Repost from The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity

Join us for our end of the year Celebration & Awards!
Please see below to noimnate a UMBC community member for this year's awards ceremony!

Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards
Thursday, May 14, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
University Center Ballroom 3rd Floor

This celebration commemorates the achievements of graduating UMBC students while celebrating the vast cultural diversity of Asian communities and heritage on our campus. We recognize the difficulty of choosing just one identifier or term to capture the vast diversity of all people with heritage in the Asian continent, representing 49 countries and hundreds of cultures. We seek to honor the breadth of experience of people across Asia - East, South, Southwest, West, and Central Asia. 

During the gathering, we'll enjoy food together, we'll showcase keynote speakers, student musical and dance performances, and award presentations to honor student contributions, as well as the faculty and staff who've contributed to their success.

Light refreshments and appetizers will be served starting at 5:30 pm for all guests in attendance. 

Graduates must check in no later than 5:45 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 

Dress code: We encourage all attendees and graduates to dress in their "celebration best." While cap and gown are not required, we would be thrilled to see attendees embracing cultural attires.

If you would like to nominate a community member for one of our Affinity Celebration & Awards, you may nominate them here using the Awards Nomination Form or https://forms.gle/TLH8uDwccy5gBJtj8. You may submit multiple nominations for the same or different individuals. Please submit all nominations by April 20th, 2026. 

For those interested in attending, you can RSVP HERE!  Save the date on your calendars! Graduates that RSVP by Thursday, April 30th at 6pm will be highlighted during the event and receive honorary graduation cords.

If you have any questions, please email us at themosaic@umbc.edu.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

From  Melody Wright, Learning & Development Manager, HRSTM:

What is digital accessibility, and why does it matter in your work? If a student or community member couldn't access your materials or content, would you know what to do -- or how to fix it? Join this session to learn the foundational principles of digital accessibility, legal context, and core practices.

We'll share resources and common issues (including alt text for images), and where to find training support.

Session Objectives

• Identify key concepts and terminology related to digital accessibility

• Identify 6 most common accessibility issues and how to address them

• Apply the 3R framework to manage existing materials

• Describe basic steps staff can take to create accessible content

Whether you're creating documents, images, videos, managing a website, sending emails, or updating existing content, this virtual session will give you practical steps to get started. This session is open to all campus staff working with digital content. No prior accessibility experience needed.

Please see this myUMBC page to sign up.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 2nd (11AM)

Featuring poster presentations showcasing research from all colleges at UMBC, this is a great opportunity to share ideas, engage with research from across campus, and connect with fellow scholars.

Date: April 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: UC Ballroom

Registration form here!

Who You Are:

• A graduate or undergraduate student from any college at UMBC who wants to share their research with the university community.

What to Expect:

• Poster Presentations from students across CAHSS, COEIT, and CNMS. Come and explore groundbreaking work from all corners of UMBC.

• $2,500 Prize Pool across four categories:

  • BEST of CAHSS (College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences)

  • BEST of COEIT (College of Engineering and Information Technology)

  • BEST of CNMS (College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences)

  • Provost's Choice Award

  • People's Choice Award

• Buffet Lunch for All Attendees – Enjoy a catered lunch featuring a variety of cuisines to accommodate diverse dietary preferences.

• Limited Free Poster Printing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are encouraged to bring posters they have already prepared for previous conferences or presentations.

Whether you are presenting your research or just want to explore the exciting projects happening across UMBC, we welcome you to participate in this celebration of academic excellence.

Click the link here to register today, or scan the QR code in the flyer! Full URL below:

https://forms.gle/AYC5NiG917QULX8NA

Follow our Instagram @gears_umbc for other updates on events and things! 

Law School Scholarships for Pre-Law and Incoming First-Year Law Students

Scholarship Databanks

• AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank
  • 800+ vetted scholarships + $3M+ in aid available
    

• Vetted Law School/Legal Studies Scholarships posted on Scholarships.com

https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/academic-major/law-school-legal-studies

• Vetted External Scholarships and Scholarship Databases posted on UC Berkely Law's website

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions/financial-aid/jd-financial-aid/jd-scholarships/external-scholarships/

Other Scholarships

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship (2026)

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/diversity_pipeline/projects_initiatives/legal_opportunity_scholarship/

Up to $15,000 for Incoming Law Students

Deadline: April 15, 2026

2025-2026 Earl Warren Scholarship

For Incoming Law Students

Deadline: May 1. 2026

Roberts PC Legal Legacy Scholarship

For first-generation students studying law or pre-law at an accredited school

Deadline: September 16, 2026

Gold Law Firm Scholarship

The Gold Law Firm is pleased to announce its annual scholarship for students planning to enroll in school in the fall of 2026, whether as pre-law undergraduates or first-year law students. This $1,000 scholarship is designed to help cover expenses for students accepted into any accredited institution in the United States.

Deadline: August 15, 2026

Step into spring with us at CSA’s Spring Festival Gala!!

Get ready for a night full of vibes, culture, and unforgettable moments
- Fun giveaways & activities
- A polaroid photobooth to capture the memories
- Amazing performances you don’t want to miss
- A mocktail bar

Sat, April 4th
UC Ballroom
7–9:30 PM

Make sure to reserve your ticket with the link down below or in the Instagram link in our bio! They're free :)

https://umbctickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=3708 

Bring your friends, dress cute, and come celebrate with us !

What is Digital Accessibility?

Digital accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and use digital content and tools. Building accessibility into websites, documents, and course materials from the start helps everyone. It reduces the need for last-minute fixes, improves usability across the board, and supports a wide range of users — including those with temporary or situational challenges. Accessible design is smart design.

Four Quick Tips

Are you looking for easy ways to improve your digital content today? Here are four quick tips that will help you improve your content's accessibility: 

1. Include Alternative Text (Alt Text) to describe images for screen reader users. Find additional resources for Accessible Images here. 
2. Use Headings (Heading 1, Heading 2) to create a clear structure rather than just bolding text in documents, presentations, myUMBC posts, and websites. Find additional resources for Accessible Documents and Presentations here.
3. Provide descriptive link text (e.g., "Register for the Workshop") instead of vague phrases like "Click Here." Learn more about Website Accessibility here. 
4. Ensure all videos have accurate captions. Utilize Video Resources and Audio Accessibility Resources. 

UMBC's Commitment to Digital Accessibility

Your Work Matters. Whether you are sending a newsletter, updating a website, or sharing a video, you are helping build a more inclusive UMBC. Accessibility is not just a technical checklist; it is a shared commitment to ensuring that every Retriever and guest can participate fully.

Together, we can build a more inclusive digital experience for everyone at UMBC. 

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC. Get ready to rock the RAC as URCAD celebrates its 30th anniversary!

See over 400 student presentations- posters, performances, exhibitions, oral talks, films, and more!
Keynote speaker, Karena Ingram '16, Music Composition, will talk from 12-1pm on the RAC stage.
For the full schedule of events, see:

Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day – UMBC

ALEX. BROWN CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRESENTERS

Sara Abbas| Intelligent Fault Detection and Risk Management for Autonomous Spacecraft Operations | Mentor: Anthony Campbell | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

RAC Arena, 10-11am Poster #3

Lehbah Amin, Farell Kimble, Samira Ali| Perceptions of Fairness in AI-Driven Screening Systems Among Undergraduate Students | Mentor: Edward Dillon | Information Systems

RAC Arena, 10-11am Poster #9

Jada Iwuoha| The Campus Connect: A Centralized Digital Marketplace for Student Entrepreneurship and Campus-Based Services | Mentor: Kevin Fulmer | Interdisciplinary Studies

RAC Arena, 2-3pm Poster #34

What? URCAD 30

When? Weds. Apr. 22, 9 am-3 pm

Where? The RAC

Private room available in a townhouse for a male at Westland Gardens for a 3-month move-in, available from May to August. 

Fully furnished 2BHK townhouse: 

• Spacious Living Room with a sofa + TV. 

• Oven, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher.
• In-house Laundry(Washer + Dryer).
• Centralised Heater and Cooler.
• 1 min walk to the UMBC Bus stop.
• 10-minute walk to UMBC campus.
• Rent is 600$ + utilities.

DM for more information: +12029375716 or email me at IO95979@umbc.edu

Linehan Scholars! Are you interested in participating in our Fall 2026 installment of the Linehan Alumni Mentor Program? The deadline to sign up is rapidly approaching! Please click here to learn more. We are hosting virtual info sessions on Google Meet on Tuesday March 31st from 5pm-5:30pm and Wednesday April 1st from 12pm-1pm to answer general questions about the mentor program. If you have any questions, contact Assistant Director Ally at alko1@umbc.edu

Follow this link to nominate folx for this years Pride Awards!