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Greetings All!

I know many of you were unable to attend our Sep 27 meeting on campus, so here is a brief recap. We had a full room, tasty lunch, and many new faces- thanks to everyone who could attend! Each week we meet new service members and Veterans who haven't yet joined UMBC SSMVF or who are unable to make it to events, and we appreciate the time, effort, and support from everyone. A big thanks to Alex Getachew and our OCSS supporters for their partnership, and we welcomed Mr. Dennis Walker, Jr., UMBC’s new Assistant Director for Adult-Learners and Veteran Student (student service member) Success. We know Dennis will be a great addition to UMBC, and we look forward to working as partners to improve the UMBC experience for service members and their families.

After introductions, we reviewed our progress over the last 18 months, from the dissolution of the previous student Veteran group, to our formation of a new organization for student military service members, Veterans, and their families. We discussed our meetings with various leaders of UMBC and University of Maryland system, discussed problems and concerns, and laid out a vision for what we’d like to achieve over the next 18 months. We also discussed future fun events. Watch for a brief survey- we hope you’ll add your input, suggestions, and ideas.

On behalf of SSMVF, thanks again for your time & support!

-S.

Merritt Gallery & Renaissance Fine Arts are seeking an Art Handler/Installer/Driver for our Chevy Chase gallery.

Art Handler/Installer/Driver is responsible for the proper handling, loading, unloading, wrapping, and transport of artwork in our fast-paced art gallery. Other responsibilities include assisting in hanging the gallery, handling & installing artwork on in-home/office appointments, preparing artwork for inter gallery transfers.

The current issue of Advances in Online Learning: A Peer-reviewed Journal (Vol 2. 2023-2024, Number 1) has recently published a case study about UMBC's Finish Line program, entitled "Inclusive excellence online: Pandemic lessons learned supporting traditionally underserved students."

Abstract When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and all higher education pivoted to online learning, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) created 'Finish Line', a programme designed to help former students with some college, but no degree to complete their studies, often several years after they had left the institution. More than 200 students have done so to date, which was a surprising pandemic silver lining for an institution with fewer than 5 per cent of all courses delivered online before 2020. But was Finish Line just a temporary strategic initiative to get through a global health crisis? Or could it also be a proof of concept for how to meet and support 'non-traditional' adult learners where they are -- and want to go? In this reflective case study, we offer candid lessons learned to go beyond the logistics of an enrollment management strategy of 're-recruiting' former students through the affordances of online education to reassessing and redefining our 'inclusive excellence' mission in a post-pandemic, often digital-first world.

Co-authors Ken Baron, John Fritz, and Yvette Mozie-Ross collaborated on the case study, originally published online (free to subscribers) by Henry Stewart Publications. It is also available here with permission from HSP.
By John Fritz