This is one of our scholars, Chase, who is a member of the Council for Opportunity in Education's Student Steering Committee. What the Student Steering Committee does is engage with different political, economic, social issues on college campuses and how to address them. Each month they have a "Call To Action" where they focus on different topics. For May, Chase presented on the mental health of college students. He is interested in investigating the mental health services on campus to determine how students use these services and how they view them. This is great Chase, keep it up! 

Read more about Chase here: https://mcnair.umbc.edu/chandler-louden/

Below are several UMBC resources to assist you as you navigate:

UMBC Information for COVID-19 for resources and up to date information.

The Counseling Center is open for remote assistant if needed.  If you would like to speak with a Counseling Center clinician, you may call 410-455-2472 and leave a message including your name, email address, phone number, and UMBC ID#. Please speak clearly and slowly so that we have the information we need to be able to reach you

Tips for Academic Success During COVID-19 from the Academic Success Center. Visit the ASC for assistance with tutoring and academic policies.

The Office of Student Disability Services is open remotely.  SDS remains committed to supporting students.  Visit their website for a full overview of methods of contact and resources available from SDS.

Campus Life's Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers are another resource available to provide support for any interested students.

Retriever Essentials is open for food or personal care item needs.  Visit their homepage or join their myUMBC Group for updates.

Please remember that we are all here to support you!  The growing list of First-Generation Faculty and Staff are available and happy to assist you.  Contact us!

General Resources

Internet Connectivity

Maryland Food Bank

Updates will be available on the UMBC First Generation Network Website

Kaitlynn Lilly, a Sophomore majoring in Physics and Mathematics

What have you enjoyed most about your time at UMBC?

I love how genuine the people are here. Every student and professor wants you to succeed and is willing to take the time and effort to help you achieve your goals.

What challenges have you overcome as a first-generation student?

I overcame the challenge of the unknown. I had no idea what to expect and was incredibly overwhelmed by the college experience. After some time and with the support of my professors, peers, and advisers, I was able to overcome that fear of the unknown.

What's your Why? Why are you pursuing a college degree?

I am pursuing a college degree to be able to attain my dream of being a professor. I am incredibly passionate about both teaching and research and would love to have a career that encompasses both of those things, but I need a college degree to do so.

What advice do you have for other First-Generation Students at UMBC?

My advice to other First-Generation Students at UMBC is to take advantage of all the opportunities that UMBC has to offer because you can get a lot out of this school that will allow you to be the next one to inspire other students just like you.

Who has been especially helpful to you at UMBC?

Dr. Justin Webster has been incredibly helpful to me in guiding me down the right path to be able to achieve all of my short and long term goals. Because we both took similar paths in college, he has been an invaluable part of my college journey thus far.

If you're a first-generation student who is doing great things at UMBC or in the world, you could be the next First Gen Student of the Month.  Complete the nomination here.

The University System of Maryland’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (USM LSAMP) announces the opportunity for undergraduate scholars currently enrolled at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Frostburg State University, Towson University, and select local community colleges to participate in programming to enhance their summer research experience. If selected, you will join a community of undergraduate researchers, attend professional development seminars, and be eligible for a financial award totaling up to $3,000 over the course of the program. Undergraduate scholars who work with distinguished STEM faculty within the University System of Maryland qualify for the award. Student scholars conduct research over a minimum of nine weeks per summer under the direction of a faculty research mentor.  

Applicants may apply for research opportunities in any of the following NSF-classified STEM disciplines: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics/Astronomy, or technology areas associated with the preceding fields (e.g., biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, information technology).

To be eligible for the research program, applicants must be:

• A US citizen or permanent resident at one of the aforementioned institutions

• In good academic standing

• Members of racial and ethnic groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines. All students are welcome to apply

• Students who have no previous research experience

Program Requirements:

• Engage in research with distinguished STEM faculty within the University System of Maryland for a minimum of nine weeks beginning on Tuesday, June 2nd 2020.
• If you do not have a pre-selected faculty member we will attempt to match you based on your discipline. However, we cannot guarantee placement for the summer

• Attend an orientation session on Monday, June 1st from 11:00am - 1:00pm.
  
  
• Attend weekly programming on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Programming begins the week of June 1st and concludes July 31st. There will be a mandatory luncheon on Thursday, August 20th. 
  
  
• A one-page journal entry will be submitted every two weeks based on your experience 
   
  
• A 3-5 page culminating reflection will be submitted at the conclusion of the research experience.    
  
  
• Submit a log of their time completing research every two weeks.
  


• Awardees will be required to present a research poster and/or a give a presentation of the project results at the USM LSAMP Fall Research Symposium at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Students must attend and engage with the entire conference. Research presentations at other conferences can be substituted with prior approval on a case-by-case basis.  
  
  
• Students are also encouraged to present at URCAD and SURF at UMBC or the Annual Research Symposium at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. 

Please note: The NSF USM LSAMP logo and funding disclaimer must be included on the poster or presentation.

Application:

We ask that undergraduate scholars completely fill out and submit the following USM LSAMP Research Program application form. The submitted application is due no later than Sunday, March 29th, 2020.

Are you interested in conducting research and being mentored by faculty, post-doctoral fellows and advanced graduate students? 

Would you like to know how to prepare for and to pursue a PhD degree? 

Does spending time on the beautiful campus of NC State appeal to you? 

Will you have completed at least your sophomore year of college by next summer? 

You may be the right candidate for RISE (tentative dates: May 31 - August 1, 2020)! This program is hosted by the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at NC State University.

Students who participate in this program will be better prepared and motivated to pursue advanced degrees, thereby helping to sustain a rich talent pool in critical areas related to all aspects of civil engineering research and innovation. We encourage participation from engineering students from underrepresented and underserved groups from the U.S. and its territories.

RISE is open to current undergraduate students in the upper classes as well as master's students who are interested in doctoral studies. The RISE program will be hosted at the NC State campus in Raleigh, NC, during the months of June and July (May 31 - August 1), 2020.

PARTICIPANTS WILL:

·       Conduct state-of-the-art research related to challenging civil and environmental engineering problems

§  List of recent research projects >>>>

·       Be mentored by NC State faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students

·       Experience the diverse research atmosphere and culture at NC State University >>>>

·       Present results at a research symposium and poster competition >>>>

·       Participate in weekly seminars and workshops to prepare for graduate school and professional development

§  e.g., preparation of research abstract, poster, research statement; planning for research and academic careers

·       Engage in social and community activities

·       Have opportunities to co-author scientific manuscripts with the mentors

·       Receive a $4,000 stipend; in addition, university housing will be covered, and travel for non-NCSU participants

·       Have access to campus facilities (e.g., library, athletic, and health facilities)

ELIGIBILITY

·       Should have attended an academic institution in the U.S. or its territories

·       Should have completed undergraduate sophomore year by June 2020 or be in a master's program

·       Be enrolled as a student in an US academic institution in Fall 2020 semester

·       Hold a competitive GPA (3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale is recommended)

·       Demonstrate a genuine interest in research and in pursuing a doctoral degree

·       Persons from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply

IMPORTANT DATES

·       Application Deadline: Review starts February 20

·       Notifications: March-April

·       Program Dates: (tentative) May 31 - August 1, 2020

RISE participants must be resident at NC State University full-time during the 2-month program. During this period, participants may not enroll for classes, concurrent summer programs, or hold other employment. RISE is held on the NC State University campus in Raleigh, NC.

APPLICATION PROCESS

·       Contents of application

§  Application form

§  Including contact information (name, title, affiliation, email, phone) for up to 2 references

§  A single pdf file consisting of:

§  A brief resume (two page limit)

§  Statement of interest, including academic background, research and future career goals, your expectations from participating in in the RISE program (two page limit) 

§  Transcript(s) (unofficial copies are acceptable)

·       SUBMIT APPLICATION for 2020 (Review starts February 17)

2019 PROGRAM DETAILS

·       2020 Program and Schedule

·       Prior program schedules: 2019 RISE Program; 2018 RISE Program; 2017 RISE Program; 2016 RISE Program