UMBC has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) for innovative planning and and efforts to encourage nonpartisan voter engagement in the 2024 election. In December, the university received the ALL IN Highly Established Action Plan Seal with a perfect score, and last month was named an ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting.
UMBC’s campus action plan is considered among the best in the country for building and fostering nonpartisan civic engagement. The 2024 ALL in Highly Established Action Plan recognition was awarded to just 228 higher education institutions with strong plans to promote civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation. Action plan strength is determined by reviewing plans with the Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Rubric.
The 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. UMBC joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge; sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN; developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN; having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.
Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, shared, “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”
During the fall semester, students, faculty, and staff all contributed to UMBC’s efforts to plan and engage its community in the 2024 election. From voting education initiatives developed and hosted by Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff and others, to voter registration efforts from various campus units and student organizations, to intentional spaces for processing and learning together, everyone helped members of our community cast their whole vote.
“More than we have ever seen, everyone stepped up,” said Dr. Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. “Every week, we would hear from people on our campus asking, ‘How can I help?’: Students, both as individuals and as leaders of campus organizations. Staff, including those representing academic, student affairs, and other campus departments. Faculty from every part of our academic community. Alumni who participated in programming. From every corner of our campus, people created opportunities for the UMBC community to connect with the election in ways that centered dialogue, exploration of values, and care for one another. We will sustain that momentum as we move forward into the future.”
The “Highly Established Action Plan” and “Most Engaged Campuses” came into being in 2022 and are awarded during election years. UMBC earned both in 2022 and now, 2024. This is the first year UMBC received a perfect score for its action plan. In September 2024, UMBC was recognized for Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout During the 2022 Midterm Elections.
ABOUT ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge:
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Through an intentionally-designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 1,075 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.
ABOUT Civic Nation:
Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.
From November 8 through 10, the Resident Student Association (RSA) hosted the Regional Leadership Conference (RLC) for the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH). Organized by RSA and resident students, the conference brought over 250 student leaders from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to UMBC.
The conference theme was “All Aboard the Leadership” and included a variety of sessions developed by conference participants, including “Mastering the Elevator Pitch: How to Market Yourself Authentically,” “Intentional Connections: Building a Culture of Belonging,” “Leading a Residence Halls Organization: A Guide For Hall Council and RHA Leaders,” and “Communicating Like Kindergarteners: How Going Back to Basics Builds Stronger Relationships.” Social events, organization meetings, and a banquet rounded out the weekend.
"I am extremely grateful to Residential Life for not only giving me this opportunity but also guiding me,” said Yachi Madaan, RLC conference chair and RA for Chesapeake Hall. “The best lesson I have learned from my experience is remembering that life is extremely unexpected, so when doubt tries to take over, take a deep breath and dive into the deep end. Believe in yourself, believe in the hard work you and everyone around you are putting in. No matter if the tide is high or low, hold on. Because you are the captain of your ‘leader-ship.'"
Dr. Renique Kersh, vice president for student affairs, gave welcoming remarks to conference participants and staff, and shared some lessons learned from her own experience as a community director at UMBC and throughout her career, connecting them to “the five pillars of success” from The Student Leadership Challenge, by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart.
“The skills you learn as student leaders will stay with you in your professional careers,” said Dr. Kersh. “During times of challenge and change, your actions and passion will make a difference. People will watch the ways you model leadership. They will often need direction and motivation, collaboration, support, and affirmation to help keep the collective ‘ship’ afloat.”
Grace Collins, residential education and leadership coordinator for Residential Life, served as the conference advisor. “I will be forever grateful to have been the advisor for this conference," said Collins. “I loved working so closely with the team of 12 students and 6 advisors. It’s a fully student-led conference, and it was so great seeing their vision come to life! We heard great feedback from the conference participants as well.They really enjoyed UMBC’s facilities, and in particular they really enjoyed Dr. Kersh’s keynote speech. Her words about leadership really resonated with the students.”
At the Feb. 2024 CAACURH Regional Business Conference, RSA officers submitted the winning bid to host the conference: senior Bailey Berg, president; junior Olapeju Otusajo, national communication coordinator; and sophomore Faith Beander, national communication coordinator-in-training, presented a 45-page bid proposal.
RSA at UMBC has a strong history with the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) and CAACURH, which bring together students passionate about leadership, advocacy, and collaboration as they work to improve the quality of life for residential students at their institutions.
Dr. John Fox ‘91, the inaugural dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs (DoSA), spoke at the November 2024 Hilltop and 1966 Societies Dinner about the recent addition of a Dean of Students office to better support student success and wellbeing.
“The Division of Student Affairs focuses on wellbeing, engagement, and the holistic student experience,” Dr. Fox said. “It’s very exciting because the division’s recent realignment increases our collective effectiveness and, for students, better understanding of how we serve them. One aspect of the realignment is the creation of the Dean of Students Office, which provides an entry point for students facing gaps in basic needs, experiencing emotional and social challenges, and in need of direction when they are unsure who can assist them. A Dean of Students' office is one strategy to address student success in and out of the classroom.”
Sara Lerma Jones, director of donor relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement, said, “Donors shared that they are excited to hear about this new direction in support of students, and the talk provided a real opportunity to share current impact and future needs. Opportunities to hear firsthand from leaders like Dr. Fox speaks to the importance of campus partnerships. Demonstrating to donors and other constituents how UMBC is prioritizing student success and well-being, and how their financial support makes a difference in the lives of our students creates an increased sense of commitment and support from these donors.”
The dinner celebrated donors from UMBC’s Hilltop and 1966 Societies and also included remarks from Dr. Valerie Shears Ashby, president; Dr. Manfred H.M. van Dulmen, provost; Tiffany Tucker, director of athletics; Sara Lerma Jones, director of donor relations; and Dr. Stephen Freeland, vice provost of undergraduate academic affairs.
Dr. Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, was a panelist at the October 2024 Living Democracy Symposium. Part of UMD’s Living Democracy Initiative, the symposium provided opportunities for civic discourse, sharing of new perspectives, and learning about the ways that our collective history informs our present and future.
Dr. Blissett served on the panel, “Libraries' Role in Fostering Critical Information Literacy - Nurturing Democracy through Informed Citizenship.” Panelists sought to investigate the pivotal role that libraries play in advancing critical information literacy and its impact on fostering a robust democracy. They explored how libraries function as dynamic environments that nurture well-informed citizens capable of actively engaging in democratic processes.
The panel moderator was Twanna Hodge, UMD doctoral student, College of Information Studies. Additional panelists included Dr. Ana Ndumu, UMD assistant professor, College of Information Studies; DR. Meredith Evans, director, Jimmy Carter Library; and Dr. Paul R. Carr, professor, Université du Québec en Outaouais.
Jennifer Artis, senior director of student belonging, and Dr. Samantha Smith, director, Office of Health Promotion (OHP), were selected for the 2024 Ujima Institute Cohort, held in October. The institute, part of NASPA, offers an intensive, challenging, and collegial learning environment for student affairs professionals as they develop culturally relevant leadership skills that leverage their unique ethnic heritages and histories and prepare to lead increasingly diverse institutions.
Ujima is the third principle of Kwanzaa and embodies an active commitment to the collective and to shared liberation. Inherent to the principle of Ujima is sharing in one another's achievements and hardships. Ujima, as a practice, assumes that the reconstruction of the history and humanity of the African diaspora is a fundamental part of the struggle for human liberation. The principle of Ujima serves as the foundation for this institute, which has been envisioned and developed by senior level leaders committed to investing in building successive generations of student affairs leaders with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to build vibrant, diverse, global, and socially just higher education environments.
“I am thrilled that both Jennifer and Samantha were selected for the Ujima Institute,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Renique Kersh. “The principles of Ujima are exactly the principles that I hope all leaders across the division will embody in our work and as we engage with partners across the University. I look forward to seeing how the lessons learned through this experience show up both in Jennifer and Samantha’s work and throughout the division.”
Dr. Smith shared, “The Ujima Institute was a well-timed pause from the hussle of the campus to re-discover and begin to uncover the leader that I am destined to be. This transformative experience allowed me to better understand the nuances of student affairs practice and cultivate strategies to better infuse health and wellbeing into those strategies. I believe this experience will allow me to better co-create with students and provide robust support for each team member within OHP and the greater UMBC community.”
Cohort members chart a plan for professional growth that addresses key competencies, career discernment, and personal values; experience safe space to share and strategize about navigating institutional challenges and politics with integrity and cultural alignment; and develop mentoring relationships with senior student affairs leaders invested in their success.
Artis explains, “The Ujima Institute came at exactly the right moment! Unlike many conferences where I focus solely on gathering resources for the communities I serve, this experience allowed me to invest in myself and refill my own cup, which was running low. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect initially, I quickly realized I was exactly where I needed to be. Surrounded by inspiring Black student affairs professionals and leaders, I gained invaluable insights, built lasting connections, and reignited my passion. This transformative experience will shape both my personal and professional journey, and I am deeply grateful to the Ujima Institute for offering such an empowering space for growth and reflection.”
This summer, the Career Center proudly announced its acceptance as a member of the International Career Collective (ICC), a distinguished network of 23 U.S. universities supporting over 120,000 international students from more than 150 countries. This membership marks a milestone for UMBC's international students, as it opens up a collaborative platform to enhance their career development.
As part of the ICC, UMBC will partner with top institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, Duke, and NYU, to offer specialized career resources tailored for international students. Upcoming initiatives will feature an International Career Summit and Employer Expo, fostering professional development and networking on a global scale.
The ICC’s mission is to unite higher education professionals in creating impactful events and resources that aid international students in launching successful careers. Through this collaboration, students will gain access to career events, skill-building workshops, and a global network of employers.
This month, ICC universities, including UMBC, will co-host the 2024 International Career Summit, a virtual five-day event designed to empower students with career insights and strategies. Highlights include sessions on communication, job search tactics, global career paths, and life design, concluding with the ICC Career Expo on November 19. Spaces are limited; registration is essential for each day. For more information about the ICC and the upcoming summit, visit the ICC website.
Read about UMBC's first ICC event.
For more information, contact:
Christine Routzahn, Director, UMBC Career Center
Farhan Nadeem, International Student Career Advisor
Recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) highlights the exceptional career readiness of UMBC graduates. “UMBC continues to surpass national career outcome rates across all degree levels,” said Christine Routzahn, director of the Career Center.
Bachelor’s Degree Outcomes
Nationwide, nearly 85% of Class of 2023 bachelor’s degree graduates were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, according to NACE’s First Destinations report. UMBC stands out with an impressive Career Outcome Rate of 93%.
Full-Time Employment: Nationally, 57.2% of bachelor’s degree recipients were employed full-time within six months, compared to UMBC’s 65%.
Further Education: While 20.2% of graduates nationwide pursued further education, UMBC’s rate was higher at 24%.
Graduate Degree Outcomes
UMBC’s graduate degree holders also excelled beyond national averages:
Master’s Degrees: For master’s degree graduates, the national career outcome rate—defined as being employed or pursuing further education within six months—was 89.4%, according to NACE’s report. UMBC outpaces this with a Career Outcome Rate of 90.8% for master’s recipients.
Doctoral Degrees: Doctoral graduates nationwide had a 92.5% outcome rate, but UMBC achieved an exceptional 100%.
These results reflect our strong academic programs and the collective efforts of the UMBC community in fostering student achievement. "Our collective work empowers UMBC students to achieve meaningful career paths and long-term success," Routzahn emphasized.
For the fifth year in a row, Residential Life's curriculum "ResCore 4" was selected as a showcase presentation at this year's Institute on the Curricular Approach (ICA) hosted by ACPA.
Five Residential Life staff members traveled to Chicago in October to present on a component of our residential curriculum. The presentation, "Following the Gold Brick Road: UMBC's Journey with Facilitation Guides," focused on Residential Life’s use of facilitation guides within the Residential Life curriculum.
“We are happy that Residential Life could support us attending and presenting at this conference,” said Chris Ambrose, acting associate director. “ICA is a great opportunity each year to dive deeper into the curricular approach and come back to campus re-energized to keep moving forward! It's always a great time for us to network with other institutions to discuss trends and learn best practices.”
Those who attended the conference are below:
Chris Ambrose, Acting Associate Director
Grace Collins, Residential Education & Leadership Coordinator
Derek Webber, Community Director
Miracle McKinon, Community Director
Charlito Iwuagwu, Community Director
The presentation abstract notes: "Clarifying staff roles is essential to the successful execution of the curricular approach. Our recent stop on our curriculum journey led us to further explore utilization of facilitation guides. Our phased approach gathered assessment data directly from students to capture the learning that occurred. The data displayed statistical significance reinforcing the value of our curriculum and the meaningful impact it had on their experience. After this, we introduced facilitation guides developed by professional staff that were piloted sequentially by student staff in creative ways. This presentation will bring you along our journey following the ‘Gold Brick Road’ of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are headed with the successful implementation of facilitation guides at UMBC."
Ambrose shared, “Residential Life recently named and branded their curriculum the ‘ResCore4’ with input from our student staff and creative assistance from our partners in Student Affairs Communications and Marketing. We got stickers of our new logo made at commonvision and passed them out at the conference and everyone LOVED them! Finally, we couldn't have done this without our graduate assistants and other members of the Curriculum Committee that weren't in attendance at the conference but definitely contributed to building the presentation and the success of our curriculum overall.”