Dr. James DeVita, associate vice president for academic partnerships and high-impact experiences in the Division of Student Affairs, will speak with alumni from UMBC’s Community Leadership program at Homecoming on Saturday, October 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the The Commons Sports Zone (new location). This Community Leadership Gathering, open to all, is a free, ticketed event.

Dr. DeVita is the newest faculty member in the Community Leadership program, which prepares aspiring and practicing leaders with the skills and experience needed to generate transformative social change. His conversation with alumni will focus on leadership skills and career readiness. It will be a facilitated conversation that engages attendees, includes opportunities for audience questions, and encourages reflection and dialogue.

“The Community Leadership program is not only interdisciplinary, bringing together students from all types of disciplinary backgrounds, it's also interprofessional, bringing together individuals who work in a wide range of fields,” said Dr. DeVita. “This makes for a rich learning experience for both students and instructors that is helping me to learn more about our community(-ies) in Baltimore while also getting to support student engagement and learning. I'm also inspired by the opportunity to co-teach with Dr. Sally Scott, graduate program director, and curious about the impact of our collaborative approach on students' learning – something we might explore during our discussion at Homecoming, among other topics.”

Graduate Students Game Night

Date: October 2
Time: 4-6PM

Venue: Commons 331

We've got a great lineup of games waiting for you—Codenames, Sequence, Sushi Go Party, Exploding Kittens, and more! Also, chances to win great cash prizes! 

1st Prize - $100 
2nd Prize - $75 
3rd Prize - $50

Whether you're a board game pro or just looking to unwind, this is the perfect chance to connect, laugh, and have fun. Don't miss it—bring your friends and join the fun! 

Register here. You can also scan the QR code on the poster attached below. 

Join the Student Affairs Senators on Tuesday, September 23 from 11am – 1pm in Commons 331 for Paint N’ Chat. This is a chance to explore the many resources UMBC offers while enjoying a fun, creative break!

Featured campus resources include:
Retriever Integrated Health
The Women’s Center
Retriever Essentials
Student Technology Resources
The Academic Success Center

Location: Commons 331
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 23, 11am – 1pm

Come paint, chat, and connect with the offices dedicated to supporting your success at UMBC!

Indoor Navigation System for Individuals with Vision Impairments

Aydin Ayanzadeh, a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), is conducting a research study on designing an indoor navigation system to support individuals who are blind or have low vision (BLV).

Study Details

• Approved by UMBC IRB (Protocol #1743)

• Led by: Aydin Ayanzadeh, Ph.D. Student (Faculty Advisor: Prof. Tim Oates)

• Eligibility: Blind or low-vision individuals, located in the U.S. (preferably MD, VA, or DC)

• Compensation:

  • Pre-survey: $15 (10–15 minutes, BLV participants only) [Fill out the pre-survey here]

    You can now fill out the pre-survey, which will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete (BLV participants only).

  • In-person sessions: $40 per session (30–45 minutes, up to 3 sessions in one day)

• Activities: Short questionnaire, brief training, and navigation tasks with a sighted assistant

• Safety: No face camera; safety support provided

Participation Links

• Consent form

• Sign-up form

For more information, please contact:
Aydin Ayanzadeh (aydina1@umbc.edu)
Ph.D. Student, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering