Graduating seniors, please fill out this form to schedule a time to pick up your graduation cord. Cords are $5. You can 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQMjZBusWdIR1AbltogPz8TZl0anZPKA0etl4Vari1zO1oGA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=113734471545863786225

Best, 

Pre Med Board 

This Week in EA:

• Hot Topic Session: Supporting Your Study Abroad Student: A Family/Support System Session | Wednesday, May 13th | 12-12:45pm | Virtual
  How can you help your student thrive overseas while equipping them to navigate challenges and stay independent?Curious about the emotional highs and lows students experience while abroad, and how you can support them without taking over? Come join us for an overview of how you can support your study abroad student!

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

• Advising for Spring 2027 and Winter 2027 study abroad programs is now available! After you have attended a Study Abroad 101 session, email educationabroad@umbc.edu to schedule your meeting!

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions
  Monday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual

Senior Spotlight: Reese Brooks

Reese has been a peer advisor in our office for the last three years! She has studied abroad twice, through the Art and Power in Japan Faculty-Led Program (Summer 2023) and the AIFS Abroad - European Art and Culture Program (Winter 2025). Reese is double majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Social Welfare. She will be pursuing a Masters in Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore next year! Thank you for everything you have contributed to our office and good luck with everything to come, Reese!

This afternoon, have the unique opportunity to hear an insider's view of medical school admissions and ask questions! More information is on the original post here.

One final hello

Welcome to the last week of the semester that we're able to officially hold meetings. For those who attended meetings this year and supported us in our 1st year as an official club, thank you.
Our final meeting is tonight in ILSB 302 at 7pm. We will be talking about the general future of the club, do some planning, close out the semester, and probably have some time for something like Jackbox or Gartic Phone.

Good luck with finals to one and all

The Career Center will be closed on Tuesday, May 12 for a Planning Day Retreat. We will reopen on Wednesday.

Appointments can still be made through Handshake-  https://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/appointments/

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to connecting with you on Wednesday!

Name: Lyna Beraich

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

Semester of Internship: Spring 2026

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):  ClearEdge IT Solutions

Location of the Organization (City, State): Jessup, MD

Title of position: Software Engineer Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

As a software engineering intern at ClearEdge IT Solutions, I have the privilege of working with the IRAD (Internal Research and Development) team. The IRAD team is responsible for a wide range of initiatives within ClearEdge, including the development of corporate applications that employees across the company depend on, as well as building internal software that reflects the same technologies and frameworks used by ClearEdge engineers on government contracts. Since joining, my primary focus has been contributing to the development and ongoing maintenance of these applications. From working on bug fixes and implementing new features, to ensuring the tools our team delivers meet the needs of the broader organization. Our workflow follows an Agile methodology: each day begins with a stand-up meeting where team members share progress and coordinate on priorities. The remainder of the day is spent heads-down in development, collaborating through code reviews, pair programming, and team meetings as needed. This structure has given me consistent exposure to real-world software engineering practices and a strong sense of how cross-functional teams operate in a professional environment. 

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about this position last October from someone who I had previously worked with at a different company who was now working at ClearEdge. I was immediately interested after I learned about the role and I applied soon after. I also signed up to go on a tour of the ClearEdge facility with the UMBC Career Center. I was so thankful for the opportunity to get a hands-on look at what an internship at ClearEdge would look like. I learned a lot about the company values and I was able to connect with UMBC alumni currently working at ClearEdge. I was super excited to hear back in December and the past couple weeks at ClearEdge have been super engaging and fulfilling. 

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Alumni Networking

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

I've really valued the opportunity to work hands-on with cutting-edge AI technologies, deepen my understanding of modern software development practices, and grow as an engineer by learning from my more experienced colleagues.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

It's been incredibly fulfilling to watch my contributions take shape in products that people at ClearEdge use every day. Beyond writing code, I hope I'm also bringing a fresh perspective that pushes the team to continually refine how we collaborate and approach our day-to-day workflows.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Don't be afraid to knock on every door. My previous internship, which is how I learned about this opportunity, wasn't one I was formally offered. I simply kept reaching out and demonstrating genuine interest until I earned the chance to contribute and in doing so, I built lasting connections that ultimately led me to where I am today. The worst thing anyone can say is no, so always put yourself out there.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I love how well I'm supported here while still being challenged and learning something new every day. The Career Center provided me with an amazing opportunity to visit ClearEdge and truly connect with the company and the people here.

Join us for lunch with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to celebrate the end of the semester, and it's complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

This is the final use for the Gold Cards for the 25-26 academic year!

We can't wait to see you there!

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events/149345

Good afternoon, Retrievers!

Are you looking for a job that will lead to new experiences and meeting fellow students? Do you like working in a high paced office where you can help people on a daily basis? Is customer service something you excel in and wish to do in a fun and supportive environment? 

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then working in the Financial Aid Office may be the job for you!

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is looking to hire Federal Work Study eligible students as new Front Office Assistants to train and work over the summer and into the upcoming academic year. Front Office Assistants are responsible for providing excellent customer service for our students and families who contact our office daily as well as other office related tasks, while working in a team driven and fast paced environment. 

If you are interested, please look at the full position description by logging into your Handshake account (if you do not have a Handshake account, please set one up) and looking for position #11033303. The position will be open for applications through May 29th, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid office.

Thanks so much!

~The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Dear UMBC Community,

I recently had one of those days that reminded me—through a richly diverse set of experiences—exactly who we are. I had the opportunity to attend three events the first Saturday in May that showcased in different ways the strengths of our community and the contributions UMBC makes to the state of Maryland.

My day began at an open house at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where UMBC faculty, students, and partners are advancing research on the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. The family-friendly open house gave visitors a chance to experience IMET’s research through hands-on science activities, conversations with scientists, and demonstrations exploring marine science. I could see curiosity taking hold in the minds of the attendees.

Then it was on to Maryland History Day, a celebration of the humanities and the culmination of the Maryland History Day contest that we have hosted on our campus for more than two decades. A partnership with Maryland Humanities, the event brought hundreds of middle and high school students whose questions and perspectives are adding to our understanding of history.

I ended the day at the Linehan Concert Hall, listening to “Songs of Freedom,” a concert by the UMBC Jubilee Singers and Gospel Choir. The music was powerful, carrying stories and history and bringing people together. Three different spaces, three different ways of connecting, learning, and contributing to our communities: That is UMBC.

With deep appreciation,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Dear Colleagues,

No matter how long you’ve taught, there is always something you can learn from your colleagues. And if you generally prepare and teach your classes in isolation, you may wish you had more opportunities to have the kinds of conversations with colleagues from across the disciplines that would enrich your teaching practice, help you improve student engagement, and deepen your sense of belonging to a community of scholars. Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) at UMBC fill this niche. The Faculty Development Center is pleased to announce six new proposed topics for Faculty Learning Communities in AY 2026-27:

• The Thinking Gap: Classrooms, Critical Reasoning, and Generative AI
• Big Classes, Better Learning: Designing Inclusive and Engaging Large Lecture Courses
• What Makes Mentoring Work? Investigating the Practices Behind Transformative Student-Mentor Research Relationships
• The Attention Problem: Sustaining Engagement in Today’s Classroom
• Integrity by Design: Understanding and Addressing Academic Dishonesty in the Age of AI
• Making, Doing, Knowing: The Value of Hands-On and Embodied Learning

What are FLCs? Faculty Learning Communities are groups of 6-12 self-selected faculty who are co-learners, joining together across disciplines for a year-long exploration of specific evidence-based teaching practices. FLCs support faculty in developing a new pedagogical approach, new kinds of assignments, and/or new ways to assess student learning. Participants who meet the attendance requirements (missing no more than 3 out of approximately 11 meetings over the academic year) receive a professional development award. The meeting format for each FLC, in-person or virtual, will be determined by the preference of the facilitators and the majority of the applicants. 

Who is eligible? All current faculty, as well as staff who teach, are encouraged to participate.

To apply: The application form contains descriptions of each of the proposed FLCs. Please submit your application to fdc@umbc.edu by Friday, June 26th. Although you can only participate in one FLC, you may apply to more than one, ranking your choices on the application form. Pending budget decisions, the FLCs that receive the greatest numbers of applicants will go forward as FDC-sponsored FLCs for 2026-27.

To learn more about the FLC program: Please visit the FLC page on the FDC website.

Best,
Kerrie and Sarah

Photo provided by Sarah Leupen.