Course description: Sociological analysis of the types of minority-majority group relations and the effects of these relationships on society and the groups and the individuals involved. 

Amanda Nergrete| INDS Student Worker  

Title: Mouse House: First Person Exploration Survival Game

Mentor: Eric Jordan

Location and Time: RAC Arena- All Day

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Live Drum Circle

INDS Professors: Jose Arenas Gomez & Steven McAlpine 

Location and Time: RAC Stage & 11am-11:15am

Learn who is who before checking out the Spring 2026 PSYC Lab Open House. This is your LAST reminder that the Open House is taking place TODAY from 11:30 AM to 1 PM on the 4th and 5th floors of Sonheim Hall. We look forward to seeing you soon!

April 21

BookMarkIt ~ 11 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Library Plaza
Letterpress printing, pamphlet stitching, a book arts display, wrapped mystery books and giveaways, zinemaking and zine swaps, a book drive supporting the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the Baltimore County Bookmobile, bookish swag, and more!

One Maryland, One Book ~ 5:00–6:30 p.m., 312 University Center
In collaboration with Maryland Humanities’ One Maryland, One Book program, BookFest will welcome Lawrence Burney, the author of the 2026 OMOB selection No Sense in Wishing. Burney will be in conversation with writer Chris Terry (assistant professor of English) about his essay collection. Refreshments will be served!

April 23

WORKSHOP: Understanding Attacks on Libraries ~ 12:00-1:00 p.m., AOK Library Room 259. Registration is required: REGISTER HERE. What should you know about the current assaults on authors, readers, libraries, and librarians? Join Allison Jennings-Roche (UMBC Alum and Associate Director of Digital Initiatives and Collections at The University of Baltimore Library & Archives) for a lunch-and-learn. Lunch will be served. Register today to secure your spot! 

Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy ~ 5:00–6:30 p.m. — AOK Library Gallery
What can we do to protect the right to read and to ensure access to our nation’s library services? Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller will be joined by some of Maryland's most distinguished librarians and advocates for a panel discussion on protecting our rights. Refreshments will be served!

GIVE! Throughout BookFest, we will be raising funds for Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD), a non-profit that supports the LBPD in its mission to make reading and all library services accessible to Marylanders!

We hope to see you there and please spread the word! 

By: Bruna de Padua
Photo Credit: Zach Seidel

Zach Seidel is the Director of Digital Media for UMBC Athletics, and he also teaches in the Media and Communication Studies department. He has been part of the UMBC community for so long that the campus almost feels like a second home to him. His parents both graduated from UMBC, so he grew up hearing about the school and going to different events. His personal connection to the university grew even stronger when he started interning in the Athletics Department during his senior year of high school in 2007. What started as a simple internship eventually turned into a huge part of his life and career, and he still enjoys being surrounded by the energy and excitement of college athletics.

Zach completed his B.A. in Media and Communication Studies, added a minor in American Studies, and was part of the Honors College and the Humanities Scholars program. He has always been the kind of person who pays attention to how stories are told and how people interact with media. That curiosity naturally led him into studying media at a deeper level. Later on, he chose to pursue an M.S. in Human-Centered Computing because he became fascinated with the way technology and design can shape people’s experiences. It was the perfect blend of creativity, communication, and innovation, and it helped him develop a broader perspective on digital media and the ways people use it.

At UMBC, Zach teaches MCS 316, which is the sports broadcasting course. A lot of students come into the class thinking broadcasting is mainly about pointing a camera at the action and letting things run, but he loves showing them how much more goes on behind the scenes. Broadcasting a game means planning every detail, organizing people and equipment, communicating constantly, troubleshooting problems, and working under pressure. Even though it can be intense at times, he enjoys watching students build confidence and learn what it takes to create something that looks smooth and effortless to the audience. He hopes his students leave the class with a real appreciation for the effort and teamwork that go into producing live sports.

In his professional role with Athletics, Zach works in a field that never stops changing. Digital media grows so fast that there is always a new tool, trend, or idea popping up. That is one of the things he enjoys most because there is always something exciting to learn. Whether it is new camera technology, new ways to reach fans online, or creative approaches to storytelling, he makes an effort to stay ahead of the curve. One of the moments he is most proud of is seeing one of his former students win an Emmy. For him, it is a reminder that teaching goes far beyond the classroom. When his students go on to do amazing things, it feels like he gets to share a part of that accomplishment too.

Looking towards the future, Zach is happy to keep teaching and continuing the work he loves. He is always open to exploring new ideas, especially when it comes to innovations in digital media and sports production. He believes the field will keep evolving in ways that surprise everyone, and he enjoys being part of that change rather than just watching it happen from the outside.

Above everything else, the best part of working at UMBC for Zach is the students. He enjoys their creativity, their willingness to try new things, and their genuine excitement about learning. Being able to guide students, support their goals, and watch them grow is what makes his work meaningful. For him, UMBC is not just a workplace. It is a community he cares about and a place where he gets to make an impact every day.

Looking for a summer course?

Consider SOCY 370: Sociology of Law!

This course investigates the role of law in society. Students will review key sociological theories and concepts about the origins, purpose, organization, and consequences of law. Students will also will review social scientific research on the law and legal system.

Offered fully online and asynchronous with Dr. Aubrey Jackson Soller.

Learn more and see if it’s a good fit for you:
View full course details for SOCY 370: Sociology of Law (Summer 2026)

Join us on Tuesday April 21 & Thursday April 23 for UMBC BookFest '26, a celebration of writers, readers, makers and advocates. All events are free! Full information is available on the event website, or through the myUMBC event posts linked below. Hope to see you there! 

>>> BookMarkIt on the Library Plaza, Tuesday April 21, 11am-1pm 

>>> One Maryland, One Book event, Tuesday April 21, 5-6:30pm, UC312. An evening with Lawrence Burney, author of the 2026 OMOB selection, No Sense in Wishing

>>> Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy, Thursday April 23, 5-6:30pm, Library Gallery

Mark your calendar for AMST and PubHum presentations at URCAD 2026 on April 22 in the Retriever Activities Center (RAC):

11:20 – 11:35 a.m. (RAC 106) - Sophia Crowell
Bay Shore Amusement Park: A Forgotten History Of Sparrows Point
Sophia Crowell, Biological Sciences major, Public Humanities minor
Michael Casiano, American Studies, Mentor

11:40 – 11:55 a.m. (RAC 106) - Finley Bandy
Our City Is A City Without An Expressway: A Historical Review Of Transportation Injustice In Baltimore City
Finley Bandy, History major, Public History and Public Humanities minor
Michael Casiano, American Studies, Mentor

11:40 – 11:55 a.m. (RAC 230) - Andrea Quispe
Visualizing Enforcement: ICE Activity and Community Response in Maryland
Andrea Quispe Majors: American Studies, Economics; Minor: Public Humanities
Tamara Bhalla, American Studies, Mentor

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. (RAC 230) - Kat Gill
The Case For A Public Internet
Kat Gill, American Studies and English double major, Public Humanities minor
Michael Casiano, American Studies, Mentor

2:55 – 3:10 p.m. (RAC 230) - Bryan Castro-Velez
Museo Garifuna Sawaina In Context: Honduran Neoliberalism, Anti-Colonial Ethnographies & Garifuna Celebrations Of Life
Bryan Castro-Velez, GES Major, Public Humanities minor
Sarah Fouts, Public Humanities, Mentor

For the full URCAD schedule see:

urcad.umbc.edu

The Center for Health, Equity, & Aging (CHEA) and the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health (SAPH) are now recruiting for the 2026-2027 cohort of SMaRT (Student Mentoring and Research Training) Scholars program.

This program is a hands-on opportunity to get involved in research with faculty in public health, sociology, and anthropology. As part of the program, students enroll in a structured summer course (SOCY 497/698, that provides training in research methods, professional development, and key topics in health, alongside direct faculty mentorship and participation in active research projects. SMaRT is ideal for students who are curious, motivated, and interested in building skills for their resumes, graduate school, or careers in health and social science fields. 

More details here!: https://saph.umbc.edu/chea/smart/

Looking for a summer course?

Consider taking Interdisciplinary Social Science Research Training (SOCY 497/698), an online (synchronous) course!

SOCY 497/698 provides training in research methods, professional development, and key topics in health, alongside direct faculty mentorship and participation in active research projects. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with faculty and get involved in their research projects!

Meets Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9:00 AM–12:10 PM over 4 weeks. Open to undergraduate and graduate students with flexible prerequisites.

For questions, or if you need permission to enroll, contact: Dr. Mair christine_mair@umbc.edu