Girl Scouts. Radical Monarchs. Lumberjanes. Pawnee Goddess.
And now… Women’s Center Scouts!

Time and time again, Women’s Center staff get the question, “How do you join the Women’s Center?”

Our response is “Easy! Come and hang out in our lounge! Come to events. You don’t have to join.”

To which we get an “Oh. Okay.”

We get it. Being a part of something is special. Showing your loyalty and commitment to a cause is empowering. Finding home and belonging in a space that means something to you, means something to us.

So, now, you can “join” the Women’s Center by being one of our fearless and loyal Scouts!

Here’s the deal. To become a Women’s Center Scout, first start by joining the Women’s Center myUMBC page and following at least one of our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). If you’re already a member and following one of our pages, great! You’re one step closer.

Next, it’s time to save the dates! Each Scout must meet the challenge of attending at least 3 different Women’s Center events throughout the fall semester. The 3 different events must meet the following criteria:

• 1 Discussion-Based event
  This includes Knowledge Exchanges, Pop-Culture Pop-Ups, and any identity-based discussion groups
• 1 Skill-Based workshop/event
  This includes workshops like Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence, Women + Leadership events hosted by the Women’s Center, or events like Trans and College
• 1 Critical Social Justice: Ignite event
  So many events throughout the week of October 22-26th! Visit the CSJ website for details.

From the above challenges, your duty as a Women’s Center Scout is to ensure that you attend 1 event during first 8 weeks of the semester and attend 1 event during second 8 weeks of semester. This will require planning and strategy, Scouts!

Okay…. you don’t need to keep swiping, but do keep reading! 

Over the course of the semester, we may also announce bonus Scout challenges to enhance the experience so do stay tuned to our social media pages!

Any UMBC community member who completes the challenge by December 1st gets a Women’s Center T-shirt and a shout-out on our social media pages (any maybe some badges – we’re still working on those details).

This is the front of the cool Women’s Center shirt you’ll get after you complete your Scout Challenges!

All UMBC students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate!

For questions, stop by the Women’s Center or email us at womenscenter@umbc.edu.

Attention Seniors: Last week the Fulbright Commission announced a brand new award for outstanding seniors interested in borders and global security issues. UMBC's internal deadline for Fulbright applications is August 29.

Fulbright/Queen’s University Belfast Award in Global Security and Borders  

This graduate degree program provides students a firm grounding in critical border studies, offering the chance to apply their academic insights within a work-based environment with borders/security professional through the Borders Internship module.

Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation and must apply for admission according to the university’s admissions procedures. Applicants are not expected to have a letter of admission/affiliation at time of application, but awards are made conditional upon acceptance by the chosen institution before arrival.

Applicants will complete two applications, the Fulbright application and the university’s application (according to the university’s admissions procedures). Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their university applications as early as possible, ideally before January 15, 2019. The Fulbright Program does not cover the application fee for the university.

Grantees awarded a Fulbright UK Partnership award will pay no tuition fees. 

For more information in on Queen’s Global Security MA program please click here. 

Please contact Dr. Souders at souders@umbc.edu as soon as possible if you are interested in this award!

UMBC’s work to support international students in their career development has earned the university a place in the global spotlight. Professionals in International Education (PIE) has selected UMBC as a finalist for a 2018 PIEoneer Award, with UMBC being the only U.S. university honored in the Student Support category. The selection recognizes UMBC’s work to cultivate a supportive community for international students and to help them pursue careers that utilize and value their unique language, academic, and professional skills.

PIE is specifically recognizing a series of programs designed by UMBC International Education Services (IES) in collaboration with the UMBC Career Center. Responding to the needs of international students and area employers, these initiatives help international students be as competitive as possible in entering the workforce after graduation.

“This recognition is incredibly important for UMBC because it acknowledges on a global stage our commitment to meeting the real and unique needs of our international students,” says Michelle Massey, associate director, International Student and Scholar Services. “We listen to our students, we develop solutions together as a community, and we implement them to help these students have the best possible experience at UMBC, and as alumni.”

These opportunities help international students manage a range of challenges that they may encounter on their path to career success in the United States through a tiered process. International students learn about the Career Center’s supportive resources in their earliest days on campus, during orientation. As they progress in their degree programs, the Career Center guides them through the process of identifying and exploring specific career goals and skill sets that match their talents and aspirations within the sphere of the U.S. job market, particularly through internship experiences.

IES and the Career Center co-organize an annual International Student Career Conference focused on the unique needs of international students in their job search process in the United States. Now in its fourth year, the conference is an opportunity for students to network with alumni, industry experts, and local employers, and get expert legal information from an immigration attorney.

IES has also partnered with the Career Center and UMBC’s Mosaic Center to offer the workshop “International Identities in the Workplace.” International students who have already completed internships in the U.S. share their experiences with others through the workshop. The event also explores the interview process, business etiquette in American culture, and policy issues like protections against workplace discrimination.

Networking opportunities, career fairs, internships, and conferences help connect students directly with local start-ups and global companies such as Google, McCormick & Company, and Amazon. “Obtaining internship and work experience is vital for student career success,” says Christine Routzahn, director of the Career Center. “By working with partners such as IES, we ensure our international students have access to these opportunities and are prepared to advocate for themselves and thrive in the workplace.”

The impact of these programs has been profound. After first connecting with the Career Center during orientation, 93 percent of international students report that they continue to access Career Center services during their time at UMBC. Over one hundred international students attend the International Student Career Conference each year. International graduate students participating in these programs overwhelmingly report finding jobs that align with their career goals. Employers participating in the summer internship initiative report very strong interest in working further with students, extending job offers to those who have already participated or offering internships to future students.

“The value of this campus-wide partnership is immeasurable for international students working to overcome significant obstacles to meet their goals in the U.S.,” shares Massey. “I am so proud at how quick the UMBC community is to rise to the occasion of learning about these challenges and supporting this group of students to reach their potential together.”

Maseey will attend The PIEoneer Awards ceremony on behalf of UMBC International Education Services, in London on September 7, 2018.

Banner image: International flags in the UMBC Commons, looking out on a crowd of students gathered for a campus event. All images by Marlayna Demond ‘11 for UMBC.

The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks a full-time Helpdesk Technician to oversee day-to-day activities of the help desk with attention to performance standards and service levels; manage delivery of end-user support, maintenance, and scheduling of new installations of hardware and software; and to ensure technical problems are promptly addressed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Provide front-line computer support for Baltimore Museum of Art staff utilizing IT Service Request (Jira-Helpdesk) portal.

The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks a full-time Major Gifts Officer to lead the BMA’s major gifts, annual giving and advancement events staff. This position will be part of the Advancement Leadership team and assume a major role in prospect management including cultivating, soliciting and stewarding professional relationships with individual prospects and donors who have the capacity to make five to seven figure personal gifts and/or gifts through a family foundation or donor advised fund.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: