The application is now LIVE for the 2026-2027 Exempt Staff Mentoring Program with a deadline of Friday, May 8th. The new cohort of the program will kick off in July 2026 and run through June 2027. New exempt staff members (typically at UMBC less than 3 years) are encouraged to apply to be mentees and all exempt staff members (typically at UMBC for 3 years or longer) are encouraged to apply to be mentors! Contact Jess Wyatt (jwy@umbc.edu) or Steve Harris (stevenh1@umbc.edu) directly with questions.

Apply here! - ESS Mentoring Program Application

Art Rysing 2026: Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation is a citywide celebration of art, equity, and community healing through creative expression.

Date: Saturday, 4/18

Time: 1 PM-5 PM

Locaton: Rita Rossi Colwell Center [IMET] Building on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

FREE!

• Building on the legacy of previous Art Rysing gatherings as a creative response to the murder of Freddie Gray in 2015, this year’s 11th convening expands its reach and impact, bringing together youth arts organizations, cultural leaders, educators, and community visionaries who use art as a catalyst for justice, belonging, and renewal. 
• Hosted at the Rita Rossi Colwell Center [IMET] Building on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Art Rysing 2026 will showcase the transformative power of the arts to bridge divides, amplify silenced voices, and foster truth-telling in pursuit of racial equity and collective healing.
• Interactive stations take place 1-3pm. Performances happen 3-5pm. 
• The event is all ages with the caveat that some of the subject matter in the performance is of a serious nature in that gun violence, community violence, juvenile justice, addiction, incarceration, and other social justice issues are put on stage. 
• Register either through the QR code in the attached flyer or go to the WEBSITE.  

By: Bruna de Padua
Photo Credit: Zach Seidel

Zach Seidel is the Director of Digital Media for UMBC Athletics, and he also teaches in the Media and Communication Studies department. He has been part of the UMBC community for so long that the campus almost feels like a second home to him. His parents both graduated from UMBC, so he grew up hearing about the school and going to different events. His personal connection to the university grew even stronger when he started interning in the Athletics Department during his senior year of high school in 2007. What started as a simple internship eventually turned into a huge part of his life and career, and he still enjoys being surrounded by the energy and excitement of college athletics.

Zach completed his B.A. in Media and Communication Studies, added a minor in American Studies, and was part of the Honors College and the Humanities Scholars program. He has always been the kind of person who pays attention to how stories are told and how people interact with media. That curiosity naturally led him into studying media at a deeper level. Later on, he chose to pursue an M.S. in Human-Centered Computing because he became fascinated with the way technology and design can shape people’s experiences. It was the perfect blend of creativity, communication, and innovation, and it helped him develop a broader perspective on digital media and the ways people use it.

At UMBC, Zach teaches MCS 316, which is the sports broadcasting course. A lot of students come into the class thinking broadcasting is mainly about pointing a camera at the action and letting things run, but he loves showing them how much more goes on behind the scenes. Broadcasting a game means planning every detail, organizing people and equipment, communicating constantly, troubleshooting problems, and working under pressure. Even though it can be intense at times, he enjoys watching students build confidence and learn what it takes to create something that looks smooth and effortless to the audience. He hopes his students leave the class with a real appreciation for the effort and teamwork that go into producing live sports.

In his professional role with Athletics, Zach works in a field that never stops changing. Digital media grows so fast that there is always a new tool, trend, or idea popping up. That is one of the things he enjoys most because there is always something exciting to learn. Whether it is new camera technology, new ways to reach fans online, or creative approaches to storytelling, he makes an effort to stay ahead of the curve. One of the moments he is most proud of is seeing one of his former students win an Emmy. For him, it is a reminder that teaching goes far beyond the classroom. When his students go on to do amazing things, it feels like he gets to share a part of that accomplishment too.

Looking towards the future, Zach is happy to keep teaching and continuing the work he loves. He is always open to exploring new ideas, especially when it comes to innovations in digital media and sports production. He believes the field will keep evolving in ways that surprise everyone, and he enjoys being part of that change rather than just watching it happen from the outside.

Above everything else, the best part of working at UMBC for Zach is the students. He enjoys their creativity, their willingness to try new things, and their genuine excitement about learning. Being able to guide students, support their goals, and watch them grow is what makes his work meaningful. For him, UMBC is not just a workplace. It is a community he cares about and a place where he gets to make an impact every day.

Happy Friday! 

Contract renewals, promotion and tenure (P&T) are important milestones of faculty advancement.  AAAFSC can provide peer support in this process! 

If you will be submitting your dossier in the Fall and want feedback from a senior colleague outside of your department,  please complete this peer review interest form by 5/20. 

Senior faculty members of AAAFSC, if you are interested in serving as reviewers please also complete this peer review interest form by 5/20. 

Please reach out to Shuyan (suns@umbc.edu) if you have any questions.

Tim Finin, research professor of computer science and electrical engineering, will receive the 2026 Distinguished Career Award in Computer Science from the Washington Academy of Sciences. Finin, whose research has focused on the applications of artificial intelligence to problems in information systems and intelligent interfaces, is also the director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence at UMBC. The award will be presented at the Washington Academy of Sciences Annual Awards Banquet on May 7, 2026.

This prestigious award recognizes Finin’s lifetime of leadership and innovation. His official citation reads: “For seminal contributions to artificial intelligence technologies, including intelligent agents, the semantic web, and KQML standards, enabling machines to understand and share complex data.”

A pioneer in AI with over 50 years of experience, Finin’s research has provided the foundational framework for how machines process and exchange sophisticated knowledge, bridging the gap between raw data and digital intelligence.

“Dr. Finin’s fundamental contributions have shaped two major subfields of AI, Agentic AI systems and the semantic web, as his multiple awards, honors, and fellowships attest. Many of the faculty and students at UMBC also know him as a great mentor, who has shaped the education and careers of so many of us. It is inspiring when we meet alums who credit so much of their success to him,” says Anupam Joshi, Oros family professor of computer science and electrical engineering and vice provost and chief AI officer.

For more information, please visit the Washington Academy of Sciences website at washacadsci.org.

At the Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday I mentioned to the senators that my phrase of the week was “being a realistic optimist” (credit goes to a recent episode of one of my ‘go to’ podcasts FranklinCovey on Leadership). I have given (and continue to give) a lot of thought to how to be both realistic and optimistic in the midst of a changing landscape of higher education, state funding, federal policy, and global uncertainty. 

Last week, I started meeting with department chairs and their budget managers to better understand the budget realities in academic units. These individual meetings have been incredibly helpful for me to be realistic about how departments are using the resources available to them, and what may be needed for us to be successful. At the same time, it is clear that we will need to continue making thoughtful and, at times, difficult decisions to ensure our long-term success.

What gives me continued hope and optimism is the strong commitment across the UMBC community to be innovative and adapt in a changing world. Last August, I convened the Provost Academic Council – approximately 150 academic leaders – for a day-long meeting on the academic budget and the evolving landscape of higher education. This event provided guidance that continues to help us chart a path forward.

As we are gearing towards the end of the semester, I ask you to help me think through our approach to being realistic optimists at UMBC. You can give your feedback here. We have so much to be proud of (did you see we have four Goldwater recipients and a new AAAS Fellow?). The future is bright if we lean into our strengths, are creative, and collaboratively work on what is best for UMBC and the people and communities we serve.   

Phi Beta Kappa

Please join me in congratulating the 180 students who were accepted this year for induction into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious scholarly honor society. The students will be inducted in May. It marks an important milestone for the scholars in their academic journey.

National Library Week

I encourage you to join the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, Dresher Center for the Humanities, and UMBC Department of English in celebrating National Library Week and UMBC BookFest, April 19-25. A full list of the week’s events can be found here.

Call for Advisory Board Nominations

I am delighted to extend an invitation for nominations for two distinctive groups connected to the Office of the Provost: the Faculty Advisory Board and the Staff Advisory Board. We are looking for expertise and insight from a variety of perspectives as we continue to develop the provost's priorities and advance student success. 

Learn more here. 

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NEWS & NOTES

Final Day: University Strategic Planning Survey

Today is the final day to participate in the University Strategic Planning survey. Share your perspectives on UMBC’s strategic plan via this survey. The survey includes five sections, each aligned with one of the university’s strategic pillars. As a reminder, the pillars are:

• Cultivate organizational innovation and vitality

• Redefine excellence in research and creative achievement

• Strengthen Maryland and its communities

• Advance student opportunity and success

• Transform teaching and learning

You can choose which sections you would like to complete based on your interests and experiences. The survey is also designed to capture additional ideas you may have for strengthening these five focus areas. Please note that each section of the survey will take approximately 10 - 15 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous and confidential.

Resources for Responding to Difficult, Disruptive, and Dangerous Behavior in Classrooms

In the post-COVID era, instructional faculty are seeing an increased frequency of challenging behaviors in classroom settings. Behavior can range from difficult, to disruptive, to dangerous and each type or level calls for a differentiated response.

You can find guidance from Student Conduct and Community Standards here.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

URCAD 30th Anniversary

Wednesday, April 22

The RAC

Join us on Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC as we celebrate 30 years of grit, grunge, and groundbreaking research and creative work of UMBC undergraduate students at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD).

URCAD not only provides an opportunity for students to hone their research and writing skills, practice public speaking and networking in a professional conference-style environment, and strengthen relationships with their peers and mentors, but it showcases the work of UMBC’s talented undergraduate students with the campus community and beyond. Over one third of students who graduate from UMBC engage in mentored research, making UMBC a leader in national undergraduate research. In a time when there has been so much discouraging news surrounding research support on the national and local levels, URCAD continues to be a joyous and inspirational event, proving that critical thinking and creativity through research and the arts are a vital part of our democracy.

Come see all of the oral and poster presentations, films, artwork, live performances, video games, and keynote speaker at URCAD 30, and stop by the graffiti and selfie booth as we throw back to 1997, where it all began! For the full schedule see: URCAD.umbc.edu

Logo created by visual arts student Sonia Pivovarov

UMBC BookFest 26

Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23

Library Plaza

We invite the campus community to participate in UMBC BookFest '26 on Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23, a celebration of writers, readers, makers, and advocates! Part of the campus's National Library Week festivities, this two-day event will include an open air book market on the Library Plaza; a reading from Lawrence Burney , author of our 2026 state book, No Sense in Wishing; a workshop on library advocacy; and a panel of distinguished Maryland librarians on the freedom to read, moderated by Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller. All events are free. Full event details can be found at the BookFest website here. 

This festival was made possible by a collaboration between the English Department, AOK Library, Dresher Center for the Humanities, Breaking the M.O.L.D., Maryland Humanities, and the Maryland State Library Agency.

Dialogue Sessions to Help Shape UMBC’s Inclusive Excellence Framework

Friday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 28

The Division of Institutional Equity team has developed a draft framework for inclusive excellence, building on ideas shared by our campus community through the series UMBC Talks in 2024 and 2025. The framework is intended to articulate our shared commitments, communicate our values, guide action, inspire collaboration, and support the development and implementation of UMBC’s next strategic plan.

The campus community is invited to participate in dialogue sessions to help continue to shape the framework. The conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on your values, and provide feedback to strengthen this work.

Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Friday, April 24, and Tuesday, April 28. 

Learn more here.

USM Generative AI and Teaching Virtual Showcase

Friday, April 24,  9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The University System of Maryland's Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is hosting an online Generative AI Virtual Showcase on Friday, April 24, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Faculty, staff, and faculty/staff/student teams from Maryland institutions of higher education will describe and demonstrate their innovative approaches to incorporating generative AI into teaching and learning practices. 

The free virtual event features a keynote presentation and four concurrent session blocks with 42 presentations (including nine from UMBC) exploring innovative approaches to teaching and learning with generative AI. Participants must register in advance to receive the Zoom link. Sessions include live auto-captions and accessible materials.

Register here.

Learn about Study, Internships, and Funding Opportunities in Germany

Monday, April 27,  12 – 1 p.m.

Fine Arts Building, Room 459

The German Program at UMBC is hosting an informational event on April 27 to learn about 

studying, internships, and funding opportunities in Germany. Presenters include: 

• Amelia Wallace: Information Officer, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

• Danielle Bolden, J.D.: UMBC Center for Global Engagement; Fulbright Fellow, Germany 2010

• S. Maila Raphael, DAAD RISE Intern ‘22, UMBC ‘21 B.S. Chem. Eng., B.A. German

This is a follow-up to the fall event focused on research, collaboration, and funding opportunities in Germany with representatives from the German Academic Exchange Service, the American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the German Research Foundation.

Global Asias Symposium and Celebration

May 4

This daylong event will showcase and celebrate the work of the Global Asias Initiative, a three-year initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation that has created a forum for engaging in conversations in the fields of Asian American Studies, Asian diaspora studies, and Asian Studies. The initiative has created connections across disciplines, departments, institutions, organizations, and communities here on campus and beyond. With our grant from Mellon Foundation coming to a close this year, we are showcasing the many achievements of the initiative.

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Welcome & Belonging and Community Luncheon: Conversations on Asian experiences at UMBC

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. – Keynote Address with Dr. Anna Guevarra

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Global Asias in Dialogue

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Global Asias Student Showcase & Reception

Learn more.

Retirement Celebration for Connie Pierson

RSVP by April 30

After 27 years of service, Connie Pierson, associate vice provost for Institutional Research, Analysis and Decision Support, is retiring from UMBC. She is a beloved alumna, colleague, and friend. Join us in celebrating Connie on May 7, from 2 – 4 p.m. at Fat Tuesdays in the Commons. 

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 30 here. 

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.

Until next week, 

Manfred van Dulmen

The 2026 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey was launched! Information gathered from the survey will be used to inform our ongoing education, prevention, and response work, and is an important component in campus-wide efforts to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct at UMBC.

All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100
UMBC Bookstore gift cards.

You can access the online survey here. The survey will be open from Wednesday,
April 15 until Thursday, April 30, and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. After completing the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address in a separate voluntary survey to enter for a chance to win one of the gift cards.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and
interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and
may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Shared from the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. 

Join SDS's Assistive Technologist and Accessibility Specialist, Tori Jakpa, for Tea Time with Tori on April 24 at 12:00 PM in Math/Psychology 222!

Enjoy tea, light snacks, and engaging conversations about disability, accessibility, and assistive technology. This welcoming space is open to students, faculty, and staff looking to connect and explore how assistive technology can enhance learning and the classroom experience.

Curious to learn more? Let's chat! Open to all UMBC community members.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all.  For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, please email tjakpa@umbc.edu with "Tea Time with Tori" in the subject line.

On behalf of Dr. Tim Foresman,

UMBC Students,

You're invited to apply for a staged reading of Constitution’s Shadow, a play exploring the perspectives of five enslaved and free Black men who served the Founding Fathers in 1787.

The casting call seeks actors who can authentically portray African American male roles.

Selected participants will receive a $100 honorarium for a videotaped reading to be held on the UMBC campus (date to be scheduled).

To apply, please email (subject line: “Play”) to foresman@earthparty.org and include:

• Your contact information
• A brief paragraph describing any theatrical experience (if applicable)
• A short statement of interest

Applications will be accepted through April 26, 2026.

UMBC is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for artistic expression and encourages students from all backgrounds to engage with this opportunity.

UMBC Students on behalf of Dr. Tim Foresman,

You're invited to apply for a staged reading of Constitution’s Shadow, a play exploring the perspectives of five enslaved and free Black men who served the Founding Fathers in 1787.

The casting call seeks actors who can authentically portray African American male roles.

Selected participants will receive a $100 honorarium for a videotaped reading to be held on the UMBC campus (date to be scheduled).

To apply, please email (subject line: “Play”) to foresman@earthparty.org and include:

• Your contact information
• A brief paragraph describing any theatrical experience (if applicable)
• A short statement of interest

Applications will be accepted through April 26, 2026.

UMBC is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for artistic expression and encourages students from all backgrounds to engage with this opportunity.