What is the Graduate Student Retention and Intervention Team (GRIT)?
In an effort to better support the progress of our graduate student population, the Graduate Student Retention and Intervention Team (GRIT) was created to identify, monitor, and support graduate students facing significant obstacles to timely progress. Members of the GRIT team directly advise and support graduate students, advocate for them and liaise with their program/dept as requested, and refer/connect them to resources on campus that can assist them. Please note that GRIT supports graduate student concerns in a complimentary fashion to university-wide Retriever CARE group, which focuses on mental health support and behavioral intervention – all mental health related concerns submitted to GRIT will be redirected to Retriever CARE. GRIT also triages with other campus units including ISSS/CGE, the Library, general counsel, ECR, and RIH when necessary.
As trends arise, the GRIT can make recommendations for changes in practice and policy (to the Graduate School, to the Colleges, etc.) that improve student success.
Who is on GRIT?
- Robin Cresiski, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development & Postdoctoral Affairs
- Sunji Jangha, Senior Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs & Special Initiatives
- Ravi Kuber, Associate Dean of the Graduate School
- Jennifer Artis, Director, Student Life & Success
- Patricia Winborn, Director, Pathways, Progressions & Graduation
- Yarazeth Medina, Assistant Director for Graduate Student & Postdoc Development
- Justine Johnson, Assistant Dean, Inclusive Excellence, College of Natural Mathematical Sciences
How are graduate students referred to GRIT?
Please use this referral link to refer yourself or a graduate student to GRIT: https://umbc-advocate.symplicity.com/collections/gs_grit
Referrals are welcome from graduate students, faculty, staff, peers or other UMBC community members.
If you would like to ask a question or inquire about serving on GRIT, please email GradGrit@umbc.edu)