Calling ALL TRANSFER STUDENTS majoring in INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS) or BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION (BTA)! The PeerSIST Peer Mentoring Program is now recruiting mentees and mentors for this year's cohort.

Learn more and apply through the PeerSIST website, and don't forget to share with friends who might be interested and eligible!

We're excited to open applications for two new CWIT Student Council roles:

• Freshman Representative  – Be the voice of your cohort and help shape events, programs, and initiatives for first-year students.

• Transfer Representative  – Represent transfer students, share your experiences, and strengthen connections within the CWIT community.

These are great opportunities to gain leadership experience, advocate for your peers, and make an impact in CWIT.

Apply here:

• Freshman Rep Application

• Transfer Rep Application

Deadline: October 10th 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Gear Orders
Close: Friday, October 10th
Make sure to get your orders in before the deadline if you still need anything.
Absolute Fencing:
https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/
Fall 2025 Gear Order Form:
https://forms.gle/hTfPLVrM9VxTksQm8

CHAOS Tournament
Interest Form Closes: Saturday, October 11th
Entry Fee: $40 per fencer
If you've already paid competitive fees (not CHAOS), please message Milan directly.
Interest Form:
https://forms.gle/2am5TwWyFYoT3DJJA

Driver Interest Form
We're looking for drivers to help get everyone to UMD for CHAOS.
Plan to leave campus around 6:00 AM (arrive by 7:15 AM) and return after the event (~6 PM).
If you're willing to drive, please fill out the Driver Interest Form and update your DSE profile to show you can drive.
CHAOS Driving Form:
https://forms.gle/8g8MUKMQhS6DS8JQA

Club Socks
$10 per pair — react to the sock emoji if you need to purchase socks.

You're invited to attend the upcoming CAHSS College Senate Town Hall on Friday, October 24th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in UC Commons 331. The discussion will cover campus academic resources, access to research funding and scholarships, mental health and wellness, and educational accountability.

I encourage you to attend and participate in shaping graduate education in our college!

On a late September weekend, hundreds of people converged on the UMBC Catonsville campus for the 11th annual hackUMBC, a 24-hour competition where teams of students create creative solutions to problems that matter to them. Under a tight deadline that fosters camaraderie and quick thinking, teams tackle a range of challenges, some proposed by industry sponsors and others that are personally meaningful to students. 

“What makes hackUMBC great is the display of growth, innovation, and teamwork,” says Isabella Goltser, the president of hackUMBC and a junior computer science major who has been part of hackUMBC since her first year on campus. “Participants from across different universities and high schools come together for 24 hours to create amazing projects, connect with each other, and really grow as individuals over the course of a weekend.”

The competition itself has also grown over the years, from under 100 participants in the first year to 600 participants this year, including increasing numbers of high school students who get to witness and participate in the vibrant UMBC community. This year, the organizers added more opportunities for students to network and learn new skills through activities such as workshops and guest panels of tech industry professionals, Goltser says.

The event culminated with the judging expo in the afternoon of the second day, where teams presented their projects and competed for prizes. Teams were recognized for the best overall “hacks,” as well as in specific categories, such as best games, best AI/machine learning hack, best health/environment hack, and more.  

“Seeing everyone present their projects and the proud look on their faces makes it worth spending so much time organizing,” Goltser says.

Twenty-seven UMBC students worked together for the past 10 months to pull off the event. The students divided themselves into teams that dealt with specific tasks such as securing sponsorships, marketing, designing the website and more. The student organizing team was also supported by faculty and staff throughout the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) and the university as a whole. Renique Kersh, vice president for student affairs, and Marc Olano, associate dean for academic programs and learning in COEIT served as keynote speakers at the event. 

“This hackathon would not have been possible without teamwork and I want to thank everyone involved,” Goltser says.