It's time to choose the 2026 Economics Council Executive Board!

If you haven't voted yet, make sure your voice counts, the ballot closes tonight.

Take a minute to support the people who will shape our events, workshops, networking opportunities, and the direction of the Council next year.

Vote here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2BFQG5Yi0SzyptcsVc3jpXoZGxaZ6rcyF1pyFdKpn550JKA/viewform

Your vote genuinely matters. Thanks for helping build the next chapter of Econ Council!

Dear UMBC Community,

In the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, I had the opportunity to attend two gatherings of higher education leaders, including the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, where I am a member of its Council of Presidents.

In those settings, as you might imagine, there was a great deal of conversation about the current pivotal moment for higher education as all of our institutions navigate the effects of ongoing federal actions, as well as a host of other often interconnected challenges and opportunities. The gatherings were substantive and important in many ways. For me, a key takeaway was, frankly, that amid all the worry out there, this is a time for UMBC to lead.

Our position is strong because our values and purpose are so clear. That clarity is a privilege as much as it is a responsibility in that we can remain true to our core value of inclusive excellence and the public purpose it serves as we advocate for higher education broadly.

We can also remain true to our values as we set a course for UMBC's future, with the humility to know we can do better. That is a strength as well. Maybe it is related to UMBC's age: we are old enough to know who we are and young enough to still change and grow. What I know is that there is nowhere I would rather be in this moment, no institution I would rather be serving, than UMBC.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby 

Dear UMBC faculty:

We are thrilled to announce the call for applications for the UMBC Global Learning Lab, a joint initiative of the Office of the Provost and the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) that aims to develop a faculty learning community dedicated to increasing student access to global learning opportunities. The Global Learning Lab is a cohort-style, semester-long program that provides a framework for faculty to exchange best practices and innovative models for expanding access to global learning opportunities over a series of four workshops. This program is made possible with funding from the Office of the Provost. 

All full-time faculty—tenured/tenure-track, non-tenure-track—and adjuncts (minimum of six semesters at UMBC) are invited to apply for the Spring 2026 cohort. Faculty accepted into the Lab must commit to attending each of the workshops below and producing one project to present at the conclusion of the lab. Faculty will receive a $1,500 professional development stipend to support their intended project. The funds will be transferred to the fellow's home department upon successful completion of the Spring 2026 Global Learning Lab. Applicants must discuss their intended project with their department chairs prior to applying. 

Workshop #1: Friday, February 6, from 9 AM - 12 PM

Internationalization of the Curriculum Through Curricular Mapping will focus on identifying the ideal term(s), course(s), location(s)/partner(s) for students to participate in a global learning experience.

Workshop #2: Friday, February 27, from 9 AM - 12 PM

Developing a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program will focus on building a study abroad program using best practices to support student learning and the development of skills, attitudes, and experiences that promote global and cultural competency.  

Workshop #3: Friday, March 27, from 9 AM - 12 PM

Global Learning for All: Virtual Exchange will focus on how to foster opportunities to develop cultural and global competencies in an existing course through virtual exchanges known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).

Workshop #4: Friday, May 1, from 9 AM - 12 PM

Global Learning Lab Project Presentations will provide an opportunity for faculty in the lab to present their global learning project (i.e. curricular mapping for their department, faculty-led study abroad program proposal, or COIL course).

Important

The ideal faculty cohort will represent the diversity of UMBC programs and a diversity of intended projects. As such, if more than one faculty member from a specific department is applying, they are encouraged to speak with their colleagues to ensure their intended projects are complementary (i.e. one faculty member may propose to work on a virtual exchange/COIL and another will work on proposing a faculty-led study abroad program).

The deadline to apply for the Spring 2026 cohort is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Faculty will be notified about the status of their application by Friday, January 16, 2026. Please note that in-person attendance at each workshop is required. All applicants should save these workshop dates now. 

Questions? Contact Katie Heird at kheird1@umbc.edu at the Center for Global Engagement. 

Sincerely,

Ana Oskoz, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

David Di Maria, Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Enjoy breakfast with other UMBC commuters and get connected with on-campus resources! There isn't a better way to start your day!

GMC will be hosted every Tuesday morning from 8:30am to 11:00am. It is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time per academic year purchase and are available to be purchased at every GMC with cash only.

Gold Cards at $5 for Commuters

$10 for Residential & Graduate Students 

This Week in EA

• EA Pop-Up in PUP | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 9am-12pm | PUP354

  Are you planning to go abroad this winter or spring and have last minute questions? Do you want to get a jump start on planning your study abroad during Summer or Fall '26? Then stop by the Education Abroad Pop-Up Drop-In Advising hours in Room 354 of the Public Policy building! We can't wait to see you there!

• EA Pop-Up in the Commons | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 12:30pm-1:30pm | Commons Main Street

  Are you interested in studying abroad but don't know where to start? Do you have questions for the EA team? Stop by our table on Commons Main Street!

• Identity among Japan Exchange and Teaching Participants - Thesis Defense | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 10am-12pm | Sherman 445 or Virtual
  

  MA TESOL Candidate MV Kizer Ball will be defending her thesis on identity among Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme participants on 4 December from 10.00-12.00 in person and on zoom. The format for the hearing, which is scheduled for 90 minutes is as follows. Note, only a portion is open to the public and this should last no more than 60 minutes. 1. Introduction of committee, 2. Thesis presentation - MV will then present a short overview of her thesis using Powerpoint. This will not last more than 20 minutes, 3. Question and Answers - The committee will pose comments and questions to MV. If there is additional time, guests may be invited to make comments or ask questions, 4. Committee Deliberation - Guests will be thanked and invited to step out. MV will also step out but rejoin when the committee invites her back to receive feedback and the overall decision. 

• The Global Studies Program is seeking digital marketing interns!

  Have you ever considered a career in global education or marketing? The Global Studies Program is seeking three digital marketing interns who will create and publish content for the program's website and social media in spring 2026. Interns must be GLBL majors with at least 60 completed credits and demonstrate a strong interest in global education marketing. This is an unpaid internship where students earn three upper-level elective credits (GLBL 401), involving 7.5 hours of work per week. For more information, please contact Dr. Filomeno (filomeno@umbc.edu). Use this link to apply by January 7th.

Recurring Events and Deadlines

• February 1st, 2026: ISEP Exchange and Nanzan University Fall '26, and AY 26-27 Applications due

• February 16, 2026: Summer 2026 Faculty-led Program Applications due

• March 10th, 2026: Summer (non-faculty led), Fall, and Academic Year 2026-2027 Applications due

• Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Academic Year 2026-2027 advising is available now! Contact educationabroad@umbc.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours
  Tuesday | 3pm-4pm | Virtual

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions
  Monday | 11am-12pm | Virtual
  Tuesday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual
  Wednesday | 1pm-2pm | Virtual

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Corner

• French in France
  What better place to learn French than in France? Take a French language course in Angers, a city in western France, specifically in the Pays de la Loire region. It's conveniently located to access Paris, Nantes, and other large cities via high speed train and the Loire Valley castles. This faculty-led study abroad course will allow students to earn credit for any French language course: 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, or 304. Students above level FREN 304 will receive credit for FREN 399. Work towards or complete your language requirement, Cultures GEP requirement, or a French major, minor, or certificate! Students will stay in homestays and share meals with French families, attend courses with students from across the globe, participate in a French cooking class and river-boat tour, and select two day-long excursions that will take them outside the city of Angers.

• Justice, Agency and Culture in Kenya
  Are you interested in learning about the Maasai people and other local communities of Kenya while exploring the relationship between community, culture, and social justice? Over the course of three weeks, explore Nairobi and the Maasai Mara region. This will include visiting organizations and significant historical sites that emphasize Kenya's people and history, particularly in terms of de-colonization. Deepen your understanding of the connection between the environment and its people by engaging with organizations like The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (The Green Belt Movement), the Brackenhurst Indigenous Forest, and the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration-Kenya. You will also spend time with organizations that focus on women's and girl's rights. In the Maasai Mara, we will go on safari and learn more about Maasai culture.