Meet Natalie Blank ’08, acting, who started writing novels as a child and continued pursuing her passion for writing while studying dance and theatre at UMBC. To date, the author has published four novels, Rock Bottom Rise (2026), The Mass (2024), The Tangibles (2022), which received the In the Margins Book Award in 2023, and Walking Off Pluto (2014). Natalie primarily writes young adult and women’s fiction, exploring mental health and family relationships. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children. Take it away, Natalie!

Q: What brought you to UMBC?

A: I came to UMBC as a Linehan Artist Scholar. I remember auditioning for the theatre program with a fairly serious monologue. During the audition, the professors (Xerxes Mehta was my favorite professor) worked with me in a way I had never experienced before. They were able to push me to a level of vulnerability and emotional depth I didn’t know I was capable of as an actress. In that moment, I knew these were professors who understood how to challenge students and help them grow.

Q: How did you grow during your time at UMBC?

A: The Theatre Department had a huge impact on me, both creatively and personally. Through acting, I learned a lot about myself, not just as a performer, but also as a writer. I had the opportunity to portray many incredible characters, and through that process, I realized that storytelling in all its forms (acting in stories, creating stories, and writing stories) was at the core of who I am. 

During my time at UMBC, I wrote several plays that were produced and performed. One of those plays eventually became my first novel, Walking Off Pluto, which I self-published in 2014. Since then, I have worked hard to build my writing career and transition into traditional publishing. My current goal is to secure literary representation and publish with a major publishing house.

While I only pursued theatre professionally for about two years after college, the lessons I learned have stayed with me and continue to shape my work as a writer. The program encouraged me to explore who I was, challenge my assumptions, and confront some of the fears and weaknesses that were holding me back from reaching my full potential. One of the biggest lessons was learning to take creative risks. In recent years, I’ve become much more willing to take chances and tell the stories I genuinely want to tell, and my readers love it!

Q: Can you tell us about your current job and your work as an author?

A: I’ve always been driven and largely self-taught, figuring out many aspects of my career on my own. After college, I pursued acting professionally, but the pay was inconsistent and often insufficient, so I also worked a day job to support myself. Eventually, I found my way into the school system, and after starting a family, I became a certified teacher. I work part-time as a special education teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools. I miss theatre and dance, but I can’t live without writing. It’s something I’ll pursue for the rest of my life.

Balancing work, writing, and family life is challenging, but I remain committed to my craft. I wake up before my children each morning to write and often return to my manuscript after they’ve gone to bed. I recently published my fourth novel, Rock Bottom Rise, in May 2026.

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

A new paper led by K. Fred Huemmrich (618/UMBC) titled "Observing fall foliage with PACE pigment indices" was published in Remote Sensing Letters (May 2026) and co-authored by Skye Caplan (616/SSAI). Dr. Huemmrich explains that "This new paper is using the PACE [satellite] data to look at the timing and extent of fall foliage colors. We can produce indices related to the amount of different foliar pigments ... that cause colors in leaves. We use those pigment indices to observe the leaf color change and can map it using the satellite’s data. PACE is the first mission that can measure these indices (has narrow spectral bands) over large areas and repeatedly so we can look at change through the fall." From the paper's abstract: "PACE’s repeated hyperspectral observations provide a new view of seasonal fall foliage change based on pigment indices related to the key pigments involved in leaf color, greens from chlorophyll, reds from anthocyanin, and yellows to oranges from carotenoids." 

The UMBC News story “For the leaf peepers: How NASA’s PACE is improving fall color forecasts” by Sarah Hansen, UMBC Communications Manager, STEM, was recently published online. Additionally, Earth.com also has an article on their paper on fall foliage titled "NASA satellite can now track fall colors leaf by leaf from space."

Dr. Huemmrich is discussing this research in the PACE Science Showcase (virtual) on Thursday, June 18th at 3pm (note: PACE Science Speakers present weekly on Thursdays at 3pm); this is the meeting link via Teams (Meeting ID: 244 308 564 699 and Passcode: yP7q3Xv6).

Alan Byrd has been appointed as the next vice provost for enrollment management for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), effective August 3. Byrd joins UMBC from George Mason University where he has served as the dean of admissions since 2020. 

Byrd brings more than 25 years of experience in college admissions and enrollment management to UMBC. He has an extensive track record of implementing successful recruitment and retention initiatives, and he consistently increased enrollment, improved academic profiles, expanded diversity, and enhanced student success at the institutions where he has served. 

Byrd’s commitment to college access, affordability, and student success has defined his lifetime of work as an enrollment manager. Prior to arriving at George Mason, he was vice provost of enrollment management at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he led the university to several milestones for total enrollment, the academic profile and diversity of the student body, and graduation rates. Removing financial barriers for students was central to his accomplishments in St. Louis, where he developed innovative financial aid programs such as the UMSL Grant, Triton Emergency Grant, and the Senior Degree Completion Program. These flexible need-based programs helped eliminate equity gaps in degree completion for Pell grant recipients and reduce their average debt at graduation. 

Byrd earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and a doctorate in education leadership and policy studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His dissertation research examined noneconomic persistence barriers for low-income students at large public universities.

As mentioned in a previous email, Mohana Mahfuz Prema will present her Econ 699 Capstone proposal virtually this coming Monday, June 22 at 2 p.m. Here is the webex link for logging into her presentation: 



Join Webex meeting
ID: 28666769548
Password: PPcScRVi256
Her proposal is attached to this email. The title of her proposal is "Preventive Vaccination Uptake by Self-Reported Sexual Orientation among U.S. Adults: Evidence from IPUMS NIHS 2021-24." Her advisor on this project is Hasan Shahid.

All are welcome to log in.  

Dear colleagues,

I am excited to welcome Alan Byrd as the next vice provost for enrollment management at UMBC, effective August 3. Alan joins us from George Mason University where he has served as the dean of admissions since 2020. 

Alan brings more than 25 years of experience in college admissions and enrollment management to UMBC. He has an extensive track record of implementing successful recruitment and retention initiatives, and he has consistently increased enrollment, improved academic profiles, expanded diversity, and enhanced student success at the institutions where he has served. 

Alan’s commitment to college access, affordability, and student success has defined his lifetime of work as an enrollment manager. Prior to arriving at George Mason, he was vice provost of enrollment management at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he led the university to several milestones for total enrollment, the academic profile and diversity of the student body, and graduation rates. Removing financial barriers for students was central to his accomplishments in St. Louis, where he developed innovative financial aid programs such as the UMSL Grant, Triton Emergency Grant, and the Senior Degree Completion Program. These flexible need-based programs helped eliminate equity gaps in degree completion for Pell grant recipients and reduce their average debt at graduation. 

Alan earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and a doctorate in education leadership and policy studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His dissertation research examined noneconomic persistence barriers for low-income students at large public universities.

Please join me in welcoming Alan to the Retriever family. 

Sincerely,

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Hello everyone!

Due to the HVAC system in the Apartment Community Center still being managed, Retriever Essentials will be at the Center for Wellbeing for the remainder of the summer (including today).

Please plan your trip accordingly, and we apologize for any incovneinces.

DoIT has been working with the Division of Student Affairs to introduce a new, easy-to-use Emergency Settings page in myUMBC. 

The myUMBC Emergency Settings page integrates our campus-wide emergency alert system and required emergency contact information in one place. You may notice new homepage reminders - these will guide you to sign up for emergency alerts or update your required emergency contact information. When you log in, you may see two specific notifications:

• Emergency Alerts: If you haven't signed up, you’ll see a prompt to join. 

• Emergency Contacts: If your contacts are missing, you'll see a reminder. This notification will remain active until a contact is added.

Take Action: Click the notification to go directly to your settings, or access them anytime by clicking your Profile Photo > Emergency. See “How do I update my Emergency Settings in myUMBC?” for more information about the page.

Please take a moment today to ensure your emergency alert enrollment is active and your emergency contacts are up to date. 

If you have any issues, please contact the Technology Support Center via help.umbc.edu or by calling 410-455-3838.

All:

If you have obtained a summer (or fall) internship and would like to receive ECON 313 credit

the process is to first contact Christine Routzahn at the Career Center (routzahn@umbc.edu)

and let her know you are seeking to have your internship approved for credit.

Also view the following if looking for an internship or to apply to have your current or soon to begin internship approved:

Internships, Co-ops & Research: How to Get Started – Career Center – UMBC

Got an internship, co-op, or research? Make it extraordinary. – Career Center – UMBC

FEMALE ROOMMATES WANTED – NEAR UMBC

One room is available July 1 and after/the other room will be available on or after August 9.

We are seeking two female roommate for a furnished bedroom in a private single-family home in the Maiden Choice/Arbutus area, less than 1.5 miles from UMBC and located on the Purple Campus Shuttle route. Three grocery stores are nearby, and the shuttle provides convenient transportation to and from campus. The shuttle also stops near the shopping centers.

The home is shared with two female UMBC students/professionals and the landlord couple. We are looking for a respectful, tidy individual who will contribute to a clean and inclusive living environment. Preference will be given to UMBC or UMB Ph.D., graduate, or junior/senior undergraduate students.

Home Features

• Newly renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home
• Quiet and safe dead-end street
• Fully furnished
• High-speed Wi-Fi and streaming cable
• All utilities included
• Open-concept, fully functional kitchen with:
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Icemaker
  • Meal-prep equipment
• Access to:
  • Laundry room
  • Living room
  • Dining room
  • Covered front porch
• Snow removal and lawn care included

Included Essentials

• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Cleaning tools and supplies
• Dishwasher detergent
• Dish soap
• Linens and towel sets

Bedroom Includes

• Spacious, fully furnished, and decorated bedroom
• Large closet
• Full-size bed
• Two sets of new linens
• Blankets, comforter, and pillows
• Dresser with mirror
• Tall chest of drawers
• Two nightstands
• Desk and chair
• Smart TV with Wi-Fi streaming capability
• New bath towel sets

Additional Amenities

• Personal kitchen cabinet
• Personal combination-lock bathroom cabinet
• Personal laundry room locker/cubby
• Ample street parking
• County trash pickup twice weekly
• Instant hot water heater (hot water never runs out)
• Additional insulation in interior walls and ceilings for enhanced privacy

Location & Transportation

• Seconds from UMBC Shuttle and public bus stops
• Purple Route runs approximately every 15 minutes on weekdays
• Three nearby shopping centers
• Less than 1.5 miles from UMBC

House Guidelines

• Non-smoker only
• No smoking inside the home
• No drug use
• Must be clean, considerate, and respectful of shared spaces

Pet Policy

No pets except documented medical support animals.

Requirements:

• Documentation from a physician and veterinarian
• Animal must remain in the tenant's room when not supervised
• Animal must be crated when unattended
• Tenant is responsible for all care and cleaning

Please note: Due to allergies, cats and other shedding animals cannot be accommodated.

Lease Terms

Academic Year: August 2026 – May 2027

Summer Option: Late May 2027 – Mid-August 2027

Lease includes:

• Holidays
• Semester breaks
• Weekends
• Winter Session (unless otherwise arranged)

Preference will be given to academic-year leases. Month-to-month arrangements may be considered.

Rent & Deposit

Rent: $1,000/month

Includes:

• Furnished bedroom
• Shared refrigerator with one roommate only
• Shared bathroom with one roommate only
• Utilities 
• Wi-Fi
• Streaming cable

Security Deposit: $500

Additional Information

This is a private residence and is not Airbnb, hotel, or campus housing.

Tenants should provide their own:

• Personal belongings
• Toiletries
• Food and beverages
• Laptop/computer
• Academic materials

Contact

📞 Call or Text (preferred): 410-999-4668
Monday–Friday, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📧 Email: whittleemail@gmail.com

Things to Consider When Evaluating Off-Campus Housing Near UMBC

When evaluating off-campus housing near UMBC, be sure to consider more than just the distance listed in a rental advertisement.

Many properties may appear to be within walking distance of campus, but the actual walking experience can vary significantly depending on the route. Some campus entrances are more pedestrian-friendly than others, and certain routes may involve steep hills, limited sidewalks, poor lighting, or challenging conditions during extreme heat, rain, snow, or ice. If you plan to walk or bike regularly, it is worth visiting the property and testing the route yourself before signing a lease.

Transportation access is also important. Housing located near a UMBC Shuttle stop may be considerably more convenient than housing that is technically closer to campus but requires a difficult walk.

Another factor to consider is the age of the home. Many houses in the surrounding neighborhoods were built decades ago and may have older plumbing, heating, and hot water systems. Depending on the property, tenants may experience limitations in hot water availability when multiple people are showering, doing laundry, or running the dishwasher. It is a good idea to ask landlords specific questions about hot water capacity, utility systems, and recent renovations before committing to a lease.

Taking the time to evaluate transportation, walkability, safety, and home infrastructure can help ensure that your housing choice meets your needs throughout the academic year.

Meet Carlos Carmona ’88, economics. After UMBC, Carlos built a long career in retail and commercial banking before retiring in 2020. Now, Carlos enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Maritza de Jesús, and exploring one of his early passions—storytelling. In 2025, Carlos realized a lifelong dream, becoming a published author with the launch of his debut novel, Unforgivable Sins: A Barrio Story. Take it away, Carlos! 

Q: What initially brought you to UMBC?

A: Growing up in Baltimore City in the early ’80s was challenging. The closure of Bethlehem Steel had devastated the city and its economy, and for many young people, the path forward was unclear. The University System of Maryland offered something aspirational at a time when everything around us seemed uncertain.

At UMBC, I was exposed to people from different backgrounds, new ways of thinking, and possibilities beyond Baltimore City’s despair and anxiety. To this very day, I maintain close friendships from those years. In fact, I recently had dinner with Jim Zerr ’89 and his wife. My time at UMBC didn’t just educate me; it gave me lifelong relationships and a broader vision of what my life could eventually become.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

Every journey is different, and I would never presume to define anyone else’s path. What I can share is that UMBC and its professors fostered an environment of openness and understanding. They recognized that academic success rarely follows a single route, and in that understanding, I found the confidence to keep moving forward. They reminded me that what matters most is not how you arrive, but that you keep going.

What has stayed with me most from my time at UMBC is the generosity of my fellow students. People shared their experiences, offered advice, exchanged resources, and opened doors for one another. Friendship and support seemed to appear wherever I turned. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to be part of a community that valued collaboration over competition. It is an experience for which I remain deeply grateful.

When I look back on my life, I do not see absence. I see family, friendship, opportunity, and countless people who helped shape the person I became. In the end, I was never without. If anything, I was blessed with more than I recognized at the time.

Q: Who in the UMBC community has inspired you or supported you? 

A: As an undergraduate, Professor Sarah Voight was a guiding light. Though she taught in the Spanish Department and I majored in economics, our shared Puerto Rican heritage gave me something to hold on to, something familiar and relatable in a place that often wasn’t. Her advice and guidance were crucial in helping me continue my studies and ultimately graduate.

Q: Tell us about what you loved about your academic program or an organization you were involved in at UMBC.

A: I loved studying economics, finance, and accounting. I found the subjects as exciting as they were challenging. At the same time, I explored several liberal arts and language courses, which gave me a well-rounded foundation that has served me throughout my life. For many years, I was a financial advisor to Catholic parishes, a role I stepped back from due to serious health issues, though I aspire to return when I’m able.

Q: Can you tell us about your work as an author?

A: I never planned on becoming a writer. I was a banker, a man who lived by numbers, memos, and proposals, not by scenes or plotlines. Stories belonged to other people. At least that is what I believed until life forced me to reconsider what mattered. Cancer did that. Two rounds of chemo. A fight I barely survived. And somewhere in the middle of that darkness, when my world narrowed, something in me shifted. Ideas I had buried decades earlier began to surface. Words I never thought I could write spilled onto the page. It was as if the part of me I had ignored finally demanded to be heard.

That is how Unforgivable Sins was born, a book that split itself into two stories, A Barrio Story and The Rise of Charlie Green. I self‑published them because no one in the industry was waiting for stories like mine. I knew the audience would be small. I knew the road would be impossibly long. Editors have never shown interest in Latino urban crime fiction, not because the stories lack power, but because the gatekeepers have never known what to do with them. But I also knew these stories were missing from today’s literature. They were missing in 1986 when the idea first came to me at UMBC, and they are still missing in 2026. The absence never changed. I simply reached a point in my life where I refused to let that absence continue.

What I didn’t expect was what came next. The moment I finished those books; a third story consumed me. Legacy of Sins arrived like a storm, pulling both earlier stories forward. Instead of continued editing, marketing, polishing what I had just created, I found myself chasing the next chapter, the next revelation, the next plot twist. Some scenes took forever to finish in all three stories. Not because I lacked the words, but because the memories behind them were too painful. This is all fiction, yes, but parts of it were my life experience. Parts of it still are and will forever be.

Pictured right: The potential book cover for “Legacy of Sins: A Barrio Story” by author Carlos Carmona.

Now the story is almost complete. I’m editing, refining, shaping it the best someone with only their passion can. For no publishing company would. With the lessons learned from the first one, the never‑ending process of self‑publishing. I expect Legacy of Sins to be ready this summer or early fall.

I write because these stories once brought to life refused to let me go. I write because they were missing. I write because survival gave me a second chance, and I refuse to waste it. 

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.