On April 19, the Alpha Psi Chapter of Tau Sigma National Honors Society had the honor of inducting 40 members, the largest induction in UMBC history!

With determination and dedication, these transfer students not only navigated the complexities of transitioning to a new academic environment but also excelled, achieving a remarkable 3.5 GPA. The induction was a testament to their resilience and commitment to academic excellence. Each inductee's journey is unique, yet they shared a common thread of perseverance and a thirst for knowledge.

Please join OCSS in congratulating all of the inductees of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Tau Sigma! 

The Career Center is getting ready for a groundbreaking expansion of their Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP), thanks to a visionary $700,000 budget boost from Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly.

This substantial funding increase will fuel the program's growth, empowering a growing number of employers to tap into its proven effectiveness in workforce development.

Since its inception, MTIP has been a game-changer, providing financial assistance to technology-based businesses statewide, facilitating the hiring of over 1,000 interns at 200+ companies and government agencies.

With a base budget of $365,000 already in place, this infusion of funds elevates MTIP to a $1 million a year regional workforce initiative. This new funding will allow the Career Center to increase matching funds to employers and support more than 300 students across the state each year.

Read a Maryland Matters commentary on MTIP by Career Center Director Christine Routzahn and Program Director for Workforce Initiatives Jennifer Spender Heilman.

UMBC's Career Month was a great success, with over 1,300 students exploring diverse career pathways and strengthening their professional skills. Through workshops, industry fairs, employer visits, and more, students actively engaged in shaping their futures. The four Industry Fairs, covering Technology & Engineering, Creative Careers, Sciences, and Humanities & Social Sciences, offered insights into various fields.

Additionally, students embarked on informative “On the Roads” trips to Center Stage, JHU Applied Physics Lab, and Constellation. Career Paths for Graduate Students provided a special networking dinner with employers tailored to specialized career paths for those pursuing advanced degrees.

The UMBC Suits You Clothing Closet was a signature event, where nearly 500 students accessed free professional attire.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our DoSA colleagues and partners whose support ensured the success of these events!

On May 8 - 9, 2024, we call upon Retrievers everywhere to join us for Black & Gold Rush, 36 Hours of Giving, by making a gift of any size to support any area that means the most to you. UMBC’s goal this year is 1,000 donors, and every donation helps provide students with the tools they need to become leaders and to reach their full potential. We want every student to thrive at UMBC and as alumni.

One way you can support student success is through the Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund. Your gift will help provide short-term financial assistance (tuition and fees) for current UMBC students who find it difficult or impossible to continue their education due to an emergency or sudden unforeseen circumstances. 

What can we do in 36 hours? Contribute to #UMBC #BlackAndGoldRush and see what’s possible when we work together. Thank you!

Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff received the Outstanding Conference Submission Award at the American Educational Research Association (AREA) SIG 41 Conference in April 2024. The co-authors of "Grounding Civic Education in Civic Life: An Evaluation of the STRiVE Program” are Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director; Olivia Giuliano ‘24, evaluation and special projects intern; Tess McRae ‘22, coordinator for civic design; and David Hoffman, Ph.D. ‘13, director. They presented their paper during a conference roundtable discussion.

The Center’s study uses a narrative inquiry approach to evaluate the impact of its STRiVE leadership for public purpose program on the development of civic agency in UMBC undergraduate students. Initial findings identify several mechanisms for this effect including (but not limited to) reshaping people's ideas about social change leadership to be inclusive of more diverse strengths, fostering trust and value in community and human society, and developing capacities for understanding and articulating both their own and others' perspectives.

AERA, a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. The Experiential Education and Community Engagement: Scholarship and Practice SIG is dedicated to bringing together both researchers and practitioners to build and promote understanding of experiential education and critical community engagement for the betterment of the field and the reform of K-16+ education.