B.A.: Ethics of Patient Centered Medicine

Degree Mentors:

• Dr. Blake Francis, Director of Human Context of Science & Technology (HCST)| UMBC Assistant Professor, UMBC Philosophy
• Dr. Michelle Seu, MD Loyola Medicine |UMBC INDS Alumni, B.S. Biology & B.A. INDS
• Carrie Sauter, Assistant Director, Individualized Study Program
• Eric Brown, Assistant Teaching Professor, Individualized Study Program

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because I was interested in multiple aspects of knowledge, more specifically, in healthcare. INDS offered a route that allowed me to take control of my time and education in college, and I am so grateful to be leaving with an invaluable degree that I got to make myself. Not only do I get to leave with my unique degree, but I also get to leave with the experience of completing a capstone project. After I graduate, I get to look back and be proud of the amount of time and effort I spilled into my INDS degree.

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

As a pre-medical student, my goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. My INDS degree is intentionally designed to address the ethical, psychological, social, and historical dimensions of medicine that are especially central to patient-centered care. Grounded in a holistic approach, my coursework integrates philosophy and ethics, sociology, psychology, gender studies, anthropology, and the history of medicine to examine how identity, power, trauma, and structural inequities shape healthcare experiences. These are all relevant to reproductive health, where autonomy, justice, and communication are essential. My capstone research on the healthcare and reproductive health experiences of women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) further strengthens my commitment to inclusive, disability-competent care. I trust that my INDS degree will aid me in becoming a reflective, ethical, and compassionate doctor who prioritizes empathy, autonomy, and equitable care.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?

Clubs/Organizations:

• President, Filipino- American Student Association

For More information on Tristen's INDS journey please click here!

Thank you to everyone who ran for positions and voted in our elections! We have filled all of our officer positions for the 2026-2027 year! Here are the results: 

President: Neha Mathew

Vice President: Nicholas Mocko

Treasurer: Rebecca Lee

Secretary: Madeline Ivester

Congratulations to our new officers! We look forward to seeing what you have in store for next year! 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact our secretary at sbraun1@umbc.edu. 

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The Leadership Alliance’s Virtual Professional Development Series (VPD) is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in exploring a research career. The VPD is designed for all students - from those who are just beginning to understand what research is to those with multiple research experiences. The VPD will:

• Improve your understanding of the overall research process
• Provide a better understanding of research opportunities across disciplines and subject areas
• Introduce you to professionals in industry, academia, and government who are affecting social change through their research
• Give you increased confidence for future research opportunities and graduate school application processes
• Improve your networking skills and expand your network at multiple career levels
• Understand the careers that are available to research professionals
• Inspire hope, ignite curiosity, and help propel you to the next phase of your academic career

This program is FREE and runs from June 1 through July 17, 2026, and will feature:

• Weekly "Conversations with a Doctoral Scholar" (Leadership Alliance alumni who have received their PhDs or MD-PhDs) on Mondays at 4 pm EDT
• Professional Development Workshops on Wednesdays at 4 pm EDT
• Graduate School Recruitment and Info Sessions on Thursdays from 3 - 4 pm EDT and 4 - 5 pm EDT, and on Fridays 2 - 3 pm EDT, and 3 - 4 pm EDT.
• The opportunity to connect with peers, mentors, and future colleagues

Participation in most events can happen synchronously (live - strongly encouraged if the option is available to you) or asynchronously (through recordings and related follow-up activities). All registered participants will be enrolled in a Google Classroom where all workshop and program materials will be stored.

The Leadership Alliance will present a digital badge/certificate of completion to students who:

• Attend (or asynchronously view) at least 5 of the 7 Wednesday Workshops
• Visit at least 4 Graduate School Recruitment and info sessions
• Submit a question for at least 2 of the 7 "Conversations with a Doctoral Scholar" sessions
• Follow The Leadership Alliance on LinkedIn
• Complete a post-survey

Participants will be able to upload their digital badge to various platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc) and share with prospective employers and graduate institutions via email.

Program information and the link to register can be found on The Leadership Alliance's website here: https://theleadershipalliance.org/virtual-professional-development

Daveed Diggs has fundamentally transformed the modern cultural landscape by dismantling the traditional boundaries between genres and identities. In the entertainment world, his breakout performance in Hamilton showcased a rare technical dexterity, blending high-speed hip-hop with classic theatricality to earn both a Tony and a Grammy. Beyond Broadway, Diggs has pioneered a gritty, intellectual realism through his writing and production in Blindspotting, while simultaneously anchoring complex sci-fi narratives like Snowpiercer and the 2026 film In the Blink of an Eye.

His impact on Jewish American Heritage is equally profound. As a Black Jewish man, Diggs provides a visible and vibrant counter-narrative to monolithic depictions of Jewish identity. By consistently celebrating his dual heritage—notably through the cultural landmark "Puppy for Hanukkah"—he has normalized intersectionality for a global audience. This work offers authentic representation for Jews of color, ensuring that the Jewish American experience is recognized in its full diversity.

Ultimately, Diggs represents a new era of the American "multihyphenate." By refusing to silo his identities or his experimental and mainstream pursuits, he has expanded the parameters of creative excellence, proving that authenticity is the ultimate catalyst for cultural progress.

Want to make an impact while growing as a leader? Become a Peer Leader for the STEM LLC! Peer Leaders help build community, support incoming students, and create meaningful connections within the LLC experience. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen your leadership, communication, and mentorship skills while gaining valuable experience for future careers and graduate opportunities. Plus, you’ll play an important role in helping fellow STEM students feel connected, supported, and successful at UMBC!

Apply to become a peer leader here!

If you have Blue Books you no longer need, please contact Julie at julier@umbc.edu to arrange for us to pick up.

Please share with others.

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Women in Cybersecurity will be postponing their election to Fall 2026. In-person elections will take place at the start of next semester and all are welcome to run. Those who have already applied through the Google Form will be notified and are welcome to run again if interested. Election date, time, and place will be announced around that time.

Apologies for the inconvenience and see you next semester for our new board selection!

UPDATE: The standing desk has a new home! 

*********** Current faculty or staff members of AAAFSC, if you need a standing desk, please reach out to suns@umbc.edu.  A gently used VariDesk Pro Plus 36 is looking for a new home on campus. Need a cart to transport. ***********

The UMBC Instructional Technology Update is provided by the Division of Information Technology for students, faculty and staff. If you have questions or need help, please consult the Blackboard Help FAQs or directly at www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help.  You can also contact the Technology Support Center at 410.455.3838 or submit an RT (Request Tracker) ticket via the myUMBC Help Menu or directly at my.umbc.edu/help.

HEADLINES

What’s New: Digital Accessibility (DA)

• SP26 Provost’s Perspectives on DA: 3/13 & 4/24 (including delayed Federal implementation)

• Making Math Accessible: A Practical Guide for STEM Instructors 

• Raise a FA26 Bb Course Ally Score by Fixing the Prior Version

• Achieve ‘Strive for 85’ DA Goal: Enroll in CoRE Foundations

• DA Steering Committee Launches 'Strive for 85' Ally Course Accessibility Goal

• UMBC Adopts Mathpix Snip to Advance STEM Digital Accessibility

• Beyond Compliance: How MLLI is Redefining Inclusive Pedagogy 

• Access in Action: 3 Minutes with Faculty Senate President Nancy Kusmaul 

Additional Updates

• Blackboard News

  • SU2026 Courses Created in Blackboard on April 16, 2026

  • Reminder: Blackboard Courses Scheduled for Server Retirement  

  • Latest updates to Ultra courses

• 2026-27 Learning Analytics Mini Grants CFP Due Friday, 6/5/26

Training & Professional Development (view upcoming events)

• Course Roadmap to Equity Digital Accessibility Summer Camp

  • Session 1: June 3 (12 PM - 3 PM): Fine Arts & Humanities

  • Session 2: June 10 (12 PM - 3 PM): STEM & Social Sciences

• What’s New in Ultra for Teaching & Learning (5.15)

• Improve Your Course Accessibility Score with Ally (6.2)

In Case You Missed It: Recordings & Tips (myUMBC login required)

• YuJa Migration Video Collection 

  • Organization Tips for Your Media Library

• Digital Accessibility

  • Practical Fixes for Digital Accessibility in STEM with Dr. Sarah Bass 

  • Accessible Math Collection 

  • Getting Started with Digital Accessibility Collection

  • Website Accessibility Tips

Other DoIT & UMBC News

• Spring Cleaning Your Cloud Storage

• Streamlining Transcription: How DoIT and the AOK Library Leveraged AWS to Enhance Media Accessibility at UMBC

• Accessibility & usability updates for myUMBC (phase 1 & phase 2)

• New Deadline, Same Mission: The accessibility mandate has been extended, but our commitment remains

• New Sites resources, site admin training, and project phases for accessibility 

• UMBC REX Analytics Adds New Portal & Hub 

• Upgrade Alert: RT 6 Has Arrived!