Dr. Laura Antkowiak (formerly Dr. Laura Hussey) seeks an undergraduate research assistant for the spring 2022 semester. Expected duties will include providing behind-the-scenes support to a research project on civic agency that Dr. Antkowiak will be conducting with her POLI 301 students; finding and summarizing academic literature, political commentary, and possible data sources for emerging research topics; developing her UMBC website; and various information-search activities to support her teaching. If needed, depending on skill level, duties may also include coding survey data.

The position will pay $15 per hour for 5-10 hours of work per week. Work may be performed either remotely or on-site in the Political Science Department, although applicants who prefer remote work should ideally be available to come to campus occasionally during business hours for an in-person meeting.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement, interest in American politics and policy issues, effective communication skills, and intellectual qualities of a (developing) social scientist such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and the will and capacity to think critically. They should also be reliable, accessible, flexible, trustworthy, and willing to learn new skills as needed. Having earned an A in POLI 301 or a comparable research methods class is strongly preferred, although not strictly required.

Interested students can apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript to Dr. Antkowiak at lhussey@umbc.edu. If necessary, they should be able to provide the names of two professors as references. Dr. Antkowiak will review applications as they arrive and continue until the position is filled.

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MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL PAYEROLL BUREAU 

2022 FICA Tax Withholding (PPE 01/01/22)

Through a post-audit process, Central Payroll Bureau (CPB) learned that highly compensated employees’ January 7th paychecks had FICA tax withholding amounts that were less than they should have been.  CPB discovered that a glitch in its system prevented the full FICA tax amount from being withheld.  FICA taxes are calculated based on Social Security wage limits.  For tax year 2021, the limit was $142,800.  For tax year 2022, the limit is $147,000.  Our system captured 2021’s YTD Social Security wage balance and only calculated Social Security taxes on $4,200 which is the difference between the 2 years. 

 Please note that this issue has been fixed.  In PPE 01/15/22 (pay date 01/21/22), impacted employees will see an increase in their FICA taxes to collect all FICA tax shortfalls that were missed in the previous pay.  In PPE 01/29/22 (pay date 02/04/22), impacted employees will see their correct FICA tax withholdings.  Employees and agencies do not need to do anything to correct PPE 01/01/22 because FICA taxes will self-adjust through their paychecks dated 01/21/22. 

 If you have any questions, please contact our CPB Accounting Team via email CPBACCTG@marylandtaxes.gov or phone (410) 260-7964.

The Women's Center's Returning Women Students/Adult Learners Scholarships Application for 2022-23 is available now via Scholarship Retriever to undergraduate students who meet the eligibility requirements. 

The deadline for submission via Scholarship Retriever is Friday, April 8, 2022. 

This common application which is called Women's Center: Returning Women Students/Adult Learners 2022-2023 in Scholarship Retriever enables eligible students to apply for more than one of the Returning Women Students/Adult Learner Scholarships with just one submission. Please note that this opportunity to apply will only appear in Scholarship Retriever to students who meet the scholarship qualifications. The six available scholarships via the Returning Women Student Scholarship Application are:

• Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship & The UMBC Scholarship for Mature Students 
• Jodi Mister/Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship
• Charlotte W. Newcombe STEM Scholarship
• AEGON Scholarship
• The Richard & Roselyn Bryson Neville Memorial Fund for Returning Women Scholarship
• The Rosalie Tydings Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship

Undergraduate students of any gender over the age of 25 and with at least 60 credits and 2.5 GPA may be eligible. Students must be completing their first undergraduate degree. 

Students who are selected to be scholars are required to participate in the Returning Women Students/Adult Learners Scholars + Affiliates program. For more information about the program, visit our website and be sure to attend an information session.

Virtual Information sessions have concluded and due to technical difficulties, these sessions were not recorded. We are able, however, to make the presentation materials available by request. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu for information.

New episode live Monday, January 24

Featuring Dr. Jacquelyn Gill, Associate Professor of Paleoecology & Plant Ecology, School of Biology & Ecology, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, and host of Warm Regards, a podcast about life on a warming planet.

Dr. Gill was a guest lecturer for GES's seminar series last spring. 
Listen to her full talk from March 31, 2021 here.   

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon!

About The Series

Retrieving the Social Sciences is a production of the UMBC Center for Social Science Scholarship.  Our podcast host is Dr. Ian Anson, our director is Dr. Christine Mallinson, our associate director is Dr. Felipe Filomeno and our production assistant is Jefferson Rivas. Our theme music was composed and recorded by D’Juan Moreland.  Special thanks to Amy Barnes and Myriam Ralston for production assistance. Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where you can find full video recordings of recent UMBC events.