Dear UMBC Community,

On behalf of the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Graduate Student Appreciation Week a memorable and meaningful celebration.
From engaging events and thoughtful moments of connection to the energy and care behind the scenes, this week was a true reflection of the dedication and brilliance that defines our graduate student community—and the incredible staff, faculty, and campus partners who support them.

We were especially proud to recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and excellence continue to shape UMBC for the better at this year’s GSA Awards. Please join us in celebrating the 2025 award recipients:

• Outstanding University Staff: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale
• Outstanding Graduate Student Organization: Pakistani Graduate Student Organization (PGSO)
• Donald Creighton Outstanding Faculty Award: Dr. Fernando Vonhoff
• Community Leadership Award: Janerra Allen
• Jessica Soto Perez Memorial Award: Rutvik Deshmukh
• Graduate Athlete of the Year: Jaliena Sanchez
• Alex Rittle Outstanding Senator Award: Mrunal Jadhav

We also wish to recognize our Honorable Mentions:

• Jessica Soto Perez Memorial Award: Darcie Adams
• Outstanding Senator: Soham Katkar
• Special Recognition: Ms. Pat

To every graduate student, staff member, faculty ally, and community partner—thank you. Your commitment, creativity, and collaboration made this week truly special. We are grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to uplift and support UMBC’s graduate student community.

With gratitude,
The Office of Graduate Student Life & Graduate Student Association
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Building a robust professional network is essential for career advancement, providing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and job prospects. To effectively network involves intentional relationship-building that aligns with your career goals. Here are key strategies to help you develop a meaningful and effective professional network:

1. Define Your Networking Objectives

Begin by identifying what you aim to achieve through networking. Whether it's exploring career paths, seeking mentorship, or discovering job opportunities, clear objectives will guide your efforts and help you connect with the right individuals.

2. Leverage Existing Connections

Start with your current network, including family, friends, professors, and classmates. These individuals can provide introductions to professionals in your desired field, expanding your network organically. Consider networking with people outside of your industry as well, so they can pass your name along to more relevant contacts. You can also give them permission to forward your resume to others.

3. Utilize Online Platforms

Platforms like LinkedIn and Retrievers Connect are invaluable for professional networking. Create a compelling profile that highlights your skills and experiences, along with information on what you’re looking for. Engage with content relevant to your industry, join professional associations, and connect with both alumni and industry professionals to broaden your reach.

4. Engage in Informational Interviews

Reach out to professionals in your field for informational interviews to gain insights into their career paths and industries. These conversations can provide valuable information and potentially lead to mentorship or job opportunities. If you’re not sure what questions to ask, take a look at our website and/or Career Guide for suggestions.

5. Attend Industry Events

Participating in industry events allows you to meet professionals and learn about current trends. Engaging in these settings demonstrates your commitment to your field and helps establish your presence within the professional community.

6. Offer Value to Your Network

Networking is a two-way street. Be willing to assist others by sharing information, offering support, or providing introductions. This reciprocity strengthens relationships and builds a supportive professional community.

7. Follow Up and Maintain Relationships

After initial meetings, send personalized follow-up messages expressing appreciation for the conversation and reiterating your interest in staying connected. Regularly engage with your contacts to maintain and strengthen these relationships over time.

Put it All into Practice

During Career Month, we are hosting events all month long that could provide you with an opportunity to practice your networking skills. These events include an Art & Industry event on April 16 and an Industry Fair in the Sciences on April 23. Register now for one (or both!) of these events and take a proactive step toward advancing your career through strategic networking.

The following message was shared with the UMBC community on April 15 to announce the naming of a new vice provost and dean of the Graduate School:

* * * * *

Dear UMBC Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Christa J. Porter as the next vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. Christa joins UMBC on July 1 from Kent State University in Ohio where she serves as the interim dean of the Graduate College and as a faculty member. 

The vice provost and dean of the Graduate School is a key position in serving the university to guide the future of graduate education and graduate student success at UMBC. Christa is a collaborative leader who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to inclusive excellence and student success to the role. She brings substantial administrative experience at the department and university level, working across colleges and divisions in a shared governance environment. 

As we embark on strategic planning, Christa also has significant experience in this space. In addition to her administrative experience, Christa brings a very strong record as a faculty member. Christa is a nationally recognized scholar, teacher, and mentor. Her areas of expertise include the socialization and trajectory of Black women in higher education, student development at the intersections of identities, and research and praxis in higher education and student affairs. In addition to serving as the next vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, Christa will also have a faculty appointment in the Language, Literacy, and Culture doctoral program.

Christa earned a Ph.D. in college student affairs administration and an interdisciplinary qualitative research studies certificate at the University of Georgia, a M.A. in higher education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.A. in social relations and policy from Michigan State University.

I want to give a special thanks to Jeffrey Halverson, who has selflessly served as the interim vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. His thoughtful leadership has been invaluable during this season of transition. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ana Oskoz for chairing the search committee and everyone who was involved in the search process. I appreciate your continued commitment to graduate education at UMBC. 

Please welcome Christa to the UMBC community as she returns to Maryland. 

Sincerely, 

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

REMINDER - join SAPH for this lecture tomorrow afternoon! 

Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 4pm | AOK Library Gallery

Deborah A. Thomas, Ph.D.
2024 Guggenheim Fellow
Director, Center for Experimental Ethnography
Department Chair and 
R. Jean Brownlee Professor of Anthropology
University of Pennsylvania

The Question of Bodily Sovereignty, or Anthropology as Vulnerable Praxis

Full event schedule and extra details can be found in the original post. See the UMBC Game Developers Club post HERE.