--- title: Find Your Community and the Resources to Support You date: 2026-09-01T13:24:00-04:00 author: Bradley Bower canonical_url: "https://provost.umd.edu/news/find-your-community-and-the-resources-to-support-you" section: News --- # Find Your Community and the Resources to Support You *September 1, 2026* — by Bradley Bower > Sent to the UMD Campus Community on September 1, 2026 Dear Campus Community, Another academic year is underway, bringing with it new classes, people and routines. As the semester picks up, we want to remind our community about the support available to you, whether you’re looking to get more involved on campus, take care of your well-being and/or simply find your place here at Maryland. **Making Connections** Finding your community takes time, and it can look different for everyone. This semester, we encourage you to explore something new, connect with peers and find the people, places and experiences that make Maryland feel like home. For students, one great place to start is the [First Look Fair](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJpsv7hYem1vQWs0INf3dximpmXvDe5D2zZuSyaFfyYK_8dM4ti_h_KB6IIeyYHtC4sY2nyggZ_Z4mitdAkVV6eW2B3kUE4Yt6Q "First Look Fair") on Thursday, September 10, on McKeldin Mall. The fair brings together hundreds of [student organizations](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJpswMTabJdyQExaB6ARvxac8bcDoJEhJ3zk6VBJES1R0Dm3-yrXC4K71BbUuGmhqV0gN1otGCwnla4wR81uytGIEYx5HgMpmQQ "student organizations") and offers opportunities to explore your interests and find communities that speak to you. Our campus offers many other ways for everyone to get involved. Enjoy a performance at [The Clarice](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJpsxLNRHXk6TvjHDxacSAtRfTT6gkUJbXfS8wu22PfbYRjkJiN9tDkAYwMUrsi6QCLpPTjM5ClHncNQU2G6U1cTJYHfC39DFhA "The Clarice"), cheer on the Terps at one of our [athletic events](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJpsyIn_-uzZ9eQknqwOyF_os1PAXTv56MeoITWGFYYRbJ4gKY7fovtli67oQPJVrqGzaG60HMIQ2TLHMGkQNbuVbK2vsrJyIYA "athletic events"), take part in a [UMD Tradition](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJpsz8MpPS6q3cWirGJJkWT4p5Aj2lnM43-W0u9CerNLEIELhNr9kKhwfSTnw_MT4WmHsjUlnw9Is-VSy9sWH5TBYrBV5xuFgoA "UMD Tradition") or contribute to the community through a [service project](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps0On9nejAiXlvxGmBbnhaR6pzuf_5kEe0q__WU3DLTlDvB_e4bljwA5Dgq1P8vD0qCEK6EqcGVzrjnzG8RGsDb2DuxyvVThQ "service project"). These experiences, and so many others, are yours to explore this year. **Resources to Support You** As you navigate the year ahead, please remember that you do not have to do it alone. UMD offers many resources to support your well-being, address challenges and help you succeed: - [**Mental Health and Well-Being Website**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps1byMJLSStS455ewxdzAHk07q62B13txiUUW0XVrJBqFianX2Lkb_gDPDfsRMVhq1ei212D5qtGHKFqnl1Ew3dZwwfnS0Vng "Mental Health and Well-Being Website"): Connects students, faculty, staff and Terp families to mental health and wellness resources across campus. - [**The Thrive Center for Essential Needs**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps2ZRC7L9D4FvpkvA18086-KT3XcjKk3aMG33TWTxN3A3Z0XCBNFj0mNc3POKgaFNZtuuJbs0PIYJKCbQbuliiAx7WxKGfI1A "The Thrive Center for Essential Needs"): Provides both short-term emergency support and long-term support services that address the most essential needs necessary for student well-being, belonging, academic success and thriving, which includes the [**Campus Pantry**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps3_CdYxuCXYfAylhqvTG4rU4CBy_r9EoLkiHFk8vpBjEAsRO5EuIl7GiodYwhW0R8baW0nfFcfKO80WuY8Qao47qpGxq6RXw "Campus Pantry"), also available to faculty and staff, and the [**Financial Wellness Center**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps4u-tO022ndARKITrTsvEP--aC8ZfNx7DvsnSD3CUh5V8qX4lryEUr2tCJ8Wyt0W9Rb7sTg1GEE2Y-0W7gzpgaZEqyQFstiA "Financial Wellness Center"). - [**UMD Counseling Center**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps5mS1m_oYMT4eM0RVE2RzCptp3ADyhjT2SfG35YtqdDvBOCBubaOAy2ap-SypoU1BO_S3aWIXv2vKZIcrHy4We156T6WNFYQ "UMD Counseling Center"): Offers programs, workshops, clinical services and other resources designed to support student well-being. It also offers consultative services for faculty and staff concerned about students’ well-being. - [**UMD Health Center**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps6ErjXG03EIca_EEVTegS2-dtIsA8AFHi5R58UdFLXs87VtXGc9mBuOn5HRbngiVnayyr4cZ1H8XWeSAnoH8h8xvJHczFbBw "UMD Health Center"): Provides wellness and advocacy services for all campus members and offers the [**Faculty Staff Assistance Program**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps77R1ikLjTW37YgKIj8xN3o_QlSPHOCnJW20_6D4hkLomfy7MrGMWAU6FLkLj1GpFZ3JT7wd2nYRMoA3xWc4eaK2AiD_KCOQ "Faculty Staff Assistance Program"), which supports employees through counseling and referral services. - [**Belonging & Community at UMD**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps8Q9eC4wngbhVI_1VtDeF2vkTw9aFPwiVnN_WSZYlm3dorsO_Qz9exQqkfylLFrgO0thdGF2Xvbc3HR0y-gdhE7vA9mzkoxQ "Belonging & Community at UMD"): Connects students, faculty and staff with resources including [**Bias Incident Support Services**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps9sxHkCR9EC0ruJNvdpzw6Byeu4ayrUOZmwyDKDrWQGpNvyQ2MBxN_WOTYrIIUK2wnveUmQLcVMBwFaa0pWJLOlbXrurf0Nw "Bias Incident Support Services"), [**Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps-Rpyc-n5Cnlmrf6u-zDYagvUWBa1QEnNaB8Q4hNkYQL_7AsQb4hLrTLO74WQ7hmly3kBo9wVNlJIwMn67bz2qizisUDHnow "Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct"), and [**TerrapinSTRONG Education**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5ODZ9AAsAAAAABGxOJps_AXmKDvC4w4MwgOL2hju48iibxxENPod_oI0YonoI1fkRATos61MrXcHTNKyrxyhKuYRnXe1_KdxHDJbJoNC4YZSIwUK4-g "TerrapinSTRONG Education") that foster a sense of belonging and strengthen our campus community. Remember, Terps, asking for help is a sign of strength. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources and services available to you, reach out when you need support and look for opportunities to connect with others throughout the year. We are grateful you are part of our Terrapin family, and wish you a happy and successful academic year ahead. Sincerely, **Darryll Pines Signature** **Darryll J. Pines** *President, University of Maryland* **Signature of Jennifer King Rice** **Jennifer King Rice** *Senior Vice President and Provost* **Patty Perrillo Signature** **Patricia A. Perillo** *Vice President for Student Affairs*