Are you thinking about starting a business now or someday in the future? Do you have ideas that you'd like to pursue?

Our entrepreneurship courses cover the bases and help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset so they can be effective problem solvers who think outside the box!

• ENTR 200: Introduction to Entrepreneurship This course cover the basics of what you need to know and where to start!  Class sessions will focus on identifying problems and solutions, customers, and the basics of funding.
  **Starting this fall, ENTR 200 will count as a Social Science GEP!

    Course Sections being offered:

1. In-Person: Monday: 4:30-7 pm
2. In-Person: Tuesday: 4:30-7 pm,
3. Hybrid Section: Wednesday: 4:30-7 pm   This section will meet in-person for the first and last class sections, and online for the remainder of the semester.

• ENTR 201:  The Entrepreneurial Mindset This course focuses on helping students develop the problem solving skills and attributes needed to solve real-world problems.

     Course Sections being offered (both sections are in-person)

1. Monday: 4:30-7 pm
2. Tuesday: 4:30-7 pm

• ENTR 330: Entrepreneurial Finance (offered every Fall semester) This course goes deeper than the basics in a beginning business plan and students learn about how to develop a healthy financial plan for a venture that is sustainable.

1. Wednesday: 4:30-7 pm

Dear Colleagues,

We are sharing the message sent to all students today, which outlines key well-being resources and academic information to support them throughout finals week. We hope this is helpful if you encounter a student in need of guidance or care.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to UMBC.

We wish you a successful end to the semester.

Sincerely,

Carlos Jensen
Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Renique T. Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs

Christa J. Porter
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School 

Dear Students,

You are almost there! As you head into finals week, we want you to know that UMBC is here to support both your academic success and your well-being. This can be a stressful time of year, and it is more than okay to ask for help. 

If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, we encourage you to utilize the many health and wellness resources available to support your well-being. If you are concerned about someone else, don’t know where to begin, or are in need of food or other basic need support, Retriever Care and Essential Needs and Connections are available to help. (Retriever Essentials hours will remain the same through Commencement; updated hours for summer will be posted on myUMBC.) If you just need a break, drop by the Retriever Activities Center.

Finals Week Support and Events 

For support during Study Day on May 13, we encourage you to drop into StudyCon at the library to relax and refuel. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., you can also swing by the Library Plaza for Donut Stress with the vice president for student affairs and Hugs N High Fives for good vibes for finals (plus giveaways!) with UMBC families. Graduate students are invited to participate in the Grad Retriever Breakfast on May 13 and/or the daily Grad Finals Reset space at the Office of Graduate Student Life from May 13 through 19 in The Commons 308. Additionally, if you need research help, the Library's Research Help Desk will be open extended hours May 11 through 19.

Below you will find the final exam schedule, how to view your grades, and official transcript information for spring 2026 graduates.

Final Exam Information

• General final exam schedule 

  • Please confirm dates and times with your instructor. 

  • If the university is closed for any reason (e.g., inclement weather), final exams move to the next available weekday. The first available weekday after finals is Friday, May 22. 

Viewing Your Grades

• Instructors must submit grades by Tuesday, May 26.

  • View your spring semester grades as they are posted on your myUMBC account. 

  • Transcripts will not reflect updated end-of-term summaries (i.e., updated GPA, repeated courses, academic standing, semester honors, etc.) until Friday, June 3.

Transcripts for Spring 2026 Graduates

•  Applicants for spring 2026 graduation

  • Eligible undergraduate students will see their degrees on their official transcripts starting June 19. 

  • Eligible graduate students will see their degrees on their official transcripts starting June 30.

  • For more information, please refer to the Grading Schedule.

To Our Graduating Students

Many of you are also preparing to graduate next week, and we could not be more proud of all you have accomplished during your time at UMBC. Your resilience, hard work, creativity, and determination have helped shape our campus community in meaningful ways, and we are excited to see all that you will do next.

Congratulations on this incredible achievement. As you begin this next chapter, we hope you
will remain connected to UMBC as alumni and know that you will always be part of the Retriever community.

Best of luck on your finals. We hope you take time to rest, recharge, and celebrate all that you have accomplished this semester and throughout the academic year. Whether you are returning in the fall or graduating this month, we are cheering you on every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Carlos Jensen
Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Renique T. Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs

Christa J. Porter
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School 

Got Flex? 👀 Use it before it expires at 8 PM on May 20!

Stock up on Flash FLEX Warehouse Sale favorites like bulk snacks, protein bars, drinks, and more 🍫🥤📦 Visit the Google Link in our bio to place your order. Flex is charged at submission.

Order this weekend for a special 10% off your order 🔥

DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities CAH is seeking dynamic undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in arts management to intern in its Arts Education, Communications, Culture & Community, Events, Grants, Public Arts, & Resource Allocation Departments for Summer 2026.

Hours: 2026 Summer Internship: Hours vary by department (minimum 20 hours/week)

Reports to: Arts Education Coordinator and Department Head

Attends: All Staff Meetings (ad hoc); Department Meetings (weekly); Commissioner Committee Meetings (ad hoc)

Pay: CAH provides a one-time stipend of $2,500.00, disbursed at the conclusion of the internship tenure

Application Deadline: EXTENDED to May 15th, 2026

See link for full details about each position and how to apply: https://dcarts.dc.gov/page/volunteer-and-intern-opportunities

Earlier this week I was a guest on Rob Bennett’s radio show at WMBC. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Rob and so appreciate the relationship with shared governance partners as we work together (and have so much respect for Rob as he continues to give so much to our university community through his teaching and service while also finding time to present a radio show!). Rob always asks his guests to select a song and I chose Peace Train by Cat Stevens/Yusuf. I love the song and thought it was timely as well. 

Music has always played a central role in my life. Music makes me happy and I generally start the day with listening to music. Music can be both calming and inspiring, energizing and elevating. For me it sets the tone of the day and gets me ready for what comes my way. I love listening to our students and faculty play and am so appreciative we have a wonderful Department of Music! What song gets you going in the morning? 

As we end the year, there are celebrations galore. On Thursday evening I spoke at the McNair Induction Ceremony. I left the students a message of three songs as they go forward:

1. Make your own kind of music

2. Just breathe

3. Everybody needs an angel

What is your song to send graduates on their way? Please share it here. We will highlight the results next week.

___________________________________

NEWS & NOTES

CNMS Dean Search Candidate Open Forums

Tuesday, May 12, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., Library Gallery

Thursday, May 14, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., University Center 310

Monday, May 18, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m., University Center 310

We invite you to join us at an open forum with each of the three finalists for the dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Science. During the forums, the candidates will share their academic journey, present a vision for the college, and participate in an open Q&A session with attendees. Forums will be moderated by the search committee chair. For additional information on the position, please visit the Provost Leadership Search listing.

Your participation is vital to the selection process, and we encourage you to join us for these important events. 

Call for Faculty Applications: 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program

The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is now accepting applications for the Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program for 2026-2027. This year-long program offers faculty a unique opportunity to deepen their expertise in AI pedagogy while contributing to evidence-based teaching practices across our system.

Learn more about the call for faculty applications for the 2026-27 Generative AI Pedagogy Fellows Program.

Communication Survey

All faculty and staff are invited to participate in a short survey about how information is shared across UMBC. The survey, which you should have received in an email earlier this week, focuses on the tools, platforms, and processes used to share information, as well as your experience receiving and using that information in your day-to-day work or studies. This includes things like email, myUMBC, Webex, websites, and other systems, along with how clearly and consistently information reaches you.

The survey will remain open through Friday, May 15. Responses are confidential and will be reported in aggregate. Please contact Jessica McGroarty with any questions. 

Explore the New UMBC Connection: A Faculty & Staff Newsletter

The UMBC Connection is a new e-newsletter from University Communications and Marketing (UCM), designed to help bring more visibility to that work through a thoughtful selection of updates, opportunities, achievements, and milestones from across the university. The newsletter is developed in partnership with a network of contributors representing colleges, divisions, and administrative units across UMBC, helping ensure a broader view of what is happening throughout our community.

Explore The UMBC Connection.

Provide Open Access (free access) to You Works in ScholarWorks@UMBC

Providing open access (free access) to your publications makes them available to more people and increases citations. You can provide open access to your works in ScholarWorks@UMBC without paying article processing charges.

The Albin O. Kuhn Library will add works to ScholarWorks@UMBC for you. Simply send a link to your Google Scholar page or your publications website, your CV, or a list of your works to Claire Johnson. The library staff can also add unpublished works such as presentation slides if you send them.

If you've previously sent a list of publications, or a link to a list of publications, you don't need to do anything. Each year, the library staff automatically adds your new works, contacting you if anything is needed. 

____________________________________

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Using Generative AI to Support Your Course Design: A Faculty Workshop

Use AI iteratively to align course objectives & activities.

Monday, June 1, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Virtual

Join colleagues to explore how generative AI can support teaching, course design, and student learning and where faculty judgment remains essential. 

This session practically demonstrates how generative AI can support course design when embedded within a backwards‑design workflow. Rather than isolated prompting, faculty will learn to use AI iteratively to align objectives, assessments, and course activities. Participants will gain repeatable, model‑agnostic workflows for using Gen AI to augment design while preserving faculty voice and pedagogical intent. 

The FDC is co-sponsoring this workshop, facilitated by John Schumacher, professor of sociology, anthropology and public health and a USM Generative AI Pedagogy Fellow for 2025-26. This workshop is a condensed version of The AI-Assisted Educator: A Course Design Sprint that was initially offered in January 2026.

Register for part III of Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Series.

Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

University Center Ballroom

3-5 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Reception

Please join us in celebrating this year’s Presidential Faculty and Staff awardees, University System of Maryland awardees, and additional distinguished university honorees. 

Learn more and register for the Presidential Faculty Awards Ceremony. 

2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition

May 13 – 22

Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture

The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents the 2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition, on display from May 13 through 22, presenting the broad and dynamic scope of senior undergraduate student work within the Department of Visual Arts.

2026 Visual Arts Senior Exhibition

___________________________________

Help Make this Newsletter Better

The goal each week of this message is to deepen our connection to UMBC, whether that is learning about an upcoming event, a divisional accomplishment, an innovative program, or an update from the Office of the Provost. If you know of a program or event that should be highlighted, please share it here.

We are so excited to celebrate graduating students and honor our UMBC members across our Asian, Black, and Latine diasporic community over the next two weeks with our end-of-year celebrations and awards. 

For those unable to attend the Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards, the Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards, or who are members of the Indigenous Peoples Union, you can still receive your honorary graduation cord! 

Cord Pick-Up Details:

Monday, May 11 - Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Available during Mosaic's regular operating hours

Friday, May 15: 10 AM - 5 PM

Tuesday, May 19: 10 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday, May 20: 10 AM - 5 PM

Stop by the Mosaic Center (2B23) and check in with a staff member to receive your cord(s). 

We wish you all the best as we come into finals! 

For questions, please contact:

Carolina Silva (she/her)

Graduate Assistant for the Mosaic Center

themosaic@umbc.edu

Let’s be real: your inbox deserves a break from "Reply All" chains and a chance to provide news you can use. Dive into the latest ESS Newsletter to catch up on the campus updates that impact your workday—consider it your professional survival guide, just with significantly better formatting.

Happy Friday!

Join us today at 12 PM via WebEx for our last GBM of the semester with Norah Moturi from Notre Dame University of Maryland. She’ll be sharing more about their PA program and answering your questions.

Thank you for a great semester, and good luck with your finals!

umbcprepa Official: Instagram | Linktree

Congratulations to our new E-Board members! As a reminder, if you won a position please check your emails.

President – Ayesha Mirza

Vice President – Tehilla Solomon

Secretary – Lylla Hanif

Treasurer – Amina Khan

Public Relations – Shelby Smith

Historian – Lylla Hanif

The library will be open extended hours during finals!

Extended Circulation and Building Hours
Monday - Thursday, May 11-14: 8 AM - 12 AM
Friday, May 15: 8 AM - 8 PM
Saturday, May 16: 10 AM - 8 PM
Sunday, May 17: 12 PM - 12 AM
Monday - Tuesday, May 18-19: 8 AM - 12 AM

Extended Research Help Desk and Chat Hours
Monday - Thursday, May 11-14: 9 AM - 8 PM
Friday, May 15: 10 AM - 5 PM
Saturday, May 16: 2-5 PM (Chat)
Sunday, May 17: 12-6 PM
Monday - Tuesday, May 18-19: 9 AM - 6 PM

To make a research appointment, visit https://library.umbc.edu/makearesearchappt