How can we collect, preserve, and learn from art practices that aren't primarily "objects"—projects that live in relationships, events, conversations, care work, and civic collaboration? This panel will open with a brief introduction to social practice as a contemporary art form and consider why archives, memory, and data are central when the work is ephemeral, community-based, or resistant to being "captured." In a moderated discussion, participants will consider what counts as evidence, who gets to tell the story, what gets kept or lost, and how physical archives and digital collections might support community accountability—not just institutional storage. This program corresponds with "Social Strategies," a collaborative research project organized by CADVC, and is hosted and co-sponsored by the AOK Library gallery.
The public event is supported by the Orser Center for the Public Humanities and the Baltimore County Commission on the Arts and Sciences and the Citizens of Baltimore County.
MSRP webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of their retirement plan.
"Social Security: Fundamentals For Every Age"
Social Security isn't just a retirement issue - it's a lifelong planning topic. Learn the fundamentals of how the program works, what affects your future benefits, and how to plan smarter at every stage of life.
"Getting to Know EMPOWER: Participant Technology in Action"
Explore the tools, technology, and experiences that help participants make the most of their retirement journey with EMPOWER.
(Presented by Empower, MSRP's Contractor for Plan Administrator)
"Your Pension, Social Security, and MSRP: Retirement Income For Life!"
Wondering how much income one needs in retirement, when to claim Social Security, and how State Pension and MSRP savings fit together? Join MSRP to learn how to estimate benefits from all retirement income sources and plan with confidence.
Join The Mosaic as we celebrate, honor, and uplift our Black and African American community. This February marks 100 Years of Black History and serves as a reminder of the impact of Black history on our country. We acknowledge the profound contributions and influence of Black and African Americans that have shaped our nation's history, while also celebrating their cultural influences, resilience, love, and service. We pay tribute to the ongoing representation, creativity, and artistic expression that enriches our communities.
As we honor the Association for the Study of African American Life and History theme, "Century of Black History Commemorations," we reflect on a legacy of brilliance that has fundamentally shaped our country. A continued and steady reminder that Black history is a true testament of US history. ASALH states, "From Negro History Week to Black History Month, ASALH has carried forth the tradition, and the observances have become part of the warp and weft of American culture and increasingly the global community. For our 100th theme, the founders of Black History Month urge us to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world." (Association for the Study of African American Life and History). For more information about ASALH 2026 Black History Month, click here.
National recognition may have arrived in 1976, yet the legacy of Black excellence has always been woven into the fabric of our society. We celebrate not just the milestones of the past, but also the vibrant culture and creativity of the present. For The Mosaic, 'Inclusive Excellence' means ensuring this celebration isn't confined to a single month. We remain committed to honoring and elevating the history and ongoing contributions of the Black and African American community year-round.
Throughout February, join our UMBC community in celebrating with events and programs. Consider connecting with one of our many student organizations, such as BSU, BGSO, the Association for Black Artists, and the African Student Association, for more events!
Hear Our Stories: Celebrating Black History Month
Monday, February 2, 2026
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Commons Mainstreet (in front of the Bookstore)
Join The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity & The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being as we read and highlight Black and Africana stories through children's literature.
Music & The Mosaic (Black History Month × The Grammys Edition!)
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
12 - 1 PM | 2B23 The Commons
Join us in a laid-back, vibrant setting where music, culture, and conversation come together. This pop-up will explore the impact of Black artists on the music industry, iconic Grammy moments, and the cultural influence of Black music across genres.
Friday, February 6, 2026
Our 2026 theme, "Roots of Success: Grounded in Community," highlights our foundational belief in the indispensable power of building and maintaining a shared community. We deeply value the rich diversity among our students, staff, and faculty, which is a key source of UMBC's strength. However, the reality for some of our community members, particularly those who are Black, often feel a gap in a shared cultural or racial community. To honor our theme, we aim to cultivate an environment where Black students, staff, and community members are not only heard and seen but also feel grounded in our shared community. Through the Black Excellence Summit, we are evolving the concept of Black Excellence. We hope to redefine it away from appealing to external societal norms, and instead, focus on celebrating the richness of the Black experience within our community, recognizing and fostering success in all its genuine forms.
BSU Groove Theory: BES After Party!
Friday, February 6, 2026
7 - 10 PM | UC Ballroom
The Official Black Excellence Summit After Party! Come dressed up for our soul train themed get together and be ready for a night full of music, dance, and fun!
Thursday, February 12, 2026
6:30 PM | Chesapeake Arena
It's Greek Night at UMBC! Rep your letters and bring the energy as the Black Student Athlete Alliance and BSU take the court.
Black History Month Discussion Panel - Black History: Under Attack, but yet Unbroken
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
3:30 - 5 PM | The Commons 329
In collaboration with the Department of Africana Studies and the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center, please join them for their Black History Month Discussion Panel titled "Black History: Under Attack, but yet Unbroken." This year's theme aims to highlight the current suppression of Black history and explore how censorship, distortion, and systemic narratives shape collective memory. Be part of an honest discussion to preserve Black history, resist oppression, and reclaim truth for future generations through academia.
Dear Campus Community,
As part of UMBC's continued transition to SAP Concur, we are writing to share important upcoming dates regarding travel reimbursements.
March 1, 2026 – Creation of reimbursement requests from approved pre-approvals in the legacy system ends.
March 1, 2026 and after – Reimbursements for pre-approvals in the legacy system must be submitted in SAP Concur.
Ongoing – Legacy system remains available for reference-only access to past travel and reimbursement data.
Effective March 1, 2026, the legacy travel system will no longer be available for creating reimbursement requests associated with pre-approvals in the legacy system. All reimbursements tied to these pre-approvals must be submitted through SAP Concur. As of March 1st, approximately 5 travelers may have trips which will require a reimbursement after returning from travel. These travelers should contact travel@umbc.edu upon their return for assistance with next steps.
The legacy system will remain up and running for reference-only purposes, allowing campus users to view historical travel and reimbursement records. No new reimbursement requests tied to approved pre-approvals may be created in the legacy system after March 1, 2026.
To assist with this transition, the following virtual training sessions are available for travelers, arrangers, and approvers:
Concur Traveler + Arranger Training: Feb 6, 10:00 AM
Concur Approver Training: Feb 9, 10:30 AM
Concur Traveler + Arranger Training: Feb 17, 10:00 AM
Concur Approver Training: Feb 26, 10:00 AM
Dear Campus Community,
As part of UMBC's continued transition to SAP Concur, we are writing to share important upcoming dates regarding travel reimbursements.
March 1, 2026 – Creation of reimbursement requests from approved pre-approvals in the legacy system ends.
March 1, 2026 and after – Reimbursements for pre-approvals in the legacy system must be submitted in SAP Concur.
Ongoing – Legacy system remains available for reference-only access to past travel and reimbursement data.
Effective March 1, 2026, the legacy travel system will no longer be available for creating reimbursement requests associated with pre-approvals in the legacy system. All reimbursements tied to these pre-approvals must be submitted through SAP Concur. As of March 1st, approximately 5 travelers may have trips which will require a reimbursement after returning from travel. These travelers should contact travel@umbc.edu upon their return for assistance with next steps.
The legacy system will remain up and running for reference-only purposes, allowing campus users to view historical travel and reimbursement records. No new reimbursement requests tied to approved pre-approvals may be created in the legacy system after March 1, 2026.
To assist with this transition, the following virtual training sessions are available for travelers, arrangers, and approvers:
Concur Traveler + Arranger Training: Feb 6, 10:00 AM
Concur Approver Training: Feb 9, 10:30 AM
Concur Traveler + Arranger Training: Feb 17, 10:00 AM
Concur Approver Training: Feb 26, 10:00 AM
In August 2025, StoryCorps featured a discussion on interfaith work between Matt Hoffman, director of the Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, and Dr. Fernie Rodriguez, associate vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. During the Interfaith America conference, Hoffman and Rodriguez discussed the role religion and spirituality played in their upbringing, their life experiences, the impact of world and national events in their current work, and how they work with students in their current roles.
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit committed to the idea that everyone has an important story to tell and that everyone's story matters. Since its founding in 2003, StoryCorps has helped over 700,000 people across the country have meaningful conversations about their lives. These recordings are collected in the U.S. Library of Congress and in an online archive which is now the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered.