2026 Board of Regents Faculty Awards

Call for Nominations

Board of Regents Faculty Awards recognize distinguished performance by faculty within the past three years (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025), in the categories of: 

·       Teaching

·       Scholarship or Research

·       Creative activity

·       Public Service

·       Mentoring 

The Honors and Awards Committee of the Faculty Senate will select up to three individuals in each category for nomination to the Board of Regents.

To initiate nomination of yourself or a faculty colleague for one of these awards, prepare a packet of no more than five pages including a summary resume, a one-page essay by the nominee describing his or her contribution to excellence, a letter of recommendation from the department chair or dean, and a brief documentation of exemplary achievement.

Submit the initial nomination packet via Box, at https://umbc.app.box.com/f/d9caa0360c584a35801c96360d2cd0d7, by Monday, September 29.  Additional detailed information concerning eligibility, criteria, and documentation for these awards can be found on the Board of Regents Faculty Awards website and the UMBC Faculty Affairs Website.

Board of Regents Faculty Awards website:

https://www.usmd.edu/usm/academicaffairs/regents-faculty-awards  

UMBC Faculty Affairs Website:

https://facultyaffairs.umbc.edu/board-of-regents-faculty-awards/

Please direct any questions to Brynn Krasney at bkrasney@umbc.edu.

There are some free office supplies available in Commons 335!! We have a business card holder, some ink cartridges, a wall-mount for markers, and a mesh compartment organizer. These will be available up until Wednesday, October 1st.

Creating digital content that works for everyone isn't just a best practice—it's a responsibility. Whether building a syllabus in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, a presentation in PowerPoint, or a budget in Excel, following Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines ensures your work is clear and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This practice enhances the learning experience for all learners (UMBC's mission of inclusive excellence).

Apply these five guidelines consistently not only to meet accessibility standards, but to improve content clarity and perception for all users.

1. Leverage Built-In Templates, Style Guides

Templates and style tools are designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring consistent structure, proper reading order, and compliant color contrast.

• In Google Docs/Slides and MS Word/PowerPoint, use built‑in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) instead of manually formatting text.
• Choose official templates that already meet accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG, Section 508).
• In Excel or Google Sheets, use "Format as Table" to define headers and structure data.

Pro tip: Do not skip heading levels—this ensures that screen readers navigate content logically.

2. Simplify and Clarify Language

Plain, well‑organized language reduces cognitive load and improves comprehension.

• Organize ideas in a logical order: introduce, explain, summarize.
• Use active voice and avoid jargon or unexplained acronyms.
• In slides, focus on one idea per slide and use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs.
• Provide clear, direct instructions when assigning tasks or giving direction.

Pro tip: White space is your friend! Don't overcrowd slides or documents.

3. Explain Visuals with Meaningful Alt Text

Alt text allows people using screen readers to understand the purpose of images, charts, and graphics.

• Describe the essential information the image conveys, not just what it looks like.
• Keep it concise—1 or 2 sentences is ideal.
• Avoid phrases such as "image of" or "graphic of" as screen readers already announce the presence and type of the image.
• Mark only images which are decorative so they will be skipped by assistive technology.

Pro tip: Focus on the purpose of the image. What would someone need to understand if they cannot see it?

4. Enhance Perception with Accessible Fonts & Colors

Readability depends on font choice, text size, and color contrast—especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

• Use sans serif fonts for clarity (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Open Sans).
• Avoid all caps, italics, and unneeded underlining (except for links).
• Ensure high color contrast (e.g., dark colors on a light background).
• Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning; use labels or patterns.

Pro tip: Use WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify your color choices.

5. Structure Information in Accessible Tables

Screen readers rely on table headers and logical structure to interpret data.

• Use simple tables—no merged, split, or nested cells.
• Always include a header row and designate it as such.
• Avoid blank cells-- these can confuse navigation for screen readers.
• Confirm that tables are responsive and readable on smaller screens.

Pro tip: In Excel or Google Sheets, name your worksheets clearly so users know what each tab contains.

Bonus: Use Built‑In Accessibility Checkers

Microsoft Office tools have accessibility checkers that flag issues such as missing alt text, poor contrast, or incorrect heading order. Make it a habit to run these before sharing your content.

Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC's Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.

Resources:

• Digital Accessibility Guidelines Checklist
• Video Recordings (UMBC Login required):
• Create Accessible Content with Google Office Tools (08.18.2025)
• Create Accessible Content with Microsoft Office Tools (08.21.2025)
• Upcoming Event: Practice & Share: Accessible Content with Microsoft Office Tools (10.07.2025)

Dear CAHSS faculty member,

We invite you to submit a proposal to be nominated for the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program competition, sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York. Details are below.

• The purpose of the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program is to support high-caliber scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. The 2026 program expects to provide fellowships of $200,000 to 30 exceptional scholars, journalists, and public intellectuals. The funding is for a period of either one or two years, with the anticipated result being a book or major study.

• The 2026 call for applications is on the theme of political polarization in the United States. The Corporation anticipates that the work of the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program will explore the many ways political polarization in the United States manifests itself in society and suggest ways that it may be mitigated. Studies of polarization in other countries will be welcomed providing they offer lessons that can be applied to the United States. Projects based in disciplines across the humanities and social sciences are welcomed.

• UMBC may nominate two scholars for the competition: one tenured and one senior untenured (i.e. teaching professors and professors of the practice). Candidates must have a Ph.D. or hold a terminal degree in their field. Untenured candidates will need to become PI Eligible through the exception process, which requires a letter from the Dean or ADR explaining that the faculty has undertaken significant research during their appointment at UMBC.

• Andrew Carnegie Fellowships are open only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

• Previous UMBC nominees who applied for the theme of political polarization are not eligible to apply again.

Please keep in mind that Carnegie seeks projects that will be written to communicate with a broad audience. You may find it useful to browse the projects that were awarded last year and read through a study of their focus and potential impact since the theme (political polarization in the U.S.) is unchanged.

The Carnegie jury will evaluate nominations by the following criteria:

• Originality and promise of the idea
• Quality of the proposal
• Promise to offer means to reduce harmful polarization or to enhance social cohesion
• Record of the nominee
• Plans to communicate findings to a broad audience

If you are interested in being considered for the internal competition, please EMAIL the following application materials to:

Carnegi.bs0ulrhjc4r5p385@u.box.com by 5 pm EDT on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

We urge you to contact CARAT Associate Director Rachel Brubaker (rbruba1@umbc.edu) or CARAT Director Marc Ruppel (mruppel@umbc.edu) as soon as possible to discuss your proposal.

Your application materials must include:

1)  A 3-5 page, double-spaced prospectus describing the project, including a projected work plan and approximate time frame. Fellowships will be for either 12 or 24 months and must begin on the first of the month between July and September of 2026, and no later than September 1, 2026.

Note: The Carnegie program allows flexibility in how you manage your time commitment. You may opt for a regular fellowship leave or decide to teach part-time during the semester while working full-time on your project during the summer. 

2) Curriculum vitae

3) Estimate of budgetary requirement for a one- or two-year project. Funds may support:

• Salary and fringe benefits
• Project-related travel (research, conferences)
• Research assistants (hourly or stipend)
• Other project needs (i.e., data collection, surveys, transcription, project supplies and a consultant or contractual service)

The Dean's Office will convene a panel to review the applications and select one or two scholars to recommend to the President as UMBC's nominee(s) by October 22nd. The nominee(s) will work with CARAT to complete the application process and to forward all materials to the President's Office by October 30th. A letter of nomination from President Sheares Ashby is required for the application. Applications must be submitted to the Carnegie Corporation of New York by November 07, 2025 (5:00 P.M. EST).

For additional questions, please contact Associate Dean Alan Yeakley (ayeakley@umbc.edu), Marc Ruppel, Director of CARAT (mruppel@umbc.edu), or Rachel Brubaker, Associate Director of CARAT (rbruba1@umbc.edu).

Retriever Integrated Health invites all UMBC students, faculty, and staff to participate in a Free Community Acupuncture event. A licensed acupuncturist will provide sessions, answer questions, and share information about this ancient healing practice.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Center for Well-Being, Room 118
• Open to: All students, faculty, and staff
• Cost: Free. No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome.

Light refreshments and wellness giveaways will be available.

For more information, please contact Retriever Integrated Health at (410) 455-2542 or visit https://health.umbc.edu.

Take a break from your busy schedule and relax with free community acupuncture at UMBC. Licensed acupuncturists will be on site to guide you through a calming, restorative experience.

Date : Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time : 11 AM – 1 PM
Location : Center for Well-Being, Room 118

Retriever Integrated Health invites all UMBC students, faculty, and staff to enjoy free acupuncture sessions with a licensed acupuncturist. It's the perfect chance to relax, ask questions, and experience this ancient healing practice.

Bonus: Free refreshments and wellness goodies available while you wait.

No appointment needed — just walk in.
Open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Completely free!!

If you need any accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Retriever Integrated Health at rih@umbc.edu or call +1 (410) 455-2542 as soon as possible.

Come by, recharge, and take care of yourself today. We hope to see you there!