The  Grade Center is the instructor’s central hub for keeping track of student assignments to grade, reviewing submitted assessments, and tracking student performance. Whenever graded items, such as an assignment or assessments, are created in a Bb course, the system will automatically create a column in the Grade Center.

Save time and paper by requiring students to submit assignments through Blackboard. Then, use the Inline Grading tool  to embed feedback. Describe expectations and standardize the evaluation process with Rubrics.

Instructors can customize many Grade Center  features, such as grading schemas (points/percentages converted to letter grades), categories (labs, projects), color coding (e.g., red to indicate at risk) and other important column information. The Grade Center also works well with many other areas of Blackboard including the Retention Center.  

To learn more about the Grade Center:

• please visit our Blackboard FAQ page

• open an RT ticket  for any technical issues

• view the schedule of training workshops at the DoIT group page

Please contact the Instructional Technology Team with any suggestions or concerns. 

Push the Envelope

Summer interns choose their own adventures, with powerful results.

You�re looking to learn more about a career and gain practical experience by becoming an intern. Do you apply for every available position online and wait to hear a response or do you research contacts, build connections and take action to find � or to build � your dream internship?

This summer, students across UMBC took action, seeking out faculty, staff, alumni and peers to find opportunities for experiential learning in Baltimore, around the country, and internationally.

�Be persistent,� said Joshua Dixon �17, mechanical engineering, who worked as a research and development engineer for Power Transmission Solutions. �Find an opportunity in the area of what you want to do and be persistent.�

All that effort paid off. This summer�s interns found positions where they could gain hands-on experience and have a tangible impact on issues that matter to them. They conducted research in nationally recognized labs, made meaningful contributions to non-profit organizations and federal agencies, and worked for some of the world�s top corporations, including GE, Amazon and Delphi Automotive Systems in China.

�Find something that pushes your envelope all the way open, that you have a passion for, that�s a little unconventional, and then go do that,� advised Vanessa Barksdale �17, social work, who interned as a caseworker for International Social Services.

Well-prepared and passionate, UMBC interns to stand out from the crowd. A 2014 National Association of Colleges and Employers report found that the number of internships held by college students was expected to decrease by 3.4 percent in 2014. However, UMBC�s internship, co-op and research placements have steadily increased, in large part due to student effort, faculty involvement and staff guidance.

Kerry Kidwell-Slak, associate director of internships and employment at the UMBC Career Center, explained, �Our goal is to empower students to explore the possibilities while developing their professional skills. We find that many of the students who are successful in acquiring summer internships do so by demonstrating initiative and making the most of the resources around them. These students talk with their friends, family and faculty members, log in to UMBCworks often, have active LinkedIn profiles and attend networking events on campus and elsewhere. Their drive sets them apart to employers.�

Are you ready to choose your own internship adventure? Here, a few 2014 summer interns who enrolled in the Career Center�s Internship, Co-op, and Research Practicum offer advice to get their fellow Retrievers started.

(9/2/14)

Alexa White

Piedmont Environmental Council

Environmental Science, May 2015

After learning about environmental topics like water quality, land conservation and sustainable development in the classroom, Alexa White was ready to get her hands dirty. She did just that as an intern at the Piedmont Environmental Council in Virginia. Every day was an adventure, from taking trips to organic farms to heading to Washington, D.C. to observe policy decisions concerning sustainable development. Those experiences helped her research the EPA�s Clean Power Plan and develop materials to encourage public support for the plan. �I enjoyed the opportunity to work on a current issue and produce useful materials while doing it,� said White.

My Advice: �Start early. Have an idea of what to search by the end of Fall semester and start applying to things during winter break.�

Catrice Greer

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Psychology, December 2014

As an assistant in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office at Walter Reed National Medical Center, Catrice Greer was inspired to explore her psychology major from an industrial/organizational perspective. After being trained for EEO intake counseling, she realized that she was in a great position to observe problem solving skills from her insightful colleagues. Working at Walter Reed also deepened Greer�s sense of national service. �There are many servicemen and service women in our installation,� she said. �I feel fortunate to have such a rare experience to be with them daily and be of some small service to them.�

My advice: �Specifically, for students that have disabilities and want an internship or a permanent position, I highly recommend considering adding the WRP (Workforce Recruitment Program) to your considerations as another avenue to conduct your career search. It is a way to be considered in relation to what you CAN do as opposed to what you CANNOT.�

Celia Drew

GE Healthcare

Mathematics and Information Systems, May 2016

Not only did Celia Drew gain skills in analyzing big data this summer, she also got the opportunity to explore a new city. Her internship in the Information Technology Leadership Program at GE Healthcare took her to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she worked on data to help improve computer system management services. Drew appreciated working for a large company with great co-workers and lots of professional development opportunities. �I realized that GE would be a terrific company for me,� she says. �It�s expanding its use of data to make things more efficient in many industries, and it would feel good to help bring down health care costs.�

My advice: �Get to know your professors because you�ll need recommendations, and start applying for internships or research experiences right away!�

Mai Huynh-Teage

Pixilated PhotoBooth

Graphic Design, May 2015

Don�t be surprised if you�ve seen Mai Huynh-Teage�s work before. As a graphic designer for Pixilated Photo Booth, she created unique illustrations and videos for big name clients that have been featured on Instagram, Facebook and other social media sites. Her internship challenged her to improve her design work and also gave her skills in networking, communicating and time management. �I have been inspired to be more creative, take on new initiatives and gain an understanding of a workplace experience,� Huynh-Teage says. �I believe I have been given an excellent educational opportunity that will serve me well in the future after I graduate and begin my career.�

My advice: �Work hard, be confident, and prepare any work files before deadlines. Do not procrastinate. Be yourself. Art is subjective, so don�t take it personally if someone does not like your artwork.�

Abigail Jackson

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, May 2015

Spending the summer as an undergraduate researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) allowed Abigail Jackson to explore how government agencies conduct research. She worked with the American Dental Association to develop ways to improve dental resin composites. Jackson enjoyed learning new laboratory techniques and experimenting with new instruments and materials. �I now feel that I have a very diverse set of experiences that will be useful in my career as a scientist,� she said.

My advice: �I was not sure if my project at NIST would be something that I would enjoy, but I knew I would love it as soon as I learned more about the topic and the specific tasks I would be doing.�

Joshua Dixon

Power Transmission Solutions / Kopflex (an Emerson Industrial Automation company)

Mechanical Engineering, December 2017

Daily walks with employees, yoga at lunch and real mechanical engineering work? That was a winning combination for Joshua Dixon, who was a research and development co-op engineer at Power Transmission Solutions. Dixon ran statistical analyses on raw data for new projects in development by the company. Applying his knowledge of mechanical engineering was the highlight of his internship. �I was asked to do a calculation and was overjoyed that I had to pull out my Mechanics of Materials book to complete it,� Dixon says. �I have really gained confirmation that this is what I want to do when I grow up.�

My advice: �Be persistent. Find an opportunity in the area of what you want to do and be persistent.�

Mona Patel

U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command

Chemical Engineering, May 2017

This summer, Mona Patel spent her days teaching students how to create computer games and dissect pigs. Those lessons were part of her job as a Peer Mentor for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command, where she encouraged students to explore career opportunities in science, math, engineering and technology (STEM). Patel enjoyed making a difference and sharing her passion for STEM with her students. �Being a female in the engineering field is difficult�but sharing my experience and talking about my major shows the students that they can do whatever they want in life as long as they believe in themselves!�

My advice: �Any opportunity that is given to you, big or small, take the chance to try it out.�

Aashil Soni

T. Rowe Price

Information Systems, May 2015

Aashil Soni�s internship as a Solutions Analyst at T. Rowe Price gave him the opportunity to gain practical experience in his career field. Soni worked on a record keeping system project, testing functionality and performance. He appreciated networking with people on his team and learning about different aspects of the project. �Gaining an experience where I am playing an important role in the project is an experience unique to this opportunity. I was actually doing a business analyst�s work and was given responsibilities that will help me in my career.�

My advice: �Be enthusiastic for the work assigned to you. If your manager is busy, network with other team members and find work from them.�

McCall Freeman

Remix Education, D.C. Public Schools

Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, May 2015

McCall Freeman spent the summer making a difference in the lives of 9th graders. Working as an intern for Remix Education allowed him to teach English at Phelps ACE High School in Washington, D.C. During his internship, Freeman enjoyed encouraging students to confront challenging issues like bullying, peer pressure and gang violence in productive, positive ways. �Helping others learn is the ultimate reward for an educator; seeing a community grow one child at a time is the goal of a lifetime,� he said.

My advice: �Focus on the quality of your work experiences and not necessarily the quantity. By narrowing down what it is that you are really interested in, you will be better able to determine the best opportunities to reach your personal, academic, and professional goals.�

Andrew Brow

Schneider Electric

Mechanical Engineering, May 2016

Working with UMBC alumni peaked Andrew Brow�s interest in research and increased his knowledge of medical technologies, professionalism and life. Interning as an estimator at Schneider Electric, Brow worked with many UMBC alumni, reading plans, tracking project costs and writing project scopes. Spending with engineering alumni also allowed Brow to learn about the different paths his career could take. �I am confident about my future goals now, and I�ve got a great supportive network backing me,� he says.

My advice: �Apply to as many programs that interest you and go in with an open mind. Be ready to learn and have your mind blown multiple times.�

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of three posts from Lexi, our summer intern here in the Alumni Communications office. She’ll be sharing some of her stories and experiences at UMBC over the coming weeks.

Let me introduce myself. Hi, I’m Lexi.
I’m a 21 year old from Camden, Delaware,
where nothing exciting ever really happens, except for a few weekends each year. Slowly but surely, events like NASCAR and the Firefly Music Festival are putting the little old diamond state on the map, and less and less people ask me which state Delaware is in.

I’ll give you a little background info about myself. I’m an only child, sans the mythical only-child syndrome, and grew up with a veterinarian for a dad and the best mom a girl could ever ask for. My shoes of choice are barn boots, and I have a caught more than a few snakes in my time. My home is more or less a farm. Or a zoo. It just depends on the day. We have five dogs, two cats, a pond full of fish, honeybees, three horses, and a donkey, give or take a wandering raccoon or opossum.

While we don’t actually harvest crops or breed cattle, my home used to be in the agricultural heart of Delaware. Less than a mile away is a massive potato farm. Turn left from there, and you’re surrounded by the biggest stalks of corn you could possibly imagine. Sure, there’s still a pretty big population near us, and we don’t live on a dirt road, but on the right day it’s as if you’re isolated from the hustle and bustle cities are known for. But that’s home to me. So for me, Baltimore was a little bit of an eye-opener.

I came to UMBC not really understanding how close I was to the city. As a freshman, I didn’t have a car, so I relied on upperclassmen friends to take me wherever I needed to go. Come sophomore year when I had my own car, I had no idea where anything was. I never bothered to learn the back roads or highways, because I never needed to know. I used my phone’s GPS to get me to the Arbutus Wal-Mart. I tried to get to an art store for a class, and my lack of knowledge about traffic and the number of different highways there are turned a 20-minute trip turned into a two-hour adventure.

Delaware has one, two-lane highway without stoplights. Route one runs north to south through the state and can take you wherever it is you need to go. Just to get to the art store I had to take four different highways. I learned how to merge really quickly. I also learned that my GPS doesn’t work well in cities. After being told to turn right, go straight and then turn left, and go through a hotel lobby, all while sitting at the same traffic light for five minutes, I finally caved and pulled out the map I stash in my car to find the best back roads. With much honking, yelling, and arm waving, I somehow cut across three lanes to get where I needed to go. Drivers in Baltimore seemed much more uptight than Delawareans. But, then again, I probably deserved all the dirty looks.

Besides the minor directional issues, my trip to the art store was relatively uneventful until I had to park (parallel park, at that). That’s probably a story left for a better time, though.

-Lexi Coon