Dear Colleagues,

It’s no secret that higher education is going through unprecedented times. Yet, here at UMBC, we continue to work toward our shared mission of inclusive excellence—advancing knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds.

Your dedication to our students and our mission sets UMBC apart from other institutions. And that's why the continued support of our most ardent advocates—our faculty and staff—is crucial to moving us forward. Your philanthropic investment doesn’t just support the university; it empowers President Valerie Sheares Ashby's bold vision for the future of UMBC. Because you are so integral to our success, I am pleased to announce the launch of the P.A.W. Circle!

P.A.W. stands for Philanthropy At Work, and it is a community of faculty and staff donors who make the decision to go a step further in supporting our students. When you make a financial contribution to any area on campus, your philanthropic investment has a profound impact. It directly provides scholarships and academic resources, supports student life, fuels groundbreaking research, and strengthens our entire university community. Our P.A.W. Circle community members make a huge difference, and we invite you to join us!

If you have already made a gift during fiscal year 2025 or 2026 (since July 1), you are already a P.A.W. Circle member! For those who'd like to join, it's easy through one (or more) of these three giving options: 

As a token of our gratitude, members of the P.A.W. Circle will be invited to join us for two special “Mug of the Month” events each semester. Members will receive a P.A.W. mug to keep, and you can bring it to these events to fill with a delicious treat. Even if you make a donation the same day, you can bring your email receipt and get your mug at the door.

We also created a special myUMBC group for our P.A.W. Circle community. New members will be added to the group with updates happening regularly, giving you another way to stay connected. If you have any questions, please contact Tessa Newton, associate director of leadership annual giving, at tnewton@umbc.edu.

Thank you for all you do for UMBC. Your passion is what makes our mission possible, and your generosity is essential to our future.

With Retriever pride,