March 12, 2026 – 2:00 p.m. ET

Taking Ideas Public: A Scholar's Guide to Trade Publishing

Blair LM Kelley, President and Director, National Humanities Center
Tanya McKinnon, Founder and Principal Agent, McKinnon Literary

Join us for a lively conversation on what is lost and gained when academics write for trade publishers. The webinar will feature literary agent and founder of McKinnon Literary, Tanya McKinnon, who for the last 19 years has helped authors bring their ideas to life and find their audience. Tanya will be in dialogue with NHC President and Director Blair LM Kelley to discuss the writing and publication process, and how authors can make the leap from university presses to trade.

Blair LM Kelley is president and director of the National Humanities Center. An award-winning author, historian, and scholar of the African American experience, her scholarship and social commentary have focused on African American social movements, segregation, and the Black working class. Before joining the NHC, she served as the Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and directed the Center for the Study of the American South. Previously, Kelley spent 20 years on the faculty and as an administrator at North Carolina State University, including as associate dean of interdisciplinary affairs and partnerships.

Tanya McKinnon is the founder and principal agent of McKinnon Literary. As a literary agent, she works to amplify progressive voices and help authors sharpen their projects regardless of genre. Having spent time on both sides of the agent-author relationship, she draws on this experience to bring a holistic perspective to the publishing industry and ensures her clients and their projects are handled with utmost care. McKinnon represents serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, and graphic novels. Several of McKinnon's clients include New York Times best-sellers, winners of the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, the LA Times Book Award, the Frederick Douglass Book Prize, and many more.

Have you been seeing more announcements or emails related to AI tools or usage on campus?Do you have questions regarding the recent guidelines that were shared on the use ofartificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom? Would you like your voice heard, or wouldappreciate having student perspectives brought to the forefront of these conversations relating to AIpolicy and guidelines? 

The AOK Library would like to hear from you! If you would like to come together in a safe space to discuss AI use on campus, please stop by room 259 in the Library for three student only,student focused, in-person listening sessions happening Wednesdays (please see dates and times below and in our events page). Faculty will not be present, and conversations thatoccur within the space will remain anonymous to protect students' identities. All majors are welcome! 

There will be free pizza and drinks, and participants will be offered the chance to grab free swag, in addition to bonus library privileges! 

Session 1: Wednesday, February 25th, 12:00pm-1:00pm (Room 259)

Session 2: Wednesday, March 4th, 12:00pm-1:00pm (Room 259)

We encourage students interested in participating to add the individual events to their calendars!

These listening sessions are supported by the AOK Library, in partnership with Computer Science & Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, and the Dresher Center. We thank you for your support!

Have you been seeing more announcements or emails related to AI tools or usage on campus?Do you have questions regarding the recent guidelines that were shared on the use ofartificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom? Would you like your voice heard, or wouldappreciate having student perspectives brought to the forefront of these conversations relating to AIpolicy and guidelines? 

The AOK Library would like to hear from you! If you would like to come together in a safe space to discuss AI use on campus, please stop by room 259 in the Library for two student only,student focused, in-person listening sessions happening soon (please see dates and times below and in our events page). Faculty will not be present, and conversations thatoccur within the space will remain anonymous to protect students' identities. All majors are welcome! 

There will be free pizza and drinks, and participants will be offered the chance to grab free swag, in addition to bonus library privileges! 

Session 1: Wednesday, February 25th, 12:00pm-1:00pm (Room 259)

Session 2: Wednesday, March 4th, 12:00pm-1:00pm (Room 259)

We encourage students interested in participating to register and add the individual events to their calendars!

These listening sessions are supported by the AOK Library, in partnership with Computer Science & Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, and the Dresher Center. We thank you for your support!

Stop by Coffee Mondays to grab a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and take a breather between classes.

Whether you're coming to study, chat, or just refuel, this is your weekly reminder to slow down and connect with fellow grad students.

Where? Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons 308)
When? Every Monday | 10am - 2pm
Come as you are — pajamas, laptops, and coffee orders welcome.

FOLLOW OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDENT LIFE ON myUMBC FOR ALL THE INFO

Take a break and recharge mid-day! 

Join us for Good Afternoon Commuters on February 3, 2026 at 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at University Center 312.

Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up with fellow commuters and connect with valuable on-campus resources. 

Good Afternoon Commuters (GAC) is hosted once a month and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC/GAC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

Stop by, grab lunch, and get connected!

The Reach Together Tutoring Program is officially recruiting motivated UMBC students to serve as Math Coaches for the Spring 2026 semester!

Why Join Us?

As a Math Coach, you aren't just a tutor—you are a mentor. You'll provide targeted math intervention to elementary and middle school students, helping them build the confidence they need to succeed.

• Gain Experience: Perfect for students interested in education, social work, or community leadership.

• Direct Impact: Work with small groups (2-3 students) to ensure every child gets the attention they deserve.

• Community Connection: Serve local schools in Baltimore City and Baltimore County

Name: Mrunal Jadhav

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Fall 2025

Major: MS Engineering Management, PBC (Data Science)

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Columbia, MD 

Location of the Organization (City, State): Rohde & Schwarz

Title of position: IT Applications Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

I joined Rohde & Schwarz in Summer 2025, where I supported the Quality Assurance team, and continued in Fall 2025 as an IT Applications Intern, working with the team to improve data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and process workflows. My day to day responsibilities included extracting, cleaning, and analyzing calibration and quality data from SAP ERP, performing data validation to ensure compliance with internal quality standards. I designed and maintained interactive dashboards using Power BI, Excel, and Smartsheet to track key performance indicators and support data-driven decision-making. Additionally, I automated reporting and workflow processes using Power Automate and SharePoint, significantly reducing manual effort and turnaround time. I collaborated closely with cross-functional stakeholders, documented processes, and developed internal web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to enhance system functionality and operational efficiency.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first learned about the internship opportunity at Rohde & Schwarz through LinkedIn job postings in early 2025. I submitted my application shortly thereafter, which included my resume and relevant academic and professional experience. After an initial screening, I participated in an interview that focused on my technical skills and everything related to data, along with my ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Following the interview process, I received and accepted the offer to join the organization in Summer 2025.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I have enjoyed most about my position and the organization is the flexibility it offers and the opportunity to work on multiple interesting projects simultaneously. I appreciated the ability to share ideas openly and receive constructive feedback on my work, which supported continuous learning and improvement. Working with a variety of technologies at the same time allowed me to expand my technical skill set and gain exposure to different tools and systems. Additionally, the flexible working hours and the supportive, collaborative colleagues created a positive and motivating work environment.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I made a meaningful impact by improving data accuracy, streamlining reporting processes, and enhancing operational efficiency across quality assurance and IT applications workflows. Through data cleaning, validation, and analysis of calibration and quality data, I helped identify inconsistencies that supported better compliance and more reliable decision-making. By designing interactive dashboards and automating recurring reports and workflows, I reduced manual effort and improved turnaround time for critical insights. Additionally, my collaboration with cross-functional teams and thorough documentation contributed to more efficient processes, improved transparency, and long-term usability of the solutions I developed.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would advise students to be proactive and intentional in their search by applying early, tailoring their applications to each role, and clearly connecting their skills and coursework to the position. It's essential to remain curious, ask questions, and be open to learning, even when outside your comfort zone. Taking initiative, seeking feedback, and being willing to work on diverse projects can significantly enhance both your experience and professional growth. Lastly, building strong relationships with mentors and teammates and maintaining a positive, adaptable attitude can make a lasting impact and open doors to future opportunities. Networking is important.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

Working on diverse projects and supportive colleagues allowed me to explore multiple technologies and grow professionally, and the Career Center's guidance helped me prepare strong applications and navigate the internship process with confidence.