SAVE THE DATE for the annual Transform Mid-Atlantic's Service-Learning & Civic Engagement (SLCE) conference this fall at American University, on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, June 8th. There are other ways to engage with the event in participation (registration will be opening later this summer), sponsorships, and Exhibitors (non-profit and Business).
This SLCE conference has deep roots in UMBC. In 2007-2008, Dr. Diane Lee, UMBC's former Dean of Undergraduate Education, funded my proposal to recreate the structure and reach of local conferences planned through the 1990s Learn & Serve America grant. That spring, I chaired "Solutions Through Service," which was planned and implemented by our Shriver Living Learning Community. In 2013, I chaired the conference's UMBC return as "Community-Based Learning: Getting Real About Civic Engagement." Over the years, I've been involved in the planning, but stepped back a little. In October 2025, I was reenergized by Coppin State University's event, "Adapting to Tomorrow: Innovating for a Rapidly Changing World," led by Ms. Loretta Campbell. This year, I'm excited to be back in the mix to support the Planning Committee. More on SLCE history
UMBC is a Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA) campus member. This membership has allowed us to host TMA AmeriCorps/VISTAs on the following projects: Arbutus Achievers at Arbutus Middle School, Refugee Youth Program's College JUMP (Journey Upwards Mentoring Program), Retriever Essentials, and most recently, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Additionally, UMBC continues a tradition of amazing students participating in TMA's Civic Fellows Program: Max Poole, Stephanie Milani, Nihira Mugumba, Rehman Liaqat, Jok Thon, Emmanuella Osei, and most recently for 2026-27, Shyla Allgood.
For more info on the Conference, and/or TMA, visit