As we head into the summer months, we want to let you know that The Essential Space will be transitioning to a reduced seasonal summer schedule.

Beginning June 1st, our temporary hours will be:

• Monday: 11am-3pm
• Tuesday: 11am-3pm
• Wednesday: 12pm-5:30pm
• Thursday: Closed (Free farmer's market 2-2:45 in ACC)
• Friday: 11am-3pm

Please plan your visits accordingly. If you have an urgent need outside of these hours, please reach out to us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu, and we will do our best to assist you. We look forward to seeing many of you this summer!

Katie King ’26, biology and dance, completed an ambitious double degree, and not only thrived but also became co-captain of the UMBC Dance Team and worked for the admissions office as a Grit Guide. Looking forward, she plans to become a physician assistant, and hopes to find ways to combine her love of both dance and biology.

Q: What attracted you to UMBC?

A: I knew I wanted to double major in biology and dance. I’m planning to go into the medical field, so biology was the route I needed to take, but I have been dancing since I was three. When looking at colleges, a lot of them told me I had to choose, but UMBC allowed me to do both. I was accepted into the Linehan Artist Scholars Program, so that also drew me here—I really love the possibilities and experiences that the program gives.

Q: How did the Linehan Artist Scholars Program impact your time at UMBC?

A: My experience began with the first-year seminar, and that class really helped me get more exposure and awareness to the other arts. As a dancer of many years, I really only stuck to dance, so I never really dove into the music or the theatre sides, and I didn’t know a lot about visual arts at all. That class really helped open my eyes—we did skits, we had to learn how to play music. In the second year, we had to do service hours, and that was rewarding. I did service hours within the dance department, and it was nice to feel like I was giving back to a bigger cause. The different trips that we got to go on with the Linehan program were super fun—twice to New York and once to Philly, to visit art museums and see performances. I was also in the Living-Learning Community in Harbor Hall, living right next to everyone in my cohort.

Q: Can you share more about your dance and biology double major?

A: I knew I wanted to be in the medical field since I was little. My dolls would be wrapped in casts, and I bought my own crutches when I was 7 at the pharmacy! At the same time, I’ve been dancing since I can remember. For a while, I thought of going into physical therapy, combining my dance and biology backgrounds. Now, I’m thinking of becoming a physician assistant. Both dance and biology have been passions, and I haven’t wanted to give up either one. I worked in a physical therapy office for 5 or 6 years, and there I got the idea to specialize in dancers. So that was the route I thought for a while until I switched to physician’s assistant, but I’m hoping at some point those fields intercross.

Q: How did being a Grit Guide impact your experience?

A: During my freshman year, I joined the UMBC Dance Team to get more involved on campus, and the coach said that the admissions office was hiring. I was brought on as a visual and performing arts tour guide for dance, but later became a general tour guide, and it shaped my entire experience at UMBC. I’ve done it for four years now. Working with professional staff, I gained skill sets that I’ll be able to use in the future, especially if I go into the medical field or work with the public again.

Q: What motivated you to join the UMBC Dance Team?

A; At the start of my freshman year, I didn’t join anything—I thought I needed to get acclimated. But by November, I was bored! I’ve never been the kind of person who isn’t involved—I have to be going all the time. So I decided to try out for the Dance Team, and I was accepted. It was a super fun experience. During my last two years, I was co-captain for the team and built so many friendships. I love basketball and used to play, but had to give it up for dance. With the Dance Team, I could both dance and watch basketball, and this year they won championships—life was good! It was probably my favorite part of college.

Q: How did you maintain a work-life balance?

A: I prioritize sleep, and get eight hours every night. My calendar is my best friend, truthfully. A lot of my shifts for tour guides were in the mornings, and then I had classes, and then rehearsals at night, and then a 3 or 4-hour block at the end of the night where I would do homework. I didn’t do a lot of hanging out in general besides those things—my social time was being at those events and at work.

Q: Were there faculty or staff who made a difference for you?

A: Definitely Ann Sofie Clemmensen—I call her my school mom! She was my dance advisor, but also became my unintentional biology advisor. At the start of my freshman year, we sat down, and she helped me plan out all four years, saying, “We’re going to get you out in four years, both degrees done.” We planned everything out. We met all the time, and I text and call her all the time. She’s always been there. 

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?

A: I’m applying to physician assistant school and hope to start somewhere in January. Over the summer, though, I’ll be visiting Portugal, Spain, England, France, and Switzerland. I’m so excited—I haven’t been to Europe.

Q: What advice would you give to new students?

A: My advice would be to stay true to yourself and always go after what you want. I was told many times that I couldn‘t do both degrees, and then I found a way. Get involved. That changed my whole trajectory here at UMBC. It’s hard to get out of your shell sometimes, and hard to put yourself out there, but it’s so rewarding, especially here. Step out of your comfort zone!

Greetings,

Attached you will find an updated calendar and information regarding OPSSC FY26 fiscal year end deadlines. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

The OPSSC Team

Howard County Law Days of Summer 2026

The event is open to all high school, college, and post-college students interested in law and law-related professions.

Dates: June 25, July 18, and July 28

Time: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM 

Location: Howard County Circuit Courthouse, Ellicott City, MD

• Spend the day at the courthouse and have networking opportunities with legal professionals from organizations such as the Howard County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Public Defender. 
• There are three dates this summer - June 25, July 18, and July 28.
• You can attend all, or some, of those days to have the opportunity to watch court cases and meet and learn from judges, lawyers, and other court partners.
• The event is free, with lunch provided.
• Note: You do not have to be from the Howard County area to attend.

Please see the attached flyer has a QR code to register for the event. 

For details, please visit

https://retrieveressentials.umbc.edu/

All,

Within the last week a table used for microscopy in room 221E went missing. Whoever took it moved the microscope off of of the table and onto a cart, so it's obvious that the table was being used. 

We need the table back. 

This type of behavior is totally unacceptable. We have 17 research groups in the building, every inch and bench are accounted for. If you need tables or bench space please reach out to me, I can probably find a solution. 

Thank you!

Attached you will find updated dining hours for the summer - for more information, please visit our dining website. 

B.A.: Management, Advertising, and Entrepreneurship

Major, Minor, Certificate, and/or Honors: 

• Deans List 

Degree Mentors: 

• Dr. Kristen Anchor| Associate Teaching Professor, UMBC Media & Communication Studies
• Kristen Schuler| Marketing Manager, Harkins, Inc.
• Steven McAlpine| Assistant Teaching Professor, UMBC INDS

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because it gave me the flexibility to pursue a path that truly aligned with my interests and long-term goals. Instead of trying to fit into a traditional major, INDS allowed me to build something that reflected what I actually wanted to study and eventually do as a career. The program helped me map out each component of my major in an intentional way, and it pushed me to think ahead about how my coursework connects to my future goals.

Another big reason I chose INDS was that it allowed me to stay at UMBC while still creating a customized academic experience. I didn’t have to transfer or compromise—I was able to design a pathway that felt practical for me.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and pursue an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. I see this as an opportunity to deepen my knowledge in a field that I wasn’t able to fully specialize in during my undergraduate experience. My INDS degree has given me a strong interdisciplinary foundation, which I think will be really valuable as I move into a more focused graduate program.

I’m also hoping to gain hands-on experience through an internship in marketing or a related field, while still remaining open to exploring different areas. Long term, I want to continue investing in and supporting small businesses, especially my own family’s business. I see myself using both my INDS background and future MBA to bring strategic thinking, creativity, and practical skills into that work

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?

• Living Water/Campus Ministry| "Gave me a community and allowed me to stay grounded throughout my last semester at UMBC."

• Tri-Alpha Honors Society| Recognizes first-generation college students and provided a supportive network of peers with similar experiences

Awards, Certifications, Scholarships, etc. that you have received in your time at UMBC: 

• Digital Tech Credential Certification| Pending 2026 

Any thing you would like to share about your time at UMBC or in the INDS program:

Take it slow. There were so many moments where I felt pressure to have everything figured out—especially when it came to career decisions—but I didn’t always know what I truly wanted yet. Giving yourself time to explore, reflect, and adjust your path makes a huge difference. Slowing down those big decisions can actually lead to more clarity and confidence in the long run, and it’s something I wish I had embraced earlier.

For More information on Michelle's INDS journey please Click Here!

Visit the INDS Website

UMBC received $1.5 million in congressional funding to establish the UMBC Center for Precision Aquaculture, an interdisciplinary effort to revolutionize land-based fish production through real-time monitoring and smart technology. Advanced underwater imaging, optical sensors, and AI will track fish biomass, behavior, body condition, stress signals, and early disease indicators, enabling producers to optimize tank conditions to improve growth, health, and welfare.

CSEE professor Rebecca Williams is a co-investigator on the grant and worked with CSEE professor Don Engel to advise Beamlak Bekele in developing computer vision tools to extract information about fish in underwater environments for her Computer Science MS thesis.

Read more about this project here.

The Maryland State Board of Elections recently sent out a notice regarding the upcoming Maryland primary election on June 23, 2026.

If you are a Maryland voter who requested a mail-in ballot, there may have been an error. Some voters were sent a ballot for the wrong party's primary due to a vendor coding error. Here's what you need to know in order to get your correct ballot and cast your vote.

The Maryland State Board of Elections is sending replacement ballots to all affected voters on a rolling basis starting. If you have been affected, you will be notified via postcard, email, or text.

Here's what to do:

• Be on the look out for a notice from the Maryland State Board of Elections 

• If notified, throw away your original ballot and its return envelope. 

• You should receive a replacement ballot by May 29, 2026 in an envelope marked "REPLACEMENT BALLOT INSIDE.” Use only the replacement ballot.

• Return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 p.m. on June 23, 2026. If you are voting in the Maryland Primary Election, you can drop your ballot in the mail-in ballot drop box located on the 1st floor of the Commons. The box is secure. The Board of Elections retrieves ballots from this box at the end of each day. And if you are registered to vote outside of Baltimore County, your ballot will be mailed to the correct location. Please note this drop box is for Maryland voters only.

If you did not receive a notice, your original ballot is valid and you can use it as normal.

If you have any questions, visit the Maryland Board of Elections website or contact them directly at elections@maryland.gov.

For more information about registration, deadlines, or if you have other questions about participating in the 2026 Elections, please contact the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu or Trentqual Rhone, Coordinator for Political Engagement, at trhone1@umbc.edu.