Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by actually putting yourself first. Whether you’re looking for wellness hacks or want to get your hands a little messy with a creative project, we’ve cleared the schedule for you.

Join us for a full afternoon of slowing down and recharging:

• 1–3 PM | Wellness Tabling: All the resources you actually need. (Main Street)

• 3–5 PM | Candle Making: Pour some light into your week. (Room 329)

• 4–6 PM | Break the Mold: Pottery, networking, and zero talk about your thesis. (Fireside Lounge)

THE BEST PART: We’re giving away wellness goodies all afternoon! Snag some face masks, hydrating hand lotions, and more to keep the spa vibes going at home.

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

The Institute for Advanced Study is seeking a 2026-28 Civic Science Fellow for The Public’s Science initiative, a collaborative effort with a leading research center to foster a new social contract for American research policy. This initiative seeks to reimagine scientific research as a genuinely public endeavor—one oriented toward inclusive participation and serving not only national interests but also the diverse communities that sustain and are affected by the scientific enterprise. Learn more and apply here.

The Science Philanthropy Alliance is seeking a 2026–28 Civic Science Fellow to co-create civic science tools, knowledge, and best practices that can inform and inspire philanthropic funding for scientific discovery, beginning in July 2026. The Fellow will work closely with the Science Philanthropy Alliance staff and its philanthropic member organizations to advance scientific discovery through visionary philanthropy. Learn more and apply here.

The 2026–28 Civic Science Fellows cohort will launch in September 2026. As 2026–28 host partners open applications for Fellows, they will be posted here and in the monthly newsletter (sign up). Envisioned as a Civic Science Lab, Fellows and partners carry out pioneering work to co-create pilots, partnerships, knowledge, models, and new ways of working that can help seed collaborations between science and society. All Fellows will engage as a cohort in a learning program and community, developed in collaboration with the network and an interdisciplinary committee of advisors.

INDS major Trilece Wilson shares her confessional poetry with themes of melancholy, beauty, family dynamics, and war. Come hear her recite her poems from 11:15-11:30am on the RAC stage. Q and A to follow.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC.

Title: Tears Made of Ink

Mentor: Nicole Pekarske, English dept. (creative writing)

Abstract:

I am inspired by lyric and confessional poetry, emotionally driven and emotionally honest writing. I have chosen to share a small collection of my poems composed within poetry courses here at UMBC and in personal time. The collection includes poems that were composed using various techniques and stylistic constraints, showcasing a range of work, experimentation, and growth as a poet and artist. Pathetically Poetic was written in personal time. Family Dinner 504 developed from a prompt titled “Childhood Kitchen." The prompt instructions were to describe the kitchen using physical elements such as colors, textures, and sounds. The Cruelties of War and The Beauties of Beyond was composed following instructions from the prompt “20-Word Revision,” where a previous longer poem was taken and used to create two new poems. The piece shared was the second poem created, and it was composed with the strictest parameters, where only twenty words were allowed. Home was created following instructions to produce a sonnet. All Things Lead Back to Blue developed from a prompt titled “poem inspired by color.” Through sharing my work, I hope to truly pursue my dreams and passions, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

See the full schedule here: URCAD.umbc.edu

***REPOST***

NOTE: Applications and proposals for these USM opportunities must be routed for approval by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) in the Kuali System prior to submission to USM. Applicants must be PI Eligible active* at the time of routing. Plan 4-5 business days for routing.

Contact CARAT (carat@umbc.edu) for PI Eligibility, proposal, and routing assistance.

Faculty who may apply for PI Eligiblity active status include Faculty with Duties Primarily in Instruction, Research & Service (Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors). Teaching Professors, whose appointments are primarily in Instruction, may request an exception from the Vice President for Research while applying for PI Eligibility status, and must provide additional materials. Temporary and Adjunct Faculty may not be considered PI Eligible. 

*PI Eligible active status entails successful completion (with issued certificates) of PIRATE training; CITI Research Security Training - combined; and a PI Eligibility form, with attached certificates of completion, appointment letter, and C.V. for those requesting PI eligibility through the exception process. See UMBC Policy # IV-2.00.03 for more information.
 
Proposals should adhere to best practices in digital accessibility, such as the use of heading structure and meaningful alternative text for images. The USM Digital Accessibility Checklist is a helpful guide: https://www.usmd.edu/digital-accessibility/USM-Digital-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf  Also, consult the UMBC Accessible Documents & Presentations webpage: https://accessibility.umbc.edu/digital-accessibility/accessible-documents-presentations/ 

1. Call for Applications: Faculty Senior Fellows Program (USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation). Application deadline: April 13, 2026 
Routing must begin April 7, 2026. PI Eligible faculty at UMBC may apply for this opportunity.

The USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation is pleased to announce a call for applications for Faculty Senior Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. These leadership roles will advance the Kirwan Center's mission to support innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship across the University System of Maryland. Each senior fellow will receive a $3,500 stipend (50% in August 2026 and 50% in May 2027) for their work across AY 2026-2027.

The three senior fellow positions are:

• Senior fellow in generative AI pedagogy
• Senior fellow for the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL)
• Senior fellow for assessment and evaluation

USM faculty of any rank whose primary role on their campus are faculty are eligible to apply. Applicants may apply for multiple positions but can only be selected for one senior fellow role. Each position requires approximately 1-2 hours of work per week throughout the academic year term.

More details can be found in the Call for Applications for Faculty Senior Fellows: https://usmd.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/KCAI/IQCF89wk09FzRbLlBftPmC3YAeg7tfUTGm5u3tfGyi-4Uis?rtime=96_DSVWP3kg

2. Call for Proposals: 2026-27 Elkins Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Fellows Program. Proposal deadline: May 8, 2026
Routing must begin April 30, 2026. PI Eligible faculty at UMBC may apply for this opportunity.

Up to ten Elkins SoTL Fellowships of $1,000 each will be awarded for 2026-2027 (May 22, 2026 – June 30, 2027). The Elkins SoTL Fellowships are open to USM faculty of any rank or appointment interested in undertaking a research project focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning.

A faculty member should serve as principal investigator (PI) on the project; a staff person may serve as co-PI provided the project originates with the faculty member. At present, graduate students are not being considered for this fellowship.

Information Session: Join Kirwan Center staff on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 1 - 2 p.m., for a virtual Information session to learn more about the fellowship requirements and expectations. We will also answer questions about the program at that time. Registering will ensure you receive a link to the session recording, even if you can't attend live.

NOTE: Applicants must provide a budget and letter of support from a Chair, Dean, or Provost, as well as other proposal materials.

Register here: https://usmd-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/W062YeyISZ6LSQyu7dl6Kg#/registration

Dear UMBC Community,

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with the Graduate Student Association Executive Council and senators. I left the conversation energized and encouraged. 

What struck me was the breadth of who was in the room—graduate students from every college and numerous disciplines, all engaged in a wide range of scholarly creative work. Despite their different fields, questions, and approaches, they share an inspiring commitment to something larger than themselves. Not only are they advancing their own research, but they are also serving their fellow graduate students, building community, and shaping an environment where everyone can thrive.

During the meeting, I was reminded of my own time as a graduate student, when I experienced the excitement of pursuing new questions, the responsibility of teaching and finding my voice in the classroom, and the privilege of mentoring undergraduate students along the way.

I am so grateful that at UMBC, teaching, research, and service are powerfully connected pursuits—a connection that our graduate students live out every day. 

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Join us TODAY for an inspiring conversation at our Arts & Entrepreneurship Q&A Panel, where creativity meets innovation. This special event will feature guest speaker Kiirstn Pagan '11, alongside a dynamic panel of student and alumni artists who are also entrepreneurs.

Together, they'll share how they are turning creativity and passion into real opportunities.

During the Panel Q&A, we'll explore topics such as:

• Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, and Social Entrepreneurship
• What it's like to be an artist entrepreneur
• How artists build sustainable careers
• How students blend artistic vision with entrepreneurial thinking
• The Entrepreneurship Minor: Arts Track
• Entrepreneurship scholarships, ENTR URA Grants, venture funding, and entrepreneurship competitions

Event Date: TODAY! Monday, April 6, 12–1 PM
Location: Fine Arts 107

Come learn more about the intersection of arts and entrepreneurship, connect with fellow creatives, and enjoy a slice of pizza!

Due to an event, the Rec Courts will be closed on Saturday, April 11, 2026, until 4 p.m.

Hello Retrievers! 

We are excited to officially announce our annual event, CelebratingOrgs! This event honors everything you, as student organization officers, contribute to our campus community. There will be an awards show, a free dinner, opportunities to mingle with other students and campus stakeholders, and much more! 

The event will take place on May 6th at 6:00 pm in the UC Ballroom. You can RSVP now using this link. Be sure to sign up soon!

Additionally, you can nominate your student organization for awards using this form*, which closes on April 10th. Here's the Awards Description. 

Please email studentorgs@umbc.edu if you have any questions. We hope to see you there! :)

*Form has been edited; student orgs can submit to more than 1 award!

Given the bigger and better space CelebratingOrgs 2026 will be in this year (UC Ballroom) we are looking for orgs interested is potentially performing at Celebrating Orgs! If interested, let us know here. 

We will also be creating a video featuring student organization officers discussing their experiences and passions for their organizations. Each clip will be 30 seconds to one minute long. If you’re interested in participating, you can sign up using this calendar link!

Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) is a way of hitting "pause" on the grind so you can take up space, find your rhythm, and be celebrated for the incredible impact you have on this campus. From wellness sessions to game nights and a formal prom, this week is all about you. You’ve earned the right to relax, connect, and enjoy the community you help build.

Follow the Office of Graduate Student Life and checkout all their events this week!

Grad Wellness Day | Monday, April 6

• Wellness Tabling 
• 1–3 p.m.
• The Commons, Main Street

• Candle Making 
• 3–5 p.m.
• The Commons, Room 329

• Break the Mold (Pottery & Networking)
• 4–6 p.m. 
• The Commons, Fireside Lounge (with The Office of Health Promotion)

GEARS Research Symposium & 3MT

• Tuesday, April 7 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• UC Ballroom

Grad Bingo Night

•  Wednesday, April 8 | 4–7 p.m.
•  UC Ballroom
• RSVP & FOLLOW OGSL ON myUMBC

Grad Cultural Day

• Thursday, April 9 | 12–4 p.m
• UC Ballroom

Career Paths by The Graduate School

• Thursday, April 9 | 5–8:30 p.m.
• Fireside Lounge, The Commons

Grad Prom & Awards

• Friday, April 10 | 5–8 p.m.
• UC Ballroom