1:00-1:30pm, RAC Stage

After the Keynote speaker (12-1pm), stick around to hear members of the UMBC Jazz Ensemble performing original student jazz compositions. Tal Pluznik (drums), Adrian Mickens (trumpet), Leo Hickman (mandolin), Jack McGrath (bass), Noah Vernon (piano), Wyatt Betz (reeds)

Director: Matt Belzer

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22: URCAD.umbc.edu

Autism is a Spectrum- and Acceptance Matters

April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from outdated and using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - experience more about Autism Society's Autism IS series here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.
Last year Maryland Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month  and Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller presented the Governor’s proclamation to recognize people who are living with autism and those who advocate on their behalf, and honor the contributions of the autism community. She was joined by Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty and Maryland Statewide Autism Coordinator Victoria Rodriguez-Roldán in unveiling Maryland’s five-year Autism State Plan.  This year ADS is screening Being Michelle on Wednesday April 8th at 4:00p in ENG 027 - please join us!

Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a wide range of traits, and is explained well here.  For a more visual presentation, Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.
Recently, autism has been in the news, resulting in leading autism organizations to release this joint statement on upholding scientific integrity and supporting the autism community. 

Finally, with Autism Awareness Month, it's important to move beyond basic awareness and focus on real understanding. There are still many myths about autism that create barriers for autistic individuals. With understanding, acceptance, and respect for different communication styles, we can help create a more inclusive world. These facts are based on resources from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Different Minds Scotland, two organizations doing critical work to promote accurate information about autism. Let's keep learning, listening, and working toward true inclusion, not just in April, but all year long.








People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 

Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com
*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language - it's better to ask about preferences than assume

Happy Monday! Take a look at the events that will take place at The Mosaic Center this week: 

Wednesday, 3/25/2026 | Trivia Noon 12 -1  PM 

We hope to see you at our upcoming events and sponsorships! Questions regarding Mosaic programming can be sent to our email: themosaic@umbc.edu. 

The Mosaic Center and all events are 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.

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

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

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) election voting for the academic year 2026–2027 closes 5pm today, and we invite you to participate.

Before casting your vote, please use your UMBC email account to access the candidate videos and take a few minutes to review them so you can make an informed decision:
Drive Link: Senator Nominee Speeches

How to Vote:

1. Visit the voting page: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/officialgsaelections
2. Log in to your myUMBC account.
3. Under the Posts section (as shown in the screenshot), you will find:
   • A post for your respective college’s Senator election
   • A post for the Student Affairs Senator election
4. Accept the invite to vote (if you haven’t already) and open both posts and
5. Cast your votes as follows:
   • Select and rank your top 4 candidates for your college Senator position.
   • Select and rank your top 4 candidates for the Student Affairs Senator position.

Important Notes:

• Please ensure you vote in both posts (your respective college and Student Affairs).
• Follow all voting guidelines and respect the election process.

Voting is open now and will close on Sunday 5th April 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Your participation is important in shaping graduate student representation at UMBC. We encourage you to review the candidates and cast your vote.

Best Regards,

Reena Kale and Neil Kpamegan

Election Committee Co-Chairs.

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by finding your competitive rhythm.

Join us and the Military and Veterans Office for a night of board games, video games, and community.

You deserve a break from the research—come hang out!.

HAPPENING NOW FROM 3-6PM

COMMONS GAMEROOM

Peerada Phoomsiri will present her resarch at URCAD on Wednesday, April 22 from 9:40-9:55am in RAC 230.

Title: Rewarding Relationships: An Ethnographic Study of Volunteers with the Special Olympics

Mentor: Bambi Chapin, Anthropology

Abstract:

Giving those with intellectual disabilities a chance to shine in athletic settings is exactly what the Special Olympics aims to do. But what about the volunteers who help make these events possible? Volunteer work with the Special Olympics is described by the organization as “rewarding for all” and “about creating lifelong friendships.” This research aimed to study these friendships created in an athletic setting by engaging in participant observation through the role of a volunteer. Volunteering at Special Olympics basketball games in Maryland afforded a glimpse of the interaction’s volunteers have with others in the program. The observed interactions show that volunteers contribute towards a positive environment through the relationships they form. As facilitators of events and fans of athletics, volunteers both contribute to and benefit from their role in the Special Olympics. By better understanding the significance of relationship-building in motivating volunteer engagement and what facilitates that, this research offers organizations useful information in supporting the volunteer labor on which they rely.

For the full schedule of URCAD events see: URCAD.umbc.edu

Kick off Graduate Student Appreciation Week by finding your competitive rhythm.

Join us and the Military and Veterans Office for a night of board games, video games, and community.

You deserve a break from the research—come hang out!.

HAPPENING NOW FROM 3-6PM

COMMONS GAMEROOM