Another dog-tastic weekend is in the books with the conclusion of UMBC’s 2025 Homecoming celebration. Past, present, and future Retrievers enjoyed more than 40 events this year, participating in popular UMBC classics such as the Homecoming Bonfire, GRIT-X, the Carnival, and especially, the Puppy Parade.

Check out the festivities at this year’s—thankfully, not rainy—Homecoming!

Firing up Homecoming

UMBC’s annual Homecoming Bonfire was a perfect way to kick off the Homecoming festivities and create a nice warm welcome for attendees. The UMBC Down and Dirty Dawg Band brought the spirit as family and friends gathered around the Bonfire.

Retriever Madness returned to hype up the Retriever community for all the athletics teams playing during Homecoming and beyond. UMBC’s athletics teams came together with the campus community to introduce themselves before the basketball season began, and volunteers played games—including a dance battle—to win amazing prizes and Retriever swag. 

Also hot this Homecoming celebration were the UMBC GRIT-X presentations. This annual series of presentations celebrates the passion and achievements of UMBC’s alumni, faculty, and graduate students. The TED-style talks invite the community into ongoing research on campus, as well as invite alumni experts to share about their work in cutting-edge fields. 

Tents were set up along Erickson Field with different clubs, departments, organizations, and vendors. At the Division of Professional Studies booth, Gowtham Karaka, M.P.S. ’24, played six simultaneous games of chess, against six different opponents, for nearly four hours straight. In total, he faced 28 challengers, and not one managed to beat him.

In order for all these events to work smoothly, volunteers from across campus worked to help create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for Homecoming guests. Gavin Gilliland, assistant director of first-year academic programs, explained his eagerness to help out: “I chose to volunteer at Homecoming because it’s so community focused. It’s a way to connect with the UMBC community broadly and interact not only with current students, faculty, and staff, but alumni, parents, guests, friends of UMBC, community members, and more.” 

Gilliland, who helped check people into the Alumni and Friends Welcome Tent on Saturday, said that “being a small part of such a big day is an easy way to make an impact. I’m a people person and I love making small talk and helping people find their way, not just in my day job but at events like Homecoming as well. My favorite part of the day was seeing it all come together and seeing all of the friendly faces enjoying the celebrations.”

Fun, family, and friends

A “phun” and out of this world event at Homecoming was Phun Phamily Physics. Attendees got to explore the UMBC Observatory with a rotation of family-friendly physics and astronomy demonstrations, as well as tour the control room and dome of the UMBC Observatory—the largest optical telescope on the East Coast! 

Bringing folks back down to Earth, a record number of runners and walkers participated in this year’s sold-out Retriever 5K and Family Fun Run, exploring the highs and lows of aptly-named Hilltop Circle. This event’s emphasis was on camaraderie, bringing together all paces and styles to enjoy the fun.

At a more sedate pace later in the day, furry friends, big and small, showed off their costumes in the Puppy Parade! After strutting their stuff, it was time for the costume competition. From mermaids to spaghetti and meatballs, dog breeds of all kinds showed their true “Retriever” spirit!

The Homecoming Carnival is one of UMBC’s main events. Jenn Harvey Miranda ’09, modern languages and linguistics, M.A. ’11, TESOL, celebrated this year’s Homecoming by bringing her family for the first time to enjoy all the festivities. “It was pretty incredible being back on campus, especially since this fall marks exactly 20 years since I started there as a freshman! I was surprised at how being physically back in the space where so many memories took place transported me so completely back to my college days,” says Miranda. 

“It was really special thinking back on the many friendships that were forged over my years there, and I’m so grateful I got to share the day with two of those very friends who I joined at Homecoming. And my 4-year-old is still talking about all of the rides he got to go on, so he had a lot of fun too.” 

This October is not only Disability Identity Awareness Month, but also Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month—a crucial time to raise awareness about the violence affecting students on college campuses and throughout the world.

Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Among People with Disabilities
Research shows that individuals with disabilities are at an increased risk for experiencing sexual and intimate partner violence.

• More than one in four women and one in five men in the United States live with a disability.

• Women with disabilities are more likely to experience rape, sexual violence, and stalking.

• Men with disabilities are at higher risk for sexual coercion, unwanted contact, and psychological aggression by an intimate partner.

• Having a disability is associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion and harassment, both in person and online.

These statistics highlight the need for ongoing education, prevention, and advocacy to create safer environments for all individuals. By fostering open dialogue and promoting prevention strategies, we can work toward building respectful and inclusive communities.

Upcoming Events Hosted by the UMBC Women's Center

Wednesday, October 22 – Start By Believing
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | The Commons, Room 329
A workshop for faculty and staff to learn how to respond to student disclosures of trauma.

Monday, October 27 – Self-Defense Workshop
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | RAC 130 (Fitness Room B)
A practical workshop focused on self-defense techniques and personal safety awareness.

Wednesday, October 29 – In Her Shoes
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | UC 310
An interactive workshop that illustrates the difficult choices survivors face while navigating safety and support systems.

By participating in these events and continuing these conversations, we can honor survivors, support those affected, and commit to ending campus violence through education, awareness, and collective action.

Hosted by the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center.

Name: Rahma Ras

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Data Science

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Kapamed Consulting

Location of the Organization (City, State): Maryland

Title of position: Digital Marketing Co-Ordinator

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my internship at Amplify MedTech, I managed digital marketing and community engagement by developing LinkedIn campaigns, creating visual assets, and coordinating newsletters, using audience metrics to refine outreach strategy. I also supported the planning and execution of high-impact events, including NIH SBIR workshops and expert panels, gaining significant hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement and MedTech innovation within a fast-paced startup environment.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first met Dr. Fehmida Kapadia during a UMBC Career Center event, where we had a brief but meaningful conversation about Amplify MedTech's mission and its work with early-stage healthcare startups. A few weeks later, during the summer, Dr. Fehmida reached out to me directly about an internship opportunity with Amplify MedTech. After expressing my interest, we scheduled a follow-up conversation to discuss the role and how my background could align with the organization's needs. The UMBC Career Center was incredibly supportive throughout the process, making everything—from communication to onboarding—smooth and straightforward. Shortly after our conversation, I was offered the position and began working as a summer intern, contributing to digital marketing, event coordination, and strategic outreach efforts.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I've enjoyed most about my position at Amplify MedTech is the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while learning in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. I loved being trusted with real responsibilities—from designing outreach campaigns to supporting educational events for MedTech founders—and seeing how my efforts made a visible impact. Working under Dr. Fehmida Kapadia's mentorship was especially rewarding; her guidance, along with the supportive culture of the organization, helped me grow both professionally and personally. The experience gave me a clearer sense of how innovation, strategy, and community engagement come together in the MedTech space.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I made an impact at Amplify MedTech by helping the organization effectively communicate its mission and engage a broader audience of MedTech innovators. Through designing LinkedIn campaigns, creating clear and compelling event graphics, and coordinating email newsletters, I helped increase visibility for events and resources that support early-stage startups. My contributions played a role in streamlining outreach efforts, improving audience engagement, and enhancing the overall professionalism of Amplify MedTech's digital presence. By taking initiative and paying close attention to detail, I was able to support the team's goals and help amplify the impact of their work.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My advice to another student seeking an internship is to be proactive, stay curious, and take full advantage of the resources available—especially the UMBC Career Center. They were incredibly helpful in refining my résumé and preparing me for the application and interview process. I also recommend attending career fairs and networking events, even if you're unsure of what you're looking for. Sometimes, a brief conversation or connection can lead to an unexpected and rewarding opportunity. Be open to learning, ask thoughtful questions, and don't shy away from roles that challenge you—some of the most valuable growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I loved being part of a mission-driven organization where my work made a real impact. The Career Center played a big role in helping me get there—guiding me through the application process and making sure my résumé stood out.

The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a five-day celebration that began this year on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The festival's main night of Lakshmi Puja is on Monday, October 20, 2025, and is a profound spiritual observance symbolizing the universal triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Diwali is primarily celebrated by those of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, along with some Buddhists, but its message of hope and renewal is shared by communities worldwide. 

During this special time, homes are illuminated with colorful lights and traditional clay lamps, or diyas. The lighting of these lamps, along with celebratory fireworks meant to ward off evil spirits, signifies a spiritual awakening and the coming of prosperity. It is a time for family gatherings, sharing traditional sweets and savory foods, and strengthening bonds with loved ones.

The Five Days of Diwali 

1. Dhanteras (Oct 18)

2. Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (Oct 19)

3. Lakshmi Puja (The main day: Oct 20)

4. Goverdhan Puja, Balipratipada, or Annakut (Oct 21 or 22, depending on region)

5. Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij (Oct 22 or 23, depending on region)

From all of us at the Mosaic, we wish you and your loved ones a Diwali that brings warmth, peace, and lasting prosperity. Have a joyful Festival of Lights!