Hi everyone!
We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon! .jpg)
Congratulations to the students from the CBEE department who took home awards in the student poster competition at the 2026 COEIT Research Day, held on May 1, 2026.
The following students were recognized for their outstanding research, and each received a COEIT Research Day Student Poster Award:
COEIT Research Day brings together faculty, students, collaborators, and industry partners to celebrate the exciting research being done across the college and to create pathways for future interdisciplinary projects. Well done to all!
]]>Traffic around the arena will be very heavy beginning at 7:30am on Friday 5/29/2026 and throughout the day to accommodate two high school graduations. Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to avoid entering campus from I-195 and anyone with a valid UMBC parking permit will be allowed to park in any legal space across campus.
]]>All,
The work at the east side entrance of the building has gone quicker than anticipated. That portion of the work will be completed around noon today. Once that work is inspected and approved, the crew will be moving to the west (quad) side entrance and will start demolition of the ceiling. All entry will be through the east entrance, egress will be through the east entrance or the stairs beyond the passenger elevators facing the tennis courts.
Thank you for your flexibility.
]]>Hi everyone!
We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!
As an esteemed culinary historian, educator, and James Beard Award-winning author, Michael W. Twitty has carved out a unique and profound space in American cultural dialogue. He masterfully illuminates the intersections of his identities as an African American, a gay man, and a Jewish American.
Rather than viewing his heritages as separate or competing, Twitty treats them as deeply intertwined strands of a singular tapestry—a concept he famously explores through his writing, teaching, and what he terms "identity cooking."
Raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (including Silver Spring, Maryland), Twitty grew up in close proximity to vibrant, observant Jewish neighborhoods. He felt a spiritual calling to Judaism at a very early age.
Twitty is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in food history, using the kitchen as a site for historical excavation, healing, and cultural synthesis. Under his personal brand, Kosher/Soul, he explores how complex multi-ethnic identities can be expressed through food.
His critically acclaimed 2022 memoir,Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew, serves as a masterclass in this intersection. He highlights the striking commonalities between African American and Jewish culinary traditions, noting that both are defined by:
Cuisines of Diaspora: Foods shaped by migration, exile, and the crucial reliance on collective memory to preserve a sense of home.
"Struggle Meals" Born of Resilience: The creative brilliance of making celebratory, deeply meaningful food out of poverty and oppression (such as comparing the cultural weight of gefilte fish to dishes like gumbo).
Twitty famously brings these worlds together on his own dinner table, crafting inventive hybrid dishes for Shabbat and holidays—such as West African brisket, mac-and-cheese kugel, matzo ball gumbo, and kosher "soul-rolls" stuffed with pastrami and collard greens.
Before achieving widespread fame as an author, Twitty spent years working directly within the Jewish community as a Judaics and Hebrew school teacher, instructing students across Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Renewal streams.
Through his lectures, food demonstrations, and public speaking, he uses the Hebrew concept of L'dor V'dor ("from generation to generation") to emphasize the critical importance of ancestral memory. By introducing audiences to the shared histories of trauma, survival, and ultimate resilience within both Black and Jewish experiences, Twitty serves as an invaluable bridge-builder—proving that food can be the ultimate vehicle for cultural preservation and communal healing.
]]>Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to update you regarding recent changes to federal immigration and visa policies.
Please remember that each individual’s circumstances are different, and this communication is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. If you have specific questions and hold F-1, H-1B, or J-1 immigration status, please contact the Center for Global Engagement. If you have specific questions and hold another immigration status, including legal permanent residency, please consult with a private immigration attorney. As a reminder, UMBC employees have access to free consultations with qualified attorneys via the Employee Assistance Program.
1. Major Change to the Green Card Application Process
On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum reminding its officers and the public that adjustment of status to permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a matter of discretion and administrative grace and is not designed to supersede regular consular processing of immigrant visas. The new guidance highlights that the adjustment of status process is a grant of “extraordinary relief” from consular processing.
Please note that the memo issued on May 21, 2026, applies specifically to the filing of adjustment of status to permanent residence and does not affect the earlier steps in the green card process, whether self-petitioned or employer-sponsored.
The final step in the permanent residence process is completed by filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). The preliminary stages may still be prepared and filed while the beneficiary is physically present in the United States.
If you are sponsored by UMBC, the preliminary stages may include the Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141), the PERM labor certification process (Form ETA-9089), and the immigrant petition (Form I-140). These steps can be completed while you remain in the U.S.
If you are self-petitioning, please continue to communicate with your personal immigration counsel so they can best advise you on your particular case.
What Changed?
Foreign nationals living in the U.S., such as employees holding H-1B visas, have historically been able to complete their entire green card application without leaving the country. This new policy does not prohibit foreign nationals from applying for adjustment of status from within the U.S. nor does it remove the ability of USCIS officers to approve these petitions. It does, however, place renewed emphasis on consular processing outside of the U.S.
The New Standard (“Consular Processing”): Certain applicants will be required to travel outside the U.S. to interview and receive their green card at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in another country.
Applying from Within the U.S. is Still Possible: While it is still technically possible to apply for adjustment of status without leaving the U.S., it is no longer the default route. The memo places the burden of proof on applicants to prove that their petition is both extraordinary and highly deserving.
Stricter Screening: USCIS officers have been formally instructed to be much tougher when reviewing these inside-the-U.S. requests. They will review all positive and negative factors, including family ties, immigration status and history, moral character, and any other factor deemed relevant for determining whether the applicant warrants a favorable exercise of discretion.
What Does This Mean for UMBC International Employees and Their Departments?
If your department is sponsoring an employee for a green card, or if you are an employee currently in the process of applying or planning to apply for adjustment of status, please note the following:
It is Still Very Early: Over the coming days and weeks, we anticipate that USCIS will release greater detail on how this policy will be implemented. Additionally, there could be litigation that pauses or limits the effect of the policy.
Plan for Travel: Both the employee and their department should factor international travel into scheduling plans. The availability of visa appointments and consular processing times varies significantly from country to country, so it is possible that some employees may be delayed abroad.
You Still Have Support: The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and UMBC’s authorized outside immigration counsel, Fragomen, will continue to help departments and employees navigate the steps for adjustment of status. We will provide further updates once it becomes clearer how this new policy will impact adjustment of status applications going forward. If you are an employee who self-petitioned for adjustment of status, please reach out to your personal immigration counsel. If you are an employee for whom UMBC sponsored your adjustment of status petition, please contact Diane Zeenny Ghorayeb at dianezg@umbc.edu.
2. Arrival Restrictions Related to Ebola
Because of the recent Ebola outbreak, the U.S. Government has implemented new travel restrictions for anyone arriving from, or who was otherwise present in, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda.
If you are planning to travel internationally, please be aware that entry and exit restrictions for the U.S. and other countries can change without warning.
Who is Restricted from Entering the U.S.?
The CDC has temporarily banned entry into the U.S. for anyone who has traveled from—or even just passed through—the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the last 21 days.
Foreign Nationals: A 30-day ban is currently in effect for foreign nationals (starting May 18, 2026).
Green Card Holders: Starting May 27, 2026, this travel ban will be officially extended to include Legal Permanent Residents, also known as Green Card holders.
Note: The government may choose to extend these bans beyond the initial 30-day window.
Mandatory Flight Rerouting
As a precaution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requiring any flight carrying passengers who have recently been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda to land only at designated airports, which currently include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia.
What University Employees Need to Do
The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is monitoring these Ebola-related travel restrictions very closely.
If you are traveling abroad on university business, you must follow these steps:
Get Pre-Approval: All international business trips must be approved ahead of time using Concur and the International Travel Registry.
Register Your Full Itinerary: If you are mixing personal vacation time with your business trip, you must include your entire itinerary in the system. This ensures UMBC knows where you are and can alert or assist you if borders suddenly close or emergencies arise. If your trip is solely a personal vacation with no university business, then you should not register it with UMBC.
If you have any questions related to the updates shared in this message, please contact CGE’s Office of International Students & Scholars.
Additional information and resources related to immigration and other federal policy updates are available on UMBC’s Federal Orders and Actions Page.
Sincerely,
David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement
This course examines how scientific knowledge and emergent technologies affect our lives, identities, and material conditions.
Science and technology structure how we understand the world.
However, while technoscience is often projected as being value-neutral it is also fundamentally embedded within social relations.
Drawing on anthropological and interdisciplinary materials, this course will interrogate the ways in which science and technology give shape to everyday life in relation to health and healthcare, the environment, new media technologies, and Al and robotics.
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Welcome
Day/Time: Tues/Thurs 10:00-11:15 AM
GEP: Writing Intensive
]]>Want to work on real-world challenges? The Grand Challenge Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is open to students from all majors.
The program is built around the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges and is designed to address major issues in sustainability, health, security, and joy of living. Students create a personalized path through research, entrepreneurship, service, interdisciplinary learning, and global experiences focused on a chosen challenge.
“The Grand Challenges are a call to action and serve as a focal point for society’s attention to opportunities and challenges affecting our quality of life.”
–National Academy of Engineering
Who can apply:
Juniors and Seniors from all disciplines who have at least three semesters to graduate.
Application deadline: June 1
Learn more through the Grand Challenges website and apply!
]]>Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to update you regarding recent changes to federal immigration and visa policies.
Please remember that each individual’s circumstances are different, and this communication is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. If you have specific questions and hold F-1, H-1B, or J-1 immigration status, please contact the Center for Global Engagement. If you have specific questions and hold another immigration status, including legal permanent residency, please consult with a private immigration attorney. As a reminder, UMBC employees have access to free consultations with qualified attorneys via the Employee Assistance Program.
1. Major Change to the Green Card Application Process
On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum reminding its officers and the public that adjustment of status to permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a matter of discretion and administrative grace and is not designed to supersede regular consular processing of immigrant visas. The new guidance highlights that the adjustment of status process is a grant of “extraordinary relief” from consular processing.
Please note that the memo issued on May 21, 2026, applies specifically to the filing of adjustment of status to permanent residence and does not affect the earlier steps in the green card process, whether self-petitioned or employer-sponsored.
The final step in the permanent residence process is completed by filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). The preliminary stages may still be prepared and filed while the beneficiary is physically present in the United States.
If you are sponsored by UMBC, the preliminary stages may include the Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141), the PERM labor certification process (Form ETA-9089), and the immigrant petition (Form I-140). These steps can be completed while you remain in the U.S.
If you are self-petitioning, please continue to communicate with your personal immigration counsel so they can best advise you on your particular case.
What Changed?
Foreign nationals living in the U.S., such as employees holding H-1B visas, have historically been able to complete their entire green card application without leaving the country. This new policy does not prohibit foreign nationals from applying for adjustment of status from within the U.S. nor does it remove the ability of USCIS officers to approve these petitions. It does, however, place renewed emphasis on consular processing outside of the U.S.
The New Standard ("Consular Processing"): Certain applicants will be required to travel outside the U.S. to interview and receive their green card at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in another country.
Applying from Within the U.S. is Still Possible: While it is still technically possible to apply for adjustment of status without leaving the U.S., it is no longer the default route. The memo places the burden of proof on applicants to prove that their petition is both extraordinary and highly deserving.
Stricter Screening: USCIS officers have been formally instructed to be much tougher when reviewing these inside-the-U.S. requests. They will review all positive and negative factors, including family ties, immigration status and history, moral character, and any other factor deemed relevant for determining whether the applicant warrants a favorable exercise of discretion.
What Does This Mean for UMBC International Employees and Their Departments?
If your department is sponsoring an employee for a green card, or if you are an employee currently in the process of applying or planning to apply for adjustment of status, please note the following:
It is Still Very Early: Over the coming days and weeks, we anticipate that USCIS will release greater detail on how this policy will be implemented. Additionally, there could be litigation that pauses or limits the effect of the policy.
Plan for Travel: Both the employee and their department should factor international travel into scheduling plans. The availability of visa appointments and consular processing times varies significantly from country to country, so it is possible that some employees may be delayed abroad.
You Still Have Support: The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and UMBC’s authorized outside immigration counsel, Fragomen, will continue to help departments and employees navigate the steps for adjustment of status. We will provide further updates once it becomes clearer how this new policy will impact adjustment of status applications going forward. If you are an employee who self-petitioned for adjustment of status, please reach out to your personal immigration counsel. If you are an employee for whom UMBC sponsored your adjustment of status petition, please contact Diane Zeenny Ghorayeb at dianezg@umbc.edu.
2. Arrival Restrictions Related to Ebola
Because of the recent Ebola outbreak, the U.S. Government has implemented new travel restrictions for anyone arriving from, or who was otherwise present in, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda.
If you are planning to travel internationally, please be aware that entry and exit restrictions for the U.S. and other countries can change without warning.
Who is Restricted from Entering the U.S.?
The CDC has temporarily banned entry into the U.S. for anyone who has traveled from—or even just passed through—the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the last 21 days.
Foreign Nationals: A 30-day ban is currently in effect for foreign nationals (starting May 18, 2026).
Green Card Holders: Starting May 27, 2026, this travel ban will be officially extended to include Legal Permanent Residents, also known as Green Card holders.
Note: The government may choose to extend these bans beyond the initial 30-day window.
Mandatory Flight Rerouting
As a precaution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requiring any flight carrying passengers who have recently been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda to land only at designated airports, which currently include Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia.
What University Employees Need to Do
The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is monitoring these Ebola-related travel restrictions very closely.
If you are traveling abroad on university business, you must follow these steps:
Get Pre-Approval: All international business trips must be approved ahead of time using Concur and the International Travel Registry.
Register Your Full Itinerary: If you are mixing personal vacation time with your business trip, you must include your entire itinerary in the system. This ensures UMBC knows where you are and can alert or assist you if borders suddenly close or emergencies arise. If your trip is solely a personal vacation with no university business, then you should not register it with UMBC.
If you have any questions related to the updates shared in this message, please contact CGE’s Office of International Students & Scholars.
Additional information and resources related to immigration and other federal policy updates are available on UMBC’s Federal Orders and Actions Page.
Sincerely,
David L. Di Maria
Vice Provost for Global Engagement
UPDATED!!!!
Earlier this week, Transform Mid-Atlantic's Service-Learning & Civic Engagement (SLCE) Planning Committee visited host site American University for a walk through. Based on the great space this venue has, the committee decided to extend the Proposal Deadline by almost two weeks to Sunday, July 21st, at 11:59pm. Roundtables, Panels, Workshops, and Posters - OH MY! Submit HERE!
More info to come on Sponsorships and Exhibitor Pricing, as well as Registration.
SAVE THE DATE for the annual Transform Mid-Atlantic's Service-Learning & Civic Engagement (SLCE) conference this fall at American University, on Saturday, October 17, 2026. There are other ways to engage with the event in participation (registration will be opening later this summer), sponsorships, and Exhibitors (non-profit and Business).
This SLCE conference has deep roots in UMBC. In 2007-2008, Dr. Diane Lee, UMBC's former Dean of Undergraduate Education, funded my proposal to recreate the structure and reach of local conferences planned through the 1990s Learn & Serve America grant. That spring, I chaired "Solutions Through Service," which was planned and implemented by our Shriver Living Learning Community. In 2013, I chaired the conference's UMBC return as "Community-Based Learning: Getting Real About Civic Engagement." Over the years, I've been involved in the planning, but stepped back a little. In October 2025, I was reenergized by Coppin State University's event, "Adapting to Tomorrow: Innovating for a Rapidly Changing World," led by Ms. Loretta Campbell. This year, I'm excited to be back in the mix to support the Planning Committee. More on SLCE history
UMBC is a Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) campus member. This membership has allowed us to host TMA AmeriCorps/VISTAs on the following projects: Arbutus Achievers at Arbutus Middle School, Refugee Youth Program's College JUMP (Journey Upwards Mentoring Program), Retriever Essentials, and most recently, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Additionally, UMBC continues a tradition of amazing students participating in TMA's Civic Fellows Program: Max Poole, Stephanie Milani, Nihira Mugumba, Rehman Liaqat, Jok Thon, Emmanuella Osei, and most recently for 2026-27, Shyla Allgood.
For more info on the Conference, and/or TMA, visit
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