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.

Program Highlights

• $1,500 stipend for full participation

• Structured cohort-based learning with peers across USM

• Opportunity to design and implement an AI-infused intervention in your own course

• Leadership experience facilitating faculty development workshops

Who Should Apply

We’re seeking faculty who are already experimenting with generative AI in their teaching and are interested in peer leadership and workshop facilitation. The full call for applications can be found here with complete details on requirements, expectations, and the application process.

The application deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026.

Regards, 

Anupam Joshi
Vice Provost and Chief AI Officer

Ana Oskoz
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Reposted from UMBC News: Meyerhoff Scholars Program Celebrates 500th Ph.D. by Sarah Hansen

This spring, the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at UMBC celebrates a landmark achievement: 500 program graduates have earned a Ph.D.

The milestone highlights the program’s success as the nation’s original model for increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Grounded in high expectations and robust support, Meyerhoff Scholars consistently go on to excel in top graduate programs and lead in academia, industry, and government while mentoring the next generation. UMBC has maintained its position as the national leader in producing Black M.D./Ph.D. graduates: Between 2014 and 2024, UMBC alumni accounted for 15 percent of all such dual-degree recipients nationwide, far outpacing any other institution. UMBC is also the leader in graduating Black students who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the life sciences, math and computer sciences, and engineering.

Keith Harmon, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, celebrates graduating scholars at the 2024 Meyerhoff Senior Reception. (Jim Burger for UMBC)

Joseph Washington ’97, mechanical engineering, a member of the fourth Meyerhoff cohort (M4), embodies this trajectory. A first-generation college student, he initially considered trade school after a knee injury derailed his plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. The Meyerhoff scholarship changed his path. In particular, Selection Weekend for admitted Meyerhoff Scholars and Summer Bridge, intensive group programming prior to the scholars’ first UMBC semester, affirmed his identity and potential: “The most important message I internalized from the Meyerhoff program was that I can be Black and intelligent,” he recalls.

Washington earned a master’s degree before returning to UMBC for his Ph.D. Today, he serves as an assistant teaching professor at UMBC at the Universities at Shady Grove. He mentors students informally, advises the UMBC chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and creates space for Meyerhoff Scholars to discuss graduate school and careers. “UMBC has always felt like home,” he says. “I would not be here if not for the Meyerhoff Scholars Program.”

A family tradition

Sadella Santos ’12, chemical engineering, M20, and her sister Melissa Santos ’12, chemical engineering, M19, also credit the program with shaping their journeys. Sadella, a senior scientist at Exponent, Inc. with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, values the emphasis on community. “Academic success is a collective effort, rather than individual competition,” she says. “At work, I champion the message that diverse perspectives are necessary to drive scientific progress.” She pays it forward by reviewing abstracts for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) and hosting lab visits to expose high school students to possible careers.

Meyerhoff Scholar alumni gathered at the 2022 Meyerhoff Family Meeting. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

Melissa, who earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering followed by a J.D., applies problem-solving and adaptability skills honed through Meyerhoff to her legal career. She recently participated in a panel for McNair Scholars on summer research experiences. “Community and network are important,” she notes. “Surround yourself with people who will support you but also challenge you to grow.”

Meyerhoff scholars often refer to themselves as family—and that’s especially true for the Santoses. Justin Santos ’17, biochemistry and molecular biology, M25, is the third scholar in the family. He is completing his M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience at Emory University this spring and will begin residency in emergency medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. He mentors students pursuing clinical-scientist careers and assists with ABRCMS abstract reviews. “High-quality, comprehensive mentorship” was invaluable to him, and he works to provide that same guidance to others.

Reaching back to pay it forward

Naomi Mburu ’18, M26, chemical engineering, was UMBC’s first Rhodes Scholar, attending Oxford University on one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scholarships. She earned a D.Phil. in engineering science from the University of Oxford and today serves as lead analyst at Fusion Advisory Services, providing analysis of the fusion industry to a wide range of stakeholders. Meyerhoff pushed her beyond her comfort zone into leadership roles and strengthened her public speaking and networking skills, she says. She now reviews scholarship essays for UMBC students and organizes summer internships to bring diverse talent into the fusion energy field. “Supporting the next generation is so important,” she says. “I have only come this far myself with the help of my own mentors.”

From left to right, UMBC sophomore Amir Walton-Irvin, and juniors Jessica Slaughter, Deeya Mistry, and Phoenix Bryant all received a Goldwater Scholarship this year—and all four are Meyerhoff Scholars. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)

These alumni illustrate the program’s lasting influence. Meyerhoff Scholars do not simply succeed—they reach back, creating opportunities and building communities for current students and early-career researchers. The model’s impact now extends even further: universities including Penn State, UNC-Chapel Hill, UC Berkeley, Stony Brook, and others have adapted key elements of the Meyerhoff approach with support from funders such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Simons Foundation. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has also been a long-term supporter of Meyerhoff and its replications.

With more than 2,200 undergraduates supported to date and a national reputation for producing leaders committed to diversity in STEM, the 500th Ph.D. stands as compelling proof of the Meyerhoff model’s effectiveness. As alumni advance in their fields and invest in those who follow, the Meyerhoff Scholars Program continues to change lives one by one, transforming the face of American science through excellence, community, and a powerful ripple effect that will benefit generations to come.

Sign up for the Fall 2026 Monthly Payment Plan to pay your Fall tuition in 4 easy installments. 

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 Fall 2026 Monthly Payment Plan

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Hello beautiful people! The semester has flown by, and now our last event of the semester is TOMORROW :0  Come out to the Pride Center from 2:30-4:30 to share food and spend time with friends before finals! You can sign up to bring food here

Hello everyone! It’s the final countdown of the semester!

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Updates and Events:

The Global Pantry Initiative (Aftermath):

Thank you to all who submitted ingredients ideas, the initiative has been a huge success! Furthermore, if you would like to see more cultural ingredients from these regions, or any culture, please feel free to input them in our suggestion box below. The more inputs we get, the more we can give!

Earth Day Free Farmers Market Recap:

During our first ever Earth Day Farmer’s Market, we were able to give out over 2.5k lbs of food to almost 300 UMBC students and faculty. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community!----

Data:

In the month of April, we’ve distributed nearly 13k lbs worth of food and other household essentials. This includes data from our Essential Space, Free Farmers Market on Thursdays, and our Earth day farmers market.

Thank you all for your support and presence this semester!

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Suggestion Box:

To improve on our services, and try to address everyone’s different needs, we would love to hear your feedback!

https://forms.gle/oUvd1EaMcmmasKFn8

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read our newsletter, and good luck on finals!

If you have any questions about what we provide, volunteering opportunities, or general inquiries, feel free to email us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu at any time!

Sincerely,

The Retriever Essentials Team

Hi everyone!

We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!  

Reposted from UMBC News: Eight Retrievers awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships by Sarah Hansen

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Eight UMBC students and alumni have been awarded the prestigious 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP), a highly competitive honor that supports outstanding graduate students in STEM disciplines. This year's large cohort of Retriever recipients demonstrates the university's commitment to fostering research excellence and preparing students to become leaders in their fields. Three of the eight recipients are connected to the CBEE department. 

Meredith Morse '25, chemical engineering, and Terra Miley '25, chemical engineering, are both conducting doctoral work at the University of Delaware. Both credit their time in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering as foundational to their success.

For Terra, her undergraduate experience was transformative in every sense:

"My experiences at UMBC within CBEE have truly led me to exactly where I am today. The CBEE department is a very special place filled with opportunities and faculty and staff that truly support its students. The transformative research opportunities, mentorship, supportive community, and the education I received from the department allowed me to build the foundation I needed to grow as a leader and pursue my PhD."

Terra's research in Dr. Govind Rao's lab at the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology sparked a passion that now drives her doctoral work:

"Working in Dr. Govind Rao's lab exposed me to research that pushed the boundaries of what engineering and biology can do together, especially through novel, accessible tools in sensor technology. My research experience at UMBC evolved into the curiosity that motivates my research today, in using an engineering approach to transform science in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry to make medicines and pharmaceuticals more accessible."

Terra also highlighted the broader mentorship network that supported her journey: "Apart from just my research mentors, I was lucky to have other mentors, like Dr. Neha Raikar, who supported me in many different advisor roles — academic, organizational through AIChE, and teaching — and served as a constant source of encouragement throughout my undergraduate experience."

Meredith similarly points to her UMBC experience as essential preparation for graduate school:

"My experience as an undergrad at UMBC prepared me well for my next step as a PhD student. The rigorous coursework, research experience, and involvement in organizations including AIChE and CWIT helped me develop both professionally and personally. The most important thing I gained from my time at UMBC was grit — the ability to persevere through the challenges and difficulties that come with graduate school."

Her curiosity about microbial systems, sparked during undergraduate research, now defines her doctoral focus:

"At UMBC, I investigated how the fungal cell wall is regulated and how that impacts the performance of sustainable materials made out of fungi. Now as a graduate student at Delaware, I am investigating how microbial communities can be leveraged to break down plastic waste. I am excited by developing sustainable solutions to global challenges by pursuing a career in research, starting with obtaining my PhD."

Meredith also emphasized the lasting impact of faculty mentorship: "I benefited greatly from the support of my many mentors at UMBC, but in particular my research mentor Dr. Mark Marten. I met Dr. Marten through CWIT's faculty-mentor program in my freshman year, and he provided me advice and guidance throughout my college career. He helped me face my imposter syndrome and build confidence in myself as a researcher."

Sydney Braithwaite, who completed her bachelor's in forensic chemistry at Towson University, will bring her fellowship to UMBC for doctoral study with Lee Blaney, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Her path to UMBC began with a research experience that changed her trajectory:

"In summer of 2023, I participated in the BEMORE REU at UMBC and worked with Dr. Lee Blaney's lab on their anion exchange passive sampler project. That summer opened my eyes to the possibilities of research as a career, and I made connections with Dr. Blaney's lab and the rest of my cohort that persist to this day. This is part of why I came back to UMBC for my PhD. With Dr. Blaney as my mentor, I'm excited to come back and work with him and the rest of the Blaney lab on their various PFAS-centric and nutrient recovery projects."

The GRFP provides three years of financial support, including an annual living stipend and funds for tuition and fees. Recipients can take their fellowship to any institution in the U.S., making it easier for students to pursue the research they are passionate about with faculty who share their enthusiasm, regardless of the resources available at the host institution.

These fellowships are a testament to the drive and talent of UMBC's graduates as they take on new challenges along their research journeys. Each is in a strong position to make their mark on scientific discovery and innovation across the country.

Living Water is having our LAST Large Group tonight Thursday 5/7, at 7:30PM in MEYER030!

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors at our Senior Send Off! Come encourage them, share memories, and send them into their next season grounded in Christ and surrounded by the love of Living Water!!

We saved you a seat!! Hope to see you tonight :D

Donate your gently used items as you pack up for Summer Break!
In partnership with ResLife and Retriever Essentials, the Office of Sustainability has created the Retriever ReStore, to collect and redistribute donated items from student move out back to our community to keep them out of the landfill.

Green collection bins are placed in the lobbies of each residential building, including the ACC and Walker Clubhouse, to donate your unwanted belongings.

Donated items will be collected by volunteers, and will be available to shop from for free in the ReStore Pop Up in Upper Flat Tuesdays as collection goes on. At this time we are NOT accepting clothing or linens. See below for a list of accepted items!

 Sign up for a collection volunteeer shift to get first dibs on incoming donations.  

Contact sustainability@umbc.edu with any questions.

COEIT Adjunct Faculty only!

Please select one of the candidates below who you would like to have represent your college as part of the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee for 2026-2028. Voting ends Thursday 5/14/26.