• There is no overall academic achievement gap at UMBC, and we must continue to increase the retention and graduation rates for students of all backgrounds.
• UMBC has a national reputation for producing Black leaders in fields ranging from public service and the arts to STEM and healthcare, and yet we must do an even better job of supporting our students and creating an inclusive classroom and campus experience as they prepare to serve and lead in the larger society.
• Increasing the proportion of underrepresented faculty at UMBC is a strategic priority of the University. This work has been supported by numerous initiatives, and yet we recognize that we have deeper institutional work to do if we are to succeed in recruiting, retaining, and promoting meaningful numbers of Black faculty and others from diverse backgrounds.
• UMBC offers a wealth of courses and programs that explore structural racism, and yet we must ensure that the academic and co-curricular experiences of all students include meaningful engagement with issues surrounding diversity, including race, national origin, gender, religion, ability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veterans status, and marital/family status. Our strategic plan, recently developed by faculty, staff, and students, recognizes this as a key priority, and we will begin planning for a major revision of our General Education Program in the coming months. 
• This work has not just begun. Over the past year, we have been working on several major organizational and personnel decisions, and our proactive approach has led to the promotion and hiring of several additional Black faculty and staff in senior positions. In addition, we created a new Office of Equity and Inclusion that is working with students, faculty, and staff on critical civil rights issues. And yet we know that success is never final. We have much work to do. 

• Dr. Kimberly Moffitt, director and professor, Language, Literacy, and Culture, and affiliate professor, Africana Studies
• Dr. Keisha Allen, assistant professor, Education
• Dr. Shawn Bediako, professor, Psychology
• Dr. Tyson King-Meadows, professor, Political Science, American Council on Education (ACE) fellow
• Ariana Arnold, Esq., Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion
• Dr. Jasmine Lee, Director of Inclusive Excellence, Student Affairs
• Dr. David Hoffman, Director, Center for Democracy and Civic Life

• The Division of Student Affairs has developed a five-part workshop series focused on equipping faculty and staff with the tools and skills to engage in ongoing advocacy, self-work, and self-care in response to ongoing racial injustice and our current climate. Sessions will be open to faculty and staff across campus. 
  
• There is a new [Free]dom Fridays weekly Webex. This student-centered program is designed to provide a virtual space to have an open dialogue about social justice and identity-based issues.
  
• The Black Faculty and Staff Association will be holding a Community Care Space for a facilitated discussion focusing on self-care, healing, shared processing, and resource sharing to support community members who may be feeling overwhelmed and angry. 
  
• The Office of Equity and Inclusion has created this resource for Inclusive Excellence in Action, which provides resources for allies who are interested in actively supporting those most directly impacted by systemic racism and recent events.

Dear UMBC Community,

We want to share with our campus this statement released today by the leadership of the University System of Maryland on deeply disturbing events that remind us of the structural racism that underlies our society. UMBC is proud to join our USM colleagues in this statement.

In addition to these acts of violence, the current pandemic has exacerbated many other systemic inequalities that persist in our society. Low-income families and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus and also face barriers to treatment and prevention resources. As the financial aspect of this crisis deepens, these families also struggle more than other groups with economic disenfranchisement, including job loss and resource scarcity.

As we reflect on current events, we deeply appreciate our UMBC community and its commitment to inclusive excellence. We also understand that this commitment requires all of us to do more to confront injustice in the world. We know that many in our communities are struggling right now. Even if we cannot be physically together to process this loss and the challenges that seem to surround us, we believe that our UMBC is uniquely situated to address these issues -- together. 

If you feel you have been affected by racism or discrimination, please know that the Office of Equity and Inclusion is available to support you. You can access their online reporting form here. The Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity is developing opportunities for us to learn more and connect on these issues, and The Center for Democracy and Civic Life has a variety of resources for students to explore their agency in making change. 

Students in need of emotional support are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center. Faculty and staff can access individual support through our Employee Assistance Program. During challenging times, it is more important than ever to be connected. Thank you for all you do to make UMBC a special community that prioritizes care, support, and, above all, inclusive excellence. 

Call for Papers

Mellon Emerging Scholars Conference

“Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Communities”

Thanks to generous support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Queens College has undertaken a three-year project led by faculty and students to advance understanding and formulate plans of action that foster diversity and inclusion in urban communities and higher education.  As part of this, the College will host a two-day conference to showcase research by emerging scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

The two-day conference will be held on November 13-14, 2017, on the Queens College campus located in the heart of the world’s most diverse urban place.  Our students hail from 150 different countries and speak 70 different languages.  The conference will afford ample opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and contribute to the professional development of the emerging scholars who participate as well as for students and faculty from across CUNY. A special reception for undergraduates, held on the first evening of the conference, will provide them a chance to meet and talk with conference presenters and attendees to learn more about shared fields of interest and careers in higher education.  Conference proceedings will be broadcast via the web and also captured for later podcasts, thus amplifying their impact.  Publication of selected papers as a book is also planned.  Finally, time will be set aside for interviews arranged in advance of the conference for open faculty positions at Queens College and other CUNY campuses to take advantage of this recruitment opportunity to enhance faculty diversity. 

Scholars, especially those in the early stage of their career, are invited to propose papers no more than 30 minutes in length. While limited travel and accommodation support will be provided, participants are encouraged to solicit funding support from their home institutions. 

Learn more about the conference by go to:

http://mellondiversity.qc.cuny.edu/

Learn more about Queens College by going to:  http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Pages/home.aspx

Please send a 250-word proposal and CV to:

Mellon Conference Program Committee

c/o Michael Wolfe, Dean of Social Sciences

Michael.Wolfe@qc.cuny.edu

Deadline:         August 15, 2017