The Women's, Gender, & Equity Center will be closed today, Friday, May 8th.

Our staff will be available throughout the day if you have any questions or concerns. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu. 

The Women's, Gender, & Equity Center 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 students, staff, faculty, and visitors. If you have difficulties accessing any of the materials on our site or any of our events or discussions, please contact us so that we can provide an alternative format and/or remedy any accessibility challenges.

Our summer writing group is back! The Dresher Center will host weekly writing sessions for all faculty, staff, and graduate students who are interested in participating.

Wednesdays from May 27 to August 12, 10am to 12pm

Register for the writing group now!

July 9 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Maryland’s first ever statewide humanities conference is happening this summer.

“Centering Community Voices: Exploring Stories That Shaped Us” is a gathering for anyone who believes that stories matter, that history is alive, and that communities deserve to be heard.

Save the date, and watch for registration details coming soon.

On Wednesday, April 29, UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC community. The program will take place on April 29, 2026 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the University Center, UC 312. The Center for Democracy and Civic Life will provide a catered dinner.

Attendees will be seated together in small groups and have the opportunity to participate in conversations in one of three topic areas:

• Transit access
• Student housing
• Graduate student employment

RSVP today to reserve your seat at this popular dinner program and select your conversation topic of interest!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu.

CAHSS faculty are invited to submit a pre-proposal to be nominated for the 2026 William T. Grant Scholars Program competition, sponsored by the William T. Grant Foundation (WTGF). The WTGF Scholars Program supports career development for promising early-career researchers. 

Eligible applicants should have received their doctorate within seven years of the WTGF program's application deadline of June 30, 2026, and seven years after the year the doctorate was conferred. Applicants must currently be employed in a tenure-track position.

The program makes awards totaling $425,000 for five-year research and mentoring plans that significantly expand researchers’ expertise in new disciplines, methods, and content areas. Applicants should have a track record of conducting high-quality research and an interest in pursuing a significant shift in their trajectories as researchers. This award includes a mentoring component, as well as a supportive academic community.

WTGF’s Research Focus Areas: 
1. Reducing Inequality. WTGF funds research studies that examine programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in the academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes of young people ages 5–25 in the United States, along dimensions of race, ethnicity, economic standing, sexual or gender minority status (e.g., LGBTQ+ youth), language minority status, or immigrant origins.

2. Improving the Use of Research Evidence. In this focus area, WTGF supports research studies that examine strategies to improve the use of research evidence in ways that benefit young people ages 5-25 in the United States. The Foundation seeks proposals for studies that advance theory and build empirical knowledge on ways to improve the use of research evidence by policymakers, public agency leaders, organizational managers, intermediaries, community organizers, and other decision-makers that generally shape youth-serving systems in the United States.

CAHSS Internal Competition:

An internal CAHSS competition will be held to select the CAHSS nominee. Pre-proposals are due to the CAHSS Dean’s Office, via a box link, by May 11, 2026. Review the attached instructions and box link for detailed information.

The nominee will be notified on May 20, 2026, and will work with CARAT to develop a complete application, following the application guidelines. Complete applications will be due to WTGF, via the program's application portal, by June 30, 2026 (3:00 PM, ET). 

The CAHSS nominee must be PI Eligible, with active status, in order to prepare a proposal and receive an award at UMBC. PI Eligible active status entails the successful completion (with issued certificates) of PIRATE training; CITI Research Security Training - combined; and completion of a PI Eligibility form, with attached certificates of completion for the trainings, and your appointment letter. See UMBC Policy # IV-2.00.03 for more information. Contact Rachel Brubaker (rbruba1@umbc.edu) for assistance.

Successful applicants will be notified by WTGF on March 27, 2027. Five-year awards, made to the applicants’ institution, will begin on July 1, 2027.

Contact Marc Ruppel (mruppel@umbc.edu), CARAT Director, or Rachel Brubaker (rbruba1@umbc.edu), to discuss your pre-proposal.

WTGF Program Resources:

• Scholars Program website: https://WTGFrantfoundation.org/funding/william-t-grant-scholars-program
• Program application guide: https://WTGFrantfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Application-Guide-WTGF-Scholars.pdf
• Applicant resources, including a webinar and annotated excerpts: https://WTGFrantfoundation.org/funding/william-t-grant-scholars-program/applicant-resources#annotated-excerpts
• Program FAQ: https://WTGFrantfoundation.org/funding/william-t-grant-scholars-program/faq

Repost from the Division of Institutional Equity!

The 2026 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey was launched! Information gathered from the survey will be used to inform our ongoing education, prevention, and response work, and is an important component in campus-wide efforts to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct at UMBC.

All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100
UMBC Bookstore gift cards.

You can access the online survey here. The survey will be open from Wednesday,
April 15 until Thursday, April 30, and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. After completing the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address in a separate voluntary survey to enter for a chance to win one of the gift cards.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and
interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and
may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Applications are open for the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center's undergraduate Student Staff Positions! 

The Women's, Gender and Equity Center offers for-credit internships for the fall semester with the potential to be considered for a paid position for the following spring semester. People on our student staff team work with us in a supportive and collaborative environment, advancing gender equity at UMBC and achieving their own personal/professional goals. 

See the attached position description for more details about the role. 

Internship Eligibility:

• Undergraduate student at UMBC enrolled for Fall 2026 and intending to enroll for Spring 2027
• Academic good standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above; a lower GPA does not disqualify applicants but will require a conversation regarding academic support)
• Commitment to the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center's mission to advance gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective at UMBC!

To be considered for a 2025-26 internship and/or staff position, please fill out this online application. When you have completed this form, you will be directed to use this Box file submission link to submit the following:

1. Cover letter explaining why you would like to be considered for this position
2. A recent copy of your resume
3. One writing sample* (<4 pages double-spaced)

We will only consider applicants when we have received all 4 items associated with applying for this position (the completed Google Form, cover letter, resume, and a writing sample).  Applications that are missing any of these items will not be considered. 

Interviews will be offered on a rolling basis. Please note that completion of an application does NOT guarantee an interview will be scheduled.

The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 Women's, Gender, & Equity Center Undergraduate Student Staff position is Friday, May 22nd, 2026. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at womenscenter@umbc.edu or call us at 410-455-2714.

This internship 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.

Tomorrow (4/22) the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center will be closed to support students presenting at URCAD! Spectrum will still take place as planned from 2-3, though! We hope you will join us at URCAD and Spectrum!

Our staff will be available throughout the day if you have any questions or concerns. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu. 

The Women's, Gender, & Equity Center 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 students, staff, faculty, and visitors. If you have difficulties accessing any of the materials on our site or any of our events or discussions, please contact us so that we can provide an alternative format and/or remedy any accessibility challenges.

By: Bruna de Padua
Photo Credit: Zach Seidel

Zach Seidel is the Director of Digital Media for UMBC Athletics, and he also teaches in the Media and Communication Studies department. He has been part of the UMBC community for so long that the campus almost feels like a second home to him. His parents both graduated from UMBC, so he grew up hearing about the school and going to different events. His personal connection to the university grew even stronger when he started interning in the Athletics Department during his senior year of high school in 2007. What started as a simple internship eventually turned into a huge part of his life and career, and he still enjoys being surrounded by the energy and excitement of college athletics.

Zach completed his B.A. in Media and Communication Studies, added a minor in American Studies, and was part of the Honors College and the Humanities Scholars program. He has always been the kind of person who pays attention to how stories are told and how people interact with media. That curiosity naturally led him into studying media at a deeper level. Later on, he chose to pursue an M.S. in Human-Centered Computing because he became fascinated with the way technology and design can shape people’s experiences. It was the perfect blend of creativity, communication, and innovation, and it helped him develop a broader perspective on digital media and the ways people use it.

At UMBC, Zach teaches MCS 316, which is the sports broadcasting course. A lot of students come into the class thinking broadcasting is mainly about pointing a camera at the action and letting things run, but he loves showing them how much more goes on behind the scenes. Broadcasting a game means planning every detail, organizing people and equipment, communicating constantly, troubleshooting problems, and working under pressure. Even though it can be intense at times, he enjoys watching students build confidence and learn what it takes to create something that looks smooth and effortless to the audience. He hopes his students leave the class with a real appreciation for the effort and teamwork that go into producing live sports.

In his professional role with Athletics, Zach works in a field that never stops changing. Digital media grows so fast that there is always a new tool, trend, or idea popping up. That is one of the things he enjoys most because there is always something exciting to learn. Whether it is new camera technology, new ways to reach fans online, or creative approaches to storytelling, he makes an effort to stay ahead of the curve. One of the moments he is most proud of is seeing one of his former students win an Emmy. For him, it is a reminder that teaching goes far beyond the classroom. When his students go on to do amazing things, it feels like he gets to share a part of that accomplishment too.

Looking towards the future, Zach is happy to keep teaching and continuing the work he loves. He is always open to exploring new ideas, especially when it comes to innovations in digital media and sports production. He believes the field will keep evolving in ways that surprise everyone, and he enjoys being part of that change rather than just watching it happen from the outside.

Above everything else, the best part of working at UMBC for Zach is the students. He enjoys their creativity, their willingness to try new things, and their genuine excitement about learning. Being able to guide students, support their goals, and watch them grow is what makes his work meaningful. For him, UMBC is not just a workplace. It is a community he cares about and a place where he gets to make an impact every day.

This event is part of the daylong Global Asias Symposium & Celebration on Monday, May 4! Full information is available on myUMBC and the event website.

Join us on Monday, May 4 for a celebration of the many accomplishments of the Global Asias Initiative here at UMBC! The Global Asias Initiative, a three-year initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation, has created a forum for engaging in conversations in the fields of Asian American Studies, Asian diaspora studies, and Asian Studies. The Initiative has has created connections across disciplines, institutions, organizations, and communities here on campus and beyond. 

Welcome & Belonging and Community Luncheon: Conversations on Asian experiences at UMBC
Monday, May 4
11:00am-12:30pm

Visit the Global Asias Initiative myUMBC page to RSVP.

Join us for our Belonging and Community luncheon to kick off the Global Asias Closing Symposium, which is dedicated to the power of storytelling, creative expression, and community. We will share personal stories through art and reflection to celebrate the joy, calm, and cultural heritage that sustain us. From these individual stories, we will build a shared vision of grounded community and understanding of Asian experiences at UMBC. Through a series of collaborative art activities and dialogue, we will turn our hopes for connection and belonging into a visual representation of our future at UMBC. Hosted in partnership with the Mosaic Center, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and the Office of Residential Life.

Location: Fine Arts Room 011
Lunch is Provided

*

This events 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.