*UPDATE: Check out some updates to our programs by going to this link.
Hello i3b community members,
As we approach this upcoming Fall semester, we look forward to welcoming you back to our virtual campus. We are excited to announce our Fall and Winter 2020 events calendar! Please see below for direct links on all the opportunities open to students, staff, faculty and alumni. If you miss any events, recordings, attendee list, and materials will be available in this Google Drive within one business week of the event unless otherwise specified**.
Questions or accessibility concerns? Please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff at mosaic@umbc.edu, interfaith@umbc.edu and/or at lgbtq@umbc.edu. For questions related to our Interact Program, please contact Ciara Christian at cichris1@umbc.edu.
-The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers staff
____________________________________________________________________AUGUST
Where My People At? Multicultural Engagement: A virtual Mosaic open house for new students
Tuesday, August 18, 2020 | 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers Virtual Open House: Check Out What We Have in Store in Our BRAND NEW Department!
Monday, August 24, 2020 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Lisa Gray |lisamgray@umbc.edu
SEPTEMBER
The Interact Dialogues Program Kick-Off (Session I)
Learn more about this cohort style program!
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | noon - 1 p.m.| Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
The Interact Dialogues Program Kick-Off (Session II)
Learn more about this cohort style program!
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
[Re] Fresh Friday: Processing Our Collective Grief: How to deal when everything is different
Friday, September 4, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00pm | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | Blackboard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Heidy George | hmg@umbc.edu
I.D.E.A.L. Student Facilitator Cohort Info Session
Learn about a BRAND NEW program to be a part of new change at UMBC!
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Mundo Lingo: COVID-19 International: The global response to the Coronavirus
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30pm | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | Blackboard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Heidy George | hmg@umbc.edu
[Free]dom Fridays: The Brown Power Movement and Liberation: The Brown Power Movement and the Continued Struggle for Immigrant Rights
Friday, September 18, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
OCTOBER
[Re]fresh Fridays: Healing from Difficult Dialogues: Coping with the aftermath of a challenging discussion
Friday, October 2, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
PAWTalks: Janel Martinez: Ain't I Latina?: Deconstructing Anti-Blackness in the Latine/x Community
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
National Coming Out Day Celebration: Celebrating our LGBTQ+ Journeys
Thursday, October 8, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
Retriever Immigrants United 2.0 Welcome**: A check-in conversation on your needs!
Thursday, October 15, 2020 | 12:00 -1:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
[Free]dom Fridays: The Yellow Power Movement: Exploring Asian-American movements for liberation & freedom
Friday, October 16, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
Where My People At? Community Lounge Space
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00pm
myUMBC Event Post: Link | Webex Events: LinkInterfaith Dialogues: Religion & Social Change: The historical and current role of religion in social change
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
NOVEMBER
[Cancelled]Bagels and Banter: Election Day Results: Now What?: Looking at what's to come for the next four years
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | 11:00am - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
[Re]Fresh Fridays: Caring for Our Bodies: A self-celebration of our bodies
Friday, November 6, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
[Cancelled] Bagels & Banter: Public Safety Re-Imagined: Deconstructing "Defund the Police" and "8 Can't Wait"
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
What’s the Tea? : Who is “Karen”?: More than Just a Meme
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
[Free]dom Fridays: The Red Power Movement: A discussion & celebration of Indigenous rights movements
Friday, November 20, 2020 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
Where My People At? Holiday Themed Discussion
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00pm
myUMBC Event Post: Link |Webex Event: Link
DECEMBER
[Cancelled] Pawsitive Bodies & Minds: COVID-19's Assault on Black & Brown Bodies: A Presentation on Race and COVID-19
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
How to Be a Better Ally: The Unemployed and SES Crisis: Look at what’s to come in 2021
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
Clear Mind, Calm Heart: You made it through 2020!: A holding space to process 2020
Wednesday, December 9, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
Retriever Immigrants United: Heritage, Family, and Culture**: A discussion on our culture and most meaningful relationships
Tuesday, December, 15, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Carlos Turcios | carlos6@umbc.edu
JANUARY
[Free]dom Fridays: Beyond MLK: Celebrating Obscured Black Power & Civil Rights Leaders
Friday, January 15, 2021 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
Primary Contact: Erin Waddles | waddles@umbc.edu
Where My People At? Identity-Based Engagement at UMBC
A virtual departmental open house for new students
[Postponed] SafeZone LGBTQ+ Allyship Workshop: Lite Edition: An Abbreviated LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop
Friday, January 22, 2021 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate
myUMBC Event Post: Link | BlackBoard Collaborate Session: Link
**No recording will be available for confidentiality purposes.
Spring & Summer 2021 Calendar (Link forthcoming)
Katie Poteet is a Global Studies and Political Science major with an Arabic minor, who will graduate in May 2021. She is a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar, a member of the Honors College, and a URA Scholar.
Title of your research project:Building a Nation: How National Service Requirements Affect Patriotic Sentiment
Describe your project: This project will investigate whether countries with mandatory military or civil service requirements for young adults also have higher levels of patriotism throughout the country. The results will help understand whether these policies are effective in increasing patriotism throughout a country.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
My mentor for this project is Dr. Carolyn Forestiere, Chair of the Political Science Department. I chose to research this topic under the supervision of Dr. Forestiere because she has extensive knowledge of Western Europe, which is the region I will be studying, and because I enjoyed working with her as a research assistant as she rewrote her book on research methods in political science over the spring semester. Dr. Forestiere is so encouraging and enthusiastic about research!
How did you become interested in this project?
I first thought of this research project during the fall of 2019 while taking POLI 301: Research Methods in Political Science with Dr. Forestiere. The topic was outside the scope of the class because our research projects had to focus on the United States, so I saved the idea until there was an opportunity to pursue it further. I chose to focus on Western European countries (in addition to a select number of Central and Eastern European countries) after talking with Dr. Forestiere because there are a number of countries in the region that have some type of mandatory service policies or have recently done away with them.
What has been the hardest part about your research? What was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
I expect to encounter many confounding variables that may be hard to identify. Many factors can influence citizens’ levels of patriotism that have nothing to do with mandatory service such as a widespread shared identity or a well-liked leader of the country. It will be difficult to determine whether high levels of patriotism are caused in part because most of the population has engaged in mandatory service, but I plan to do this by comparing many different countries with varying degrees of national service requirements and analyzing the differences in overall levels of patriotism in those countries.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part will be contributing to the larger conversation around national service requirements in the public policy sphere. There has not been a lot of research on this topic because researchers have traditionally focused on how one country’s patriotism changes when the country implements or removes a mandatory service requirement, which does not happen very frequently. I am excited to see if my approach will yield new results and help policymakers foster patriotism and high spirits in their countries, or whether such requirements should be phased out of the conversation.
How will you disseminate your research?
I plan to present my research at URCAD and submit my final paper to undergraduate research journals like the Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Public and International Affairs. This project will serve as my honors thesis for the political science department.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Sign up for a research methods class in your major or a related one! Even if it is not required to graduate, it can strengthen important analysis and writing skills that will be helpful for your future. It will also walk you through the research process step-by-step so you can understand the basics before starting your own research.
What are your career goals?
I want to be a researcher at an international affairs or public policy think tank and conduct research on transitional justice. I am currently interning at the Brookings Institution researching the intersection of climate change and girls’ education and I really enjoy the process of investigating an issue, writing up the findings, and sharing it with an audience. I plan to get my Ph.D. in human rights one day and work at an organization like Brookings, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or even the United States Institute of Peace.
Photo: Katie at the United States Institute of Peace (one of her dream jobs).
]]>Hello Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Center Community members,
As of July 1, 2020 Retriever Immigrants United became inactive as a student organization.However, we acknowledge the importance of supporting our fellow immigrant community members and wish to continue the good work set by previous RIU student leaders.
We are delighted to announce that starting Fall 2020, RIU will transition over to The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers as an ongoing discussion and support group self-identified immigrant students, as well as staff, faculty, and alumni. We are excited to see what new opportunities and connections this new iteration of RIU will bring to the UMBC immigrant community. Please note that this group is centers those who self-identify as first, 1.5, or second-generation immigrants regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status. This is subject to change according to attendees and potential event opportunities and initiatives. See below for a list of definitions.
As members of this page we encourage you to follow The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers myUMBC group page to stay up to date with upcoming RIU discussion topics. Our current sessions are scheduled for 10/15/2020 (Link) and 12/15/2020 (Link).
The RIU myUMBC group page may become inactive in the following months. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to former RIU Advisor, Carlos Turcios at carlos6@umbc.edu.
In solidarity,