Student Application Link: https://forms.gle/vy8EbBRz6PAQHVoU9
Dear UMBC students,
We are excited to invite applications for the Spring 2026 Student Cohort of the Entrepreneurial Learning Lab (ELL)—a unique, hands-on innovation experience that gives students the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, gain internship credit, and work directly with UMBC faculty research to evaluate the potential commercial viability or social impact of their research or technology.
The ELL is a semester-long, cohort-based program where students learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation, then apply these skills by evaluating the commercialization or social-impact potential of faculty-led research projects. This experience is ideal for students interested in product development, consulting, research, design, entrepreneurship, or innovation in any field.
Students who complete the program will earn internship credit and a $250 stipend.
There will also be an additional paid opportunity (up to $1,000) upon completion to work on a summer project related to the research development.
Offered in partnership with the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ABCEI) and the Engineering and Computing Education Program (ECEP), ELL helps students build real-world skills that employers and graduate programs highly value.
Throughout the semester, students participate in highly interactive workshops covering eight essential entrepreneurial competencies:
Opportunity recognition, Customer discovery, Market analysis, Problem/solution fit, Product/market fit, Demand validation, Value delivery, Pitching/storytelling
By the end of the program, students will:
Develop a professional Lean Canvas
Work as part of a team to evaluate UMBC research for commercialization or community impact
Create and deliver a professional pitch deck
Earn internship credit
Build résumé-ready project experience
Strengthen communication, problem-solving, and innovation skills
Connect with mentors, faculty innovators, and UMBC entrepreneurship leaders
Open to:
Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors
Students committed to attending all workshops and completing project work
Students seeking hands-on innovation experience or internship credit
No prior entrepreneurship experience is required.
This is an in-person program. Attendance at all workshops is required to receive internship credit.
Application Deadline: Tuesday, December 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Apply here: https://forms.gle/vy8EbBRz6PAQHVoU9
Applicants will be notified at the beginning of January.
Dr. Jamie Gurganus – jgurganus@umbc.edu
Engineering & Computing Education Program (ECEP) / CIRTL
Kevin Fulmer – kevinf@umbc.edu
Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
We encourage students who are passionate about innovation, eager to gain real experience, and looking to earn internship credit to apply. We hope to see you in the Spring 2026 Student Cohort of the Entrepreneurial Learning Lab!Welcome, Retriever postdocs and mentors, to the November Newsletter!
UMBC's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs welcomes you to the 5th edition of our new monthly newsletter! Highlights include several online and in person workshops, including helpful webinars about A.I., teaching, and research in different industries. We hope you can take advantage of some great opportunities this fall semester!
"Talk it Through" Topic of the Month:
A recommended topic for postdocs and their mentors to discuss this month:
Events
UMBC Graduate Student & Postdoc Development (GSPD):
Follow our MyUMBC GSPD page and stay updated on our PAWsome resources and workshops!
UMBC Center for Social Science Scholarship:
★ Friday 11/7, 12-1:30 pm, Public Policy 438:
Dealing with unstructured data (text, images), APIs, and API calls to LLMs RSVP here
★ Wednesday 11/19, 4:30-6 pm, Hybrid, PAHB 216:
CAHSS New Faculty Micro-talks RSVP here
★ Wednesday 12/3, 12-1 pm, Online:
Translating Research for a Public Audience: Writing for the Public and Talking to the Press RSVP here
UMBC Library:
★ Monday, 11/10, 12-1 pm, Online:
Skills for Graduate Students: Advanced Research Strategies RSVP here
★ Wednesday, 11/12, 12-1 pm, Online:
Exploring the Gadgets & Gizmos In Your AI Toolkit: Dr. Eric Stokan RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 11/18, 4-5 pm, Online:
Skills for Graduate Students: Managing and Organizing Your Research RSVP here
UMBC Faculty Development Center:
★ Monday, 11/10, 12-1 pm, Online:
Teaching Generation 'Why?': Helping Students Find Meaning and Purpose in Your Course RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 11/11, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Online:
Generative AI in Teaching II: Applied Skills and Use Cases RSVP here
★ Wednesday, 11/12, 12-1 pm, Online:
Bring Your Best Idea: Infusing Humor & Fun into the Classroom RSVP here
★ Thursday, 11/20, 12-1 pm, Online:
Integrating Community-Engaged and Experiential Learning into Your Course: Fostering Meaningful Learning and Student Success RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 12/2, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Online:
I'm Not Teaching with Generative AI, But What Do I Still Need to Know? RSVP here
UMBC Career Center:
★ Thursday, 11/6, 12-1 pm, Online:
River Valley Ranch Career Corner
The RAND Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding doctoral students to RAND, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of domestic and international social policy issues and matters of national security. RSVP here
★ Monday, 11/17, 12-1 pm, Online:
Inside Scoop: Careers in Biomedical and Health Research RSVP here
★ Wednesday, 11/19, 11 am-12 pm, Online:
UMBC Connects: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory RSVP here
Events from Partners within the University System of Maryland
CARTI @ UMMS
★ Tuesday, 11/4, 9-10 am, Zoom
Pivoting to Aging Research: Opportunities for Every Discipline RSVP here
★ Thursday, 11/6, 9-10 am, Zoom
Writing and Conducting a Systematic Review RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 11/4 & 11, 1-2 pm, Zoom
Writing Your First NIH R01 Grant Application: 2-Part Seminar Series RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 12/2, 1-2 pm, Zoom
Identifying a Mentoring Team & Developing Mentoring Skills RSVP here
★ Thursday, 12/11, 9-10 am, Zoom
Making the Most of Your Unfunded Grant Application RSVP here
University of Maryland
★ Wednesday, 12/3, 2025, 6:30–7:30 pm, Online:
Behind the Hire: Insights from Matt Majoros, Partner with Workforce Genetics
Matt will discuss the skill sets valued in the life sciences industry, how to reach out to recruiters and hiring managers, best platforms to find open positions, expectations on how fast hiring moves and answer your question. RSVP here
Events from National Partners
CIRTL (the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching & Learning):
Reminder: UMBC is part of the national CIRTL network; you can earn a nationally recognized certificate that demonstrates your commitment to being an effective instructor! Email Dr. Gurganus at jgurganus@umbc.edu for more information.
★ Wednesday 11/5, 12-2pm, Online:
Shared Voices, Shared Decisions: Sociocracy for Educators and Leaders in Higher Ed RSVP here
★ Monday 11/10, 12-1 pm, Online:
Exploring Teaching Careers at Teaching Intensive Universities with CIRTL Alumni RSVP here
★ Tuesday 11/11, 11 am- 1pm, Online:
Examining and Analyzing Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in Post-Secondary Contexts RSVP here
★ Thursday, 11/13, 12-1:30 pm, Online:
Overcoming Learned Helplessness: Helping Students to Develop Strong Team Skills Through Emotional Intelligence RSVP here
★ Monday, 11/17, 12-1 pm, Online:
Exploring Academic Careers Beyond the Professoriate with CIRTL Alumni in Centers for Teaching & Learning RSVP here
★ Thursday, 11/20, 2-3:30 pm, Online:
Leveraging Strengths of Neurodiverse Students in the Classroom RSVP here
★ Thursday, 12/11, 1-3 pm, Online:
Postdoc Teaching Practicum RSVP here
National Postdoctoral Association (NPA):
Reminder: UMBC has an institutional membership allowing you to get your Free NPA Affiliate Membership! Use your your institutional (UMBC) email address and attend events for FREE.
★ Check here for NPA's calendar of events.
★2025 NPA Social Sciences & Humanities Postdocs Special Interest Summit
Friday, November 14, 2025, 1-5 pm, Online Read More
Through a series of interactive online discussions led by the NPA, the summit seeks to identify barriers – and find paths forward – in the greater postdoctoral community. Sponsorship provides visibility to thousands of active, exiting, and aspiring postdocs.
Member Benefit for NPA Postdoc Members
Are you deciding on the next step after your postdoc? Need help looking for jobs that excite you and then figuring out how to apply? The NPA is proud to partner with SciPhD and provide a free, permanent license for all NPA members to their online web application tool – Flamingo™. Sign up here.
★ 2025 NPA SmartSkills Registration: SmartSkills is a free, virtual course for NPA members. Experts teach monthly classes that focus on building skills critical to career and personal success. Postdocs can earn a certificate from the NPA by attending 10 out of the 12 skills classes. Takes place the fourth Tuesday of each month, at 3 p.m. ET. Register here.
NCFDD (National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity):
Reminder: UMBC has an institutional membership with the NCFDD, an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. Sign up for free and join their email newsletter!
WEBINARS:
You must log in to register.
★ Thursday, 11/13, 2025 2-3pm
SKILL #10: How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst RSVP here
★ Friday, 11/14, 2025 1-2pm
The Weekly Meeting- for planning ahead RSVP here
★ Tuesday, 11/18, 2025 10-11 am
Virtual Writing Session RSVP here
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education is academe's most trusted resource for independent journalism, career development, and forward-looking intelligence. UMBC provides free access. Sign in today.
Sign up to receive the several different newsletters The Chronicle offers that are all about higher education! They are helpful resources that are released daily and weekly.
★ Check out The Chronicle's virtual events page, including On Demand recordings!
Resources
Job Sites in Higher Ed:
Postdoc Opportunities Board
NPA Job Board
The Chronicle Job Page
HigherEd Jobs
By the Office of Graduate Student and Postdoc Development (GSPD) at UMBC. Contact the author Aubrie at azepp1@umbc.edu for questions or suggestions about the newsletter.
Eligibility:
Self-nominations only
Separate awards and entries for Master's and PhD students
$50 prize for each winner
Winners are automatically entered for the Grad Student of the Year Award, presented at GSA Awards Night
Timeline:
Nominations close: 15th of every month
Results announced: 20th of every month
Unselected entries will automatically be considered for the next month
The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education (Gardner Institute) is looking for an Intern for Spring 2026!
For the past 25 years, the Gardner Institute has worked with institutions to improve their student success. We are seeking an intern for the Spring 2026 term a Graduate Intern who is interested in working with the Gardner Institute's engagements with college and university partners.
Interns are given the opportunity to collaborate alongside the Gardner Institute staff on work related to student success. Each intern is expected to work 10-15 hours per week and complete a project by the end of their term.
Qualifications:
Interested candidates should be pursuing degrees in higher education administration or a related field, and be interested in working with college and university administrators, faculty, staff and students in support of institutional transformation that advances student success.
The work will include the intern's participation in professional learning environments offered in the Gardner Institute academies. Depending on areas of interest, the intern will also have the chance to be involved in our partnerships with institutions redesigning their first-year or transfer experiences, academic advising, retention or curriculum.
Interns will receive a stipend of $1,500 per semester and academic credit may also be available.
To apply for our internship, please complete the Internship Form.
Notifications on decisions will occur 6 weeks after deadline.
The application is due November 14, 2025.
Feel free to share this opportunity with students and colleagues!
For questions, please contact internships@gardnerinstitute.org.
Learn More About Gardner Institute Internships Here!Gardner Institute | internships@gardnerinstitute.org | gardnerinstitute.org
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