UMBC Research Administrator's Community:

Are you interested in networking, sharing resources, and learning best practices within UMBC's Research Administrator's Community?

We are looking for both Mentors and Mentees who would like to benefit from this program.

Wednesday, June 4 is the deadline to sign-up for our FY2026 Research Administrator's Mentoring Program.

We welcome all questions and comments about the program and encourage you to speak with your supervisor about interest and time commitments.

We’re excited to launch this space to keep our campus informed on all things related to Accounts Payable at UMBC. Here, you’ll find updates on invoice processing, payment timelines, credit holds, policy changes, updated forms, and more.

Whether you’re submitting invoices, approving payments, or just looking to stay informed, this group is here to support you. We’ll also use it to share reminders, answer questions, and provide helpful guidance.

Know someone who handles payments or reimbursements? Please spread the word and encourage them to join! [Click Here]

Thanks for being here — we’re glad to stay connected with you!

Meet Alan Aymie’94, theatre. After graduating from UMBC, Alan went on to work professionally in D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles. As a playwright, he has been produced across the country and has optioned several screenplays. In 2021, the actor published his first book, Turning Points: Tips, Tales, and Tactics of a Revolutionary Teacher, a memoir of his years teaching in South LA. He currently lives in LA with his wife and family. Take it away, Alan!

Q: What initially brought you to UMBC?

A: I originally moved to Baltimore from Boston following a promotion in my career. Uninspired and unfulfilled in that career, I made the choice to pursue a second degree after seeing a production of the UMBC Theatre Department’s Shakespeare on Wheels (S.O.W.). I had never acted before, but was inspired by what I saw. I applied to the department, met the department chair and some of the professors, and was accepted into the department, where I met so many creative and passionate people. I performed in S.O.W. the following year. 

Q: Can you talk more about the impact of the Theatre Department?

A: Being a part of the UMBC Theatre Department was my first real experience of community. It greatly influenced my life as an artist and as a person. Currently, I am a producer for Rogue Machine Theater’s RANT & RAVE here in LA, and I get to bring those same lessons to this community.

Q: Where did you find support while at UMBC?

A: I was blessed to have many amazing professors who inspired me in various ways, including Sam McCready, Xerxes Mehta, Wendy Salkind, and Alan Kreizenbeck. I was also fortunate to make many great friends during my time at UMBC, who provided support, direction, and guidance, including James Brown-Orleans ’05, theatre. James has directed me in some of my work, acted in others, and has been a constant supportive voice.

Photo right: Alan Aymie ’94 with James Brown-Orleans ’05 before the latter goes onstage with Broadway’s The Lion King.

Q: Can you tell us about your current job and your book?

A: I am an actor (SAG/AFTRA), playwright (Dramatist’s Guild), and author. After graduating from UMBC, I landed a national commercial and a few films, Guarding Tess and Foreign Student, which earned me enough money to move to LA to study with Sanford Meisner. Once in LA, I booked roles on stage and in commercials, film, and TV before being an official selection of the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, a teacher, and, more importantly, a father. 

When my second child was diagnosed with autism, I wrote about it in the now critically acclaimed solo play, A Child Left Behind, which was seen across the country. For the next 10 years, I performed solo work, did stand-up, starred in a short film that featured Kyle Bornheimer, Wolfgang Bodison, and Scoot McNairy, and wrote the award-winning Best New Play, RAP. In 2021, I published my first book, Turning Points: Tips, Tales, and Tactics of a Revolutionary Teacher, which details my journey from struggling Hollywood actor to a heralded school teacher and the lessons I learned along the way.

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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

There is a bedroom available  for summer break or fall semester   student(lease 9 months or longer)

price ：   $475  /month about（depend on room） + utilities (average $70/month/per person)

Location: Walking distance to UMBC  about 5 minutes.

If interesting, please contact me with your name and your umbc email address；

my e-mail is ：  lidimin@gmail.com (please write "Re room")  or contact Bingxu Zhang（UMBC PHD student）