UMBC intellectual sports programs were featured in the fall Baltimore Sun Education supplement, published on Oct. 15. The article, "More than just having fun: Being active in student organizations has long-reaching benefits," includes an interview with Lesa Goodhue.

"'UMBC's use of 'intellectual sports' as a category is unique,' says Lesa Goodhue, special assistant to the AVP, intellectual sports and applied learning. 'While other universities have similar groups, outside of UMBC those groups are often separated and 'owned' by their respective academic departments or colleges. At UMBC, on the other hand, intellectual sports are student organizations recognized by the Student Government Association (SGA). Being an SGA entity ensures that all of our undergraduate students have the opportunity to be a member.'"

"According to Goodhue, student organizations are viewed by the university as ideal spaces for students to develop as leaders, build communities of peers, collaborate across interests and acquire power skills. She notes that UMBC student organizations write constitutions, attend regular roundtables, have access to scheduled professional development workshops, follow budgeting timelines, and adhere to processes designed to maximize equity and ensure their safety."

The article, which begins on page 1, also includes the full interview with Goodhue and quotes from Mock Trial member Samisha Connor '25, financial economics, and American Institute for Chemical Engineers member Benjamin Welling '25, chemical engineering.

Keeping your head in the game for midterms is essential to not only SURVIVE, but to be SUCCESSFUL.  Overthinking, stressing yourself out or zoning out with social media or video games will not get you where you want to go. Here are some tips to help you be your best:

1. Check in with your Professors/TA's/Study Group:  Be clear on what you need to know and how the professor will be testing you.  Short answer? Multiple choice? Essay? Project?  Starting with the end in mind helps you to prepare effectively for what to study and how to study.  
2. Make a plan:  Once you know what the teacher wants, you can prepare for how much time you need to get it done.  Allow yourself several days to get work done.  Don't wait until the last minute. Avoid stressing yourself out.  Plan for additional time.
3. Ask for help:  Ask the Professor/TA or study group for help clarifying your issues.  Also, go to the Academic Success Center for additional support with papers and studying.  Don't be afraid to ask.  No one expects you to know everything.
4. Think about what you need: Do you study best in the morning, afternoon or evening?  Do you stay focused better by yourself, in study groups or in the library? Try different things and see what works best for you. Take a break if you need it.  Eat if you are hungry.  Paying attention to your mind and body helps you to function at your best. 

If you feel overwhelmed and stuck, remember that there are several campus resources that are here to support you:

UMBC RIH Counseling Center:  Group Counseling, Workshops, Self-Help resources, and Individual Counseling and Urgent Care appointments

Academic Success Center:  Tutoring, help writing essays, study and time management skills

Academic Advocacy:   Support, Study Skills and advice on how to navigate issues that interfere with academic success

For anonymous online peer support, check out Togetherall to help support your mental health when things are challenging.

An article on college students participating in the Black Lives Matter movement, co-authored by Samantha A.Smith, Ph.D., MPH, CHES, was published on Oct. 11, 2023 in the Journal of Adolescent Research. Smith, director of the Office of Health Promotion and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, is the primary author of, "'It Just Felt Nice to be Able to Scream': A Qualitative Examination of the Experiences of College Students Participating in the Black Lives Matter Movement." Co-authors from the University of Maryland, College Park and the Maryland Center for Health Equity, College Park are Amelia M. Arria, Ph.D.; Craig S. Fryer, Dr.P.H; Kevin Roy, Ph.D.; Kerry M. Green, Ph.D.; and Typhanye V. Dyer, Ph.D. 

The abstract states, "This study was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the role of emotions within protest experiences among college students. The study sample consisted of 18 undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 who participated in 2020 Black Lives Matter movement protests. Within the sample, the majority of the participants identified as female (61.11%, n=11) and were Black (38.89%, n=7). In-depth interviews were conducted and subsequent data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings distinguished three themes: (1) emotions as motivators for protest participation, (2) emotional residence during protests, and (3) identity development and the way ahead. A substantial portion of the participants experienced negative emotions following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, which motivated them to participate in protests.

Interestingly, the majority of participants described experiencing positive emotions, including empowerment and hope while at the protest sites. The protest elements: chanting, listening to protest speakers, and being in community with others were the source of positive emotions. Most participants described protesting as a momentary emotional release. These findings demonstrate that protesting does impact student emotional well-being and is an adaptive emotion-focused coping strategy for negative feelings garnered by the sociopolitical climate."

The article is available online.

It's that time of year again to protect yourself, your family and your community from current and upcoming infectious diseases!  Sign up now for this season's flu shot and the new COVID-19 vaccine just approved and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and above.  In addition, other vaccines against meningitis, RSV, shingles, tetanus and others will be available.  Talk with your personal medical provider to see what they recommend for you.  This event is open to students, faculty, staff and their families ages 12+.

Remember that a COVID infection and isolation can interrupt your studies, your work, and other important events in your life. Reduce this risk by getting vaccinated.

Remaining Clinic Dates and Locations

• Friday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., University Center Room 312

• Monday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., University Center Room 312

• Tuesday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., University Center Room 312

Sign up now

Retriever Integrated Health is here to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at 410-455-2542 or email rih@umbc.edu for more information. 

Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy.

Retriever Essentials, represented by student volunteers Nhi Nguyen '25, biochemistry and bioinformatics, and Ben Bhattarai '23, biology and psychology, is a second place finalist in the 2023 Wilbur Ellis Innovation Award. Announced at the end of September, the honorable mention award--given to only four schools--recognizes the student teams with the most innovative strategies for providing food for a growing world population.

Nguyen and Bhattarai's proposal aimed to address the water scarcity in agriculture which affects the ability to feed a growing world population sustainably. Their project proposed the use of halophytic (salt-tolerant) algae to desalinate saltwater in order to increase freshwater availability to enhance agricultural yields and to create highly nutritious food products. Nguyen and Bhattarai believe their project also may help resolve some of the impacts of global warming on food production and transportation, including the growth of algae; limited fossil fuels; and ocean acidification due to high carbon dioxide. Both hope to continue their research into ways to eliminate food insecurity.

Read the article in UMBC Magazine.

Coverage of the award also appeared on WLNS and AG Web.

Learn more about how to support Retriever Essentials, a faculty, staff, and student partnership to tackle food insecurity in our UMBC community.