The UMBC Cyber Scholars Program is a new scholarship program directed by the new UMBC Center for Cybersecurity and run in partnership with UMBC’s Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholars program. The program is funded by a generous $1 million grant from the Northrop Grumman Foundation

Incoming Freshman for the Fall 2013 school year, current students,and transfer students interested in careers in cybersecurity are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2013.

Starting Fall 2013, the Scholarship program will support 15-20 students annually with financial awards of $5,000-15,000 per year. The scholarship is more than a financial award; it is a scholarship program that fosters a community through common on-campus living-learning housing, events, and activities. Cyber Scholars will learn from and support one another throughout their college careers, and from core interaction with UMBC faculty and mentors.

Every Cyber scholar is assigned a faculty advisor who is pursuing cybersecurity-related research of their own. Advisors will help students find research and internship opportunities best suited to them.

Students who want to pursue careers in cybersecurity are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.25 G.P.A.

To apply for the UMBC Cyber Scholars Program, visit Cybersecurity.umbc.edu/cyberscholars

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Support our drives that contribute to NHHAW

• Wednesday, November 14th from 9-1pm will be held in the UMBC Breezeway

• Thursday, November 15th from 9-12pm will be held at Giant Food, located at: 4622 Wilkens avenue, Baltimore MD 21250

• Friday, November 16th from 9-1pm will be held in the UMBC Breezeway

Why is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week so important?

Participating in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week not only brings greater awareness to your community, but also helps to promote the national endeavor to end hunger and homelessness. The plight of those without a home can be both lonely and difficult. Addressing their struggles by organizing and participating in this week may bring greater solidarity and understanding, as well as promote future involvement.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week reminds us that the homeless are people too, people who are going through a very difficult time in their lives and need all

the help and support they can get to help rebuild their lives.

The reasons why people are homeless vary immensely, and each person has a different story to tell. The most common reasons for homelessness range from an inability to pay rent, suffering from a mental illness, those who are victims of domestic violence, not

being able to afford health care, and victims of addictions and substance abuse.

In honor of NHHAW, we have organized 3 donation drives where we set up tables accepting donations of non-perishable food items and clothing while spreading awareness of what we can all do to help.

We have contacted My Sister’s Place, a women’s shelter in Baltimore, which our donations will support.  They provided a wish list of their most needed items of food and clothing.

My Sister's Place Women's Center Wish List

Special Needs Items

Sound System: microphone and speaker (to be able to provide presentations in the

dining room for the ladies)

CD's (so we can play a variety of music for the ladies to listen to during meals)

Digital Camera with Docking Station

Printer

High Need Items

Canned Fruit

Canned Soup

Creamer

Maternity Clothes (all sizes)*

Powered Iced Tea / Lemonade

Sugar

Breakfast Foods

Bacon / Sausage / Ham

Boxed Cereals

Breakfast Bars

Coffee / Tea Bags / Hot Chocolate

Cream Cheese

Eggs

Egg Casserole (click here to see a list of recipes for easy-to-make casseroles)

Instant Cereal: oatmeal and grits (hot and cold)

Butter

Lunch and Dinner Foods

Boxed Pasta

Breads (sliced sandwich bread)

Canned Fruits and Vegetables***

Canned Soup***

Chicken / Tuna Salad

Condiments (see list below)

Hamburgers / Hotdogs

Pasta Sauces

Lunch Meats and Cheeses

Condiments

Ketchup

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Olive / Vegetable Oil

Relish

Red / White Vinegar

Salad Dressings (various)

Salt and Pepper ***

Spices: Garlic, Oregano, etc.

Beverage Items

Ground Coffee

Iced Tea Mix/Lemonade***

Powdered Creamer

Sugar

Aluminum Foil and Pans***

Cleaning Supplies

Cooking Spray

Disposable Plates, Utensils, Cups

Flash Drives (for the Career Consulting Program)

Paper Towels

Printing Paper***

Saran Wrap

Shakers (refillable for salt and pepper)***

Toilet Paper

High Efficiency Laundry Detergent (items will be marked with HE)***

Women and Children* (unable to accept used items)

Baby Bottles (new)

Baby Blankets / Sleepers

Baby Wipes

Deodorant

DIAPERS (all sizes)

Maternity Clothes (all sizes)

NEW BRAS (all sizes, particularly small sizes)

New Women's Clothing (all sizes)

New Sneakers (all sizes)

NEW UNDERWEAR (all sizes)

Personal Hygiene Items

*My Sister's Place Women's Center is unable to accept used items.

***Those particular items are in constant high need at the Women's Center.

Courtesy of Associated Press

It has now been a week since America has re-elected Barack Obama as the President of the United States and some folks are still reeling from the results.

Some are so mad that they want to leave the country.

More than 100,000 Americans have petitioned to secede from the country on the White House’s We the People website. 

In a similar act of defiance some citizens are protesting by flying the American flag upside down. Their rationale is that the country is now doomed due to the election results.

This is not the first time panicked citizens overreacted to an Obama victory. After the 2008 victory, gun and ammunition sales exploded in parts of the country as conspiracy rumours circulated that an Obama administration would limit gun ownership and confiscate weaponry. Similar increases in gun sales are happening today.

The U.S. constitution contains no stipulations for states to secede from the union. The likeliness of a successful secession is, well, zero. But the White House has promised a response to the state of Texas where support for secession is greatest. 

Let us know, by commenting below if you think Texas should secede from the Union.

DATE POSTED: 11/12/12
POSITION TITLE: Assistant Director, CWIT
CATEGORY: Professional
PERSONNEL STATUS: Exempt, Full time, Regular Note:  Position in for a three-year term.
DEPARTMENT: Center for Women in Technology (CWIT)
CLOSING DATE: 11/26/12

RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent will provide for the administration of the Cyber Scholars Program and Cyber Living Learning Community (LLC), including all recruitment, retention, and graduation activities. The Cyber Scholars Program is housed in the new Cyber security Center and run in partnership with UMBC's Center for Women in Technology.

Specific duties include: planning and implementation of the Cyber Scholars Program; developing recruitment activities in coordination with UMBC’s Office of Admissions and Orientation, other UMBC Scholar programs, the Cyber Security Center, and departments within College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT); overseeing the Cyber LLC, including coordinating selection initiatives and working closely with the Resident Assistant to encourage community and a supportive learning environment; providing individual and group advising for all Cyber Scholars and LLC members; executing skill-building and professional development events for students; planning and instructing a seminar and bridge program for Cyber Scholars; advising and student planning committees for large events; serving as a liaison between the program and officials within and outside the institution; assisting in the formulation of the organization’s budgets and project proposals; supporting secondary school outreach, including executing CWIT’s annual outreach program, Bits & Bytes; supporting major CWIT and UMBC events to ensure their success; answering mail, phone and walk-in inquiries from prospective students; and performing other duties as assigned.

The UMBC Center for Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary university center that unifies UMBC’s many cybersecurity capabilities. The Center aims to provide both Maryland and the nation with academic and research leadership, collaboration, innovation, and outreach in this critical discipline by streamlining our academic, research, workforce development, and technology incubation activities to advance UMBC’s position as a leading research university in cybersecurity-related disciplines.

CWIT is dedicated to increasing the representation of women among those who create technology in engineering and information technology fields. CWIT strives to nurture a strong group of Scholars (including CWIT, T-SITE and Cyber Scholars), build community resources for other women

in these majors, foster a healthy gender climate and ITE pedagogy in College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) departments, and conducts outreach activities to increase interest in technical careers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree in a student support or technical field preferred) and student support experience. Strong organizational, writing, and verbal communications skills required. Some experience interacting with organizations in the cyber sector is a plus.

SALARY: Starting salary range at $50,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION: For best consideration, submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references by November 26, 2012 by email to cwitadmin@umbc.edu. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

The new UMBC Cyber Scholars Program is seeking applicants. Incoming Freshman for the Fall 2013 school year, current students, and transfer students interested in careers in cybersecurity are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2013.

Starting Fall 2013, the Scholarship program will support 15-20 students annually with financial awards of $5,000-15,000 per year. The scholarship is more than a financial award; it is a scholarship program that fosters a community through common on-campus living-learning housing, events, and activities. Cyber Scholars will learn from and support one another throughout their college careers, and from core interaction with UMBC faculty and mentors.

Every Cyber scholar is assigned a faculty advisor who is pursuing cybersecurity-related research of their own. Advisors will help students find research and internship opportunities best suited to them.

To apply for the UMBC Cyber Scholars Program, visit Cybersecurity.umbc.edu/cyberscholars

The Design Contest for the Retriever Project is now November 26th, so you can finish up your design over Thanksgiving and turn it in when you get back.  If you haven't heard of the project, here's what it is: The Retriever Project is a UMBC campus-wide, public art initiative created to celebrate and display the dynamic, unique culture of UMBC.  To put it shortly, in spring 2013, three new beautifully designed Retriever statues will be displayed around the UMBC campus, such as in front of the Library or on Academic Row.  Starting this fall 2012, the statue design contest began on October 10, 2012 through November 26, 2012. 

After the final deadline, all of the designs are considered and voted upon by The Retriever Project Advisory Committee.  The winners will then be announced!  The contest is open to all UMBC community members, including students, faculty, and staff.  Our question to you is: what does it mean to be a Retriever at UMBC?  Your design should answer this question by representing a story or value(s) of the UMBC community.  Finished design packets and signed Copyright Agreements can be scanned and emailed to kelkra1@umbc.edu or returned in paper copy to the SGA Office, located on the Second floor of the Commons, off of the Student Organization Space (SOS), in the envelope marked “Retriever Statue Design Finished Applications.”

Let us know if you have any questions!