Introducing The UMBC Connection: A new faculty and staff e-newsletter

Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,

Across UMBC, there is a great deal of meaningful work happening every day, from supporting our students to advancing research and building community. At the same time, it can be difficult to keep up with everything happening beyond your immediate area or to see the full breadth of work taking place across the institution.

The UMBC Connection is a new e-newsletter from University Communications and Marketing (UCM), designed to help bring more visibility to that work through a thoughtful selection of updates, opportunities, achievements, and milestones from across the university. The newsletter is developed in partnership with a network of contributors representing colleges, divisions, and administrative units across UMBC, helping ensure a broader view of what is happening throughout our community.

A new edition will be published on the first and third Wednesday of each month. This is an evolving effort, and it will continue to take shape through your feedback, including input from the internal communications survey shared earlier this week. We hope it becomes a useful and consistent way to stay informed, connected, and engaged with the people and work shaping UMBC.

Coming Up

Events and opportunities for the weeks ahead.

• Celebrate the Class of 2026 at Senior Sendoff (May 7)
  Faculty and staff are invited to stop by and celebrate our graduating students as they prepare to become UMBC alumni.
• America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships (May 9–10)
  UMBC Athletics will compete in the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Lowell, Massachusetts.
• Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards (May 13)
  Faculty and staff are invited to join President Valerie Sheares Ashby in recognizing this year’s awardees and University System of Maryland honorees.
• UMBC Talks: Inclusive Excellence (May 13)
  Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a facilitated dialogue to help shape UMBC’s shared definition of inclusive excellence and inform future institutional priorities.

Key Updates

Important updates and moments across the university that may affect your work and the broader UMBC community.

• Share your feedback on campus communications (closes May 15)
  UCM, in partnership with Hanover Research, is inviting faculty and staff to complete a brief, anonymous, survey about internal communications. Your input will help improve how updates, resources, and communications reach the campus community.
• Commencement 2026: Faculty and staff participation (May 20 - 21)
  Faculty and staff are invited to take part in UMBC’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies and celebrate the Class of 2026. Faculty and staff may march in the procession, volunteer, or reserve seating for graduating family members.

University Milestones

Major achievements and recognitions across UMBC.

• Meyerhoff Scholars Program celebrates 500th Ph.D.
  UMBC marks a major milestone as 500 Meyerhoff Scholars alumni have earned Ph.D.s, highlighting the program’s national leadership in diversifying STEM fields.
• Accessibility Trailblazers
  This event recognizes faculty and departments advancing inclusive teaching and accessible learning environments across UMBC through a strong commitment to universal design for learning.
• Four UMBC students named Goldwater Scholars
  UMBC is celebrating four students named Barry Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards in science, engineering, and mathematics.

More from across UMBC

Additional updates and opportunities from across the university.

• Celebrating Humanities Books (May 6) — campus celebration of faculty publications across disciplines
• Politics Everywhere: Understanding the AAPI Vote (May 6) — discussion on AAPI political engagement and voting behavior featuring Maryland leaders and policymakers
• SistaCare (May 7) — community care and dialogue space centered on the experiences of Black and Africana women and femmes
• Maryland New Venture Pitch Night (May 11) — Shark Tank-style competition showcasing student ventures focused on innovation and real-world impact
• Stories We Carry: AAPI Storytelling Circle (May 11) — guided conversation and community reflection
• UMBC Night at Oriole Park (June 27) — Orioles game and community gathering for faculty, staff, and alumni
• Retrievers Read 2026— summer reading challenge for faculty, staff, students, and alumni

Help Shape The UMBC Connection

As this effort continues to take shape, your feedback will help guide how we strengthen internal communications across the university. We welcome your input and invite you to share your feedback on The UMBC Connection.

If you would prefer, you are also welcome to reach out directly to Jessica McGroarty, Director of Internal Communications, at jmcgro@umbc.edu. 

University Communications and Marketing