At the October 2025 Imagining America (IA) National Gathering, Dr. David Hoffman, Ph.D. '13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life was honored with IA's Randy Martin Spirit Award. The annual award recognizes an individual who embodies the unique combination of qualities that made the late Dr. Randy Martin, professor of art and policy in the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, a beloved and valued member of the IA community. It is presented to a professional "working in and/or in-partnership with higher education who consistently achieve excellence and demonstrate original thinking and approaches in at least 3 of the areas in which Randy Martin excelled: scholarship, artistry, pedagogy, mentorship, and institutional leadership/administration. Recipients will be people who, within all their professional roles, exude the many of the human qualities for which Randy will always be remembered: generosity, sincerity, humor, joy, curiosity, clowning, and an irrepressible joie de vivre."

"There are few staff members that I have worked with in my 20+ years in higher education who truly enact the values of their position and unit more effectively than David Hoffman," said Dr. James DeVita, assistant vice president for academic partnerships and high-impact experiences. "Not only does David demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supporting students, staff, faculty, and all who engage with UMBC in experiencing the true meaning of community, he does so by enacting the values of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life in every aspect of his work."

Dr. DeVita added, "David regularly goes above and beyond as a member of the UMBC community by embodying the Retriever spirit in both his on and off-campus engagement, producing scholarship in the field of higher education, and contributing to numerous local and national efforts to enhance civic engagement that have made him--and UMBC's campus--a recognized leader in the field. This award appropriately honors David for both who he is as a person and as a professional."

In their nomination, Dr. Romy Hübler '09, M.A. '11, Ph.D. '15; Markya Reed,'18, M.A.'23, and Tess McRae '22, assistant director for connective learning, Center for Democracy and Civic Life, stated, "David Hoffman exemplifies Randy Martin's generous, sincere, curious, and joyful spirit through his mentorship, original thinking, and institutional leadership. As a celebrated civic engagement leader with 22 years of transformative contributions at UMBC and in national organizations, he has had a positive influence in the lives of thousands of students and colleagues, including the three of us. We each worked with David as students and continue to do so now as community engagement professionals. (Dr. Hübler is director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility at Towson University, and previously served as associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. Reed is assistant director of operations at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Social Concern. She was a graduate assistant with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. McRae was a student intern with the Center for four years.) 

Join us for Thrive Fest 2025, a celebration of mindfulness, wellness, and community! Thrive Fest offers opportunities to relax, connect, and recharge through creative activities, discussions, and self-care sessions.

Click the links below to learn more about each event and add them to your calendar. 

Wednesday, November 12 – Chai Chats: Look to the Future

Chai Chats @ The Mosaic (Commons 2B23) | 12–1 PM

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic/events/148129

Thursday, November 13 – ThriveFest 

Restore @ Lower Flat Tuesdays, 9:00 - 11:30: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/thegatheringspace/events/148248

Nourish @ Lower Flat Tuesdays, 12:00 - 2:00: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/thegatheringspace/events/148249

QT Hangout @ UC 101, 1:00-3:00: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/thepridecenter/posts/154303

Free Farmers Market @ ACC, 2:00 - 2:45:

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/retrieveressentials/events/146009

Explore @ Lower Flat Tuesdays, 2:30 - 4:30: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/thegatheringspace/events/148250

Queer Connect Cafe @ The Commons 318, 3:00 - 5:00: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/thepridecenter/events/148246 

Stop by our Mainstreet table from 10 AM – 4 PM for giveaways and info!

Thursday, November 20 – Thrive On

Dinner with the Center for Democracy & Civic Life @ UC 312, 5:30 - 7:30 (RSVP REQUIRED)

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/civiclife/events/148274

In the fall of 2024, Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design Katie Heater '09, visual arts, and MFA '13, imaging and digital arts, was invited by Dr. Renique Kersh, vice president for student affairs, to collaborate on a visual art initiative to highlight and promote UMBC's commitment to inclusive excellence. Dr. Kersh wanted to explore how this core value could be reflected visually in several locations in The Commons – a student-centered building – through the eyes of UMBC students. "Place is so important to building community, and it is even more meaningful when students have a voice in how that place is formed," Dr. Kersh said.

In response, Heater integrated the project into her spring 2025 Professional Practices in Graphic Design course, a senior/junior-level seminar and studio class that provides students the opportunity to apply design thinking while gaining professional skills and real world, client-facing experience. The students were tasked with exploring what inclusive excellence means to them and then developed ways to visually represent these ideas within the building.

Through class discussions and reflection, students defined inclusive excellence as "UMBC's commitment to equality and engagement which enriches the diverse community and its dedication to multiculturalism, academic success, and honors everyone who studies, works, and lives here"; "A culture that celebrates diversity, honors the complex and varied lives of students and staff, and allows members of the community to become the driving force behind the way the institution functions"; and "When diversity meets representation."

Over the course of several weeks, students were divided into three design teams, each with a designated creative lead. Each group created visual language, mockups, and processes by which to create site-specific artworks in The Commons. Students then formally presented their work to Dr. Kersh, along with Student Affairs Communications and Marketing (SACM) and Commons facilities leadership and staff, who provided constructive feedback on their ideas.

"I was really wowed by the students' presentations," said Heater. "It blew me away, seeing how they distilled their ideas and experiences about inclusive excellence at UMBC, from their own experiences to their classmates', and as part of a community."

While only one artwork was expected to be chosen, two initiatives received the green light to move forward and become prominent installations at the west entrance and in the Mezzanine Gallery. Over the remainder of the semester, groups refined their work to incorporate feedback and meet professional standards while maintaining the integrity of their original artistic visions.

Seniors also expressed their gratitude at being invited to contribute meaningfully to the visual fabric of the UMBC community before they graduate.

Petra Janka '25 said, "ART 426, Professional Practices in Graphic Design, has been such an encouraging and eye-opening course. One of the things I've valued most is how the class prepares us for the real world—especially in terms of professional expectations and how to navigate them. The Division of Student Affairs project is definitely a highlight for me. It gave us a real sense of what it's like to collaborate as a team on a client-focused project, from brainstorming ideas to presenting a final product. It taught us how important it is to listen closely, adapt our ideas to meet client needs, and work together to bring a shared vision to life. 

"It's been a great experience—definitely a meaningful challenge to dive into and really explore what inclusive excellence means, not just as an academic term but within the context of our own community."

The project, part of UMBC's Arts+ initiative, was completed and installed by commonvision students Shomapti Hussein '25 and Thomas Hammond '25, under the print and installation guidance of Tori Richner '22, print production associate, and the supervision of SACM staff. (Pictured in thumbnail)

All members of the UMBC community are invited to spend time with these installations, reflect on what inclusive excellence means to them, and engage in discussions with fellow community members.