Hi everyone!
IS is excited to announce that Dr. Leah Buechley will be visiting UMBC next week to give a talk.

When: Thursday, May 7th, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Where: ITE 459 (and virtually at Webex)

Title: Material Matters

Abstract: In the past 20 years, 3D printing has evolved into an essential creative tool, employed in schools, maker spaces, and homes. However, most printing has been done in plastic, which profoundly limits the kinds of artifacts that people can design and build. This talk will present technologies developed at the Hand and Machine lab that enable low-cost desktop 3D printing in a range of beautiful and durable materials, including ceramics, metal, and glass. I will discuss new technical, artistic, and social possibilities that are supported by this expansive material palette, and I will argue for the importance of materials to creativity, learning, and cultural expression.

Bio: Leah Buechley is an associate professor in the computer science department at the University of New Mexico, where she directs the Hand and Machine research group. Her work explores integrations of electronics, computing, art, craft, and design. She is a pioneer in paper and fabric-based electronics, and her inventions include the LilyPad Arduino, a construction kit for sewable electronics. Previously, she was a professor at the MIT Media Lab, where she founded and directed the High-Low Tech group. Her awards include an NSF CAREER Award, the Edith Ackerman Award for Interaction Design and Children, and the Mike Eisenberg Award for Beautiful Learning Technologies. Leah received a PhD in computer science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a BA in physics from Skidmore College. At both institutions, she also studied dance, theater, fine art, and design.

If you are interested in meeting with Leah during her visit (there are open slots before/after her talk), let me know! 

Please pass along to other colleagues and/or students who might be interested!
Thanks,Fiona
--
Fiona Bell, PhDEntangled Ecologies Lab
Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Computing
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
fionaabell.com | entangledecologieslab.org

Shout out to the Class of 2026!

You made it, and we are so proud!

To all undergraduate and graduate students, Division of Student Affairs invites you to join us for a fun afternoon.

Thursday, May 7 | 4 – 6 p.m. The Commons, Terrace

Featuring:

• Food and drink
• Photos with Chip and the UMBC letters
• Free alum t-shirt
• Graduation cap decorating

Free legal support can make a real difference.

Retriever Support Services is sharing a pro bono initiative offering free legal advice for tenants. This opportunity is open to everyone, with 30-minute in-person or virtual appointments available.

Appointments are available on May 13 and May 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To book a slot, email OCSS@umbc.edu. For questions, contact Dr. Flores at GFLORES2@umbc.edu.

Please share this resource with anyone who may benefit from it.

User Agreement

By Ben Holbrook
Directed by Sean DiGiorgio ('26)

Production Team

• Sound Designer & Directing Mentor: Nigel Semaj
• Costume Designers: Becca Janney & Eric Abele
• Scenic & Projection Designer: Tyler Brust
• Lighting Designer: Niya John
• Technologist: Adam Mendelson
• Ollie Animator: Grace Horne
• Intimacy Choreographer: Katie Hileman
• Props Coordinator: Ann Davies
• Dramaturg: Joseph Hoffman
• Stage Manager: Kayla Laucks
• Production Assistants: Sumedha Bhat, Ash Morris, Jada Abbott

Cast

• Sy: Jamia Tutt
• Theo: Amani Abdullah
• Leif: Gabriel Zuniga
• Nimbus: Lily Arbaugh
• Ollie: Emma Parsons
• Sy/Theo Swing: Camila Hidalgo
• Leif Understudy: Lilith Hohlbein

Full show program and show poster are attached.

Show poster designed by Eric Abele.

Production Photos

All production photos by Kiirstn Pagan '11.

Temporary Private room available in a 2BHK townhouse for a male at Westland Gardens for a 3-month move-in.

Perfect for interns, students living on campus whose apartments will be closed, or anyone looking for temporary housing.

Fully furnished 2BHK townhouse: 

What you get:

• Spacious living room with sofa + TV.
• Fully equipped kitchen (Oven, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher).
• In-unit Washer & Dryer.
• Central heating & cooling.
• Just a 1-minute walk to the UMBC bus stop.
• Only 10 minutes walk to campus. 
• Availability: May 25th - Aug 15th.
• Rent is just 600$ only.

DM for more information: +1-202-937-5716 or email me at IO95979@umbc.edu

The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab presents

Securing the Vote: A Longitudinal Assessment of U.S. Election Cybersecurity, 2012–2024

Prof. Chul Hyun Park, UMBC School of Public Policy

Coauthors and collaborators: Jeongmin Oh, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, U. of Cincinnati), Matthew Reeds, (UMBC)

12:00–1 pm ET, Friday, May 8, 2026 via WebEx

Securing election integrity is fundamental to democratic governance and a core responsibility of election administration. Public policy establishes the institutional environment in which electoral systems operate and shapes public trust in electoral outcomes. As digital technologies have become increasingly embedded in voter registration, ballot transmission, vote tabulation, and post-election verification, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical dimension of election governance. Yet systematic knowledge remains limited on how U.S. state and local policies, practices, and technologies have adapted to evolving cybersecurity challenges. This study addresses that gap by analyzing the adoption and evolution of cybersecurity-related election policies, practices, and technologies across state and local jurisdictions from 2012 to 2024. The findings show how governments have responded to emerging digital threats, highlight patterns and divergences in policy adoption, and identify persistent governance gaps. The study offers practical insights for strengthening electoral governance and demonstrates how cybersecurity policy can enhance election integrity and safeguard democratic institutions.

Chul Hyun Park is an associate professor in the School of Public Policy at UMBC, where he also serves as Director of the InnoTech Policy Lab. He is a faculty affiliate of the UMBC Cybersecurity Institute. His research focuses on the policy dimensions of digital governance, with particular emphasis on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, and post- quantum cryptography.

Host: Dr. Alan T. Sherman. Support for this event was provided in part by NSF under SFS grants DGE-1753681 and 2438185. The UMBC Cyber Defense Lab meets biweekly Fridays 12-1pm. All meetings are open to the public.

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except once a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

May is all about finishing strong, staying connected, and making the most of commuter community before the semester wraps up.

Good Morning and Good Afternoon Commuters are here to help you fuel up, take a break, and enjoy some well-deserved community time before finals.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC/GAC event (cash only):

$5 for Commuter Students
$10 for Residential & Graduate Students

Here’s what’s coming up this May:

GMC 5/5: Traditional Breakfast
GAC 5/12: BBQ Edition

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UMBC invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Applied Mathematics, beginning Fall 2026. We particularly welcome candidates with research interests in Quantum Computing, Optimization, Operations Research, and Numerical Linear Algebra.

This is a one-year appointment beginning in Fall 2026, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related field by the start date. The successful candidate will pursue an active research program, collaborate with faculty, and seek external funding. An option for teaching classes in addition to the above responsibilities also exists.

Point of Contact: Dr.  Mohammadhossein Mohammadisiahroudi, UMBC Math/Stats

Additional info & job listing:  https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/list/28386

Stop by Coffee Mondays to grab a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and take a breather between classes.

Whether you're coming to study, chat, or just refuel, this is your weekly reminder to slow down and connect with fellow grad students.

Where? Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons 308)
When? Every Monday | 10am - 2pm

Come as you are — pajamas, laptops, and coffee orders welcome.