UMBC First-Year Viewbook

YOURSELF

MUSICIAN. ARTIST. ACTIVIST. HISTORIAN. DOCTOR. SOFTBALL STAR. ASPIRING PHARMACIST

ACCOUNTANT. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST. TEACHER. PARAMEDIC. ECONOMIST. FOODIE

LEADER. SINGER. MECHANICAL ENGINEER. TEACHING FELLOW. SOCIAL WORKER. CYBERSECURITY

EXPERT. PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST. DANCER. COMMUNITY BUILDER. LAWYER. VETERINARIAN.

PHYSICIST. AIRBENDER. PSYCHOLOGIST. GAMELAN PLAYER. CHEMICAL ENGINEER. MECHANICAL

ENGINEER. WORLD TRAVELER. ACTOR. JOURNALIST. GRAPHIC DESIGNER. OLYMPIC HOPEFUL

YOU .

ENTREPRENEUR. NEUROSCIENTIST. SCHOLAR. MUSICIAN. ARTIST. ACTIVIST. HISTORIAN.

DOCTOR. SOFTBALL STAR. ASPIRING PHARMACIST. ACCOUNTANT. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST.

TEACHER. PARAMEDIC. ECONOMIST. FOODIE. BUSINESS LEADER. SINGER. MECHANICAL

TEACHING FELLOW . SOCIAL WORKER. CYBERSECURITY EXPERT. PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST.

COMMUNITY BUILDER. LAWYER. VETERINARIAN. PHYSICIST. AIRBENDER. PSYCHOLOGIST. PLAYER. CHEMICAL ENGINEER. MECHANICAL ENGINEER. WORLD TRAVELER. ACTOR. JOURNALIST. GRAPHIC DESIGNER. OLYMPIC HOPEFUL. ENTREPRENEUR. NEUROSCIENTIST. SCHOLAR.

UMBC IS

#9 #10

nationally on the closely-watched list of universities with a “strong commitment to undergraduate teaching”

on the list of Most Innovative Schools in the country

– U.S. News & World Report

TOP 3.7% of Universities Worldwide

UMBC RANKS – Center for World University Rankings

YOU’VE GOT BIG DREAMS.

AT UMBC, WE’LL REACH TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THEM.

Great things happen when you’re part of a community that believes in you. As a part of #RetrieverNation, you’ll work with professors who are recognized nationally not only for their expertise, but for their commitment to undergraduate teaching.

You’ll discover that curiosity and determination know no limits at UMBC. Our collaborative culture both challenges and supports everyone to push boundaries and make big breakthroughs. Here, you’ll build the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in whatever you set out to do.

FOUNDED IN 1966

MASCOT: TRUE GRIT

13,991

TRUE GRIT: MORE THAN A MASCOT

Grit. It’s an attitude, defined by courage, resolve, and strength of character, that sits at the center of our indomitable UMBC spirit. That’s why we named our mascot True Grit. This aptly named Chesapeake Bay Retriever represents the values of our university: academics, community, wellness, and civic agency. More than a mere statue, True Grit is the essence of what it means to be a Retriever. And grit goes a long way at UMBC and beyond.

COLORS: BLACK AND GOLD

STUDENTS

17:1 STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

90+ TOP 100 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED FOR FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING

COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

THE COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES spans the disciplines, the centuries, and the globe. True to the liberal arts mission, we ask questions fundamental to human existence: Who are we? Where have we been? What matters? Through diverse, challenging programs of study, with countless opportunities for research, creative work, internships, and other co-curricular activities, our students develop skills and knowledge that prepare them for a variety of careers and a lifetime of thoughtful citizenship and leadership in a complex world.

MAJORS AND PROGRAMS

Africana Studies

American Studies

Ancient Studies

Anthropology, Cultural

Art (see Visual Arts)

Asian Studies

Dance

Economics

Education

Early Childhood

Elementary

Secondary

Emergency Health Services

Management

Paramedic

English

Environmental Science and Geography

Financial Economics

Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies

Geography and Environmental Studies

Global Studies

History

Media and

Communication Studies

Middle Grades STEM Education

Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication

French

German

Russian Spanish Applied Linguistics

Music

Jazz Studies

Music Composition

Music Education - Choral

Music Education - Instrumental

Music Performance - Instrumental

Music Performance - Vocal

Music Technology

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Public Health

Sociology

Theatre

Acting

Design/Production

Theatre Studies

Visual Arts

Animation

Art History and Museum Studies

Cinematic Arts

Design

Intermedia

Photography

Print Media

ART ACTIVISM WHERE MEETS

THE POWER OF ART

Mia Rickenbach believes the disciplines of art and social justice are undeniably interconnected. That’s why she founded Create Freedom, a Baltimore non-profit that uses the arts to increase public awareness of human trafficking— because she wanted to make a difference and to help others to do the same.

HONING HER SKILLS

Mia’s mentor, Assistant Professor Nate Sinnott, helped Mia dig into the art she loves—scenic painting. This evolved into an opportunity with Cobalt Studios, where she honed those skills and began to envision using them to create a large-scale mural project for UMBC’s Undergraduate Research and Achievement Day (or URCAD, to those in the know) to raise awareness of human trafficking.

ART AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

As Mia was looking for ways to continue that work, she found her opportunity in the Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Research Award. Granted by UMBC’s Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, it gave her the opportunity to complete a feasibility study and develop a business plan.

BRINGING IT ALL TO LIFE

Now, her vision has become a reality, thanks to the tools and support that allowed her to channel her passion into action. She credits people like Sinnott, Dr. April Householder, and Professor Stephen Bradley for helping her create a space where she could get creative—literally— with her research and do work that crossed disciplinary boundaries.

MIA RICKENBACH ’19, THEATRE HOMETOWN: CHANTILLY, VIRGINIA

Art overrides the logical part of our brain where unnecessary walls get put up.

– MIA RICKENBACH

CELEBRATING RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY

We know that research and creative work are the gateway to what many students go on to do in their careers. That’s why we created URCAD, or Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day, a celebration of all the amazing work our students create alongside their fellow students and professors.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY is constantly asking what’s next, with our focus on research, innovation, and education. We create a space for our students that allows them to cross disciplines in both their research and their classes. As a result, our students become adept problem solvers who are poised to tackle modern technological challenges. In all that we do, we work to include diverse voices, conduct cutting-edge research, and prepare students to join a global workforce.

MAJORS AND PROGRAMS

Business Technology

Administration

Management

Chemical Engineering

Biotechnology/Bioengineering

Environmental Engineering and Sustainability

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Cybersecurity

Data Science

Game Development

Information Systems

Mechanical Engineering

TOGETHER BIG OPPORTUNITY REACHING FOR

CREATING SPACE FOR REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Poojan Shah knew that the key to an amazing college experience was opportunity from day one. And he found it in spades at UMBC. As a Meyerhoff Scholar and engineering student, he’s been able to dive into his chosen field with guidance from professors like Dr. Soobum Lee .

“Dr. Lee puts us on real-life projects and publishes us,” says Poojan. “If we ever need anything, he’s always there for us.” That experience, plus internships each summer, starting with BGE and ending with Boston Scientific, led to a job with Northrop Grumman.

STUDENTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS

As a teaching fellow in the engineering department, Poojan’s also been able to give back to other students by helping them navigate college.

“The amount of support we provide in the first year is awesome, especially compared to other schools,” he explains. “And it comes from a student—we’ve been there, so we know what you need to do.”

CONNECTING IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

But Poojan also understands the importance of balancing the academic and social, and he says that some of the most important connections you’ll make are the friends you’ll find outside the classroom.

For him, that meant everything from acting as a Welcome Week leader (or WOOLIE) to pick-up basketball games at the RAC or countless hours hanging out in D-Hall. His advice to new students?

“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations. You might hate it at first, but you’ll have a lot more fun than you anticipate.”

POOJAN SHAH ’19, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HOMETOWN: FREDERICK, MARYLAND

HEALTHY BODIES, HEALTHY MINDS

UMBC Recreation creates space for our students to have fun and be active outside the classroom. These are just a few of our Recreation offerings:

— A newly renovated facility with weight rooms, cardio spaces, outdoor and indoor pools, courts, and more

— Online and in-person fitness classes in everything from zumba to meditation

— Walking and jogging trails

— Club sports teams in crew, ultimate frisbee, and more

— Intramural events like Fortnite tournaments and flag football games

The professors at UMBC are awesome. They really care about you and they’ll help you to reach new levels.

– POOJAN SHAH

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

In THE COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, we emphasize research experiences as teaching and learning tools and create opportunities for our students to work side-by-side with faculty, post-docs, and graduate students using state-of-the-art equipment. We create space for students to explore, testing various hypotheses and making personal discoveries. This work, combined with our emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, gives our students the chance to test the waters for future academic and career pursuits.

MAJORS AND PROGRAMS

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Biological Sciences

Biology Education

Chemistry

Chemistry Education

Biochemistry

Physical Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics

Physics Education

Statistics

Translational Life Science Technology*

*Upper-level courses for the TLST major are only offered through UMBC at the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville, Maryland

IN THE CLASSROOM ON THE FIELD MAKING MOVES AND

’23 BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

COURTNEY

BREAKING RECORDS

Courtney Coppersmith consistently kills it on the softball field. The accolades began when the America East conference named her Rookie of the Year, and have continued to pile up with multiple Pitcher of the Year awards, UMBC records for lowest single-season ERA and career shutouts, and three consecutive America East Championships. It’s no wonder her teammates and fans can’t stop smiling.

FROM THE FIELD TO THE CLASSROOM

But Courtney’s also making big moves in the classroom-hence the additional title of 2021and 2022 America East Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at UMBC and says she dreams of working in a hospital. She jumped right into classes, and although she says her biochem courses are tough, she loves digging into the subject matter. She also joined the Pre-Pharmacy Society and is involved in research.

RETRIEVERS GIVING BACK

And, as if that weren’t enough, Courtney spends her free time volunteering with organizations like UMBC’s the S.T.A.R. Program, where she teaches chemistry to local elementary school students, and the Retriever Project, a mental health awareness organization for UMBC’s student-athletes.

THE RIGHT CHOICE

Courtney knows she made the right choice in coming to UMBC. “They say [college] is like a wedding dress—you know it when you see it, and then you cry,” she explains. “When I visited campus I knew it was the perfect fit.” (She’s quick to point out she didn’t cry, though.)

COPPERSMITH

HOMETOWN: YORK, PENNSYLVANIA

I love volunteering and I love helping people. At UMBC, I’ve found a bunch of organizations that help me do that.

– COURTNEY COPPERSMITH

SHOOTING STARS

The S.T.A.R. Program is a student-run organization at UMBC dedicated to providing greater access to STEM for elementary school children in Baltimore City Public Schools.

S.T.A.R. mentors host bi-monthly school activities that offer hands-on learning about topics like chemistry, engineering, computer science, biology, and mathematics.

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF STUDY

THE ERICKSON SCHOOL

The Erickson School at UMBC began with a vision to educate the next generation of aging services professionals. Our Management of Aging Services program meets real-world demand as it helps our students to become innovative leaders who can improve society by enhancing the lives of older adults.

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

The Baccalaureate Social Work Program at UMBC is part of the University of Maryland’s School of Social Work. We guide our students through a program that helps them build the skills and techniques they’ll need for a generalist practice focused on individuals, families, groups, and communities.

INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY PROGRAM

Our Individualized Study Program gives students a chance to chart their own course as they design a major that allows them to explore multiple interests. A sampling of majors our students have recently created includes:

— Biomedical Ethics

— Chinese Language and Culture

— Community Health

— Criminal Justice

— Environmental Ethics and Policy

— Human-Computer Interaction

— International and Global Studies

— Leadership in Technology and Sports Performance

— Music and Religious Studies

— Neuroscience

— Science Journalism

— Social Advocacy and Transformative Justice

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

UMBC offers a range of two-, three-, and four-year pre-professional programs designed to help our students propel themselves into the allied health and other professional fields. Our programs include:

— Pre-Accounting

— Pre-Business

— Pre-Dental Hygiene

— Pre-Dentistry

— Pre-Law

— Pre-Medical Research Technology

— Pre-Medicine

— Pre-Nursing

— Pre-Optometry

— Pre-Pharmacy

— Pre-Physical Therapy

— Pre-Podiatry

— Pre-Veterinary Medicine

YOU WANT TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.

WE’LL HELP YOU GET THERE.

What does it mean to be an honors university? It means we set high expectations and then give you the support you need to meet them. And you can take that a step further with our Honors College and prestigious scholars programs. In every class and with every professor, you’ll find a network that wants you to succeed.

MEET THE HONORS COLLEGE AT UMBC

In the Honors College, you’ll be surrounded by others committed to intellectual inquiry, hard work, and the life of the mind, just like at a small liberal arts school. At the same time, you’ll also have access to the resources of a large research university. When you join our community of learners, you will get the chance to dive deep into your studies and interests both in and out of the classroom through events and opportunities for research, study abroad, and more.

BEYOND THE BASICS: HONORS COLLEGE SEMINARS

Supplement your classes with unique and interdisciplinary seminars like:

— Physiology of Dinosaurs

— Race, Poverty, and Gender in Baltimore

— Feast and Fast in Medieval Literature

— Spies, Assassins, and Cyberwarriors: Modern National Security Law

DISCOVER OUR SCHOLARS PROGRAMS

At UMBC, we’ve built a unique set of programs dedicated to helping you make big change in the world. In these programs, you’ll earn scholarships to help finance your education, but you’ll also find a supportive community that is focused on giving you a launchpad for your academic, career, and life goals.

The Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) creates a community for students who are passionate about technology, computing, and engineering and advancing women in those fields.

The Cyber Scholars program is perfect for students who are ready to take on the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Humanities Scholars program helps students become independent and creative thinkers who examine and change the world through learning, research, and civic engagement.

The Linehan Artist Scholars program builds a creative community for talented students who are serious about pursuing their art in a university setting.

The Meyerhoff Scholars program is a rigorous but deeply supportive community of scholars that leads efforts nationwide to increase diversity among future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and related fields.

The Sherman Teacher Scholars program supports and prepares students who want to teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in historically underserved, urban schools and STEM classrooms.

The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars program is dedicated to students who want to tackle urgent social problems through careers in public service fields like law, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare.

UMBC COMMUNITY LEAPING INTO THE

FINDING HIS HOME

For Joshua Gray, the college search came down to one question: which school would foster his skills and help him take the next step forward. He applied to about eight different schools, but after much reflection (and connecting with UMBC students and staff), he says that UMBC rose to the top of his list. While on campus, he met the staff and scholars of the Linehan Artist Scholars Program, and his choice was made.

DOING WHAT HE LOVES

In just one year, Joshua participated in performances at UMBC’s URCAD (Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day) and at a festival put on by the American College Dance Association. With the help of his mentors, and as a Linehan Scholar, Joshua has the support to do what he enjoys most: dance.

COMMUNITY IS THE KEY

Outside the studio, Joshua is heavily involved in the campus community. He’s mentored Baltimore city high school students through Charm City Connection, he went on Alternative Spring Break to give back to the community, and he participated in STRiVE, UMBC’s Leadership Retreat.

“Having a good community around you and knowing people on campus helps you get acclimated and get warmed up to a new environment,” Joshua explains.

Joshua has also continued to grow his community by working as a Grit Guide in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, serving as the Student Government Association President, and founding UMBC’s Association of Black Artists.

JOSHUA GRAY ’22, DANCE HOMETOWN: HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND

TAKING CIVIC ACTION

The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program includes a variety of studentled experiential learning trips. During ASB, UMBC students work directly with community partners, government officials, and scholars to critically examine complex issues and identify ways to address them. Our ASB trips take place in Baltimore to help our students and our university foster sustainable connections to our city and lay the groundwork for long-term collective civic action.

UMBC was such a welcoming environment, and

I felt like I could really grow here.

– JOSHUA GRAY

YOU’LL BE READY FOR

CAREER SUCCESS

.

When you choose UMBC, you’re choosing a university with a reputation for preparing students for careers or graduate school. That reputation comes not only from strong academics and career programs, but also our proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. And the Career Center is the perfect place to jump start your search for employment, with friendly staff and a huge database of jobs to pique your interest.

CAREER OUTCOMES

87% EMPLOYER VISITS TO RECRUIT UMBC STUDENTS

OF EMPLOYED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE RECIPIENTS ARE IN POSITIONS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THEIR CAREER GOALS

GRADUATES WORKING IN

400+ 90,000+ 39 STATES, PLUS WASHINGTON, D.C.

ALUMNI FOR A STRONG NETWORK AND CAREER PIPELINE

Note: All career and internship data shown here is from the 2020-2021 academic year.

WHERE YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT

We’ve forged strong relationships with top employers that will give you a pipeline for rich and engaging internships and careers. Here are just a few examples of the organizations who often recruit our students and alumni:

GET REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE WITH INTERNSHIPS

Competition in today’s workforce is intense even for entry-level positions. That’s why we focus on helping you secure internships that will not only give you the chance to gain experience and contribute to companies and government agencies during your undergrad years, but also help you make the connections you’ll need to secure a job that matches your skills and interests.

1,515

student enrollments in experiential learning through the Career Center

of employed undergraduate degree recipients interned with their current company before being hired full time

BREAKING DOWN ROADBLOCKS

For many students, taking an unpaid internship means serious sacrifice, or even an obstacle to future success. That’s why UMBC created a special fund to provide stipends to students interested in otherwise unpaid internships and service opportunities.

UMBC CAN

TAKE YOU PLACES .

If you’re looking to embark on a career in academia and scholarship that takes you to grad school and beyond, UMBC will help you get there. Many of our students continue their studies, pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Some also earn prestigious scholarships that take them around the U.S. and the world as they attend graduate school and conduct research.

UMBC GRADS MAKE WAVES

After completing their degrees at UMBC, our graduates go on to some of the most impressive and well-known universities to pursue graduate and professional studies and even to join the faculty:

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

DUKE UNIVERSITY

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

M.I.T.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

UMBC ALUMNI LEAD SEARCH FOR A VACCINE

Immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett ’08, M16, biological sciences and sociology, assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, previously led a vaccine development team at the National Institutes of Health. The team she led, which included Olubukola Abiona ’17, M25, biochemistry and molecular biology, and Darian Cash ’02, M10, chemistry, developed the highly effective COVID-19 vaccine from the biotech company Moderna.

REACHING TOGETHER: UMBC PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS

At UMBC, we support our students in their pursuit of internationally renowned scholarships that help them grow into leaders who change the world. In the past four years alone, we’ve celebrated as two UMBC students were named Rhodes Scholars and another eight were named Goldwater Scholars. A few of the other scholarships our students have pursued include:

Gates-Cambridge Scholarship

Marshall Scholarship Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fulbright Program

“WHEN OUR STUDENTS ARE READY TO JOIN THE RANKS OF RHODES AND TRUMAN SCHOLARS, WE’RE RIGHT THERE TO HELP THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.”

– DR. APRIL HOUSEHOLDER, DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS

HISTORY CHANGING THE WORLD MAKING AND

EVAN AVILA ’20, ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE HOMETOWN: FREDERICK, MARYLAND

A QUIET POWERHOUSE

Wondering what a changemaker looks like? Meet Evan Avila, economics and political science. He’s a quiet powerhouse who—even before his senior year—had already presented his research and ideas to D.C. policymakers and given back to the Baltimore community to the tune of $800,000 in tax refunds through the UMBC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

To top it all off, Evan was named a recipient of the distinguished Harry S. Truman Scholarship , which awards about one $30,000 scholarship per state to an undergraduate student who “demonstrates outstanding potential for and who plans to pursue a career in public service.”

FINANCIAL SENSE

Evan’s work is motivated, in no small part, by his own experiences. “I came from a Peruvian and Mexican household. I saw how hard my parents worked and the challenges they faced to have financial security,” he explains. “In college, I see my peers trying to make sense of personal budgets, savings, loans, credit, and retirement.”

THE RIGHT BLEND

What’s most incredible is that Evan worked to make real change all while juggling a full class schedule alongside teaching and research assistantships, as well as an on-campus job, internships, and volunteering.

He says the key to his success was the people at UMBC, whether it was the faculty and staff who supported him as he strove for academic achievement or the friends he made who joined him for dinner parties and fun campus events.

“There really is no better feeling in the world than making your family and community proud, there really isn’t,” says Evan. “And this was all possible because UMBC was my community.”

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Living on campus gives you a chance to be part of an energetic campus community. You have space to study, relax, and explore. First-year students live in one of five residence halls while transfer and upper-class students may apply to live in the residence halls, suites, or apartments.

The number one thing I like to do to relax is cook. Cooking is my favorite hobby. I obsess over Food Network shows and Bon Appetit. And I like to invite my friends over to my campus apartment to have dinner parties.

– EVAN AVILA

THROUGH RESEARCH .

We believe that research is an important key to making big change in our world. That’s why we create unparalleled opportunities for you to get involved in our labs and research projects here on campus. Working alongside professors and graduate students, you’ll lead the design and implementation of creative and challenging research projects. That independence will propel you forward as you develop your identity as a researcher.

UMBC is among institutions in the nation that have reached the highest level of research performance, known as R1 (Research 1).

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Our students research and publish across every academic discipline, and they make real discoveries and change in the world as a result. Here is a handful of the topics they study:

— Restoring Forests Around the World

— The Evolution of Korean Art

— Support for Families Experiencing Trauma

— Artificial Intelligence and its Ability to Impact Business

— The Intersection of LGBTQ and Faith-Based Identities

— Laser-Based Technology to Detect IEDs and Other Combat Zone Hazards

— Options in Social Work Delivery

“HAVING UNDERGRADUATES IN THE LAB HAS EXTENDED OUR CAPABILITY TO ASK MORE COMPLEX QUESTIONS THAN WE WOULD OTHERWISE TAKE ON.”

– DR. CHUCK BIEBERICH, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.

Your UMBC experience is what you make it. We’ve got the map, but you’ll build your own path. From our 200+ clubs and student organizations to study abroad and service learning, there’s something for you. One evening you could be playing Humans vs. Zombies and the next cheering on one of UMBC’s 17 Division I sports teams. Here you can help save the Earth, experience new cultures, and make lifelong friends—all in the same day.

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE THE

THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING TIME

“If something’s important to you, you make time for it,” says Blake Hipsley, physics and mathematics. It’s an important lesson for any college student, but it was key for Blake, who juggled a lot of priorities—from his dual degree to research and lacrosse to ultimate frisbee—with ease.

It’s easy to sense Blake’s commitment and passion. Although his parents didn’t graduate from college, they always encouraged him to pursue higher education. “My mom always encouraged us to do our best and work hard,” he shares.

A CHANCE TO DIVE INTO RESEARCH

He took her advice to heart, and starting during his sophomore year, Hipsley pursued research with Michael Hayden, professor of physics. “Research helped me open up to what I want to do in the future,” Hipsley says. “I had the chance to see if it was something I wanted to do, and I decided it is.” Now, he’s pursuing a Ph.D. in physics at the University of Michigan.

GETTING THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE

In between research and preparing for graduate school, Blake also worked hard to find a community and build lasting friendships. His philosophy? Get out of your dorm room and get the whole experience. And he did just that, joining the club lacrosse team and acting as a cocaptain for BOOYA, UMBC’s ultimate frisbee team.

HELPING OTHERS FIND THEIR PATH

Blake also made sure to give back by serving as the McNair Scholars Program’s inaugural teaching fellow, a role in which he advised other students and provided feedback to program leadership.

With such a caring community of support, Blake says, at UMBC, “If you work hard and keep at it, no matter where you’re from you can get to where you want to go.”

BLAKE HIPSLEY ’19, PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS HOMETOWN: ELDERSBURG, MARYLAND

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

We know that your college experience is so much more than what happens in the classroom. Whoever you are, whatever your interests, you’ll find friends and professors here who will share your passions–and broaden your perspective. Through clubs, events, and student organizations, UMBC lets you follow your passion through to practice. You can be yourself–and become your best self–at UMBC.

If you work hard and keep at it, no matter where you’re from you can get to where you want to go.

– BLAKE HIPSLEY

YOU’LL EXPLORE

THE WORLD THROUGH STUDY ABROAD .

At UMBC, the world is—quite literally—your classroom. Learn about new cultures and governments. Test your research chops in an onsite archaeology lab. Explore art and literature in the places they were created. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be an amazing experience.

ROVING RETRIEVERS

In recent years, UMBC students have enjoyed study abroad in:

— Sydney, Australia

— Cannes, France

— Kassel, Germany

— Tel Aviv, Israel

— San Jose, Costa Rica

— Siena, Italy

— Barranquilla, Colombia

— Barcelona, Spain

— Amsterdam, Netherlands

— Seoul, South Korea

Worried you can’t afford study abroad? Most students can use some or all of their financial aid and scholarships toward their experience overseas.

“I BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE OPEN OURSELVES UP TO NEW EXPERIENCES [LIKE STUDY ABROAD], WE ALLOW NEW DOORS TO OPEN AND NEW LIGHTS TO SHINE.”

– LUCAS MCCULLUM ’19, APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ENGINEERING A

ALIYAH SMITH ’19, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HOMETOWN: RANDALLSTOWN, MARYLAND

STUDYING AROUND THE WORLD

When Aliyah Smith started at UMBC as a Meyerhoff Scholar, she knew right away that she wanted to study abroad. She also knew it would be tough to do if she wanted to graduate on time with her engineering major, but she believed it was critically important.

“As an engineering student and future engineer, I believe gaining a global perspective is imperative,” Aliyah says. “Most research groups are comprised of engineers from around the world. It is very important that I know how to collaborate with the people in these groups.”

MAKING THE PIECES FIT

With help from her department and UMBC’s Education Abroad Office, she coordinated her degree plan to make all the pieces fit together. Thanks to their help, she was able to go abroad not once, but twice. First, with a nine-week mechanical engineering internship at the University of Oxford and again with a semester studying at American University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.

MASTERING PROBLEM SOLVING

Smith’s international experiences have also helped her grow in ways that apply to aspects of her life beyond academics. “At eighteen, I had to figure out how to travel from country to country and problem solve on my own, forcing me to be more outgoing and selfreliant,” she shares.

My goal as an engineer is to help solve the world’s problems and studying abroad has helped me view problems through a different lens.

– ALIYAH SMITH

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AT UMBC

Universities are inherently international institutions of scholarship and knowledge, and UMBC is no exception. We have undergraduate and graduate students from over 80 countries. Our faculty includes scholars from distinguished universities all over the world. Our growing international curriculum prepares you for a rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent world.

LEARNING THROUGH

SERVICE .

Service and volunteerism are inextricably woven into our Retriever culture. All students can find unique and meaningful ways to get involved, learn about social issues, build skills, and act intentionally to better local and global communities. Service at UMBC is a gateway to deep, lifelong involvement in solving social problems and making meaningful, sustainable contributions.

WHERE OUR STUDENTS SERVE

Our students participate in service learning throughout the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., region, at places like:

— Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)

— Global Brigades

— Patterson Park Audubon Center — Refugee Youth Project

— Special Olympics Maryland

GROWING AS A LEADER

OF RESPONDENTS SAY THEIR EXPERIENCES HELPED THEM TO GROW AS LEADERS

YOU’LL PLAY

AS HARD AS YOU WORK .

RETRIEVER LIFE 101

At UMBC, you’ll find students interested in everything from food, culture, and the arts to athletics, anime, faith, and more. You can join in on intellectual sports like mock trial—which defeated Yale in 2021 to win its first national championship. And, at a host of campus-wide events each year like Homecoming and Quadmania, you’ll enjoy festivals, parties, concerts, and comedy shows.

WELCOME TO #RETRIEVERNATION

Whether you want to join the team or just cheer them on, the Dawgs are here for you. Our teams have earned several America East championship titles in recent years, including in swimming/diving, basketball, and soccer. Our state-of-the-art Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena comes equipped with a practice gymnasium, strength and conditioning facilities and academic centers, and a sports medicine suite.

TIME TO GET MOVING

Considering intramural sports or wanting to start a yoga practice? The recently renovated Retriever Activities Center includes fitness studios, weight training space, a cardio studio, workout classes, an aquatics center, and tennis courts. We also offer special events like 5Ks and glow dodgeball. Or you can get involved in intramural and club sports—even esport tournaments. Whatever your interest, we’ll keep you moving in your pursuit of an active and balanced life.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH COLLEGE SOCCER

In recent years, NCAA fans rank UMBC’s Retriever Park among the best places to watch college soccer, alongside Penn State and the University of Kentucky.

NCAA DIVISION I SPORTS TEAMS

CLUB AND INTRAMURAL SPORTS TEAMS

GRIT GREATNESS BECOMES

HANIA MORO ’19, FINANCIAL ECONOMICS

HOMETOWN: CAIRO, EGYPT

ALWAYS ON THE MOVE

For Hanio Moro, the college experience is all about the journey. Whether that’s a literal journey, like the one she took when she left Egypt to attend school in Maryland, or the metaphorical one, like the road to records crushed and championships won, Hania’s always on the move.

At the 2019 America East Title Meet alone, she broke the school record and won a gold medal in the 1650 freestyle. She credits her success, in part, to the support she gets from her team. And that’s a shift for her.

MORE THAN A TEAM

“I was taught growing up that swimming is only you,” she says. “But my success here is because the people around me believed in me.” That belief made teammates into friends who support each other 24/7. For Hania, that meant getting together to make oatmeal twice a week and studying at a coffee shop close to campus on sunny Saturday afternoons.

AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

Outside the pool, Hania’s focus was on earning her degree in financial economics along with a minor in entrepreneurship. One of her favorite professors was Gib Mason ’95, economics. Hania credits his support and advice for helping her land an internship at a financial advising company.

SETTING BIG GOALS

Thanks to her professors and classes at UMBC, Hania’s got big ideas for the future. First stop? The Olympics. Once that’s done, she’d like to open a bagel shop back home in Cairo, but first, she says, she might come back to UMBC for the graduate program in entrepreneurship.

MAKING A SPLASH

For years, the UMBC swimming and diving team has been winning its way into university history. Since 1999, they have amassed 32 championship trophies, not to mention consistent accolades for athletic prowess.

When people say their team is a family, not everyone means it, but it’s true for our team. No one gets sick of anyone. We’re not just teammates, we’re friends. Everyone cares about everyone.

– HANIA MORO

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW

HOME AWAY FROM HOME .

Want to make the most of your college experience? Our residence halls and apartments are the perfect place to start—in fact, most of our entering first-year students choose to live on campus. You’ll love the independence of living on your own and the convenience of being close to class, campus life, academic opportunities, and recreational activities each day. Plus, you’ll be plugged into a welcoming and supportive community from day one as you study and live alongside your classmates.

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY

Explore your passions 24/7 by joining one of ten Living Learning Communities during your first year on-campus. These themed floors located in various residence halls will help you to make lasting friendships as you navigate the first year of college with others who share your interests:

— Culture, Language, History, Philosophy, and Literature

— Immersive Cultural and Language Experiences

— Major and Academic Exploration

— Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

— Service Learning

— Visual and Performing Arts

— Women in Leadership

— Women in Technology

— And more...

“I AM SO THANKFUL I DECIDED TO JOIN AN LLC BECAUSE IT BECAME MY FIRST SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN COLLEGE. IT WAS NICE MEETING PEOPLE FROM VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, YET WHO I KNEW I COULD RELY ON AS FRIENDS AND RESOURCES ONCE CLASSES STARTED. THE WHOLE FLOOR BECAME REALLY CLOSE; WE MADE STUDY GROUPS TOGETHER, ATTENDED SCHOOL EVENTS, AND OCCASIONALLY EVEN HAD NERF GUN BATTLES IN THE HALLWAY.”

– SANA ASLAM ’22, BIOLOGY

YOU’LL GET AN AMAZING EDUCATION AT AN

INCREDIBLE VALUE.

We know that cost is a huge factor in your college decision, so we focus on making sure that we’re giving you plenty of bang for your buck. We do that by blending unique academic offerings, such as game development, Asian studies, and naval science, with vibrant student life and athletics.

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE: LIVING ON CAMPUS*

*Each student’s individual costs may vary based upon courses, housing, and meal plan selection. Costs are subject to change with Board of Regents approval.

UMBC was named a 2022 Best Value University by U.S. News and World Report.

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION

Financing your education is an important step, and that’s why we offer a wide range of financial aid and scholarships.

NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID

A variety of need-based financial aid programs are available, awarded in three categories: grants, loans, and employment. The Office of Financial Aid will prepare a financial aid package for eligible students which may consist of one or more of these types of aid to assist in meeting a student’s financial needs. Eligibility is calculated based on FAFSA results, so make sure to apply online as soon as possible after the FAFSA is released but before the priority deadline of March 1.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to the seven named scholars programs that offer scholarships to incoming students, UMBC offers a range of Merit Awards to both in-state and out-of-state students. First-year students who submit timely applications will be reviewed for awards based on high school program, individual grades, cumulative averages, and–if provided–SAT or ACT scores.

YOU’RE AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED FOR $1,000 – $12,000 PER YEAR

No application needed! UMBC automatically considers all eligible incoming first-year students for merit awards ranging from $1,000 – $12,000.

READY TO FIND YOURSELF?

EXPLORE UMBC .

You can get a great sense of life as a Retriever at UMBC without even setting foot on campus. We’ve curated a number of options for you to explore campus through videos, photos, a 360° tour of our campus, and online presentations from our admissions team.

YOU’RE INVITED

Join us for an information session or 1-on-1 meeting:

— Black and Gold Information Sessions: Hear directly from an admissions counselor about our admissions requirements, scholarships, academic programs, and more.

— Meet With an Admissions Representative: Schedule a time to have your questions answered and learn more about how UMBC can help you reach your goals.

Visit undergraduate.umbc.edu/visit to learn about all the ways to connect with UMBC.

– MIA RICKENBACH ’19

Read about Mia on page 8

“I KNEW INSTINCTIVELY THAT UMBC WAS THE PLACE FOR ME.”

HOW TO APPLY

Apply to UMBC through the Common App at commonapp.org

In addition to the application, please submit:

— An essay – through the Common App

— A $75 application fee – through the Common App

— An official copy of your high school transcript

— A list of courses in progress (if not included on transcript)

— Official SAT/ACT scores – from the College Board/ACT*

— Two letters of recommendation (optional)

— A final high school transcript upon graduation

UMBC’S College Board Code: 5835

ACT code: 1751

See undergraduate.umbc.edu/apply for more details.

*UMBC IS TEST-OPTIONAL

UMBC has adopted a test-optional admissions program which means you are not required to submit standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) with your application.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Fall Admission to UMBC and the Honors College at UMBC

— Early Action: November 1

— Regular Decision: February 1

Financial Aid

— FAFSA available: December 1

— Priority Deadline: March 1