Meet Sean,
He is a Chemical Engineering major and corresponding secretary for Tau Beta Pi (TBP), the Engineering Honor Society. He is currently working on the synthesis and characterization of 3D graphene nanosheets to be used as support for electrocatalysts in a fuel cell.

Sean recently completed work at the University of New Mexico Nanoscience and Microsystems Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

He hopes to complete a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and become a professor at a research university in the future.

A resource round-up provided by Jess Myers, Women’s Center director 

In case you missed last night’s roundtable on White Womanhood and Critical Whiteness (or if you were there and want to keep the conversation going), I thought it might be useful to share some resources that have helped me on my ongoing journey of what it means to be a white woman and how I show up and impact those around me as a white woman. As I mentioned, white women need to “hold up the mirror” for ourselves and engage with our reflection of whiteness and white privilege. Having resources and community to help hold up the mirror for us and work through what we see is vital as we engage in this self-work. Below are (just) some resources I’ve found helpful and transformative in my journey. This is not an exhaustive list so I welcome suggestions as well!

It was standing room only at last night’s roundtable on White Womanhood and Critical Whiteness! We can’t stop here, though,  white women, let’s keep the conversation and learning going!

News Outlets and Blogs:

Colorlines 
“Colorlines is a daily news site where race matters, featuring award-winning investigative reporting and news analysis. Colorlines is published by Race Forward, a national organization that advances racial justice through research, media and practice.”
Twitter – Facebook – Website

Everyday Feminism
“Our mission is to help people heal from and stand up to everyday violence, discrimination, and marginalization through applied intersectional feminism.”
Twitter – Facebook – Wesbite

Feminist Wire
“The mission of The Feminist Wire is to provide socio-political and cultural critique of anti-feminist, racist, and imperialist politics pervasive in all forms and spaces of private and public lives of individuals globally. Of particular critical interest to us are social and political phenomena that block, negate, or limit the satisfaction of goods or ends that humans, especially the most vulnerable, minimally require for living free of structural violence.”
Twitter – Facebook – Website

Articles and Books:

White Women, Race Matters: The Social Construction of Whiteness (I personally recommend chapters 3 & 7)

When White Women Cry: How White Women’s Tears Oppress Women of Color by Mamta Motwana Accapadi (AND, just read this article as of 9/28 which is a great compliment: White Women’s Tears and the Men Who Love Them)

Being Lovingly, Knowingly Ignorant: White Feminism and Women of Color by Mariana Ortega

Learn more about the term “white fragility” 

More thoughts about “calling in” and “calling out”

From Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces: A New Way to Frame Dialogue Around Diversity and Social Justice by Brian Arao and Kristi Clemens

Conferences and Trainings:

Baltimore Racial Justice Action

• 13th of the Month Events
• Check out their resources page
• Facebook

Social Justice Training Institute

• This experience is no joke you all  – It CHANGED my life.
• There’s a student version of SJTI too!

Facing Race Conference

• This conference happens every other year. I was lucky enough to go on a scholarship when it was in Baltimore a few years ago. If you’re down to travel, do it!

Women’s Center Things!

Critical Social Justice
A year-long campaign with a week of concentrated programming and events each year. This year is October 19-23rd!

Our Lending Library 

Our Twitter and Facebook 

Internships are known as great opportunities for students to gain insight into their future careers, learn more about the working world, and start networking before they even graduate. But could they be something more?

This summer, UMBC students found that their internships could also enable them to profoundly impact local communities. While many Retrievers traveled to internships across the nation and the world—from Google in California to Grameen Bank in Bangladesh—others were focused on having an impact closer to UMBC’s Baltimore home.

UMBC students served as interns with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and companies essential to the Baltimore’s infrastructure, economy, and culture.

Rosa Rada ’17, interdisciplinary studies, helped improve community health through her internship with Baltimore City Health Department’s Baltimarket, which works to ensure food access throughout the city. “What I loved most about my position is that I was working for a program that was community-based and community-driven,” she said. “I was doing the work that I am most passionate about, in a city that I love dearly.”

In a survey of 2015 summer interns, UMBC’s Career Center found that over 70% of participating students increased their awareness of civic responsibility as a result of their internship and over 90% gained a deeper understanding of their career goals.

“We truly believe that internships can have a transformational effect, both for the students completing them and the communities in which they are working,” shared Kerry Kidwell-Slak, associate director of internships and employment at UMBC’s Career Center. “In these experiences, students are able to apply and test theories discussed in the classroom, and communities benefit from the new perspectives the students bring.”

Rachel Albert ’18, English and social work, worked to help asylum seekers adjust to life in the United States through her internship at the International Rescue Committee this summer. “I've really enjoyed the knowledge that what I'm doing, whether it's escorting clients to the hospital, talking with them, or making phone calls on their behalf, aids them as they begin their new life in Baltimore,” she said.

When interns engage with their community, employers take notice. “I would strongly recommend a UMBC intern to anyone wanting to provide a professional experience to impressive students ready and willing to jump into whatever is thrown at them,” said Tyler Stoddard, a case manager at the International Rescue Committee.

Meet some of UMBC’s summer interns, committed to making a difference in Baltimore!

To read more internship stories, check out #UMBCintern!

University Health Services is providing flu shots for students, staff and faculty on Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25.

The cost of the flu shot is $20.00. Payment can be made by cash, check, UMBC campus card, or billed to your insurance. UHS will provide the vaccines until supplies run out. Please bring your UMBC red ID campus card.

Details on Flu Shot Clinics:
Thursday Sept. 24, 12 noon - 6 pm - The Commons Main Street

Friday Sept. 25, 10 am - 2 pm - The Commons Main Street

If you cannot make it to the clinic days, you are welcome to come to University Health Services to receive your flu shot.  University Health Services is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and located on the ground floor of Erickson Hall.  UHS also accepts credit/debit cards as a form of payment at the Health Center.

To make an appointment, or for questions or concerns contact University Health Services at (410) 455-2542.  

Come out for Starbuck's first monthly Coffeehouse Showcase event on Thursday, September 24th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm featuring UMBC Mama's Boys and the Stilettos! 

If you're interested in showcasing your talent click

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TeAtMc_iKaikQJ0ahjLuR-KfPsDNssXVknQivNPGTQc/viewform.

A blog reflection by Joe Levin-Manning, Graduate Coordinator for LGBTQ Programs

One thing I think we need to see and hear more of is people feeling uncomfortable. While there is a time and a place for the principle of “safe space” it has now become somewhat of a crutch to not have to face challenging issues. I will acknowledge that my introduction to this idea was through this concept of Brave Space (that is hyperlinked, so please check the article out). Last year’s theme for Critical Social Justice introduced this topic to the UMBC community and offered a social justice lens and I hope to take this a little further and throw a little Jewish spin on it as well.

In Judaism we have these things called Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud. Everything talked about in these three books is not always cut and dry. One of the things the Talmud specifically is known for is the debate that occurs between the different rabbis. Even several thousand years ago the rabbis knew that in order to grow you must be challenged. I remember talking with a colleague about studying texts and they said they missed the buzz of a Beit Midrash, a room where people study and struggle with text. Then, I wondered why have we become so content with making everyone pacified, instead of asking someone to acknowledge their bigotry and evolve.

We have begun to fall into a trap of believing that all spaces must be safe spaces. This is a very dangerous trap. This misuse of safe space weakens the understanding of where the need for a safe space came from. If left unchecked more and more people will feel ostracized and shamed any time they learn they offended someone. There is a similar issue with the idea of political correctness. It is a faulty attempt at trying to make people feel better by creating “appropriate language” to put people into boxes and not feel guilty about it. The problem here is that we are trying to equate someone’s identity with boxes and the tension that ensues is electric. 

In Judaism we have this principle called lashon hara (evil tongue). What this basically means is that we are not to speak ill of another person. This principle does not differentiate rumors from the truth, you are to never speak ill of another person. At first this may seem as if we have to ignore the faults that others have. I disagree. I believe is actually charging us all to do our part in being investing in bettering our community by trying to strengthen all the members of it. By talking about someone behind their back we prevent them from having the opportunity to learn. No, not everyone wants to learn or better themselves, but some do. You might be surprised by the fact that some people have good intentions and just did not know how to express themselves. Do not let them become Elphaba, someone who unintentionally caused harm by attempting to do good. Someone who almost completely lost faith in acts of loving kindness.

The goal of most educational institutions is to produce graduates that will become productive members of society. In ancient Greek and Roman societies, being a productive member of society meant that you were involved in the public discourse. (I do acknowledge that these debates/political processes did prohibit certain groups from participating, namely women and slaves.) However there was such an emphasis placed on being a part of your community that there were consequences for something like not voting.

While I am not advocating for whipping those who chose not to exercise their right to vote, what I am saying is that we need to engage more in public discourse. Challenging systems that are not fair to others. Being okay with being uncomfortable because that is how we learn. Something the most important question to ask is not “how did this happen?”, it is “why did this happen?” Once we understand why, we can begin to challenge it and fix it.

To bring this topic home let’s look at Baltimore. Now more than ever we need to revel in our discomfort and tackle these issues in our community. In order to affect change we have to take this discomfort we feel and create an opportunity for productivity. This practice will allow us to rebuild our community from the inside, to tackle the discrimination and oppression that exists in our community. The theme for Critical Social Justice this year, Baltimore 365, aims to do just that. We hope that by bringing in people that are doing this valuable work year round we can keep this conversation elevated in all our lives and keep you inspired you for action. 

Adapted from: Musings by Joe

Below are featured events and internship/employment opportunities that have recently been posted or have application deadline dates that are quickly approaching!  To see all that the UMBC Career Center has to offer YOU, please visit our myUMBC group page or log into your UMBCworks account!

FEATURED EVENTS….

Upcoming On the Roads….check them out and RSVP via UMBCworks!

NEW!  On the Road: Idealist Grad School Fair, Thursday, October 1, 2015, 3:30 – 8:00 pm.  Thinking about graduate school?  This one is for you!

NEW!  GRADUATE and UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS!  On the Road: The Nielsen Company, Friday, October 2, 2015, 9 am – 1 pm

Will you be graduating in December 2015 or May 2016? Do you realize that the heaviest recruitment season will begin in October? Spend a Friday afternoon with us and be prepared to face this critical time with confidence!  Senior Success Seminar– Friday, September 18, 2015 – RSVP is required!

Inside Scoop: Global Careers – Monday, September 21, Noon – 1 pm

UMBC Connects: GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE) – Wednesday, September 23, 11 am – 2 pm
STOP IN WHEN YOU ARE ABLE! No need to stay for the entire event!

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NEW!  On-Campus Interview Deadlines

Tutela Bedside Technologies
Health IT Emerging Tech Web Developer
Deadline to Apply:  September 15, 2015
Interview Date:  September 22, 2015

PNC Financial Services Group
ACCEL Retail Bank Development Program Analyst
Deadline to Apply:  September 16, 2015
Interview Date:  September 30, 2015

McCormick & Company, Inc
Co-Op Engineering (full-time winter through summer)
Deadline to Apply:  September 21, 2015
Interview Date:  October 5, 2015

FEATURED FULL-TIME & PART-TIME JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, AND RESEARCH POSITIONS

NEW!  Engineering Internships with GE for Freshmen and Sophomores
NEW!  Creative Copywriting/Marketing Internship at Mindgrub
NEW!  PAID Positions with the Kennedy Krieger Institute
NEW!  Neuroscience Laboratory Internship at UM School of Medicine

ATTENTION GRAD STUDENTS:  Social Security Admin - Hardy-Apfel IT Fellows Program 

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be eligible to be granted a security clearance
• Must be a full-time student in an undergraduate or graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 desired
• Must be available for the entire 12-week program
• Must be available for an operational interview and other applicable processing between May 2015 and March 2016
• Major studies areas of consideration:
• International Affairs/Politics/Relations

• Intelligence/Security Studies
• Regional Studies
• Economics
• Decision/Information/Data Science
• Note: Minors/Certificate programs or multiple courses in computer science, networking, technology, or telecommunications areas are highly sought.