The Alex Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and the Division of Student Affairs are collaborating on a new opportunity for student entrepreneurs, the UMBC Entrepreneurshop.

The full implementation is still in process; however, the pilot has launched, providing an opportunity for students to showcase and/or sell their goods or services in The Commons for free! Students can also use the space to survey students about ideas or get feedback. 

There will be three tables available every Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Main Street until May 9.

More information and a request form is now available. 

In recognition of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) would like to raise awareness about this global health concern. TB is the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Help keep our community safe by assessing and reassessing your risk for tuberculosis infection and disease.  

As a university community where many students, faculty, and staff travel internationally, it's important to be aware of TB risks. Even if you have been previously screened and/or tested, if you have since traveled to a higher-risk country or had prolonged contact with someone with TB, we recommend testing.  Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing the spread of TB.  See your regular medical provider or the team at RIH if you need testing.

Dr. James DeVita (he/him/his) joined Student Affairs in September 2024 as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Academic Partnerships and High-Impact Experiences. He oversees the Career Center, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and Student Affairs Success Initiatives. What is one of his most memorable roles? Read on!

What spaces/places on campus or in Baltimore are becoming your favorite?

I'm living in Canton and love the walkability of the area near both the inner harbor and Patterson Park as well as all of the great food nearby. I’m already a regular at Thames Street Oyster Bar in Fells Point.

What are some of your hobbies/activities outside of work?

I like to stay active so lots of sports related things: running, tennis, and soccer primarily, but I’m also a dancer and looking to get connected to and active in the arts community in Baltimore.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I had the opportunity to perform in my favorite musical as a child, CATS, in the role of Mister Mistoffelees for one summer. 

Anything else you would like to share?

I love to travel, especially internationally, and am always open to new places, new food, and trying new things. I’m also open to meeting and working with new folks, so I encourage anyone to reach out to me to meet.

UMBC’s Interfaith Fellows and Bridge Builders Programs were mentioned in the Interfaith America article, “Working Toward Interfaith Harmony in the US: Advancing Religious Pluralism on College Campuses.” 

In February 2024, UMBC was awarded a $30,000 Advancing Religious Pluralism Grant by Interfaith America to "further interfaith cooperation and learning on campus." UMBC is using the grant to develop two programs: the Interfaith Fellows Program and the Bridge Builders Program, a program co-sponsored with the Center for Social Justice Dialogue.

The article includes descriptions of the two programs: “On the East Coast, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), has developed two bedrock programs that will expand their interfaith offerings. The Interfaith Fellows Program equips students with practical skills and knowledge to help them develop leadership skills and invites them to create programs to shape UMBC’s interfaith community, while Bridge Builders is a cohort-based “difficult dialogue” program that has begun to shift campus conversations around religion and world events and inspired increased collaboration between student organizations on campus.”

Matt Hoffman, director of the new Center for Religion, Spirituality, & Pluralism, serves as team leader for these initiatives. “So far, we have seen tremendous student response to these programs,” Hoffman shares. “Our Interfaith Fellows will be putting on a series of events this semester during Interfaith Week, April 21 through 25, to showcase their learning and personalized approaches to interfaith work. Graduates from the Bridge Builders cohort from the fall are already finding ways to incorporate dialogue work into their engagement on campus, including an upcoming interfaith shabbat event in April. Our second cohort of the Bridge Builders program just launched with eight new students.”

Look for announcement about the Center in the near future.