Mobile Computing and Smart Home
Automation Systems Demonstrations

UMBC Students in CMSC 628 and 691

12:00-1:30pm Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Third floor main corridor, ITE Building

The students in UMBC's graduate Introduction to Mobile Computing class and Systems for Smart Home Automation course will showcase their cutting-edge projects and application that use mobile phones, tablets, cloudservices and smarthome sensors.

Come and enjoy the demonstrations that range from cool smartphone games to smartphone-based educational tools to location‐based mobile phone services to voice and mind controlled home appliances.

For more information, contact Prof. Nilanjan Banerjee at Sorry, you need javascript to view this email address.

CSEE Ph.D. student Kavita Krishnaswamy will give a talk entitled Robotics for Independence sponsored by Refresh Baltimore on May 20 at 7:00pm. The talk will be given at Betamore, 1111 Light Street in Baltimore. Refreshments at 6:30, RSVP online.

Robotics for Independence

Kavita Krishnaswamy

7:00pm Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Betamore, 1111 Light St., Baltimore

The future is here! In this talk, Kavita will discuss the development of robotic systems and how they provide assistance and increase independence for people with disabilities. Kavita will introduce several prototype robotic systems that support transferring, repositioning, and personal care, and focus on accessible user interfaces for control that are feasible for persons with severe disabilities.

Kavita Krishnaswamy is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County working with Dr. Tim Oates. As a professional researcher with a physical disability, Kavita is motivated by a powerful, innate force: autonomy is the soul of independent daily living that is achieved with the advancement of technology. She is both a Ford Foundation Predoctoral and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Kavita has worked at the National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Center – Quality of Life Technology Center (QoLT) in Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh and IBM Business consulting services.

Refresh Baltimore describes itself as "a community made up of sharp design and development professionals, creative minds and Baltimore technologists looking to learn from one another and apply critical thinking to the industry."

Faculty Full Time-English as a Second Language

The UMBC Cybersecurity Graduate Program will hold a virtual information session at 6:00pm on June 16. Participate to learn about the  program options and find out how a master’s degree or graduate certificate can help you advance in the cybersecurity industry. During the online information session, graduate program director Richard Forno will discuss courses, credit requirements and prerequisites, and admissions processes.

The session will cover cybersecurity programs at both UMBC's Main Campus and UMBC-Shady Grove in Rockville, MD. It will provide an overview of our innovative curriculum, practice-oriented instruction and flexible class schedules, which are designed for working professionals.  You will also learn about admissions, curriculum, class format and the cybersecurity career outlook.

If you would like to participate in the information session, please RSVP online.

Name: Nora Corasaniti

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Maryland House of Delegates | Title of Your Position: Legislative Assistant

Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science

Expected Graduation Year: December 2017

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

In my internship, I write a lot of emails and answer the phone a whole lot too. But I also get to work with constituents on their various issues, which is really great and satisfying! I get a lot of free food and networking opportunities too, which are awesome.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I found my internship myself-- I had met my former delegate last year working as a House page and she offered me an internship. Then, when she became a judge, I sent my resume and a cover letter to my current delegate and chief of staff, who coordinated with each other and decided to hire me.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

I have loved everything about it! My favorite part is getting to work closely next to such kind and influential people, and seeing how they get things accomplished like passing legislation or working with someone of the opposite party on an issue.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity ?

I have learned a lot about presenting myself well and public image-- it is entirely too important to be careful about how you present yourself both in person and on social media!

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would say that they should always go for it--put yourself out there! The worst that can happen is that someone could tell you no, and that is not half as bad as knowing you could have gotten an amazing internship with fantastic people.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

I liked working with the Career Center and learning more about the process. Kacie Lawrence is awesome and really helpful!

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Compiled by the Retriever Weekly Features Staff

Virgo- You’ll finally find a film that speaks to your unique cultural experience: Silence of the Lambs.

Libra- This week, you’ll be able to cross “get electrocuted” off of your bucket list–wait, why was that on your bucket list?

Scorpio- You’ll continue to miss class until you find the magic flute that will rouse your sleeping roommate.

Sagittarius- After asking about your final grade, you’ll be elated when you think you hear the professor say “A,” when what he actually said is “Eh…’

Capricorn- You’ll be dreadfully inconvenienced when the new chap at the country club doesn’t even know how to mix an old-fashioned. My God man!

Aquarius- Good news! Your textbooks will finally arrive this week.

Pisces- That cat in your mirror will be looking especially fine this week.

Aries- You still won’t be able to understand the bird’s chirping, but this week you’ll remain convinced that they are talking mad shit.

Taurus- This week, you’ll learn that the stickers on fruit are edible, surprisingly delicious AND low in calories.

Gemini- Ugh! This week everyone is going to be wearing the same shirt as you. Guess that’s life in prison, though!

Cancer- Your attempts to meet people by walking your dog will kind of work: your dog will make a ton of new friends.

Leo- Your relationship will reach a new level of intimacy this week when you and your partner decide to do a full blood swap.

Read more stories from: The Retriever Weekly

The Career-Life Balance (CLB) inititative launched at UMBC on May 6 with an “afternoon coffee.” The event featured remarks from campus leaders, descriptions of the Research Acceleration Grant winners, and resources from organizations that support career-life balance and individual welleness.

Renetta Tull, associate vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, welcomed faculty, staff, and graduate students to the launch and explained the initiative’s mission of promoting career-life balance on campus. Patrice McDermott, vice provost for faculty affairs, gave background on UMBC policies that contribute to career-life balance and introduced the Research Acceleration Grant, which was created to help faculty attain full professorship through a grant from the National Science Foundation, as well as funds from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, and College of Engineering and Information Technology. The eight grant winners include:

• Rachel Brewster, Department of Biological Sciences
• Bambi L. Chapin, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
• Vandana Janeja, Department of Information Systems
• Maricel Kann, Department of Biological Sciences
• Anita Komlodi, Department of Information Systems
• Jennie Leach, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
• Sreedevi Sampath, Department of Information Systems
• Lina Zhou, Department of Information Systems

Valerie Thomas, associate vice-president of Human Resources, spoke about Human Resource programs that promote career-life balance and the re-opening of UMBC’s child care center. Janet Rutledge, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, discussed resources and policies affecting Graduate Assistants. President Hrabowski sent a video message encouraging the UMBC community to engage in a healthy career-life balance, emphasizing the importance of fitness and stress reduction.

Representatives from various organizations, including University Health Services, Counseling Center, Human Resources, and the Relationship Violence AWareness & Prevention Program, were available to discuss on-campus resources with faculty, staff, and students.

Learn more about Career-Life Balance at UMBC here.