Dear UMBC Community,

Inclusive excellence is at the heart of UMBC’s identity. We are strengthening this commitment by introducing a framework that helps form a shared definition to guide our work.

The Division of Institutional Equity team has developed a draft framework for inclusive excellence, building on ideas shared by our campus community through the series UMBC Talks in 2024 and 2025. The framework is intended to articulate our shared commitments, communicate our values, guide action, inspire collaboration, and support the development and implementation of UMBC’s next strategic plan.

This spring, we are inviting the entire campus community to participate in dialogue sessions to help continue to shape the framework. These conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on your values, and provide feedback to strengthen this work.

UMBC Talks dialogues are 90-minute, facilitated conversations led by Ciara Christian, M.A. ’18, Ph.D. ’22, director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue, and David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life.

The following UMBC Talks dialogue sessions are currently scheduled:

Friday, April 10, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., UC 312 - Focused on faculty and staff experiences but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., UC 312 - Open to all. Conversations will take place in mixed groups. RSVP here.

Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. – noon, UC 312 - Focused on graduate student experiences, but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

Friday, April 24, 2 – 4 p.m., UC 312 - Focused on undergraduate student experiences but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

Tuesday, April 28, 3 – 5 p.m., Virtual - Open to all. Conversations will take place in mixed groups. RSVP here.

Each session will follow the same format, so you can choose the time that works best for you. We encourage you to participate and share your perspective as we shape this important work together.

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

Hello Everyone!

West African food has been stocked! Come get it while supplies last.

Another shipment will be coming in late April, early May.

Graduate Student Appreciation Week is coming to a close, and this is your moment to take it all in. The late nights, the stress, the wins, the growth — it all led here.

Get a ticket to Grad Prom & Awards and come celebrate yourself and the people who made this journey what it was. Whether that’s your friends, classmates, or the ones who kept you going behind the scenes — this night is for all of you. 🎓

No pressure, no expectations — just good music, good food, and a space to actually enjoy the moment together.

🗓️ Friday, April 10
⏰ 5–8 PM
📍 UC Ballroom

You made it this far. Take the night to celebrate that

Career Paths for Graduate Students is happening TODAY on the 3rd floor of The Commons.

Even participating in one mock interview or one conversation can help you feel more prepared for what’s next.

Make sure you bring two copies of your resume to hand out to employers. Don’t have a printer? No worries! We will have printing on-site tonight. 

Whether you join us when doors open at 5 PM or after your evening class, we hope you will make it.

Employers attending include:

• Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
• Maryland Department of Health
• Social Security Administration 
• In-Depth Engineering Corporation

See you there!

Join Retriever Essentials on Wednesday, April 15th, from 12:00pm-1:00pm in The Commons, 318, and learn how to best utilize campus resources!

When your budget feels stretched too thin, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. 

This session will guide you through how to effectively utilize campus and community resources to help meet your basic needs and ease financial stress, while addressing the realities of why managing money can feel especially challenging.

Learn practical strategies to navigate available support systems and make informed decisions that strengthen your financial well-being, while working to reduce the stigma and shame often associated with financial struggles. 

Use this link to register online or in-person.

Registration is required for in-person attendees(22 seats available in-person, unlimited seats available online).

It’s not too late to join the party! 🌍✨

Cultural Day is in full swing at the UC Ballroom, and the vibes are unmatched. We’re having a blast just hanging out, chilling, and celebrating the diverse cultures that make our UMBC community so incredible.

Whether you’re just finishing up class or need a mid-day break, swing by to recharge and connect!

What's Waiting For You

• Free Goodies: We have free treats and swag up for grabs while supplies last! 🎁

• Chill Atmosphere: Everyone is having a great time hanging out, playing games, and listening to music.

• Grad Prom Tickets: Don't forget to grab your tickets for our final GSAW celebration—Grad Prom & Awards! It’s happening tomorrow, Friday, April 10, from 5–8 p.m. 🎟️✨

Hi Everyone!

Our Free Farmers Market for today and next week will be held in the Center for Wellbeing. We hope to see you there!

Join the Center for Social Science Scholarship for an important conversation on Food Justice!

 Monday, April 20, 2026 · 4 - 5:30 PM In-Person · Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn : Gallery

Sign up here

Hanna Garth, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Princeton University

Food justice activists have worked to increase access to healthy food in low-income communities of color across the United States. Yet despite their best intentions, they often perpetuate food access inequalities and racial stereotypes. Hanna Garth shows how the movement has been affected by misconceptions and assumptions about residents, as well as by unclear definitions of justice and what it means to be healthy. Focusing on broad structures and microlevel processes, Garth reveals how power dynamics shape social justice movements in particular ways.

Drawing on twelve years of ethnographic research, Garth examines what motivates people from more affluent, majority-white areas of the city to intervene in South Central Los Angeles. She argues that the concepts of “food justice” and “healthy food” operate as racially coded language, reinforcing the idea that health problems in low-income Black and Brown communities can be solved through individual behavior rather than structural change. Food Justice Undone explores the stakes of social justice and the possibility of multiracial coalitions working toward a better future.

Special Offer and Giveaway:

Dr. Garth’s book is available from UC Press at a 40% discount using code: EVENT40.
In-person attendees of the lecutre will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of five free copies of the book!

Hosted by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health.  Co-sponsored by the Center for Social Science Scholarship, the Department of American Studies, the Department of Africana Studies, and the Department of Biological Sciences.

CS3 sponsored 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.

Sign up here

Ready to travel the world without leaving campus? 🌍✨

Join us as we continue our Grad Student Appreciation Week and celebrate the incredible tapestry of traditions and backgrounds that make UMBC so unique. It’s Grad Cultural Day, a time to come together, share our stories, and honor the diverse cultures that enrich our community every day!

Today in UC Ballroom from 12-4pm!

What’s Happening?

Global Vibes: Enjoy an afternoon of music and interactive games.

Test Your Knowledge: Challenge your friends to cultural trivia.

Community Spirit: Meet new people and celebrate what makes us "us".

Join the BGSO for the 6th Annual Honors & Awards Ebony Sneaker Ball—an unforgettable night celebrating Black excellence, culture, and 90s/2000s vibes. Enjoy a keynote from Dr. Christa Porter, great music, dinner, and a full experience with community and style. Secure your spot now! Ebony Ball Tickets