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
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They will share insider perspectives on interning in Annapolis and answer your questions about making the most of this valuable opportunity.
Open to all students! Free dinner! Please register by October 6th.
Name: Aureliane Tchamdja
Pronouns: She/Her
Semester of Internship: Summer 2025
Major: Computer Science
Current Class Level: Junior
This semester I completed a(n)...: Research experience
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program
Location of the Organization (City, State): Lincoln, Nebraska
Title of position: Research Scholar
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
I worked with Dr. Wissam Kontar and Mohammad Elayan on our project, "Autonomous Ground and Air Systems for Last-Mile Mobility: A Case Study on the Agriculture System". This research allowed me to explore the logistics of last-mile delivery and learn how to solve route optimization problems using autonomous vehicles and drones in rural, agricultural settings. I had the opportunity to present my research as a poster at both UNL's 2025 Engineering Summer Research Fair hosted by the College of Engineering, and UNL's 2025 Summer Research Symposium hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Other than my poster, other deliverables that I had completed by the end of the program were a 10+ page scientific paper on my project and an oral presentation in front of my peers and faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. I was also able to attend workshops and panels that have better prepared me for graduate school and strengthened my skills as a scientist/researcher.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I heard of the Nebraska Summer Research Program through emails that were sent to me during the Fall 2024 semester. I applied and submitted my application to the program in January.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, University website
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
I enjoyed being able to explore the sustainability/transportation research field, especially being able to look at the use of autonomous technology. I also found the workshops and panels that the program provided to be very valuable.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Although my work was more so in a preliminary stage, I believe that it is still a great contribution to the scientific community because it will help start conversations on how to better address transportation gaps in agriculture and in rural areas as a whole.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Advice that I would give to another student seeking an internship is to not be afraid to apply to any and as many programs/experiences as they desire. The more you open yourself up to these opportunities, the more likely you are to get them.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
What I liked most about my research experience was being able to explore a research field that I may not have been able to otherwise, as well as being able to learn more about graduate school and what to expect as a student who wants to pursue a PhD degree.
]]>Have you received an accommodation letter or faced questions about how to adjust your course? This virtual workshop is designed to support anyone in a teaching role at UMBC. The Office of Accessibility and Disability Services will cover practical approaches, share case examples, and answer your questions about navigating student accommodations.
Date and Time: Friday, October 3rd, 2–3 p.m.
Format: Virtual workshop
REGISTER HERE
Topics include:
Q&A and discussion of real scenarios
Resources, policies, and procedures available to instructors
Preparing for Section 508 accessibility requirements (all digital content accessible by 2026)
This workshop is presented by the Office of Accessibility & Disability Services (a unit of the Division of Institutional Equity).
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October is a special month at UMBC as we celebrate Disability Identity Awareness Month on campus while also recognizing the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM is an annual observance that highlights the contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce and emphasizes the importance of inclusive workplaces for individuals with all types of disabilities, including non-obvious and mental health conditions. This year’s NDEAM theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” honors the achievements of American workers with disabilities, past and present, and aligns with the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reminding us of the importance of early detection, education, and support in the fight against breast cancer. Over the past 40 years, awareness efforts have helped reduce breast cancer death rates in the U.S. by 44%, saving more than half a million lives. The National Breast Cancer Foundation encourages everyone to "Help Women Now" through education, early screenings, and community support.
At UMBC, we invite our community to join us in celebrating disability identity through events, conversations, and activities designed to foster inclusion, understanding, and connection. Events are happening throughout October on the highlighted dates, with some hosted by the UMBC ADS/SDS Office and others by Instructional Technology. From engaging conversations to hands-on workshops and community-building activities, these events provide opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate the diverse experiences of our UMBC community.
October 3, 8, 27: Campus Accessibility Walk & Roll Tours (Noon, MP 222)
October 3: I Have an LOA (Letter of Accommodation), Now What? (Online, 2-3 PM)
Oct 9: Digital Accessibility 101: Principles and Practices – 12–12:30 PM, Online
If you can click it, you can fix it. Learn what digital accessibility is and why it matters.
Oct 10: Accessible Images: Basics of Alt Text & Decorative Images – 12–12:30 PM, Online
October 13: Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Quad Life (4:30–7 PM, UC 310)- Click the link to save your spot!
October 15: Campus Accessibility: Facilities Management & ADS Project Discussion (Hybrid, Noon, ILSB 101/ Engineering Lecture Hall 027*)
Oct 15: Free Webinar – Making AI Work for All: Enhancing Accessibility for Students in Higher Education – 2–3 PM, Online
Sponsored by Northwest Higher Ed Accessible Technology
October 17: Accessible Documents and Course Materials: PDFs, PPTs, and More (Noon, MP 222)
October 21: FMLA & Job Accommodations (Non-Supervisors) (Noon, Online)
October 24: Tea Time with Tori (Noon, MP 222)
Oct 24: Review & Improve Your Blackboard Course Accessibility Score with Ally – 12–12:45 PM, Online
October 27: FMLA & Job Accommodations (Supervisors) (11 AM, Online)
We look forward to seeing you this semester.
Stories have the power to inspire empathy, raise awareness, and spark meaningful conversations. In recognition of Disability Identity Awareness Month, the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we've curated a list of impactful films that celebrate resilience, identity, and community. Each of these movies sheds light on personal strength, inclusion, and the importance of support—values that resonate deeply with UMBC's commitment to accessibility, understanding, and compassion.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020) – A powerful documentary about a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities that sparked the disability rights movement and led to the creation of the ADA.
Door to Door (2002) – Based on the true story of Bill Porter, a man with cerebral palsy who became a top-performing door-to-door salesman. A touching example of persistence and dignity in employment.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – A heartwarming adventure about a young man with Down syndrome pursuing his dream of becoming a wrestler, highlighting inclusion and independence.
The Theory of Everything (2014) – Chronicles the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, showing his journey with ALS and his groundbreaking scientific achievements.
Ray (2004) – Chronicles the life of musician Ray Charles, focusing on his success despite blindness, illustrating employment, talent, and perseverance.
Contact us: disability@umbc.edu | (410) 455-2459 | sds.umbc.edu
UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all. For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, please email disability@umbc.edu.