It was several years ago that UMBC students decided that the best tool for them to utilize would be a 'schedule builder'. They created a custom program that would look at the list of classes being offered for the semester and block out certain times to help make the perfect schedule. 

By word of mouth, the schedule builder spread around the campus but the group of students graduated and did not maintain support for the product. 

Arnold Foelster, Director for Enterprise Applications, was just one of the several people who helped bring the new Schedule Planner to life. “UMBC looked at the [previous] product and saw great value, however we also found some shortcomings.” Foelster said, “We sought a more holistic solution that had single sign-on, was mobile friendly, and real-time integration with our student system.” 

DoIT had been listening to student feedback carefully, with common complaints that registration isn't the best experience it can be and that it doesn't match the needs of today's student. 

 

In the last spring semester, Matthew Titzer, a sophomore in Information Systems, was enrolled in classes back to back, creating a very stressful schedule for him. “I couldn’t really stop and get lunch or a snack.” said Titzer. 

After discovering one of his classes was cancelled, Titzer was able to use the Schedule Planner to easily find a new class. “The Scheduler Planner is extremely helpful,” said Titzer, “it has helped me fit a class into my packed schedule.”

Now, thanks to the planner tool, Titzer has more control over his time and highly recommends it for anyone to use. “Generate schedules for your classes to see if you can find a more stress-free schedule.” said Titzer, “I highly recommend it for anyone to use.”  

Ken Baron, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Student Success, worked closely with both DoIT and the Registrar’s Office on the tool. Baron said, “Collaborating with DoIT on the Schedule Planner has been, and will continue to be instrumental.” 

The Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising worked with DoIT to review, test, and evaluate the Schedule Planner so that it suited the needs of students. They also have leveraged UMBC’s Academic Advising Community through demonstrations and feature reviews during Advising Community meetings, specific training sessions and through targeted communications posted on the Advising Community’s myUMBC group.

“We believe that one of the most dynamic qualities of College Scheduler is its ability to strategically reveal exciting and relevant general education courses.” said Baron. “The College Scheduler has the ability to present a rich array of potential course options that meet the specific needs of students while also highlighting for consideration – a whole host of courses that students may not have considered otherwise.” 

Working with DoIT however, was key in delivering a great product. “In particular, DoIT colleagues have taken the time to understand our desire to reduce and eliminate (where possible) the “clerical nature” of certain academic advising tasks.” said Baron. 

The collaborations didn't just stop with Baron though, another key figure was Iman Riddick, Assistant Registrar. Riddick understood the need to enhance the enrollment & registration process for students. She was instrumental in working with a team comprised of Academic Advising and DoIT for the initial setup and soft roll out of the tool during the Summer 2016 orientation. 

 

Image shows student advising underway. 

Riddick sees students using this during enrollment periods to find the best possible schedule of classes for each term. “Moving away from the pen and paper process and being able to instantly and easily generate all conflict free schedules possible is what students and the campus as a whole would like to see.” said Riddick.  

Riddick also emphasized the role DoIT played with the tool. “DoIT has been very instrumental in the technological set up of our PeopleSoft system and the College Scheduler product.” said Riddick. “The team made sure that all security requirements are met in order to protect the students and UMBC’s systems.

Thanks to a strong collaboration from DoIT, Advising, and the Registrar's Office a very useful tool was able to come forth and help enrich student lives. Before, student schedules could be a mess. Now, the new planner tool amends all that, in what Foelster calls a step in the right direction. 

“A step of many in improving the registration process and system so that it better meets the needs of not just today’s students, but tomorrow’s students as well.” said Foelster.

Read Dean Scott Caspar's announcement here:

A professor in History and former Director of the Dresher Center, Dr. Boehling led the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen Germany from 2013 to 2015. She oversaw the transformation of the ITS from an international institution that primarily served family members and survivors by investigating the fates the victims of Nazi violence, into a full scale archive and research center with more than 30 million documents about Nazi victims and the millions of post-WWII Displaced Persons. While on sabbatical in 2016, Dr.Boehling began work on a project comparing the theory and practice of denazification in the three western zones of post-WWII Germany, and as a Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy this past fall semester, she researched and conceptualized denazification as a form of transitional justice, giving presentations in Berlin,  London, and Heidelberg and on NPR International. In addition to directing the Global Studies Program, Dr. Boehling will also direct the minor in Judaic Studies.

Read more about Prof. Rubin's new position here:

Positions include leading UMBC service-learning students to respective after-school programs for K-6th grades two days a week From 2:45-6. 

College Gardens is seeking a Monday and Wednesday Coordinator

Walden Circle will have the option to pick  two days: Mon-Thursday.  

Both positions are paid and require students to have a drivers license and background check!

For application please email elgrose1@umbc.edu

 

Baltimore, Maryland – December 5, 2016 – Audacious Inquiry (Ai) has been awarded a 2016 Top Workplaces honor by The Baltimore Sun. The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including Alignment, Execution, and Connection, just to name a few.

“Oftentimes, people assume The Top Workplaces award is all about fancy perks and benefits.” says Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together. Claffey adds, “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”

To Chris Brandt, Managing Partner at Ai, this award validates the company’s objective of scaling the business while preserving the positive culture. “We hire people who not only exemplify the specific skills we are looking for, but also embody our core values. As a B-Corp, our organization is committed to more than just our bottom line—we are passionate about improving health IT across the country, and our employees find fulfillment out of helping others.” He proceeded, “Aside from being leaders in our industry and within the Maryland business community, it’s humbling to see how despite rapid growth and increased visibility, our team continues to work together to achieve common goals.”

In 2016, Ai hired 17 people, which comes out to 25% growth for the year, as of December 1. For the past six years, the company has been recognized on the INC 5000 list, a compilation by Inc. Magazine of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. 2017 is looking bright, as Ai continues to expand their reach by adding more people to their team to support product development and provide customer support.

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About Audacious Inquiry
Audacious Inquiry (Ai) is a health information technology and policy company. We are leading the charge to make healthcare smarter and more connected. Our nationally-recognized consultants work with government, private, and non-profit organizations to rethink how health information is shared, managed, leveraged, and protected. Our industry-shaping technology offers more efficient and cost-effective solutions to the healthcare stakeholders we serve.

About WorkplaceDynamics, LLC
Headquartered in Exton, PA, WorkplaceDynamics specializes in employee feedback surveys and workplace improvement. This year alone, more than two million employees in over 6,000 organizations will participate in the Top Workplaces™ campaign—a program it conducts in partnership with more than 40 prestigious media partners across the United States. Workplace Dynamics also provides consulting services to improve employee engagement and organizational health. WorkplaceDynamics is a founding B Corporation member, a coalition of organizations that are leading a global movement to redefine success in business by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business.