We are moving from our temporary location in the RAC to our newly remodeled digs on the 4th floor of the admin building next week!

Beginning Monday, June 18 we will have no access to phones and limited access to email. We expect to be fully functioning by Wednesday, June 20. The best way to reach us is by email.

Come by to see our new makeover!

Get to know our amazing Writing Center Tutors, who can help you improve any writing assignment for any class.  

Meagan Barrett

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm currently an English major who loves to write fiction, and draw my ideas! I have two cats, and spend most of my time reading and/or binge watching​ Criminal Minds on Netflix. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

On top of tutoring, I'm a copy editor on both the Retriever Weekly and the Bartleby staff. Most semesters I also work as a Writing Fellow for English 100 classes. So there are quite a few places you might see me around campus!

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

Funnily enough, I found out about tutoring on campus when I was tutoring my mathematically-inclined boyfriend in English 100. I did such a good job, apparently, that he was recommended to be a Writing Tutor! Before then, I didn't know the Writing Center even existed. He declined, but I decided to follow the instructions on the email myself, and I emailed the Writing Center director to see if I she would consider hiring me instead. 

During my internship in the Writing Center, I discovered that I really enjoy working with and helping others understand writing.  

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite thing about tutoring is that it gives me the opportunity to talk about my biggest passion all the time! Writing is kind of my life's mission, so being able to work with it directly is pretty exciting for me. 

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

I definitely think all students should utilize the Learning Resources Center, and not just if you're on the verge of failing your classes. I think it's hard sometimes, because our culture tends to put a stigma on the idea of "tutoring," so it can be hard to ask for help when you need it. 

But the fact of the matter is that it's normal to need help! And the Writing Center is a place that allows students to get that extra help in a low-pressure, nonjudgmental environment. All of us writing tutors know that writing is hard, and even the best writers make mistakes. So getting an extra set of eyes can make a huge difference to your grade, because they'll probably notice something you didn't!

This is especially true of writing, but can also be true of other subjects as well — getting a second opinion never hurts! 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session?

I think the most important way a student can prepare for a session is by making sure you know what you want to focus on! If you bring a seven page paper to a 30-minute session, I likely won't be able to look at the whole thing. So it's important to prioritize what you need help with, so we can spend our limited time on things that matter to you! (But also — bring two paper copies with you!)

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I'm available in the Writing Center, located on the first floor of the AOK Library, on Mondays from 12:30-3:30pm this summer.  I'm also available for online tutoring on Sunday nights from 6-9pm. And I'm always happy to help!

Rachael Knoblauch has won a NSF Fellowship following a national competition. The program recruits high-potential, early-career scientists and engineers and supports their graduate research training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Launched in 1952 shortly after Congress established NSF, GRFP represents the nation's oldest continuous investment in the U.S. STEM workforce.

"To support U.S. leadership and innovation in science and engineering, we must recognize and nurture talent from all of our nation's communities," said Jim Lewis, NSF acting assistant director for Education and Human Resources. "I am pleased that again this year, the competition has selected talented students from all economic backgrounds and all demographic categories. In addition, NSF worked successfully to accommodate students from U.S. islands devastated by Hurricanes Maria and Irma, so that they could still compete for a fellowship." The new awardees were selected from more than 12,000 applicants and come from all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Honorable mention recognition went to 1,459 individuals. The group of 2,000 awardees is diverse, including 1,156 women, 461 individuals from underrepresented minority groups, 75 persons with disabilities, 27 veterans and 780 who have not yet enrolled in graduate school. These awardees did their undergraduate studies at more than 443 institutions, ranging from small undergraduate, minority-serving, tribal and community colleges, to large state or private universities and Ivy League institutions. Congratulations to Rachael!

About GRFP: GRFP is a critical program in NSF's overall strategy to develop a globally engaged workforce necessary to ensure the nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. Former NSF fellows make transformative breakthroughs in STEM, are leaders in their chosen careers, and have been honored as Nobel laureates. A hallmark of GRFP is its contribution to increasing the diversity of the STEM workforce, including geographic distribution, as well as the participation of women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans.

The Production Manager works to ensure production quality and the effective realization of the organization’s artistic vision within the financial parameters set by the board-approved budget.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Production Manager monitors the production stage crew for all BSO and JMSH concert events, including classical and pops subscription programs, special events, education programs, run-outs, and summer programming, as well as rentals & presentations and marketing & development events.

SUPERVISES

We are moving from our temporary location in the RAC to our newly remodeled digs on the ^4th floor of the admin building next week!

Beginning Monday, June 18 we will have no access to phones and limited access to email. We expect to be fully functioning by Wednesday, June 20. The best way to reach us is by email.

Come by to see our new makeover!

RETRIEVER ESSENTIALS is a program that addresses food insecurity in the UMBC community.

Many college students skip meals to make ends meet, as they juggle housing, tuition, and other expenses. A lack of nutritious meals can affect students’ physical and mental health, and grades. Retriever Essentials tackles these challenges by providing access to healthy foods and other essential supplies, free of charge.

Food Distribution Centers:

Students facing food insufficiency can pick up a free bag of non-perishable, nutritionally-balanced food at the following locations:

Counseling Center
Doha Chibani, Case Manager, Counseling Center, Student Development & Success Center, 410-455-2472, chibani1@umbc.edu

Honors College
Michael Stone, Academic Advisor, Honors College, Albin O Kuhn Library & Gallery, Room 216E, 410-455-1616, michaelstone@umbc.edu

Mosaic Center - Commons third floor
Carlos Turcios, Student Life Office, Commons Mosaic Center 2B23, carlos6@umbc.edu, 410-455-1825

Women's Center - Commons lower level
Jess Meyers, Director, Women's Center, Commons, jessm@umbc.edu, 410-455-1605

Off Campus Student Services - Commons first floor
Emily Moroney, Assistant Director, Off-Campus Student Services, Commons, emoroney@umbc.edu, 410-455-3438

Residential Life
John Fox, Director, Residential Life, Erickson Hall, Room 166, johnfox@umbc.edu, 410-455-2591

Other Campus Resources:

Ms. Doha Chibani is UMBC’s social worker. Her contact information is above.

The Career Development Center offers free interview clothing for students. Contact Julie Rosenthal at julier@umbc.edu.

The Women's Center offers complimentary breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Off Campus Student Services offers food coupons to use for grocery shopping.