The latest issue of the eJournal of Public Affairs features an article co-authored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s Romy Hübler and David Hoffman. Tools for Living Democracy: Putting the CLDE Theory of Change into Practice tells the story of national innovations in civic learning and democratic engagement that have been informed and inspired by work at UMBC.

The practices described in the article “challenge the ideas that students are mere spectators and consumers of public life and that institutions are static. Instead, these alternative practices prepare students to be empowered contributors in all of their communities, including their higher education institutions, neighborhoods, and places of work.”

The article describes the unconventional approach to civic learning and democratic engagement Romy, David, and Craig Berger (former UMBC Coordinator for Campus and Civic Engagement) incubated at UMBC: “With support from UMBC’s senior administrative leadership, the three of them had worked with students, faculty, and staff colleagues to develop and lead BreakingGround, an initiative that used grants funded by the Provost’s Office to support the creation of innovative courses and community programs. The philosophy of civic engagement embodied in this approach located democracy and community in everyday settings, not only in government, elections, and off-campus service projects.”

Campus Life’s Student Diversity and Inclusion staff are proud to present the 2020 Lavender Award winners!!

The Emerging Student Leader is an LGBTQ+-identified student who is early in their academic career at UMBC who has at least one year left until graduation. This student has been involved and has already made an impact at UMBC in their short time here. The recipient of this award is someone who we can expect to see a lot more of for the upcoming year.

The recipient of this award is one of the strongest LGBTQ advocates on campus and their motivation stems from a need to build a better future for trans and non-binary folks. From volunteer to intern in the Women's Center, they have helped revive the Spectrum program and have breathed new life into the group. Her contributions go beyond relationship building and into community empowerment as she works with all a manner of UMBC faculty, staff, and students to create a better, affirming campus.

This year’s Emerging Student Leader Award winner is: Autumn Cook. Autumn (pronouns she/her/they/their) is a junior Meyerhoff Scholar (M29), pursuing a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies dual degree. Autumn is currently a student intern at the Women’s Center.

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The recipient of the Service to the LGBTQ+ Community Awardconsistently shows a dedication to serving LGBTQ+ people at UMBC or in the greater LGBTQ+ community. This person recognizes the challenges unique to many LGBTQ+ people and seeks to contribute to LGBTQ+ communities facing these challenges through service. The person’s passion for service is evident to all those who surround them.

This award winner made extensive contributions to the UMBC community in a very short time. A tireless advocate and educator, he has increased the University Health Services & Counseling staff's multicultural awareness in understanding the needs of  LGBTQ+ students. He also successfully organized an LGBTQ+ resource fair which included booths for name changes, haircuts, general health resources, and HRT & surgery resources. Furthermore, he has been offering Trans Support Group this academic year. His passion and care for the LGBTQ+ community showed itself through his outstanding service provisions. 

This year’s Service to the LGBTQ+ Community Award winner is: Ethan Swift. Ethan (pronouns he/him/they/their) is currently one of the Counseling Center’s Doctoral Interns. He recently accepted a permanent position as Staff Psychologist at the Counseling Center that will begin August 10th.

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The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Ally may be LGBTQ+-identified or not but has made a commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals on campus this year. This person has worked to support the LGBTQ+ community on campus in addition to their other academic and co-curricular commitments. If LGBTQ+-identified, this person has made efforts to help other identity groups in the community.

This award winner is a member of the LGBTQ community and an ally to all. As a non-binary person of color and an activist, they are constantly working towards intersectional approaches to complex problems on our campus. Their strong, high ideals paired with their seemingly unending energy make them a force to be reckoned with. 

This year’s Outstanding LGBTQ+ Ally Award winner is: Kay Hinderlie, Class of 2020. Kay (pronouns they/them) is a Psychology major and Women’s Center student staff.

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The LGBTQ+ Student of the Yearis an LGBTQ+ identified student that has made a lasting contribution to the LGBTQ+ community here at UMBC. This person is influential and strong. A person nominated for this award will embody the idea that service is something that is ongoing and should be reflective of the needs of the LGBTQ+ UMBC community.

This award winner has an incredible heart and passion for service. They have been instrumental in creating initiatives that center trans and non-binary people and have also been one of the strongest voices for non-binary and trans inclusion in both Residential Life and UMBC's classrooms. 

This year’s LGBTQ+ Student of the Year Award winner is: Sam Hertl, Class of 2020. Sam (pronouns they/them) is a Social Work major and intern at the Women’s Center. 

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The Lavender Legacy Award is awarded to an LGBTQ+-identified person who has left a timeless impact on the UMBC LGBTQ+ community. This person has gone above and beyond by demonstrating signs of leadership in the LGBTQ+ community either by demonstrating signs of courage, compassion or common courtesy. This award may go to any current or past staff, faculty, student and/or aluma/us who's priceless contribution to UMBC's LGBTQ+ community echoes the celebration of diversity our institution is known for.

Dating back to when she was the program management specialist for Gender + Women's Studies, she has been active with the LGBTQ community of UMBC in every way imaginable. From formal positions with the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association to being the person that all LGBTQ folks can flock to when they first start UMBC and need help navigating the not-so-intuitive system that exists, she is an asset to our community. She is a mentor, a friend, an ally, and--when need be--a fire starter who can get things done efficiently and effectively. Her work often goes unnoticed by virtue of her expertise in logistics and planning, but nonetheless her work and her contributions deserve recognition. 

This year’s Lavender Legacy Award winner is: Elle Trusz. Elle (pronouns she/her/hers) is a Business Manager at Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (MIPAR). Elle is also Staff Chair for the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association.

Congratulations to all of the 2020 Lavender Award winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and to those who were part of the nomination process. This year’s Lavender Nominations Committee Members: Vicki Sipe, Catalog and Metadata Librarian in the AOK Library; Bri Gumbs, Program Coordinator in the Women’s Center; James Serini and Sofia Encarnacion - two of our 2019-2020 Campus Life Diversity and Inclusion Peers and Heidy George, Program Associate for Student Diversity and Inclusion.