UMBC staff, students, and alumni shared their expertise and contributed to national conversations on civic learning at several conferences in March. 

American Association for State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project Summit (Chicago, March 15-16)

Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff Dr. David Hoffman, director; Tess McRae ‘22, assistant director for connective learning; Ann Tropea, assistant director for engaged media; and Arisbeth Valencia, undergraduate student and SGA senator, participated in this annual summit. Dr. Hoffman spoke at the opening plenary session about the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Theory of Change, a set of guiding ideas for the American Democracy Project for which he was the lead author. 

UMBC alumnae Romy Hübler '09, M.A. '11, Ph.D. '15, director, Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Towson University, and and Markya Reed '18, M.A.'23, assistant director of operations, Center for Social Concern, Johns Hopkins University, also spoke during the opening session. 

In addition, along with Dr. Timothy Eatman, professor of urban education and dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community at Rutgers University-Newark, and Dr. Justin Vaughn, professor and director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership, Coastal Carolina University, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Hübler co-led a design lab focused on building connections necessary to create and sustain a thriving democracy across professional roles, institutions, and communities.

Dr. Hoffman serves as a member of the ADP Steering Committee and Tess McRae is UMBC’s campus liaison.

Compact26 (Chicago, March 15-17)

In addition to Dr. Hoffman, McRae, Tropea, and Valencia, Matt Hoffman, director of the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Pluralism; Eric Ford, executive director of public service programs, Shriver Center; and Uday Sharad Joshi, TRHT community arts specialist, Shriver Center, participated. Matt Hoffman co-led a session called “Promoting Pluralism Practices in Higher Education” with colleagues from Interfaith America/AASCU’s Pluralism Cohort. The panel was organized by Cassie Meyer, director of campus partnerships for Interfaith America. Hoffman shared about the work that he has been doing with Dr. Jasmine Lee in the Division of Institutional Equity and Dr. Renique Kersh to promote civic pluralism on campus at UMBC.

Valencia wrote a reflection on her participation in the ADP Summit and Compact26 on LinkedIn.

SNF Ithaca Leadership Summit (Newark, DE, March 19)

Dr. Hoffman participated in this gathering of about 40 academic leaders to address “Advancing Constructive Engagement through Civil Discourse.”

The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) was proudly represented at NASPA's 2026 Annual Conference in Kansas City, where a dynamic group of professionals contributed to national conversations on belonging, leadership, and student success.

Attendees included staff from across the division. Together, they engaged in professional development, networking, and knowledge-sharing with colleagues from across the country.

VPSA

• Ebony Brown, Executive Coordinator

• Briana Lawson, Director of Staff Culture and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

• Dr. Rae Chresfield, Director of Health and Wellbeing

Residential Life

• DiAvanti Bedford, Assistant Director for Residential Education for Conduct & Care

• Ka'Lynn Ruth, Graduate Assistant, Residential Experience

Student Belonging

• Jennifer Artis, Director of Student Life and Success for Graduate, Adult Learners, and Commuters 

• Mitchell Everett, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Life

• Griselda Flores, Director, Essential Needs and Connections

• Angelina Jenkins, Assistant Director, The Mosaic Center

• Serena Studivant, Assistant Director, Commuter Student Success

Student Engagement

• Tori Ciorra, Assistant Director, Student Organizations

• Jen Ewing Fox, Assistant Director, Leadership and Governance

• Lesa Goodhue, Special Assistant to the Dean of Students

DoSA's presence was especially impactful through several conference presentations. Highlights included sessions on impostor syndrome and graduate student wellbeing, commuter and adult learner belonging, supervision best practices, professional development for frontline staff, and identity-based experiences in higher education. These presentations reflected the division's strong commitment to advancing inclusive excellence and supporting diverse student populations.

Studivant showcased the Commuter Connections initiative through two poster presentations, further elevating the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for commuter students. Her work was recognized nationally with a NASPA Excellence Award, highlighting DoSA's leadership in advancing commuter student success and belonging.

NASPA 2026 provided an opportunity for DoSA staff to both learn from and contribute to the field of student affairs. The conference experience reinforced the institution's ongoing dedication to fostering belonging, innovation, and student-centered practices.

DoSA continues to lead with purpose, amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and shaping the future of higher education.

If you have leftover food after an event, please consider sharing that real-time information with the campus community! 

Retriever Essentials is now using an app called Share Meals which is an upgrade from the previous "Where's Free Food At" notification board. This app allows anyone to post about food left over at campus wide events. To get started, download the appvia iOS or Android and log in using your university credentials. If you are publicizing food, please indicate the start and end time for when food is available for grabs, not when the event itself starts and ends.

Elle Enomanna is a Political Science major with a minor in History, and a member of the Honors College.

Title: The Erasure of Jane Crow from the Modern Legal System

Mentor: Dr. Michelle Scott

Come see Elle's oral presentation at URCAD on April 22:  1:35-1:50pm in RAC 106.

Abstract:

Black feminist studies scholars and journalists are calling the 2020s the new Era of Jane Crow (the double jeopardy of racism and sexism),as Black women’s rights are being eroded. How did the legal systems of the United States of America go from integrating activist Pauli Murray’s 'Jane Crow' theory into its laws in the 1960s to today, where Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old Black woman in Georgia, was forced to carry her baby to term, well after her brain death?  This project is a critical historical and legal analysis of the impact of Jane Crow on American society, drawing on Murray’s autobiography, their mid-twentieth-century legal scholarship, Supreme Court cases from the 1940s to the present, as well as congressional debates over the Equal Rights Amendment. In doing so, this project analyzes how Jane Crow shaped, or failed to shape, the Human Rights doctrine and statutes of today. In short, this project argues that the modern American legal system's failure to fully integrate Murray’s theory of Jane Crow into law has only increased Black women’s vulnerability, whether it is in the workforce or the doctor’s office.

For more info:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Hello Everyone!

Retriever Essentials will have a delayed opening until 1:00pm due to restocking from our Maryland Food Bank delivery. 

Please plan your trip accordingly, and we apologize for any inconviences. 

This Thursday, April 2, 2026, Cycle with Paula will be subbed by Zumba with Ashley Stop by the RAC Studio 144 at 8 p.m. for a 50-minute cardio dance workout! 

Hungry for some treats? Stop by our table at the Commons Breezeway on Tuesday, April 7, from 11:00 Am to 2:00 PM to purchase some pastries and drinks! From cookies and brownies to matcha, we've got something for everyone. Grab a friend or two and enjoy!

See you then!

Kaitlin Worzalla is a URA Scholar and Geography and Environmental Systems major.

Title: Human Presence in Fragile Spaces: A Study of Antarctic Tourism

Mentor: Charles Kaylor

Come see her oral presentation at URCAD on April 22:  9:20-9:35am, in RAC 230

Abstract:

As Antarctica faces the effects of climate change and increased tourist activity, understanding the intersection between human presence and ecological sensitivity is critical. Using data collected during a December 2025 expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, this research provides insights into Antarctic tourism through geospatial analysis, wildlife observations, and evaluation of visitor protocols. This project’s significance lies in the findings around the extensive and complex governance surrounding human activity below 60° South. While extensive regulatory frameworks and biosecurity protocols were in place and effectively minimized environmental disturbance, these same regulations had loopholes and appeared fragile. It additionally revealed opportunities for citizen science initiatives that contributed to ongoing wildlife conservation and environmental science efforts. Finally, it showed that tourism vessels function not only as recreational platforms, but also as logistical supports for seasonal research stations. In terms of a warming planet, polar regions are widely considered to be Earth’s climate regulators. As traveling to Antarctica becomes more accessible and popular, it is important that we continue to monitor the impacts of tourism in polar regions and enact responsible tourism practices that can act as models for other tourist destinations.

For more info:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Just a reminder that the deadline for summer Public Health internal internship applications is Wednesday, April 1. Fall semester deadline is May 1. External internships can be secured up to the first day of classes for each semester. Internships are one of the required experiential learning options for Public Health majors. Majors must also register for PBHL 470 or 471 and PRAC 98 in the semester they complete their internship. Minors can not register for PBHL 470 or 471, or apply for internal positions, but are welcome to use the Department resources to secure an internship if they are interested. 

On behalf of the  teaching and learning strategic planning subcommittee, we would like to invite all faculty to a town hall to solicit faculty input on the teaching and learning pillar statement and goals for the strategic plan. 

Virtual Faculty Town Hall: Tuesday, April 7, 4:00 - 5:00 pm; Register to attend here.  

MyUMBC event posting: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/planning/events/152905

In-person Faculty Town Hall: Wednesday, April 8, 12:00 - 1:00 pm; Engineering 027

MyUMBC event posting: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/planning/events/152889

All members of the UMBC community may contribute input at: https://umbc.edu/leadership/strategic-plan/