Happy Wednesday! As we prepare for reading day and finals week, we wanted to share the adjusted hours of the Mosaic for December 11 - 17. 

Thursday, December 11: 10 am - 6 pm 

Friday, December 12: 10 am - 5 pm 

Monday, December 15: 10 am - 6 pm 

Tuesday, December 16: 10 am - 6 pm 

Wednesday, December 17: 10 am - 5 pm 

The Mosaic will close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 17 for Winter Break. We will re-open to our regular hours again on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 10 am. 

We wish you all the best as you begin your finals! 

*Please note that space hours might shift based on staff availability, reservations, and event times. For more information, check out our myUMBC pages for each space below:

• The Mosaic Center for Cultural Diversity 
• The Pride Center for LGBTQIA2+ Diversity 
• The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being

Happy Friday! As we prepare for the upcoming extended weekend, we wanted to share the adjusted hours of the Mosaic for November 24- 28.

Monday, November 24: 10 am - 6 pm 

Tuesday, November 25: 10 am - 6 pm 

Wednesday, November 26: CLOSED

Thursday, November 27: CLOSED

Friday, November 28: CLOSED

The Mosaic will re-open to our regular hours again on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 10 am. 

As a reminder regular Fall hours will end the day before Study Day, Wednesday, 12/10. Final's Week (December 11-17/20) Hours will be posted by December 3. 

*Please note that space hours might shift based on staff availability, reservations, and event times. For more information, check out our myUMBC pages for each space below:

• The Mosaic Center for Cultural Diversity 
• The Pride Center for LGBTQIA2+ Diversity 
• The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being 

Dear Graduate Students,

Thank you to everyone who showed interest in serving on the GSA Elections Committee. We received an incredible response from students committed to strengthening transparency, accountability, and representation within our graduate community.

We are excited to announce the selected Election Committee Co-Chairs:

✨ Reena Kale — GSA Co-Chair
✨ Neil Kpamegan — Non-GSA Co-Chair

Please join us in congratulating both Reena and Neil!

We look forward to working with them as they help lead the upcoming GSA election cycle.

We also want to extend our appreciation to all other candidates who applied. Your dedication to graduate student governance is deeply valued, and you will be considered for Election Committee member positions. We hope you continue to stay involved and support ongoing GSA initiatives throughout the year.

Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to our community.

—Team GSA

This month, we're joining the Epilepsy Foundation of America in going "All In for Epilepsy." Being All In doesn't mean doing everything; it means doing something to support the epilepsy community. Whether that's learning seizure first aid, sharing facts, wearing purple, or showing compassion to someone who lives with epilepsy, every action counts.

Recognizing National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM)

November is a time to educate, advocate, and empower. Epilepsy affects 3.4 million Americans, including about 456,000 children, yet it's often misunderstood. Through awareness and education, we can build a stronger, more informed community that ensures no one faces epilepsy alone.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can affect anyone, regardless of race, age, or gender.

• 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime.

• 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy.

• Seizures can look different for everyone (not all seizures involve convulsions).

Unfortunately, misunderstanding and stigma still surround epilepsy. Many individuals experience "felt stigma" — a fear of discrimination or shame about their condition — which can negatively impact mental health and quality of life, even when seizures are well controlled.

Together, we can change that narrative.

Take Action: Go "All In" This November

This month, you can make a difference by taking one meaningful step:

• Learn Seizure First Aid

Register for a free Seizure Recognition and First Aid Training to gain the skills and confidence to help someone experiencing a seizure. 

UMBC community members can also review SDS's emergency steps here:

SDS Emergency Response: What to Do in an Emergency

• Share Your eJourney

Your story can inspire hope and remind others they're not alone. Submit your epilepsy story on the Epilepsy Foundation's eJourney Blog and help empower others to speak up.

• Spread the Word on Social Media

Use your voice to educate others. Share facts, experiences, or resources using #NEAM2025 and #AllInForEpilepsy. Encourage your followers to re-share Epilepsy Foundation content to help stop the stigma.

• Get Involved Locally

Find your local Epilepsy Foundation and participate in NEAM events, from walks and fundraisers to community education sessions. Every connection strengthens the movement.

We're All In

Epilepsy affects everyone, everywhere — but together, we can build a safer, more inclusive future. This November, let's commit to learning, advocating, and supporting our epilepsy community. Because when we're All In for Epilepsy, no one faces it alone.

Learn more and get involved: www.epilepsy.com/NEAM

Good morning, Retrievers!
Our ThriveFest Breakfast is happening right now until 12 PM in Lower Flat Tuesdays!

Swing by to grab some breakfast, connect with fellow grads, and kick off your Friday with good energy.

Come through before it's gone!

Hello Graduate Retrievers! 

Check out what's happening around campus and online over the next few weeks — opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with your grad community:

Week of 11/10

★ Wednesday, 11/12, 12-1pm, Online:

Exploring the Gadgets & Gizmos In Your AI Toolkit: Examples from the Social Sciences (UMBC Library) RSVP here

★ Wednesday, 11/12, 12-1pm, Commons 308

GSA President Office Hour

★ Wednesday, 11/12, 2:30-3:45pm, PAHB 456

RCR Microcredential Series Session 10: Safe Laboratory Practices RSVP Here

★ Thursday, 11/13, 10am-12pm, Commons Lower Flat Tuesdays

Grad Retriever Breakfast with ThriveFest 

★ Friday 11/14, 11am-1pm, Commons 329

COEIT Town Hall (GSA) RSVP here

★ Friday, 11/14, 11-1pm, Commons 329

Intellectual Property Fundamentals RSVP Here

★ Friday, 11/4, 12-1pm, Online

Students Conducting Human Subjects Research RSVP Here

CAHSS Town Hall (GSA) RSVP here

★ Friday, 11/14, 1:30-2:30pm, Public Policy 438

Week of 11/17

★  Monday, 11/17, 10am-2pm, Commons 308

OGSL Coffee Mondays

★ Tuesday, 11/18, 4-5pm, Online:

Skills for Graduate Students: Managing and Organizing Your Research (UMBC Library) RSVP here

★ Wednesday, 11/19, 12-1pm, Commons 308

GSA President Office Hour

★ Wednesday, 11/19, 2:30-3:45pm, PAHB 456

RCR Microcredential Series Session 6: Collaborative Research and Intellectual Property RSVP here

★ Thursday, 11/20, 2-3:30pm, Online:

Leveraging Strengths of Neurodiverse Students in the Classroom (CIRTL). Counts towards a CIRTL certification. RSVP here

★ Thursday 11/20, 4-5pm, University Center 115

G-RISE Career Talk: Dr. Thomas: a public health researcher and biobehavioral scientist RSVP here

★ Thursday 11/20, 2025, 4:30-6pm, Information Technology Engineering 229

Decoding Graduate School series- Decoding the Discourse: When Faculty Say X, They Really Mean Y (GSPD)  RSVP here

★ Friday, 11/21, 12-1pm, UC 204

Intercultural Connection Games (International Education Week) RSVP here

★ Friday 11/21, 1-2pm, ILSB 233: 

Effective Teaching series for TAs: Overcoming End of Semester Overwhelm (GSPD) RSVP here. Counts towards a CIRTL certification. Open to all!

★ Friday 11/21, 6-8pm, Skylight Room

Fall Harvest Dinner (GSPD & PROMISE) RSVP here  

Week of 11/24

NO ACTIVITIES