If you've ever run an Ally course accessibility report and found a long list of untagged PDFs, you know the feeling: the problem is clear, but the path forward is time-consuming. Tagging PDFs for accessibility is one of the most technically demanding parts of document remediation -- and it's often where momentum stalls.

UMBC has been selected to participate in Ally's Auto-tagging Early Adopter Program, which means instructors now have access to a new feature designed to do that heavy lifting automatically. Ally can generate a tag structure for untagged PDFs directly in Blackboard -- and importantly, you review and approve those changes before anything is applied to your file.

Image: Ally interface showing auto-generated PDF tag verification. 

Early Adopter Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can instructors review changes before they are applied? Yes. Instructors will be able to review the automatically generated tag structure and must approve the changes before they are applied to the document. They will also have the option of downloading the original file before the changes are applied. 
2. Is tagging applied at the individual tag level or document level? Approval is applied at the document level. Once reviewed and confirmed, the tagging is applied to the entire document -- not selectively by tag/item. 
3. Can individual tags be edited or approved separately? No, the approval process is applied at the document level, not individual tags. 
4. What happens to the original PDF after tagging? A new, remediated version replaces the original file in Blackboard, and that updated version is what students will access and download.
5. Can I batch auto‑tag multiple PDFs at once? No, auto‑tagging is focused on individual documents to align with the instructor workflow and ensure each file can be reviewed and finalized before changes are applied. 
6. How accurate is the auto-tagging process? Testing shows high levels of quality and accuracy, but like all tools, human review remains an important part of the process as we expect edge cases to pop up based on the variety of PDFs available today. 
7. Does Auto Tagging fix other PDF issues? No, Auto-Tagging will not address all PDF issues like image description, tables, and color contrast. Ally can remediate certain things in your PDF such as setting the language, setting a title, and applying OCR for smaller PDFs.

As an early adopter, UMBC receives access to this feature ahead of the broader community, and our feedback will help shape how it develops. A couple of things to know as you try it out:

• If you encounter any issues or bugs in the feature, please submit a ticket to the Online Learning queue so our team can forward it to Blackboard support. 
• If you’d like to share general feedback or comments at any time, you can use the Ally Auto-tagging PDFs Feature Quick Feedback survey form — fill it out as many times as you need. Just remember that technical issues or bugs MUST go through a ticket.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 
  • What's new in Ultra? |Known Issues 
• Open a ticket via RT
• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
• Request a consult with instructional technology staff
• UMBC Digital Accessibility| Ally FAQs | Ally Demo | Ally Report (VPN required)
• PIVOT | Academic Continuity |Keep On Teaching |Student Technology Resources

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the brilliant young minds of our Maryland Invention Convention Team!

This past week, our team spent three inspiring days at the Invention Convention US Nationals, hosted at the historic Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Representing our community on a national stage, these young inventors immersed themselves in unique learning experiences, connected with fellow creators, and proudly showcased their original inventions to a crowd of over a thousand attendees!

Bringing Home National Honors

The competition was fierce, featuring 513 innovative projects from across the country. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Maryland's very own Gabriel Gomez-Quintero received one of only two prestigious Best Logbook Awards for his outstanding work on PolePal!

We want to extend a massive thank you to our mentors, families, and community members whose support made this inaugural year such a resounding success. We are already looking forward to brainstorming, building, and inventing for next year!

To view the full list of award winners, click this link.

To learn more about Invention Convention US Nationals, click this link.

Hello everyone!

Due to the HVAC system in the Apartment Community Center not working, our Free Farmers Market will be CANCELED for today, 6/11/2026

We apologize for any inconviences

You can meet in-person with a TIAA rep to discuss your retirement outlook and any questions you may have!

Whether you are just getting started or planning to retire soon - a session with Ms. Jahleel Gordon (TIAA rep) can help you create a plan for your goals. It’s at no additional cost and included as a part of your retirement plan. 

You can discuss these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?

• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?

• How do I take income from my retirement account after I stop working?

Please use this link to schedule an in-person meeting with Ms. Jahleel Gordon. If you have issues scheduling via their website, try calling 1-800-732-8353. 

TIAA on campus dates: 

• Wednesday, July 1st
• Thursday, August 13th
• Thursday, September 10th

The one-on-one meetings are held in the HRSTM Conference Room, Administration Building, Room 529. 
Don't miss out! Schedule your appointment now: https://www.tiaa.org/public/login/schedule-meeting
Virtual meetings are also available with many more dates and appointment times. 

For many student employees, a campus job is a way to earn income while pursuing a degree. In UMBC's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS), it is an intentionally designed learning experience.

 
New student employees complete a five-week onboarding process that combines online learning, shadowing and reverse-shadowing experiences, office resources and hands-on practice. The approach is intentionally scaffolded, allowing students to gradually build knowledge while gaining confidence in supporting students and families navigating the financial aid process. The learning does not stop there. Student employees participate in regular check-ins and professional development activities, including monthly refresher trainings designed to reinforce concepts, encourage reflection and create opportunities for growth.

A conversation with Meaghan Walker, financial aid services coordinator, revealed the thinking behind this approach to student employment.

For Meaghan, whose background is in secondary education, student employment is an extension of teaching. Student employees serve as the first point of contact for many visitors, making them the face of the office and an important part of the student experience. Meaghan focuses on helping students understand professional workplace expectations while creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and growing through challenges.

"We want students to leave with skills they can carry into any professional environment," Walker said. 

That approach requires paying attention to individual needs. After noticing a student employee struggling to retain information, Meaghan initiated a conversation that the student later said helped them succeed in the role. Experiences like that reinforce the importance of meeting students where they are and creating space for honest conversations that lead to growth. Students are also able to see the impact of their work through customer satisfaction surveys completed by the students and families they serve.

 
The office's commitment to student development will be formally recognized through UMBC’s digital badges. Student employees will earn badges that acknowledge the communication, problem-solving and customer service skills they develop through their work. Meaghan helped spearhead the initiative herself, creating a way for students to document and communicate the knowledge and experience they gain while serving the campus community.

 
The investment in student employees is rooted in a larger vision for the office. Andrea Cipolla, director, wanted to create opportunities that mirrored the experiences that helped shape her own professional journey.

 
"We wanted it to be more than a part-time job while students are in college," Cipolla said.
With training and support, student employees can perform many of the same functions as professional counselors, helping students and families navigate questions about financial aid while gaining valuable professional experience themselves.

 
"Meaghan took it and ran with it by adding badging herself—a testament to how much she cares about the students and them gaining the skills they need for after college," Cipolla said.
The office has left a lasting impression on student employees.

 
"It feels like community—I don't think I'll have a greater office experience than here," said Serenity Hamiel, a recent graduate and former student employee. "The people make it what it is."

 
Hamiel described OFAS as a safe space where staff members support one another through challenges and celebrate growth. While she was surprised by the amount of information involved in the role at first, the hands-on experience eventually helped her develop a rhythm. She said the experience gave her a better understanding of her own financial aid and prepared her to navigate future professional environments with confidence.

 
Austin Miller, another recent graduate and former student employee, said the role challenged his assumptions about financial aid. While his own experience receiving aid shaped his understanding of its importance, working directly with students and families broadened his perspective on the many circumstances that affect college affordability. The experience ultimately influenced his decision to pursue a career in financial aid.

 
"I know that financial aid can make or break a college experience," Miller said. "It's important to recognize the power we have to make an impact."

 
Both Hamiel and Miller described the office as a safe space—an environment where questions are welcomed, support is readily available and growth is encouraged.

 
That emphasis on learning and development will continue as the office transitions to its new name, the Office of Student Financial Wellness and Assistance. The change reflects the work already taking place: helping students navigate not only financial aid, but also the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions. That mission extends to the office's student employees as well, who are developing valuable professional skills while helping others do the same.

Join us to watch the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the first game Mexico vs. South Africa on Thursday, June 11th from 2:00pm-5:30pm at the Commons Sports Zone.

Looking for a female roommate (single occupancy only) to share a 2-bedroom apartment near UMBC.

Rent: $650/month (utilities not included)

Apartment Features:

• Prime location with supermarkets, restaurants, banks, stores, and salons nearby

• About a 20-minute walk to campus

• UMBC shuttle stop just a 5-minute walk away

• Fully furnished

• Solid oak hardwood floors in the common areas

• Wall-to-wall carpeting in the hallway and bedrooms

• Area rugs in the dining and living rooms

• Free indoor laundry

• Large fenced backyard

• Wonderful and responsive landlady

• Only one other apartment in the house, occupied by UMBC graduate students

Move-in Date: Flexible, preferably from July 1st, 2026.

Important: I am strictly looking for one female occupant.

If interested or if you'd like more details, please message me or text 410-949-5908.

1 room available in a shared 4-bed townhouse on Badger Gate Ct, Catonsville.  3 other UMBC male grad students currently live at the property.

• Full bath shared with 1 other person.
• Partially furnished. (see pictures)
• Walk-in closet.
• Shared Kitchen, Living Room, and Laundry
• 5 mins walk from UMBC Bus stop
• 7 mins walk to Giant on Wilkens
• Street Parking
• Utilities (BGE), Wi-Fi, and a gardener are divided among tenants.
• Pictures are attached.
• Clean and respectful environment.
• Rent - $700/month

If interested, please contact TEXT ONLY: 6679423466

Hello, I was wondering if anyone would have a housing accomidation for the Fall 2025 semester? I am graduating in the winter and seeing if anyone would be willing to rent for 6 months. If you would like to contact me please reach out to me at colep1@umbc.edu.

Traffic around the arena will be very heavy beginning at 7:30am on 6/11/2026 and throughout the day to accommodate three high school graduations. Graduation start times are 9am, 1:30pm and 6pm. Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to avoid entering campus from I-195, as parking on the east side of campus will be difficult to access. Please plan to park in any available legal permit space across campus. Parking Services will be enforcing parking regulations for safety concerns only. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to manage increased traffic and event activity