GSO’s 2024-2025
Welcome to the array of graduate student organizations the graduate school has to offer for the 2025-2026 academic year.
These groups are the heart and soul of our graduate school community. If you’re on the lookout for a supportive and engaging environment within the graduate school, you’ve come to the right place.
Reach out to the contacts listed below and get ready to embark on a rewarding journey where you’ll find like-minded peers, shared interests, and countless opportunities for growth and connection.
Your graduate experience is about to become all the more enriching!
Academic Organizations:
American Statistical Association (ASA)- UMBC Student Chapter
Goal: Increase ASA membership by promoting its benefits; offer workshops and tutoring based on student needs; maintain and enhance the ASA UMBC Student Chapter website; build an alumni database to support student–alumni connections and advising; and host social events to strengthen community.
Contact Persons
Soumadeep Bhowmick: xn84770@umbc.edu
Association of Neuropsychology Students & Trainees (ANST)
Goal: Support trainee professional development in neuropsychology through targeted presentations on assessment and brain/cognitive health, resources for conferences and externships, and talks from respected community and leading neuropsychologists on key topics in the field.
Contact Persons:
Alicia Spiegel: alicias2@umbc.edu
Hinza Malik: hinzam1@umbc.edu
Bangladesh Student Association (BSA)
Goal: Foster community, cultural awareness, and members’ academic and personal growth.
Short-term priorities: Grow membership and engagement through welcome events, collaborations, and social media; host cultural celebrations (e.g., Independence Day, Victory Day, International Mother Language Day); provide peer mentoring and alumni/professional networking; and organize service efforts such as campus donation drives and emergency relief support for Bangladesh.
Long-term priorities: Advocate for a dedicated cultural space on campus; strengthen sustainability through leadership transition planning, a 3–5 year strategic plan, and an alumni network; and expand an annual signature event to increase visibility and impact on and off campus.
Contact Persons
Soumik Sarker: soumiks1@umbc.edu
Bhakti Yoga and Meditation Club
Short-term goals: Participate in UMBC events; distribute free yoga books (over 2,000 previously); host yoga events; provide free meals at weekly sessions; and offer immediate support for stress management and spiritual needs.
Contact Persons
Brandon Ables: bables1@umbc.edu
Black Graduate Student Organization BGSO
Goal: Increase members, expand community, partner with other organizations on campus.
Contact Persons
Neil Kpamegan: kneil1@umbc.edu
CBEE GSO
Short-term Goal: Increase engagement in department activities through stronger advertising and announcements, along with more interactive and appealing programming. Our signature event series, Lumpkin Society, will continue alongside additional social events throughout the semester.
Long-term Goal: Strengthen inclusivity and build a supportive culture where students actively connect and use one another as resources. We also aim to grow participation by increasing the number of department students involved in the organization and regularly attending events.
Contact Persons
Bret Marckx: bmarckx1@umbc.edu
Chemistry Graduate Student Association
Short-term Goal: Increase the number of seminars and events that share practical resources on graduate school success, funding opportunities, and career pathways—helping students navigate the job market and identify grant and fellowship options.
Long-term Goal: Strengthen connections among graduate students and build a stronger sense of community within the department. A more connected community supports collaboration, resource-sharing, belonging, and student voice in departmental decisions.
Contact Persons
Madison Conte: mconte1@umbc.edu
Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA)
Short-term Goal: Support incoming students as needed through initiatives such as a voluntary airport pickup service, a new student welcome party, the HanFu event, a mid-term reunion, and a Chinese New Year reunion during the 2025–2026 academic year.
Long-term Goal: Build a welcoming community for Chinese undergraduate, graduate, and visiting students/scholars, and support their success at UMBC and beyond in the U.S.
Contact Persons
Dayuan Tan: dayuan1@umbc.edu
Cybernetics GSO
Short-term Goal: Recruit members and establish an advisory board, and develop a clear playbook and operating framework for the GSO.
Long-term Goal: Secure MOUs with labs and faculty to formalize support and engagement, and build industry collaborations.
Contact Persons
Maitreyee Asatkar: maitrea1@umbc.edu
EKTA-Indian Graduate Student Association
Goal: Engage students through cultural festivals and career development workshops while fostering a strong sense of belonging and community.
Contact Persons
Samarth Suresh: jk68091@umbc.edu
Graduate Association of Biological Sciences (GABS)
GABS organizes the annual spring GABS Symposium, providing graduate students in Biological Sciences a professional setting to present original research to peers and the UMBC community. The organization also holds monthly meetings and social gatherings to strengthen communication and connection across the department.
Short-term Goal: Host the 42nd Annual GABS Symposium, hold monthly social events, and organize professional development panels.
Long-term Goal: Sustain GABS as a hub for graduate student networking, preserve key traditions (especially the symposium), and strengthen partnerships with GSA, vendors, and faculty to ensure reliable services and sustainable funding for future symposia.
Contact Persons
Elleora Velador Svoboda: no56975@umbc.edu
Graduate Christian Fellowship
Short-term Goal: Host weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings, and encourage personal devotional growth through monthly devotionals or reading plans.
Long-term Goal: Develop future student leaders through training and a leadership curriculum or retreat, and build an alumni mentorship network.
Contact Persons
Lekan Ajiboye: oajiboy1@umbc.edu
Graduate Women in Physics +
International Students Connect- Graduate Christian Organization (ISC-GCO)
Short-term Goal: Expand practical support for international students (settling/moving help, driving assistance, transportation to visiting churches and driving tests); host cultural and social activities (e.g., Cherry Blossom Festival trip, potlucks, hikes, ice skating); establish weekly Bible studies and provide rides to church; build cross-cultural events that strengthen friendships and understanding; and pursue official UMBC recognition to increase visibility, outreach, and access to larger spaces.
Long-term Goal: Strengthen sustainability through active leadership, continued graduate student involvement, and formalized support programs; build lasting relationships among international students, locals, and alumni through an ongoing support network; develop future leaders through training and mentorship; and continue creating space for students to reflect on how faith, personal beliefs, and academics connect for holistic growth.
Contact Persons
Pranitha Jangam: p168@umbc.edu
Iranian Graduate Student Association (IGSA)
Goal: Host engaging cultural and social events, support incoming students, and deepen community involvement and connection.
Contact Persons
Parham Oveissi: parhamo1@umbc.edu
Latinx Hispanic Graduate Student Association
Short-term Goal: Host monthly social mixers/cafecitos to build community; organize cultural heritage events (e.g., Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month programming and Día de los Muertos); maintain an active social media presence with opportunities and member spotlights; collaborate with other student organizations to build intersectional solidarity; and offer academic/career workshops on topics like grant writing, navigating academia, and imposter syndrome.
Long-term Goal: Develop a welcome kit and launch a peer mentorship program for new and early-stage students; regularly survey members to guide programming; build a Latinx alumni network for mentorship and career pathways; and pursue institutional advocacy to strengthen Latinx representation, expand DEI initiatives, and increase Latinx visibility and dedicated spaces on campus.
Contact Persons
Elleora Velador Svoboda: no56975@umbc.edu
Nigerian Graduate Student Association
Short-term Goal: Build community, promote culture, and support new student onboarding.
Long-term Goal: Develop an alumni network and strengthen institutional partnerships and collaboration.
Contact Persons
Lekan Ajiboye: oajiboy1@umbc.edu
Pakistani Graduate Student Organization (Pak GSO)
Goal: Support incoming Pakistani students with a smooth transition and settlement, while strengthening community and fraternal bonds among Pakistani students. Promote awareness and appreciation of Pakistani culture through campus events, and provide a welcoming social space for students interested in Pakistani history, customs, and learning Urdu through shared conversation. Offer graduate students a supportive network with resources, guidance, and mentorship opportunities.
Contact Persons
Saad Khan: pgso@umbc.edu
Physics Graduate Student Association
Short-term Goal: Create a welcoming, safe space where students can unwind and connect through monthly events.
Long-term Goal: Strengthen connections across cohorts so newer graduate students transition more smoothly and can access resources, guidance, and mentorship from senior students.
Contact Persons
Joshua Richards: jrichar2@umbc.edu
Social Hub
Goal: Increase participation from the Department and host annual events.
Contact Persons
Neil Kpamegan: kneil1@umbc.edu
SPIE
Goal: Improve interdisciplinary communication and provide an environment to facilitate accessible learning skills.
Contact Persons
Codi Hrynko: chrynko1@umbc.edu
TESOL Club
Goal: Engage with more professional development events and build a more present community among TESOL professionals. Create an online presence for the program and the club.
Contact Persons
Maria Razcon Echeagaray: iranr1@umbc.edu