://umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/c2e1cc5a-e1c9-47a3-8ff4-d9b2e516d629-Rishav-Gupta-1200x900.jpg" alt="Riishav Guptaa attending an Easter festival organized by Nancy Parlette and the International Students Connect club." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;">Gupta attending an Easter festival organized by Nancy Parlette and the International Students Connect club. (Photo courtesy of Gupta)
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: What do you love about UMBC?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>Beyond my research, I serve on the <a href="https://gsa.umbc.edu/gaac/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Graduate Assistant Advisory Committee</a>, helping improve the experience for graduate assistants across campus. From clarifying appointment expectations to shaping GA orientation, it’s shown me a side of UMBC that genuinely listens to students and works to actually affect people’s day-to-day lives. What I enjoy most is being a bridge: carrying real student concerns to people who can actually act on them.</p>
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: Who in the community inspired you or supported you?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>My advisor, <strong>Dong Li</strong>, pushes me to aim high and take ownership of my research, trusting me to drive my own ideas. That independence has stretched me. I’ve also leaned on senior students in the department, whose willingness to share what they’ve learned has made navigating the early Ph.D. years far less daunting. </p>
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>What surprised me most is how many people quietly have your back. A student who walked me through a rough patch, a staff member who actually wanted my feedback and acted on it, and peers who share hard lessons so I don’t struggle alone are just a few examples. The support is every day and practical.</p>
    
    
    
    
    <img width="1024" height="1024" src="https://umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1-1024x1024.png" alt="Risshav Guptaa receiving an award for best poster from Dr. Roboto Yus." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;">
    
    
    
    <img width="1024" height="1024" src="https://umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2-1024x1024.png" alt="Risshav Guptaa (left) receiving a first place award from The Maryland NEW VENTURE Program." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;">
    
    
    
    
    <p>On left, Gupta receives an award for best poster from computer science and electrical engineering assistant professor Roberto Yus on CSEE Research Day in April 2026. On right, Gupta and his team receive a first place award from The Maryland NEW VENTURE program in May 2026. (Photos courtesy of Gupta)</p>
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: What are your goals after graduation and how is UMBC helping you?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>My goal is a research career with significant meaningful work, ideally a faculty position at a strong university, where I can keep pushing on affordable health-sensing technology and train the next generation of researchers. I’m early in the journey, but that’s the direction I’m building toward.</p>
    
    
    
    <p>UMBC has pushed me toward independence by owning my research direction, presenting my work at top venues, and building the depth I came here for. Serving on a graduate committee has also grown skills I didn’t expect to develop: representing others, navigating institutions, and turning feedback into real change.</p>
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: How has the Computing for Social Good Award impacted your education?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>The COEIT Computing for Social Good Award directly supports my research to make blood pressure monitoring affordable and accessible using only a commodity smartphone, with no specialized hardware and no clinic visit required. Beyond the tangible support, being recognized specifically for the social good of the work, rather than only its technical side, has shaped how I choose research problems: it pushes me to keep asking who my work actually helps, and to keep people who can’t easily access conventional care at the center of what I build.</p>
    
    
    
    <img width="1012" height="1024" src="https://umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_0037-2-Rishav-Gupta-1012x1024.png" alt="Riishav Guptaa and ASM Mobarak Hossain receiving the COEIT Computing for Social Good Award from Jeanne M. van Briesen, dean of the College off Engineering and Information Technology." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;">Rishav Gupta and ASM Mobarak Hossain receiving the COEIT Computing Social for Good Award from Jeanne van Briesen, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology. (Photo courtesy of Vandana Janeja)
    
    
    
    <h2>Q: How did it feel to win this award?</h2>
    
    
    
    <p><strong>A: </strong>Receiving the COEIT Computing for Social Good Award felt meaningful in a way I didn’t expect. I came to UMBC from a career in industry because I wanted my work to matter beyond a product. Being recognized for the research’s social impact felt like confirmation that I’d chosen the right path. It was also humbling as a reminder that affordable health technology isn’t an abstract goal but something real people are rooting for, and it left me more motivated to deliver on the promise the award recognizes.</p>
    
    
    
    <p>* * * * *</p>
    
    
    
    <p><em>UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.</em></p>
    
    
    
    <p><a href="http://umbc.edu/how" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><em>Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.</em></a></p>
    </div>
]]>
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<Summary>Meet Rishav Gupta. After spending five years as a mobile engineer, he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in computer science at UMBC to deepen his expertise and choose projects with the clear objective...</Summary>
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