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Hello beautiful people! The semester has flown by, and now our last event of the semester is TOMORROW :0  Come out to the Pride Center from 2:30-4:30 to share food and spend time with friends before finals! You can sign up to bring food here

Hello everyone! It’s the final countdown of the semester!

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Updates and Events:

The Global Pantry Initiative (Aftermath):

Thank you to all who submitted ingredients ideas, the initiative has been a huge success! Furthermore, if you would like to see more cultural ingredients from these regions, or any culture, please feel free to input them in our suggestion box below. The more inputs we get, the more we can give!

Earth Day Free Farmers Market Recap:

During our first ever Earth Day Farmer’s Market, we were able to give out over 2.5k lbs of food to almost 300 UMBC students and faculty. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community!----

Data:

In the month of April, we’ve distributed nearly 13k lbs worth of food and other household essentials. This includes data from our Essential Space, Free Farmers Market on Thursdays, and our Earth day farmers market.

Thank you all for your support and presence this semester!

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Suggestion Box:

To improve on our services, and try to address everyone’s different needs, we would love to hear your feedback!

https://forms.gle/oUvd1EaMcmmasKFn8

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read our newsletter, and good luck on finals!

If you have any questions about what we provide, volunteering opportunities, or general inquiries, feel free to email us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu at any time!

Sincerely,

The Retriever Essentials Team

Hi everyone!

We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!  

Reposted from UMBC News: Eight Retrievers awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships by Sarah Hansen

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Eight UMBC students and alumni have been awarded the prestigious 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP), a highly competitive honor that supports outstanding graduate students in STEM disciplines. This year's large cohort of Retriever recipients demonstrates the university's commitment to fostering research excellence and preparing students to become leaders in their fields. Three of the eight recipients are connected to the CBEE department. 

Meredith Morse '25, chemical engineering, and Terra Miley '25, chemical engineering, are both conducting doctoral work at the University of Delaware. Both credit their time in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering as foundational to their success.

For Terra, her undergraduate experience was transformative in every sense:

"My experiences at UMBC within CBEE have truly led me to exactly where I am today. The CBEE department is a very special place filled with opportunities and faculty and staff that truly support its students. The transformative research opportunities, mentorship, supportive community, and the education I received from the department allowed me to build the foundation I needed to grow as a leader and pursue my PhD."

Terra's research in Dr. Govind Rao's lab at the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology sparked a passion that now drives her doctoral work:

"Working in Dr. Govind Rao's lab exposed me to research that pushed the boundaries of what engineering and biology can do together, especially through novel, accessible tools in sensor technology. My research experience at UMBC evolved into the curiosity that motivates my research today, in using an engineering approach to transform science in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry to make medicines and pharmaceuticals more accessible."

Terra also highlighted the broader mentorship network that supported her journey: "Apart from just my research mentors, I was lucky to have other mentors, like Dr. Neha Raikar, who supported me in many different advisor roles — academic, organizational through AIChE, and teaching — and served as a constant source of encouragement throughout my undergraduate experience."

Meredith similarly points to her UMBC experience as essential preparation for graduate school:

"My experience as an undergrad at UMBC prepared me well for my next step as a PhD student. The rigorous coursework, research experience, and involvement in organizations including AIChE and CWIT helped me develop both professionally and personally. The most important thing I gained from my time at UMBC was grit — the ability to persevere through the challenges and difficulties that come with graduate school."

Her curiosity about microbial systems, sparked during undergraduate research, now defines her doctoral focus:

"At UMBC, I investigated how the fungal cell wall is regulated and how that impacts the performance of sustainable materials made out of fungi. Now as a graduate student at Delaware, I am investigating how microbial communities can be leveraged to break down plastic waste. I am excited by developing sustainable solutions to global challenges by pursuing a career in research, starting with obtaining my PhD."

Meredith also emphasized the lasting impact of faculty mentorship: "I benefited greatly from the support of my many mentors at UMBC, but in particular my research mentor Dr. Mark Marten. I met Dr. Marten through CWIT's faculty-mentor program in my freshman year, and he provided me advice and guidance throughout my college career. He helped me face my imposter syndrome and build confidence in myself as a researcher."

Sydney Braithwaite, who completed her bachelor's in forensic chemistry at Towson University, will bring her fellowship to UMBC for doctoral study with Lee Blaney, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Her path to UMBC began with a research experience that changed her trajectory:

"In summer of 2023, I participated in the BEMORE REU at UMBC and worked with Dr. Lee Blaney's lab on their anion exchange passive sampler project. That summer opened my eyes to the possibilities of research as a career, and I made connections with Dr. Blaney's lab and the rest of my cohort that persist to this day. This is part of why I came back to UMBC for my PhD. With Dr. Blaney as my mentor, I'm excited to come back and work with him and the rest of the Blaney lab on their various PFAS-centric and nutrient recovery projects."

The GRFP provides three years of financial support, including an annual living stipend and funds for tuition and fees. Recipients can take their fellowship to any institution in the U.S., making it easier for students to pursue the research they are passionate about with faculty who share their enthusiasm, regardless of the resources available at the host institution.

These fellowships are a testament to the drive and talent of UMBC's graduates as they take on new challenges along their research journeys. Each is in a strong position to make their mark on scientific discovery and innovation across the country.

Living Water is having our LAST Large Group tonight Thursday 5/7, at 7:30PM in MEYER030!

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors at our Senior Send Off! Come encourage them, share memories, and send them into their next season grounded in Christ and surrounded by the love of Living Water!!

We saved you a seat!! Hope to see you tonight :D

Donate your gently used items as you pack up for Summer Break!
In partnership with ResLife and Retriever Essentials, the Office of Sustainability has created the Retriever ReStore, to collect and redistribute donated items from student move out back to our community to keep them out of the landfill.

Green collection bins are placed in the lobbies of each residential building, including the ACC and Walker Clubhouse, to donate your unwanted belongings.

Donated items will be collected by volunteers, and will be available to shop from for free in the ReStore Pop Up in Upper Flat Tuesdays as collection goes on. At this time we are NOT accepting clothing or linens. See below for a list of accepted items!

 Sign up for a collection volunteeer shift to get first dibs on incoming donations.  

Contact sustainability@umbc.edu with any questions.

COEIT Adjunct Faculty only!

Please select one of the candidates below who you would like to have represent your college as part of the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee for 2026-2028. Voting ends Thursday 5/14/26.

The Central and Departmental Collaboration Group presents the FY2027 Research Administrator’s Mentoring Program, starting July 1, 2026 and running through June 30, 2027. 

This year-long program is designed for UMBC central and departmental research administrators who would like to be paired with a Mentor/Mentee in order to share resources, network, and learn from each other about UMBC, research administration, and connection.

The broader Mentoring group will meet up to 5 times a year to share ideas and questions and each smaller Mentor group (2-4 people) will meet monthly as schedules align. 

Research Administrator's Mentoring Program FY2027 Sign-Up Form is available as of today and the deadline for sign-up is May 29, 2026

If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to Amy Steinly-Marks (asmarks@umbc.edu) and Emma Wheatley (emma9@umbc.edu) and we will be happy to respond.

B.A.: Art and Technology Integration

Minors/ Certiicates on Graduation Record:

• Informations Sysytems| Minor
• Dance| Minor 
• UX/UI Certification
• Manga Cum Laude

Degree Mentors: 

• Ann Sofie Clemmensen| Associate Professor, UMBC Department of Dance 
• Sidas Saulynas| Associate Teaching Professor, UMBC Department of Information Systems
•  Eric Brown| Assistant Teaching Professor, UMBC Individualized Study Program

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because after switching majors several times and taking on a variety of minors, I felt none of the programs alone could provide the resources I wanted for the career I would like to pursue. INDS, on the other hand, allowed me to create a unique path, tailored to my specific needs and aligned with my academic and career goals.

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

After graduation, I plan to further my education while continuing to explore the ways in which art and technology can be integrated. I plan to work with organizations that are discovering, creating, and equipping artists with new and innovative tools they might utilize to expand their creativity.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?

• Treasurer| UMBC Dance Council of Majors
• Researcher| UMBC URCAD 2026 

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

• Presdient's Award 
• Deans List 

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

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UMBC and in the INDS program. I thank Jesus for the gift of this community and the support it provides. I am deeply grateful for the mentors, friends, and love I have received over the years.

For More information on Joanna's INDS journey please click here!

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