The Center for Democracy and Civic Life's BreakingGround initiative is seeking applications! You are all welcome to submit applications, and we would also appreciate your sharing this with students and staff colleagues who may be interested.

The BreakingGround initiative provides grants of up to $2,500 to UMBC faculty, staff, and students who want to launch or strengthen educational and community-building projects. These projects should, as a part of their work, foster civic agency: the ability to initiate and make meaningful contributions to social change. 

Funding can be used flexibly. Past awardees have supported:

• Experiential learning opportunities that immerse learners in real-world problem solving.

• Collaborative research projects with students and community partners.

• Major redesigns of existing courses to center civic agency and engagement.

• Connections with social changemakers and local communities.

You can explore examples of previous projects [here].

How to apply: Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, and applicants are notified within four weeks. Visit the BreakingGround website for details: https://civiclife.umbc.edu/breakingground/

Info session: We are hosting two information sessions, one for faculty/staff and one for students:

• Faculty/Staff: Join us virtually on October 29, 2025 at noon to learn more about the program and ask questions. Visit the myUMBC event page (click here) and select "Going Virtually" to RSVP.

• Students: Join us virtually on November 5, 2025 at noon to learn more about the program and ask questions. Visit the myUMBC event page (click here) and select "Going Virtually" to RSVP.

Indigenous Peoples' Day: Honoring Community and History

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honor and recognize the rich cultures, contributions, and histories of Indigenous communities across the United States. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of colonization and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. 

Indigenous communities have faced erasure and marginalization, often misrepresented through harmful stereotypes, media, and caricatures. They continue to confront systemic violence and disenfranchisement. Acknowledging their struggles and achievements requires more than a designated day. It is essential to elevate Indigenous voices, support their communities, and engage in practices that promote awareness of their joys and challenges. We must actively challenge injustices against Indigenous peoples.

About Indigenous Peoples' Day
In 2021, President Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day. South Dakota was the first state to celebrate "Native American Day" in 1990 as a counter to "Columbus Day." Berkeley, California, was the first city to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day in 1992, protesting the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival.

Despite the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, many still refer to this day as "Columbus Day," celebrating Christopher Columbus and the self-proclaimed "discovery" of the New World. However, history reveals that Columbus was not the first to discover the Americas, and honoring "Columbus Day" overlooks the brutal treatment and genocide of Indigenous peoples. His voyages led to the near extinction of the Taino people and marked the beginning of widespread colonization in the Caribbean.

Uplifting Voices: We are called to elevate Indigenous voices, actively support their communities, uplift the untold histories, and challenge the injustices they continue to face. By doing so, we commit to promoting awareness of both their joys and challenges.

As we acknowledge the land our university occupies, we pay tribute to those who originally cared for it and confront the historical and ongoing injustices faced by displaced communities. This acknowledgment must serve as a foundation for genuine commitment and action to support Indigenous communities, past, present, and future. Land acknowledgments are just the first step in recognizing Indigenous peoples and their histories. We encourage everyone to honor the Indigenous peoples who came before us, those who are present today, and future generations, celebrating their rich legacies. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to all Indigenous faculty, staff, and students at UMBC.

Join us today as we celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples Day for our Donuts & Dialogue event in collaboration with the UMBC Indigenous Peoples' Union. Stop by the Mosaic Center from 12-1pm. 

Join IPU on October 16 for their Interest Mixer. Learn more at their myUMBC page here. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 · 11 AM - 3 PM

Commuter Connections is hiring for a Graduate Assistant!  This is a one-year position with consideration for renewal. The GA position (Master's or PhD eligible) starts Jan 12, 2026, working 20 hrs/week. Must be available Tuesdays 7:30–11:30 am. 

The ideal candidate for this Graduate Assistant position has experience supporting student events and/or is familiar with the commuter student programming experience at UMBC. They are creative, able to generate programming ideas, and proficient with design and communication tools such as Canva, and social media platforms. They possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build meaningful relationships across diverse student populations. 

To review the job description, click here. To apply, click here.

Apply by Friday, Oct 17, 2025! Any questions, contact commuters@umbc.edu

Hi everyone, 

We invite you to the CAHSS College Senate Town Hall on Friday, October 24th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in Commons 331. This event is open to all CAHSS students, faculty, and staff, providing an opportunity for the college community to come together and discuss topics that matter to us.

The conversation will cover campus academic resources, access to research funding and scholarships, mental health and wellness, and academic accountability. Your input and questions will help us talk, and this is a space where we would like to hear directly from you.

We'll have pizza and beverages available, so come by with a friend, enjoy some food, and take part in the conversation.

We are excited to see you there.

CAHSS Senators