Role within the Division: Asst Vice President for Accessibility & Disability Services

How long have you been at UMBC? : 11 years UMBC, 1.5 DOIE

How would you describe your role within the Division of Institutional Equity?

I serve as a partner and ally in the Division's equity and inclusion efforts, leading and supporting UMBC's work to advance disability access. My role centers on fostering the creation of proactive, welcoming, and disability-inclusive practices, initiatives, and policies across the university. I view accessibility as a core equity priority, a moral imperative, a legal requirement, and a central focus and passion of my work within DOIE. I am committed to cultivating a university community that works collectively and collaboratively to eliminate barriers that limit the full and equitable participation of students, staff, and visitors with disabilities. My vision is one of lasting disability culture change—where programs, services, classes, facilities, and daily operations are universally designed for all of us; where accommodations become obsolete because access is already built in; and where disability identity is recognized as a strength of our diverse community.

Can you share a moment or experience that shaped your passion for equity and inclusion work?

It is difficult to name a single moment, as my "why" has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences that continue to influence and deepen my commitment. As a person with multiple disabilities, a mother of children with disabilities, and a daughter, sister, cousin, colleague, and friend to people with disabilities, disability identity and lived experience have been a constant presence in my life. Experiencing and witnessing barriers, setbacks, exclusion, and bias have continually fueled my passion for advancing disability access and inclusion work. I have dedicated my career to being in service to people with disabilities and have found purpose and belonging in promoting disability awareness, acceptance, and inclusion in higher education, where I believe meaningful and lasting change is possible.  

What is one initiative or project you're currently working on that excites you?

I'd be remiss if I didn't shout "Digital Accessibility" from the rooftops as the answer to this one! I have had the opportunity to work as part of an incredible team across multiple divisional offices on the creation of a roadmap and plan for ensuring that all of UMBC's digital web content is accessible to individuals with disabilities by April 2026, the deadline given by the Department of Justice's final rule updating the regulations of Title II of the ADA. This is exciting as it is a huge step forward in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for our disability community and a demonstration of our commitment to becoming an inclusively excellent university. We were given a limited timeline and resources to meet this goal, and in true UMBC fashion, the village has come together to make tremendous progress in a short time. I am so proud to be a part of this moment in UMBC history.

Outside of work, what's something that brings you joy or helps you recharge?

Exercise! I'm an avid Pilates and barre lover, I enjoy the gym and group classes, and love the outdoors, hiking, and adventuring with my family. A bad day for me can turn around just like that once the endorphins are flowing.

Can you share a book/quote/movie or something others can engage with from your perspective of inclusive excellence.

"Sometimes the greatest gift you can give another person is to simply include them." -Unknown

This semester's series is designed to support staff and faculty in building more inclusive, effective, and human-centered practices. These interactive workshops focus on translating reflection into action through concrete tools, strategies, and key takeaways participants can apply in their roles. Each session emphasizes inclusive leadership, relationship-centered practices, and humanizing approaches to fostering learning, engagement, and beloved community across campus.

Session Topics

1. Skills for Cross-Cultural Mentoring

Presented by Dr. Christa Porter

Dr. Christa J. Porter is an Associate Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture and the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at UMBC. Her scholarship and leadership are grounded in Black feminist and intersectional frameworks, with a focus on identity, development, and praxis in higher education. Dr. Porter is a nationally recognized scholar and mentor, with extensive publications and multiple awards for teaching, mentoring, and service. Her work centers Black women's experiences and advances equity-focused, identity-conscious mentorship in academic spaces. 
View event details here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/150444

2. Skills to Center Humanity in the Academy: Responding to Anti-DEI Efforts Across Higher Education

Presented by Dr. Alex C. Lange & Dr. Jasmine A. Lee

Dr. Alex C. Lange is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director in the School of Education at Colorado State University. Alex studies how college affects students' learning and development during and after their enrollment. Using this knowledge, they help higher education professionals and researchers fulfill their institutions' missions of learning, inclusion, and transformation for all members of campus communities. Prior to being a faculty member, they worked in various units on college campuses, including LGBTQ student services, intercultural dialogue, student organization advising, leadership education, and alumni services.

Dr. Jasmine A. Lee, the co-presenter, is a higher education and social justice scholar-practitioner with over 18 years of experience fostering inclusive environments for students, staff, and faculty through direct programming and strategic leadership. Beyond higher education, they partner with K–12 schools, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to provide training, consulting, coaching, and organizational change support. Their scholarship and practice focus on dialogue, inclusive excellence, organizational culture, and social justice. Widely published and recognized with multiple awards, the co-presenter is known for advancing equity-driven change across educational and community contexts. Dr. Lee serves as the Associate Vice President of Community & Culture and Co-director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue at UMBC.
View event details here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/150442

Register for sessions here: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YzNS55VsUBvkuG

To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with us via email, culture.umbc.edu, with "[INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE IN ACTION]" in the subject line. All sessions are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

DOIE @ Good Morning Commuters
February 17 | 8:30 am - 11: 00am | True Grits

The Division will be tabling at GMC, come connect with us over breakfast and learn more about our programs, resources and support for our campus community.

Accessibility Tour: Wayfinding, Skywalks, and Resources

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a guided tour of UMBC's "Campus on a Hill" on February 11 & 23. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and this is a great opportunity to learn about campus accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally! Registration and additional information about the tours can be found here: [February 11] [February 23].

Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities Under Title IX
February 6 & 9 | Virtual

These virtual training sessions will cover topics such as an overview of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR); what constitutes prohibited conduct under university policy; responding to a disclosure; procedures for reporting and resolving reports of prohibited conduct; trauma-informed care; confidentiality; and other applicable policies and procedures. Each training session will last approximately 50 minutes, and the Webex link will be sent to registrants within 24 hours of the training time. Please use the links below to register:  [February 6] [February 9].

Circles for Beloved Community
February 18 | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | University Center 302

Join us for our first Circles for Beloved Community—facilitated spaces for faculty and staff to gather and build trust and understanding. These circles offer an opportunity to slow down, connect across roles and experiences, and practice being in community together. Register here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/149920

Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations

February is Black History Month! Engage with our 'Read, Watch, Listen & Participate' post.

Critical Social Justice Week

Join us for Critical Social Justice Week, a multifaceted and interdisciplinary programming initiative that explores social justice in both theory and practice from academic, activist, and artistic perspectives. Click here to learn about past Critical Social Justice themes. The WGEC and CSJD have the following lineup of events for our campus community to engage with for the week.

Cup Filling Through Activism: Supporting Student Organizers through Community, Care, and Capacity Building
February 7 | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Sondheim 101

Racial Healing Panel
February 11 | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | University Library Gallery

Chat and Chew: All About Love by bell hooks
February 25 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | University Library Gallery

Discussion Group Meetings

Join the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center this month for weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces such as Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, Returning Adult Learners, Athletics Group, Between Femmes, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group.

Mandatory Annual Title IX Student Training

UMBC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the campus community and is committed to maintaining a campus environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. To help meet these goals, UMBC requires all students to complete an online educational program covering topics such as consent, bystander intervention, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and related issues. All students are required to complete this training at the start of each academic year. The online training can be accessed through UMBC's Vector Solutions login page. For questions, please see the Student Training FAQ page or email ecrtraining@umbc.edu.

Note: All programs, events, and opportunities are open to full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and University nondiscrimination policies.

1. The Influence of Unconscious Bias in Decision Making (Faculty Search Committees): This course focuses on how unconscious bias can shape each stage of faculty hiring—from defining qualifications to evaluating candidates and making final recommendations.

Participants will:

• Understand how implicit judgments can influence faculty search processes.

• Learn strategies to increase fairness and consistency in evaluations.

• Explore practices that support equitable, inclusive search outcomes aligned with institutional values.

Participants will:

• Build awareness of common forms of unconscious bias and how they appear in decision-making.

• Examine the impact of bias on communication, supervision, and collaboration.

• Practice tools that support more informed, equitable workplace behaviors and choices.

In-Person Training: Mitigating Bias in Supervision, Recruitment, Selection, and more.

Available Facilitators: Jasmine A. Lee, Associate Vice President for Community & Culture/Co-Director of Social Justice Dialogue, Walter Parrish, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Ciara R. Christian, Co-Director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue, Sy Simms, Learning and Development Specialist

The division provides a general workshop and tailored training sessions to equip participants with tools to recognize and interrupt unconscious bias throughout the recruitment and selection process, daily interactions, leadership and supervision, and more. Drawing from real-world examples and research, the session highlights how unexamined assumptions about "fit," qualifications, experience, and potential can influence decision-making in recruitment and selection, as well as shape daily supervisory practices, workplace interactions, and overall team dynamics.

During this session, participants will:

• Learn common types of unconscious bias that emerge throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Explore how bias manifests differently in staff versus faculty processes.

• Reflect on personal and systemic patterns of bias.

• Engage in hands-on exercises to strengthen decision-making and minimize bias in interviews and assessments.

• Practice strategies to promote equitable treatment at every stage of the employee life cycle.

• Consider how to embed bias mitigation into search committee norms, policies, and evaluation tools

• Identify key moments where bias can enter the recruitment and selection cycle.

• Apply actionable strategies to reduce bias and support equitable candidate experiences.

• Distinguish between individual and structural bias—and address both in practice.

• Align hiring processes with UMBC's commitments to fairness, diversity, and excellence.

We encourage all campus partners to take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen our shared culture of equity and belonging.

For questions about registering, scheduling, or determining the best session for your role, please visit culture.umbc.edu or contact the Community & Culture team at culture@umbc.edu.

Learn More & Get Involved!

Co-Chair, Campus Climate Workgroup