All,

Within the last week a table used for microscopy in room 221E went missing. Whoever took it moved the microscope off of of the table and onto a cart, so it's obvious that the table was being used. 

We need the table back. 

This type of behavior is totally unacceptable. We have 17 research groups in the building, every inch and bench are accounted for. If you need tables or bench space please reach out to me, I can probably find a solution. 

Thank you!

Attached you will find updated dining hours for the summer - for more information, please visit our dining website. 

B.A.: Management, Advertising, and Entrepreneurship

Major, Minor, Certificate, and/or Honors: 

• Deans List 

Degree Mentors: 

• Dr. Kristen Anchor| Associate Teaching Professor, UMBC Media & Communication Studies
• Kristen Schuler| Marketing Manager, Harkins, Inc.
• Steven McAlpine| Assistant Teaching Professor, UMBC INDS

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because it gave me the flexibility to pursue a path that truly aligned with my interests and long-term goals. Instead of trying to fit into a traditional major, INDS allowed me to build something that reflected what I actually wanted to study and eventually do as a career. The program helped me map out each component of my major in an intentional way, and it pushed me to think ahead about how my coursework connects to my future goals.

Another big reason I chose INDS was that it allowed me to stay at UMBC while still creating a customized academic experience. I didn’t have to transfer or compromise—I was able to design a pathway that felt practical for me.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and pursue an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. I see this as an opportunity to deepen my knowledge in a field that I wasn’t able to fully specialize in during my undergraduate experience. My INDS degree has given me a strong interdisciplinary foundation, which I think will be really valuable as I move into a more focused graduate program.

I’m also hoping to gain hands-on experience through an internship in marketing or a related field, while still remaining open to exploring different areas. Long term, I want to continue investing in and supporting small businesses, especially my own family’s business. I see myself using both my INDS background and future MBA to bring strategic thinking, creativity, and practical skills into that work

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?

• Living Water/Campus Ministry| "Gave me a community and allowed me to stay grounded throughout my last semester at UMBC."

• Tri-Alpha Honors Society| Recognizes first-generation college students and provided a supportive network of peers with similar experiences

Awards, Certifications, Scholarships, etc. that you have received in your time at UMBC: 

• Digital Tech Credential Certification| Pending 2026 

Any thing you would like to share about your time at UMBC or in the INDS program:

Take it slow. There were so many moments where I felt pressure to have everything figured out—especially when it came to career decisions—but I didn’t always know what I truly wanted yet. Giving yourself time to explore, reflect, and adjust your path makes a huge difference. Slowing down those big decisions can actually lead to more clarity and confidence in the long run, and it’s something I wish I had embraced earlier.

For More information on Michelle's INDS journey please Click Here!

Visit the INDS Website

UMBC received $1.5 million in congressional funding to establish the UMBC Center for Precision Aquaculture, an interdisciplinary effort to revolutionize land-based fish production through real-time monitoring and smart technology. Advanced underwater imaging, optical sensors, and AI will track fish biomass, behavior, body condition, stress signals, and early disease indicators, enabling producers to optimize tank conditions to improve growth, health, and welfare.

CSEE professor Rebecca Williams is a co-investigator on the grant and worked with CSEE professor Don Engel to advise Beamlak Bekele in developing computer vision tools to extract information about fish in underwater environments for her Computer Science MS thesis.

Read more about this project here.

The Maryland State Board of Elections recently sent out a notice regarding the upcoming Maryland primary election on June 23, 2026.

If you are a Maryland voter who requested a mail-in ballot, there may have been an error. Some voters were sent a ballot for the wrong party's primary due to a vendor coding error. Here's what you need to know in order to get your correct ballot and cast your vote.

The Maryland State Board of Elections is sending replacement ballots to all affected voters on a rolling basis starting. If you have been affected, you will be notified via postcard, email, or text.

Here's what to do:

• Be on the look out for a notice from the Maryland State Board of Elections 

• If notified, throw away your original ballot and its return envelope. 

• You should receive a replacement ballot by May 29, 2026 in an envelope marked "REPLACEMENT BALLOT INSIDE.” Use only the replacement ballot.

• Return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 p.m. on June 23, 2026. If you are voting in the Maryland Primary Election, you can drop your ballot in the mail-in ballot drop box located on the 1st floor of the Commons. The box is secure. The Board of Elections retrieves ballots from this box at the end of each day. And if you are registered to vote outside of Baltimore County, your ballot will be mailed to the correct location. Please note this drop box is for Maryland voters only.

If you did not receive a notice, your original ballot is valid and you can use it as normal.

If you have any questions, visit the Maryland Board of Elections website or contact them directly at elections@maryland.gov.

For more information about registration, deadlines, or if you have other questions about participating in the 2026 Elections, please contact the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu or Trentqual Rhone, Coordinator for Political Engagement, at trhone1@umbc.edu.

Hello Everyone!

Due to our delivery and restocking, Retriever Essentials will have a delyaed opening until 1:00pm today.

Please plan your trip accordingly, and we apologize for any inconviences.

Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,

This week, UMBC celebrates the Class of 2026 and the close of another academic year shaped by the work, care, creativity, and dedication of our campus community.

As we celebrate students crossing the Commencement stage, the university is also looking ahead through continued strategic planning efforts, research and innovation, community engagement, and the many ways faculty and staff continue to shape UMBC’s future.

In this edition of The UMBC Connection, you’ll find Commencement information, university milestones, campus updates, and opportunities to stay connected across the UMBC community.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback following our first edition. We appreciate your input as this continues to evolve and grow alongside the campus community.

Opportunities & Events

Opportunities to attend, participate in, or engage with across the UMBC community.

• Watch UMBC’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies live (May 20–21)
  The UMBC community is invited to join virtually for this year’s Commencement ceremonies through the official livestreams. Recordings will also be available following the events.

• Learn more about UMBC’s Alternative Work Arrangements program (May 27 & 29)
  Faculty and staff are invited to attend upcoming sessions on UMBC’s Alternative Work Arrangements (AWA) program, including guidance on eligibility, approval processes, best practices, and supporting flexibility across teams. 

• Retrievers Read 2026
  Retrievers Read, presented by the UMBC Hilltop Society, is a summer reading challenge designed to help faculty, staff, students, and alumni explore new genres, engage with the UMBC community, and make reading fun.

Campus Updates

Important updates, planning efforts, operational information, and community news affecting UMBC.

• Strategic planning process moves into final drafting phase
  UMBC’s strategic planning steering committee shared a final academic year update outlining progress toward the university’s next strategic plan, with a full launch anticipated in fall 2026 alongside UMBC’s 60th anniversary celebration. 

• University shares FY27 budget planning and salary guidance updates
  Faculty and staff are encouraged to review recent communications from President Valerie Sheares Ashby and Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management regarding FY27 budget planning efforts, the 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA), and salary guidance effective July 1.

• High school graduation ceremonies expected to impact campus traffic and parking
  Beginning May 28 and continuing through early June, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena will host multiple high school graduation ceremonies that are expected to increase traffic and parking activity on campus, particularly before and after ceremony start times. 

University Milestones

Major achievements, recognitions, funding, and institutional accomplishments across UMBC.

• Celebrating the Class of 2026
  As UMBC celebrates Commencement, explore stories from graduating students and learn more about the experiences, achievements, and impact of the Class of 2026.

• UMBC launches Center for Precision Aquaculture
  UMBC researchers are leading a new federally funded initiative focused on sustainable fish farming, advancing innovation in aquaculture and environmental resilience. 

• UMBC Baseball clinches No. 2 seed and tournament bye
  After being picked to finish last in the preseason conference poll, UMBC Baseball secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the America East Tournament.

• Former UMBC soccer standouts face off as MLS starters
  Former Retrievers Jon Bell and Taylor Calheira became the first pair of UMBC alumni to start against each other in a Major League Soccer match, highlighting the program’s continued success developing professional talent.

More from across UMBC

Additional updates, resources, and community opportunities from across the university.

• UMBC opens a new chapter with inaugural BookFest — new campus event celebrating books, reading, and literary community at UMBC

• Make your plan to vote in the 2026 Maryland primary — information on voter registration deadlines, mail-in ballot drop boxes on campus, election judge opportunities, and additional civic engagement resources

Help Shape The UMBC Connection

As this effort continues to take shape, your feedback will help guide how we strengthen internal communications across the university. We welcome your input and invite you to share your feedback on The UMBC Connection.

If you would prefer, you are also welcome to reach out directly to Jessica McGroarty, Director of Internal Communications, at jmcgro@umbc.edu.

University Communications and Marketing

From late May through mid June, UMBC will host multiple high school graduation ceremonies at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. During this time, the campus community should expect increased traffic volume and parking demand, particularly around the Arena and Campus Loop.

The busiest traffic periods are expected approximately 60 minutes before and after each ceremony. During ceremonies themselves, traffic movement is generally lighter.

Guests attending ceremonies will primarily park in the lots surrounding the Arena, though additional impacts may be felt across nearby parking areas and roadways.

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, allow additional travel time, and use caution around increased pedestrian and vehicle activity on campus during these dates.

View the full graduation schedule and guest information here: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena Graduation Schedule

Thank you to UMBC Police and Auxiliary Services for helping support campus operations during this busy event period.

June marks National LGBTQ+ Pride Month and offers the nation the opportunity to reflect on the incredible contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Our nation is at its best when it welcomes, represents and includes people of all backgrounds. This includes people with disabilities and the intersections shared with the LGBTQ+ community. According to a study published in 2012, fully 36 percent of women in the LGBTQ+ community and 30 percent of men in the community also self-identify as people with disabilities. Learn more about the intersection via RespectAbility here, especially with Leah Ilana's essay on the need for safe refuge.  More  Disabled LBGTQ+ Profiles, in their own voices, are profiled here.
We celebrate with you! You matter! UMBC Resources include:

• UMBC Queer and Trans People of Color (QPOC) oSTEM Group for LGBTQ+ Students working in STEM fields
• Spectra UMBC for LGBTQ+ Mathematicians
• LGBTQ+ FSA - Faculty and Staff group
• The Pride Center is centrally located on the first floor of the UC (and an entrance with better accessibility is in the works
• LGBTQIA+ Resource Page via the Office of Equity and Civil Rights

For question about disability or accessibility at UMBC, undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities connect with Student Disability Services online (link) or via disability@umbc.edu.

Accessibility & Disability Services (link) administers employee (faculty, staff, graduate assistant and student worker) accommodations.  

UMBC's most recent Accessible Route map is linked here. 

Campus Accessibility Concerns may be reported via this online form

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Erik Mclean via Unsplash.com.

The RAC will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. We will be closed until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. 

RAC hours