The Office of the Provost invites full-time faculty to apply to two exciting opportunities:

Ideate, Design, Execute & Assess (IDEA) Initiative

Submit proposals for new, credit-bearing interdisciplinary academic programs that address the evolving needs of students and the state of Maryland. Proposals should go beyond current offerings at UMBC or within USM. Awardees will receive course release or a summer stipend, along with university support for program design and proposal development.

Curriculum and Pedagogy (CAP) Fellowship

Propose the development or redesign of courses focused on emerging or in-demand workforce needs in Maryland. Awardees will receive a stipend, optional funding for professional development related to course design or content, and access to course design support.

Help shape UMBC's future curriculum and impact Maryland's workforce readiness. The application period closes on November 20.

By: Nicholas Remy
Photo Credit: Isabella Fasolo

No college journey looks the same between two people, and this Alumni was no exception. Keegan Leffler graduated from UMBC in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelors in Media Communication Studies and a minor in Sociology. Keegan is originally from Wilton New York where he grew up with his Parents Mark and Julie, his Brother Quinn, and his sister Olivia. This was not the first University that Keegan originally attended, coming from Herkimer County Community College where Keegan was a back to back regional junior college champion as a pitcher on their baseball team! 

After his two years at Herkimer Keegan was able to graduate with his Associates in Science, and from there he was on his search for a four year university he could finish his schooling at. Luckily enough UMBC came calling. Keegan spent three more years at UMBC as a Media Communications major as well as a key player for the UMBC baseball team. Keegan came into school eerily similar to a lot of college athletes, ready to play their sport and a bit less ready to figure their future after college. WIth Keegan he was no different, with the exception of the fact that he was extremely classroom driven. 

Through his three years at UMBC Keegan was able to accomplish a 3.4 GPA graduating with honors, all while being an important piece of the baseball program. Over his career at UMBC as a baseball player Keegan pitched in 42 games amassing 92 career innings pitched with 10 career starts and 5 career saves. "Playing baseball at UMBC was easily one of the best decisions I made in my college career, I can easily say that some of my favorite memories in life came from my years with that team". Although professional baseball was not in the cards for Keegan, he wasn't ready to step away from the game yet. 

Following his graduation from UMBC Keegan was able to secure a coaching position with his former school at Herkimer County Community College as their Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, as well as being a Technical Assistant to the academic support staff for the student athletes at Herkimer. In this position Keegan had the task of finding potential student athletes for the baseball program as well as Overlook Herkimer's students using the flag system to assist student athletes to graduate on time and reach milestones in their educational journeys. "I was still unsure where I wanted to go with my professional career after graduation, when the opportunity came about where I could help those exact same student athletes figure out what they wanted to do I had to take it". Spending two years at Herkimer was all the time Keegan needed to figure out his next path in life. 

Deciding to take a chance in life Keegan took a step away from baseball and took a step toward the mortgage and financial career fields by joining Launch Financial Group. Keegan has recently started with Launch back in August 2024. His official title with this financial group is Disclosure Desk Manager, where he takes care of a lot of things for the company. Giving his flowers to UMBC, Keegan attributes his career path change to UMBC and the MCS degree for the flexibility it allowed him in the professional fields. "UMBC and the MCS degree really gave me a great base where I could expand on knowledge in many different fields!". Because of the flexibility Keegan has found his next passion outside of baseball which was not something he thought could be possible. 

Since his start with Launch Financial Keegan has really found his footing. "My passion and knowledge is in the mortgage industry, where I sell investment loans for properties. The company I work for is called Launch Financial Group, in Upstate NY Currently, I am our disclosure desk manager. Along with being a manager I also am a Loan Processor and a Loan Officer. The cool thing about my position is that I can take a loan from start to finish myself!". Although it's only been 10 months since starting his new position, Keegan is ready to step up to the plate for more. "This is just the beginning for me here at Launch and the beginning of my career as a Loan Officer, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!". Everyday is an exciting day at work for Keegan which is something most people can't say, and because of UMBC he now can. 

Another dog-tastic weekend is in the books with the conclusion of UMBC’s 2025 Homecoming celebration. Past, present, and future Retrievers enjoyed more than 40 events this year, participating in popular UMBC classics such as the Homecoming Bonfire, GRIT-X, the Carnival, and especially, the Puppy Parade.

Check out the festivities at this year’s—thankfully, not rainy—Homecoming!

Firing up Homecoming

UMBC’s annual Homecoming Bonfire was a perfect way to kick off the Homecoming festivities and create a nice warm welcome for attendees. The UMBC Down and Dirty Dawg Band brought the spirit as family and friends gathered around the Bonfire.

Retriever Madness returned to hype up the Retriever community for all the athletics teams playing during Homecoming and beyond. UMBC’s athletics teams came together with the campus community to introduce themselves before the basketball season began, and volunteers played games—including a dance battle—to win amazing prizes and Retriever swag. 

Also hot this Homecoming celebration were the UMBC GRIT-X presentations. This annual series of presentations celebrates the passion and achievements of UMBC’s alumni, faculty, and graduate students. The TED-style talks invite the community into ongoing research on campus, as well as invite alumni experts to share about their work in cutting-edge fields. 

Tents were set up along Erickson Field with different clubs, departments, organizations, and vendors. At the Division of Professional Studies booth, Gowtham Karaka, M.P.S. ’24, played six simultaneous games of chess, against six different opponents, for nearly four hours straight. In total, he faced 28 challengers, and not one managed to beat him.

In order for all these events to work smoothly, volunteers from across campus worked to help create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for Homecoming guests. Gavin Gilliland, assistant director of first-year academic programs, explained his eagerness to help out: “I chose to volunteer at Homecoming because it’s so community focused. It’s a way to connect with the UMBC community broadly and interact not only with current students, faculty, and staff, but alumni, parents, guests, friends of UMBC, community members, and more.” 

Gilliland, who helped check people into the Alumni and Friends Welcome Tent on Saturday, said that “being a small part of such a big day is an easy way to make an impact. I’m a people person and I love making small talk and helping people find their way, not just in my day job but at events like Homecoming as well. My favorite part of the day was seeing it all come together and seeing all of the friendly faces enjoying the celebrations.”

Fun, family, and friends

A “phun” and out of this world event at Homecoming was Phun Phamily Physics. Attendees got to explore the UMBC Observatory with a rotation of family-friendly physics and astronomy demonstrations, as well as tour the control room and dome of the UMBC Observatory—the largest optical telescope on the East Coast! 

Bringing folks back down to Earth, a record number of runners and walkers participated in this year’s sold-out Retriever 5K and Family Fun Run, exploring the highs and lows of aptly-named Hilltop Circle. This event’s emphasis was on camaraderie, bringing together all paces and styles to enjoy the fun.

At a more sedate pace later in the day, furry friends, big and small, showed off their costumes in the Puppy Parade! After strutting their stuff, it was time for the costume competition. From mermaids to spaghetti and meatballs, dog breeds of all kinds showed their true “Retriever” spirit!

The Homecoming Carnival is one of UMBC’s main events. Jenn Harvey Miranda ’09, modern languages and linguistics, M.A. ’11, TESOL, celebrated this year’s Homecoming by bringing her family for the first time to enjoy all the festivities. “It was pretty incredible being back on campus, especially since this fall marks exactly 20 years since I started there as a freshman! I was surprised at how being physically back in the space where so many memories took place transported me so completely back to my college days,” says Miranda. 

“It was really special thinking back on the many friendships that were forged over my years there, and I’m so grateful I got to share the day with two of those very friends who I joined at Homecoming. And my 4-year-old is still talking about all of the rides he got to go on, so he had a lot of fun too.” 

This October is not only Disability Identity Awareness Month, but also Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month—a crucial time to raise awareness about the violence affecting students on college campuses and throughout the world.

Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Among People with Disabilities
Research shows that individuals with disabilities are at an increased risk for experiencing sexual and intimate partner violence.

• More than one in four women and one in five men in the United States live with a disability.

• Women with disabilities are more likely to experience rape, sexual violence, and stalking.

• Men with disabilities are at higher risk for sexual coercion, unwanted contact, and psychological aggression by an intimate partner.

• Having a disability is associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion and harassment, both in person and online.

These statistics highlight the need for ongoing education, prevention, and advocacy to create safer environments for all individuals. By fostering open dialogue and promoting prevention strategies, we can work toward building respectful and inclusive communities.

Upcoming Events Hosted by the UMBC Women's Center

Wednesday, October 22 – Start By Believing
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | The Commons, Room 329
A workshop for faculty and staff to learn how to respond to student disclosures of trauma.

Monday, October 27 – Self-Defense Workshop
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | RAC 130 (Fitness Room B)
A practical workshop focused on self-defense techniques and personal safety awareness.

Wednesday, October 29 – In Her Shoes
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | UC 310
An interactive workshop that illustrates the difficult choices survivors face while navigating safety and support systems.

By participating in these events and continuing these conversations, we can honor survivors, support those affected, and commit to ending campus violence through education, awareness, and collective action.

Hosted by the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center.

Name: Rahma Ras

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Data Science

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Kapamed Consulting

Location of the Organization (City, State): Maryland

Title of position: Digital Marketing Co-Ordinator

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my internship at Amplify MedTech, I managed digital marketing and community engagement by developing LinkedIn campaigns, creating visual assets, and coordinating newsletters, using audience metrics to refine outreach strategy. I also supported the planning and execution of high-impact events, including NIH SBIR workshops and expert panels, gaining significant hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement and MedTech innovation within a fast-paced startup environment.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first met Dr. Fehmida Kapadia during a UMBC Career Center event, where we had a brief but meaningful conversation about Amplify MedTech's mission and its work with early-stage healthcare startups. A few weeks later, during the summer, Dr. Fehmida reached out to me directly about an internship opportunity with Amplify MedTech. After expressing my interest, we scheduled a follow-up conversation to discuss the role and how my background could align with the organization's needs. The UMBC Career Center was incredibly supportive throughout the process, making everything—from communication to onboarding—smooth and straightforward. Shortly after our conversation, I was offered the position and began working as a summer intern, contributing to digital marketing, event coordination, and strategic outreach efforts.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I've enjoyed most about my position at Amplify MedTech is the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while learning in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. I loved being trusted with real responsibilities—from designing outreach campaigns to supporting educational events for MedTech founders—and seeing how my efforts made a visible impact. Working under Dr. Fehmida Kapadia's mentorship was especially rewarding; her guidance, along with the supportive culture of the organization, helped me grow both professionally and personally. The experience gave me a clearer sense of how innovation, strategy, and community engagement come together in the MedTech space.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I made an impact at Amplify MedTech by helping the organization effectively communicate its mission and engage a broader audience of MedTech innovators. Through designing LinkedIn campaigns, creating clear and compelling event graphics, and coordinating email newsletters, I helped increase visibility for events and resources that support early-stage startups. My contributions played a role in streamlining outreach efforts, improving audience engagement, and enhancing the overall professionalism of Amplify MedTech's digital presence. By taking initiative and paying close attention to detail, I was able to support the team's goals and help amplify the impact of their work.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My advice to another student seeking an internship is to be proactive, stay curious, and take full advantage of the resources available—especially the UMBC Career Center. They were incredibly helpful in refining my résumé and preparing me for the application and interview process. I also recommend attending career fairs and networking events, even if you're unsure of what you're looking for. Sometimes, a brief conversation or connection can lead to an unexpected and rewarding opportunity. Be open to learning, ask thoughtful questions, and don't shy away from roles that challenge you—some of the most valuable growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I loved being part of a mission-driven organization where my work made a real impact. The Career Center played a big role in helping me get there—guiding me through the application process and making sure my résumé stood out.