HCST 499/INDS 430

HCST 100

The Human Context of Science and Technology

The first week of October marked the seventh year of the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising’s (OAPA) Major Event—a signature, campus-wide experience designed to guide and empower all students on their academic journey.

Though the event has evolved in format over the years, its purpose remains the same: to support students who are still discovering their academic passions, reassessing their current paths, or considering new directions. This year’s iteration brought that mission to life with renewed energy, innovation, and a little cosmic inspiration.

Designed for Discovery

This year’s three-day series was built around a space theme, inspired by UMBC’s partnership in NASA’s Artemis III mission. Featuring graphics of moons, constellations, and galaxies—designed in collaboration with Common Vision—the event invited students to see themselves as explorers on a journey of academic self-discovery.

Throughout the week, 167 students engaged in:

• Academic department info sessions and tabling
• Alumni panels sharing real-world career pathways
• Workshops on declaring a major, decision-making, and aligning interests with programs
• Conversations with faculty, advisors, and peer mentors

Accompanying the Major Event this year was an interactive mobile and web app to transform the way UMBC students and the entire campus experience its signature program. By leveraging the extensive scope of customizable features available via Webex Events (formerly Socio), Coordinator for Pre-Transfer Advising Desiree Sterling created an immersive, multimedia hub for attendees to navigate the Major Event on site (i.e. via Majors Fair interactive map), synchronously (i.e. joining the virtual academic planning workshop), or asynchronously (i.e. scanning profiles and resources imported into the app). The app also supports other key functions for event management and post event follow up. 

At its core, the advising model behind the Major Event—and OAPA’s broader work—reinforces a powerful message: Exploration is not a setback—it’s a step forward.

Through advising, OAPA encourages students to see exploration not as indecision, but as an active and essential part of academic growth. That’s why the term exploratory is used in place of undecided—to reflect a more intentional, strengths-based approach to guiding students through academic uncertainty.

Advisors work with students to create space for reflection, strategic course selection, and goal setting, helping them explore options while maintaining academic progress.

“Exploratory students are doing essential academic work,” one advisor shared. “They’re not lost—they’re learning to ask the right questions.”

This advising philosophy also encourages students to make meaningful connections—between their interests, skills, values, and the opportunities available to them both in and beyond the classroom. Conversations about majors often lead to broader discussions about internships, research, study abroad, and long-term career goals—helping students design an academic path that aligns with who they are and where they want to go.

A Launchpad, Not Just a Fair

For exploratory students, The Major Event is more than a fair—it’s a launchpad. It offers a low-pressure environment where students can:

• Build confidence in their current or future academic plans
• Learn how to declare or change a major
• Connect with campus offices and academic resources
• Discover new opportunities and unexpected academic pathways

It also reminds students that they are not alone—many of their peers are navigating similar uncertainty. The event helps normalize the experience while providing clear and practical next steps.

Taking Exploration Further

OAPA’s commitment to exploratory students doesn’t begin or end with The Major Event. Year-round, students can access:

• 1:1 advising focused on strengths, values, and academic alignment
• Career Center assessments like Focus 2 and MBTI
• The Discovery Scholars Living-Learning Community (via Academic Transition Programs)
• The Exploratory Referral Form, which connects students in transition with timely, individualized support

With another Major Event behind them, OAPA is already focused on what’s next. Post-event feedback from students, departments, and campus partners will help shape future programming. The team is also exploring how the Sched app can support ongoing engagement, not just during events but throughout the academic year.

“Our goal is to make academic exploration an empowered, supported, and celebrated part of every student’s experience at UMBC.”

Landing Among the stars

Students who attended the alumni panel saw firsthand that exploration and uncertainty often lead to meaningful and even unexpected careers. The panelists shared stories of redirection, resilience, and purpose—underscoring that exploration isn’t just about choosing a major, but about designing a life.

The next step? Students can continue exploring with the support of the Office of Academic and Pre-professional Advising.

Meet with an advisor. Enroll in a new course. Explore a different discipline. Submit that major declaration form. Each step brings students closer to launch.

And with the right support in place, exploration isn’t a detour—it’s how students land among the stars.

Happy Friday and welcome to the latest (and greatest?) edition of the Provost's Perspective. 

When I pulled up to the keyboard to pen this I was bemused by the oddness that is the first week of November. Halloween is past, but talking Thanksgiving this early raises serious questions of one's ability to read a calendar. 

Luckily, my rising sense of dread was quickly dispelled when I realized there are several milestones on the horizon. While I missed National Donut Day on Wednesday (not to be confused with National Doughnut Day celebrated annually on the first Friday in June), there remain numerous days of note. Today happens to be National Fountain Pen Day and tomorrow is Parents as Teachers Day. 

And there is so much more to highlight in November. Did you know for example November is National Adoption Month? As an adoptive parent and scholar of the psychology of foster care and adoption, this topic is close to my heart.

Last week I asked you to share your favorite Halloween candy. The overwhelming majority of respondents cited Reese's peanut butter cups as their favorite with several people highlighting the pumpkin-shaped version as the best. One respondent had this to say: "The chocolate to PB ratio is perfect – traditional cups have too much chocolate, imo."

In the 'I didn't see this coming category,' candy corn placed second with two people mentioning that mixing it with salted peanuts takes it to a different level. 

Without further ado …

CAHSS Dean Search Preferred Deadline Today

The preferred submission deadline for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences dean search is today. More information about the position and the process can be found here. 

Last Call for Benefit Changes

Don't miss your opportunity to update your health benefits elections. Today before 5 p.m. is your last chance to log on to the SPS Benefits system and make your elections. 

Call for Faculty Proposals: IDEA Initiative & CAP Fellowship

I recently announced the IDEA Initiative & CAP Fellowship as part of my goal to foster innovative and interdisciplinary curricular efforts and provide faculty with the resources to create and innovate. Applications for the programs close November 20. 

Learn more and apply today!

UMBC Poll Examines Marylanders' Sentiment About AI

UMBC's Institute of Politics is steadily building a reputation for its polling prowess. In its latest survey of public sentiment, the institute examined Marylanders' sentiment toward artificial intelligence. It's an interesting snapshot of the level of concern people feel about the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. 

UMBC faculty are, of course, doing great work in AI across disciplines. Much of that work engages with the kind of concerns that were raised in the survey. For instance, Vandana Janeja (IS) and Christine Mallinson (LLC) have developed new tools to detect audio deepfakes that leverage insights from computing and linguistics. Frank Ferraro (CSEE), Tejas Gokhale (CSEE), and Tyler Josephson (CBEE) are working on a DARPA Program called SciFy, that can evaluate the feasibility of scientific claims made online. Many faculty are working to make AI less power hungry and efficient. Cynthia Matuszek (CSEE) investigates how AI operates in spaces with humans in ways that are ethical and fair. Our Dresher Center for the Humanities led by Amy Froide (History) recently hosted a forum on the ethical issues around AI, and our Center for Social Science led by Eric Stokan (Political Science) is currently showing faculty how AI tools can help research in the social sciences. 

Introduction to Generative AI & Teaching

In November, the Faculty Development Center (FDC) is co-sponsoring the series, Introduction to Generative AI & Teaching, facilitated by John G. Schumacher, professor of sociology, anthropology and public health, and a USM/UMBC Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow 2025-2026.  

Upcoming sessions include:

Generative AI in Teaching II: Applied Skills and Use Cases

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025,  11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WebEx or in person

Building on Gen AI & Teaching I, this interactive session highlights applied skills and practical use cases. Faculty will practice effective prompting, explore discipline-specific scenarios, and consider assignment design strategies. Examples will touch on advanced features (custom GPTs/GEMs, Canvas Mode, Deep Research Mode, agent mode) related to teaching.

I'm Not Teaching with Generative AI, But What Do I Still Need to Know?

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025,  11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WebEx or in person 

This session highlights what faculty need to know, even if they are not adopting AI in their own teaching. Topics include basic Gen AI literacy, a critical examination of student use of AI tools, equity and access, ethical concerns, credible sources of Gen AI information, and implications for assessment and pedagogy.

Reserve your space. Visit the FDC Groups Page to sign up.

New Faculty Spotlights

Each week we feature the newest faculty members of our community.

Brandon Beck, Assistant Professor of Secondary Education (Social Studies), Education

Areas of Research/Interest: History of Black Education, Critical Theory, Social Studies Education

Fun Fact About Brandon: I am an avid foodie. I also am a certified BBQ judge in the state of South Carolina. 

Laura Mateczun, Associate Director of Digital Trust / Director of UMBC Cybersecurity Clinic / Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity

Areas of Research/Interest: Local Government Cybersecurity

Fun Fact About Laura: I enjoy hiking and swimming!

Are you a new faculty member? Please take two minutes to fill out the form and submit your bio if you have not already done so.

New Staff Spotlights (Coming Soon)

Are you a staff member who joined UMBC in the last year? Email Aaron Burnett, director of provost communications, to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Provost's Perspective. 

Help Make the Provost's Perspective Better

The goal each week of this message is to deepen our connection to UMBC, whether that is learning about an upcoming event, a divisional accomplishment, an innovative program, or an update from the Office of the Provost. If you know of a program or event that should be highlighted, please share it here.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

If time permits it would be best practice to get a new pre approval. However, in many cases time is of the essence and processing a new pre approval may not be practical.  In these cases, we advise that the traveler send an email to their approver advising them of the change and the additional cost, prior to booking.  A simple one word "approved" email response, will be sufficient as a pre approval.

Upgrades would normally be outside of policy, but may be the only options available during this FAA service reduction. Discuss this option with your travel approver and make sure they are aware of the financial impact.  Follow the above guidance regarding preapprovals in this case.   

If you are away from campus and trying to get home, feel confident that we are going to support your efforts to get home.  If you booked your travel through Altour our travel management partner, we suggest you contact them to make alternate arrangements. Phone: 800-333-2115