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Dear UMBC Community,
On behalf of the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Graduate Student Appreciation Week a memorable and meaningful celebration.
From engaging events and thoughtful moments of connection to the energy and care behind the scenes, this week was a true reflection of the dedication and brilliance that defines our graduate student community—and the incredible staff, faculty, and campus partners who support them.
We were especially proud to recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and excellence continue to shape UMBC for the better at this year’s GSA Awards. Please join us in celebrating the 2025 award recipients:
We also wish to recognize our Honorable Mentions:
To every graduate student, staff member, faculty ally, and community partner—thank you. Your commitment, creativity, and collaboration made this week truly special. We are grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to uplift and support UMBC’s graduate student community.
With gratitude,
The Office of Graduate Student Life & Graduate Student Association
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Culture building is the intentional process of developing and nurturing a set of shared values, beliefs, and practices within an organization or community. Culture builders are actors who intentionally seek to foster a positive and productive environment.
Especially during times of deep societal polarization and loss of shared humanity, an inclusive and equitable culture benefits and requires everyone; we all have a role to play in building the culture we want to see.
The new Culture Builders series will host a community conversation each semester focused on connecting community and culture across difference. The series is designed to engage topics and ideas grounded in shared community values, beliefs, and practices that pull us closer to a more loving and just campus. Join us for engaging lectures and community dialogues.
Inaugural Culture Builders Speaker: Kazu Haga
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 4:30 - 6 PM
Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn: Gallery
Kazu Haga is a trainer, educator, student, and practitioner with over 25 years of experience in nonviolence and restorative justice. He weaves in lessons from decades of Buddhist practice and trauma healing work to advance social change and collective healing.
20 participants will be randomly selected to receive a copy of Haga's 2025 book: Fierce Vulnerability: Healing from Trauma and Emerging through Collapse or a copy of Haga's 2020 book: Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm.
Please see here for the original event page and RSVP.
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This event is 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.
This is a friendly reminder to please join us for the:
Joining Virtually via Webex:
Meeting link: https://umbc.webex.com/umbc/j.php?MTID=m33da4138c931fbfc00592ef4a1f9847f
Meeting number: 2868 423 5099
Cohosts:
Celso Guitian; Daniel Teage; Stephanie Lazarus; Tawny L McManus
Join by phone
+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.
We look forward to being in community with you!
This event is 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.
UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all. Mask use is welcome. Captioning is available, ASL is available upon request. Accessible seating is within the presentation space along with a variety of video displays for ease of viewing. For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, please email slazar@umbc.edu with "Facilities Accessibility Event" in the subject line.
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Balochistan: A Silent Resistance
Ayan Shaikh
Mentor: Zareen Taj, Global Studies
Produced as a project for the Documentary Film as Activism seminar (GLBL409), this film aims to educate and raise awareness about the evolution of oppressive ethnic, class, and state systems that have shaped the Balochi struggle in Pakistan. Creating this film deepened my passion for the subject and reinforced my commitment to sharing the daily adversities faced by the Baloch people. Acknowledging the severe deterioration of their socio-political condition is imperative.
The documentary encompasses a concise historical overview of Balochistan’s contested past and a portrayal of its current landscape. Through the film, I hope to provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be Balochi and the current lived experiences of this resilient community.
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