Are you looking to shape your career towards future leadership opportunities at a leading institution like UMBC? Following its successful inaugural launch last year, the Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management department is pleased to offer ASPIRE once again!

Starting September 2026, ASPIRE is a semester-long program created to provide individuals who are not currently supervising staff with the essential professional competencies and interpersonal skills needed to effectively lead in the future. This cohort-based experience will be delivered through a mix of engaging in-person instruction and team coaching. This is a unique opportunity open to all non-supervisory employees past their probationary period who are eager to take the first step on their leadership journey.  

Program Summary: 

This comprehensive leadership development program is designed to nurture your leadership aspirations through a structured and engaging curriculum. The semester-long program includes a blend of in-person learning sessions, a kickoff event, and a celebratory graduation ceremony that invites supervisors. Attendance at all scheduled events is mandatory to ensure you gain the maximum benefit from the program's collaborative and progressive design.

The program is organized into 5 sessions (plus a kick-off and graduation ceremony), focusing on various leadership topics:

• Leading Self - Part 1 & Part 2
  • These foundational sessions will assist you in understanding your personal leadership style, building self-awareness, and developing essential internal leadership qualities.

• Leading Others - Part 1 & Part 2
  • Building on self-leadership, these sessions will focus on the crucial skills needed to effectively guide, motivate, and empower teams and individuals.

• Leading Programs/Mission
  • The final learning session will address the broader aspects of leadership, including strategic thinking and driving organizational objectives

For specific dates, eligibility requirements, and additional information, please view the Academy Overview here.

Application Information & Deadlines: 

The ASPIRE program is a self-nominated program. Interested individuals must obtain their supervisor’s support to attend the program, and full session participation is required. Leaders are encouraged to have a conversation with their employee/s they feel would benefit from participating in this program and encourage them to apply.

Submit your application by August 7, 2026.

Applicants will be notified by Monday, August 17, 2026.

Questions? Email: hrtraining@umbc.edu

Fall into Success: Learning, Leading, and Thriving Together - September 14 - 18, 2026

The USM Learning and Talent Development Committee is still accepting workshop proposals for Professional Development Week 2026, and we would love to see more submissions from colleagues across the system.

This year’s theme is Fall into Success: Learning, Leading, and Thriving Together, with sessions focused on practical strategies that help higher education professionals navigate change, strengthen skills, lead well, support well-being, and work more sustainably.

If you have a topic, tool, lesson learned, conversation, or area of expertise that could benefit colleagues across USM, please consider submitting a proposal.

Sessions may focus on:

• Leadership and supervision
• Professional skills and career growth
• Equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Workplace effectiveness and innovation
• Well-being and sustainable work

Presenters do not need to be professional trainers. We are looking for practical, engaging sessions that offer useful takeaways for employees across institutions and roles.

Submit a Proposal: https://forms.gle/Zw4GVqtEkfLMbjae6 

For questions about the proposal process, contact Monique Conelius at mconeli1@umbc.edu. For general inquiries, contact the USM Learning and Talent Development Committee at usmtrainingdev@usmd.edu

Proposal deadline: May 19, 2026