GEARS Graduate Student Game Night 

Looking for a relaxed evening with friends? Join us to play games, connect with fellow graduate students, and enjoy food! 

• Date: October 2 

• Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m. 

• Venue: UC 310 

We have an exciting lineup of games and opportunities to win prizes! 

• 1st Prize: $100 

• 2nd Prize: $75 

• 3rd Prize: $50 

Whether you are a board game expert or simply looking to unwind, this is the perfect opportunity to connect, laugh, and have fun. Bring your friends and join us! 

Register at - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK8UrfhVXrrN_8fxnvFql9y3nTIaaeigLz7QsKwW74vY95oA/viewform?usp=dialog

Hi Everyone,

The correct room for today's social is COMM 331.

We hope to see you there!

The Public Health Associate Program is a competitive, two-year, paid training program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Associates are assigned to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies and non-governmental organizations (collectively referred to as host sites) to strengthen the nation's public health infrastructure and capacity. Associates gain field-based experience supporting local emergency response efforts; conducting contact tracing, disease investigations, and surveillance; mobilizing communities through education and partnerships; and filling critical roles during infectious disease outbreaks.

PHAP was established in 2007 to support state and local-level health departments and strengthen our nation's public health workforce. PHAP:

• Helps public health departments respond to urgent threats and protects communities through deployments and rapid needs assessments.
• Drives public health improvements through innovation, evaluation, quality improvement, education, and outreach.
• Provides associates with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill public health competencies and meet required performance standards.
• Helps bridge staffing gaps in health departments while preparing the future public health workforce.

PHAP offers work assignments that give associates field-based experience to develop as public health professionals. Associates are assigned to one subject area for the two-year term that is selected by their host sites. These subject areas focus on the nation's most pressing public health priorities.

The Public Health Associate Program for Recent Graduates Fact Sheet provides a quick overview of PHAP, what associates do, why this program matters, and a closer look at how associates help health departments respond to urgent threats and protect communities.

National Health Law Program’s Summer 2027 Mission Advancement Team Internship 

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) will host one Mission Advancement Team (MAT) Intern during the Summer of 2027.

The summer internship is fully remote and involves a 37.5 hour per week commitment for 10 weeks. 

The summer internship is made possible thanks to the support of the following program: 

Open Horizon Health Justice Internship: Made possible by the generous support of Open Horizon, a foundation working to uplift leaders and to co-create opportunities advancing racial and social justice. 

THE ORGANIZATION

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals. NHeLP engages in national, state, and local advocacy efforts, including analyses of federal and state laws, policy advocacy, litigation, continuing legal education, and individual technical support. We work with lawyers and advocates, community-based entities, federal and state policymakers, health care providers, and clients.

NHeLP is committed to health equity—ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to be healthy—and to cultivating an internal environment that empowers an exceptional and diverse staff. For more information, see NHeLP's Equity Stance. 

THE TEAM

NHeLP’s Mission Advancement Team (MAT) integrates communications, individual giving, foundations giving, pro-bono engagement, and knowledge management to secure resources, partnerships, and visibility that fuel NHeLP’s mission. MAT comprises Communications, Development, Foundation Partnerships,  Individual Giving, and Knowledge Management. MAT plays a central role in aligning external relationships, brand, and revenue strategies with program priorities, ensuring that NHeLP’s voice and values are represented clearly and consistently. By bringing these functions together, MAT strengthens the organization’s financial sustainability, amplifies its thought leadership, and positions NHeLP as a trusted national leader in health equity.

THE POSITION

The internship is remote but closely works with staff based out of our Washington, DC office. Even working remotely, you will be involved with an office that is humming with the work of strengthening health care access; providing training and analysis to partners at the state and federal levels on myriad issues, from immigrants’ health to reproductive health to access to essential services for persons with disabilities; and highlighting and communicating about our litigation in multiple courts across the country.  

You will work with MAT to amplify our voice and bring greater visibility to our work. You will spend some time learning about the health law and policy issues that we are addressing so that you can help us communicate effectively about our work and about the new issues that arise on a daily basis. Your projects likely will include support with social media, media outreach, media tracking, graphic design, data entry, and grant and development-related tasks as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Rising Juniors and Seniors currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree in fields related to Health Policy, Public Policy, Government, Communications, or Business Administration,
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding and protecting health care access for low-income and underserved populations,
• Experience and/or interest in working on diversity, equity, and inclusion,
• Strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills,
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships across the organization,
• Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines,
• Ability to listen effectively, respect others’ perspectives and contributions.

POSSIBLE PROJECTS

• Draft and edit sections of proposals and reports.
• Proofread grant materials for clarity and accuracy.
• Research new foundation prospects and prepare brief funder profiles.
• Pull together background or updates to support proposals.
• Assist with grants management tasks, including organizing files, tracking data, and preparing attachments.
• Help with management of pass through funding.
• Assist with creative graphic design.
• Collect and edit stories.
• Assist with drafting social media copy, press releases, and/or newsletter copy.
• Assist the Individual Giving team.

COMPENSATION

Interns will receive a $15,000 stipend for 10 weeks of work. The position is remote.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Qualified applicants should submit an application with a cover letter and resume on the careers page. 
• No phone calls please, except for reasonable accommodation requests. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at: jobs@healthlaw.org or at 202-289-7661.

DEADLINE: October 14, 2026 

NHeLP advocates to advance the health rights of many populations that have traditionally lacked legal protection, such as women, people of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, and people with limited English proficiency. To promote social justice and best achieve our mission, NHeLP is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.  We make our employment decisions based on merit. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws and we do not discriminate based on race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

For more information, please visit www.healthlaw.org.

Greetings Procurement Group,

We are pleased to announce we had over 300 people attend a Procurement training in September. Thank you for attending one (or more) of the trainings this past month and to assist us with future trainings please completed the the google form survey below. 

This survey also has a section for anyone planning to attending the Procurement Q&A session on Monday September 21st from 9am -11am to ask their questions for Procurement, DoIT, or Accounts Payable. 

Survey link available here.

Get ready to meet the next generation of innovators, creators, and disruptors! After a summer of intense education, hands-on mentoring, and hard work, the creative students of the UMBC Launchpad accelerator program are ready to take the stage.

Join us to hear these student entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas, showcase their incredible progress, and give you a first look at the ventures set to shape tomorrow.

• Date: Today, Thursday, September 17
• Location: bwtech South, 1st floor Seminar Room, 1450 S. Rolling Rd, Halethorpe
• Networking Reception: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Main Event & Pitches: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Why attend?  This isn't just a night of presentations—it's a celebration of grit, creativity, and the power of turning an idea into reality. Whether you're looking to network, find inspiration, or support our student founders, you won't want to miss it.  There will also be delicious appetizers and drinks!

Thank you for all who attended our live training on the 15th and the 17th.

For those unable to attend you can access a recording at this link. 

Attached are the slide decks from Procurement, DoIT and Accounts Payable.

About the GAIT Project

The GAIT project is a FREE PROGRAM available to health and social science undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in a University System of Maryland (USM) institution. This educational initiative is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare and social service students in assessing and managing the care of older adults. GAIT is funded through the University System of Maryland (USM) Redeployment Grant System.

GAIT introduces the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the fundamentals of interprofessional (interdisciplinary) collaboration through both didactic and clinical sessions. The clinical portion involves interprofessional teams of students and trainees from various disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, dentistry, and physical therapy, working together on an assigned case.

During the Fall 2026 semester, both virtual and in-person GAITs are available. In-person GAIT projects are full-day, on-site events. Virtual GAITs use the Blackboard platform and Zoom conferencing services. All GAIT project participants receive a certificate of completion.

What Students Will Gain

The GAIT project provides an opportunity for students to:

• Interact with students and professionals from a variety of disciplines;
• Participate in team-building exercises that focus on the value of an interdisciplinary approach to improve quality of care for older adults;
• Understand services provided to older adults; and
• Learn about the needs of underserved older adult communities within our state

As an interprofessional learning experience, GAIT is designed to help students:

• Understand the uniqueness of interprofessional teams and its value in providing person-centered care;
• Recognize barriers to effective communication in health care teams and identify ways to reduce conflict and disagreement;
• Explain aging processes and the diversity of the older adult population;
• Evaluate best practices in honoring the autonomy of older persons; and
• Employ effective interprofessional and intergenerational communication skills

Participants are expected to:

• Participate fully in the GAIT experience. Information about expectations will be sent after your registration has been processed.

FALL 2026 Topics & Dates

More Information: Dr. Diane Martin, diane.martin@umaryland.edu

Meals, project materials, and a travel stipend are provided for IN-PERSON GAITS. Overnight accommodations available to participants traveling more than 50 miles to the training site.

1.Virtual: Thursday, September 24, 2026-October 1, 2026  REGISTER HERE

Title: Older Adults at Risk: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Suicide Prevention

Blackboard Opens September 24 (~4 hours activities); Real-Time Zoom Meeting, Thursday October 1: 3:00pm-7:00pm. Facilitator: Diane Martin, PhD, MSL, MA

Description: Learn to recognize and respond to suicide risk among older adults, an often overlooked population in prevention efforts. Through case vignettes, discussion, and evidence-informed strategies, students will explore risk and protective factors, the importance of collaborative care, and how to balance safety with respect for autonomy in later life. REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, 9/18/26

2. In-person: Thursday, October 13, 2026 (8:00am-4:15pm)

Title: Hospice Care in Practice: An Immersive Interdisciplinary Clinical Experience

*Location: Hospice of Chesapeake, 90A Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122

Description: This one-day workshop invites attendees to participate in the interdisciplinary approach to caring for the seriously ill geriatric population during their final days. Participants can expect to learn assessment skills, interdisciplinary care planning and end of life interventions that lead to a peaceful death.

3. In-person: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (8:00am-4pm) REGISTER HERE

Title: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hearing Health in Older Adult Care

*Location: University of Maryland Hearing and Speech Clinic, Lefrak Hall, 7251 Preinkert Dr., College Park, MD 20742

Description: This GAIT will focus on recognizing and addressing hearing loss in older adults as a key component of whole-person, age-friendly care. Participants learn practical strategies to improve communication, support cognitive, social, emotional wellbeing, and coordinate hearing health and care across settings.

4. Virtual: Thursday, November 12, 2026-November 19, 2026 REGISTER HERE

Title: Trauma Informed Care of the Older Adult

Blackboard Opens November 12 (~4 hours activities); Real-Time Zoom Meeting, Thursday November 19: 3:00pm-7:00pm. Facilitator: Jessica Chaney

Description: This interactive interprofessional workshop introduces health and social care students to trauma-informed approaches for working with older adults. Participants will explore how trauma across the life course can affect health, behavior, communication, trust, and engagement with care. Working in interprofessional teams, students will apply trauma-informed principles to an older adult case, consider the perspectives and contributions of different professions, and develop collaborative strategies that promote safety, choice, dignity, and person-centered care.

The Latinx/Hispanic Graduate Student Association (LHGSA) is kicking off the semester with a social to welcome both new and returning Latinx/Hispanic graduate students to campus!

Ven a conocer a nuestra comunidad y comienza el semestre con snacks, juegos у buena compañía.

• Thursday, September 17th • 5-6 PM
• Commons 336

See flyer below! 

A student submits their essay as a Pages file. Another turns in a .zip when you asked for a single PDF. By the time you notice, you're chasing down a resubmission instead of grading. September's release gives instructors a way to head that off before it happens.

Restrict Accepted File Types on Assignments

When setting up a file submission assignment, instructors can now limit which file types Blackboard will accept. Choose from a list of common formats (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ZIP, and others) or enter custom extensions manually. Once set, the accepted file types show up in the Details & Actions panel before a student submits, so the expectation is visible up front rather than discovered after a failed upload. If a student tries to submit a type you haven't allowed, they'll see a message explaining why it didn't go through. 

Image 1: In the Permitted file types dropdown list, instructors can specify one or more file types allowed.

NOTE: Custom extensions are checked against the file types Instructional Technology defines system-wide.

A First Look at Outcomes Mastery in the Gradebook

The gradebook will soon be able to show student mastery levels across the outcomes, assignments, and competencies aligned to a course -- one view of how students are progressing toward the goals you've mapped, alongside their day-to-day grades.

Image 2: Instructors can select the Mastery view in the gradebook for the overall view.

This view is populated by Blackboard Outcomes, a platform UMBC is exploring this year. If you're curious what it could mean for your course or program, the Provost's Symposium on October 2nd is a good place to learn more.

Note: The new content editor mentioned in this video from Blackboard will be enabled on UMBC's Blackboard instance after the FA2026 semester ends.

When can you expect the update?

Faculty should see the latest updates in their Ultra courses around October 1-2 2026. (September's release was delayed slightly so institutions, including UMBC, could update their single sign-on configuration ahead of the update.) The next update to our Ultra test environment will take place in mid-September; release notes will be posted to the What's New in Ultra page. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs, including the What's New with Ultra page, and myUMBC for additional information about Blackboard.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• Check our extensive FAQ collection

  • What's new in Ultra? |Known Issues

• Open a ticket via RT

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with instructional technology staff