Dear colleagues,

We are excited to invite you to partner with the Division of Institutional Equity in an ongoing, community-wide effort to foster a more loving, inclusive, and just campus: Culture Builders @ UMBC.

Culture building is the intentional practice of shaping the values, relationships, and everyday practices that define how we live, learn, and lead together. In a time marked by polarization and a loss of shared humanity, creating an inclusive culture requires all of us—each of us has a role to play.

Culture Builders @ UMBC is an academic-year cohort for staff and faculty who are interested in deepening their capacity to support meaningful culture change in their local contexts. This is not a traditional training or a space for quick fixes. Instead, the cohort invites participants into a process of reflection, dialogue, and practice that supports more sustained and thoughtful approaches to inclusive excellence.

As a Culture Builder, you will:

• Engage in critical, practice-based conversations about identity, community, and belonging

• Reflect on your own role in shaping culture within your department, unit, or sphere of influence

• Learn alongside colleagues across roles and disciplines

• Develop a context-specific action plan and implementation strategy to support culture change over time

Throughout the year, participants will be guided through a process of deepening awareness, grappling with complexity, and taking thoughtful action in their work.

This year’s cohort will engage Valarie Kaur’s See No Stranger as a shared text to support reflection and dialogue. The book will serve as a conversation partner as we explore what it means to build a more just and connected campus community. All participants will receive a copy.

What to Expect:

• Small cohort experience: 10 staff and faculty participants will be selected from across campus
• Monthly cohort sessions: 2-hour meetings for reflection, dialogue, and applied learning
• Small group connections: Opportunities for ongoing support and accountability
• Culture Change Project: Each participant will develop a strategic action plan, with the goal of piloting a program, initiative, or practice where appropriate
• Campus engagement: Participants will contribute to a shared kickoff event in the fall and a final showcase of learning

If you are already engaged in equity-focused work—or looking for a meaningful way to begin—this is your invitation to join a community committed to building the culture we want to see at UMBC.

APPLY TODAY

Please complete the application form HERE by April 30, 2026.

Supervisor support is required and must be submitted by May 1, 2026 via the Supervisor Support Form. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline, and participants will be notified in mid-May.

We look forward to building a thoughtful and engaged cohort for the year ahead.

On Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th, the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR) will be closed for in-person visits. 

Staff will be available virtually throughout this time.  If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please email ecr@umbc.edu.

To submit a report regarding sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, hate, or bias, please file an online report here. 

Session 3: Imagining Justice and Belonging Together

Session 2: Understanding Identity in Community

3. Imagining Justice and Belonging Together, 11/19

DOIE Expands Confidential Advocacy Services to Support Students Affected by Gender-Based Harm

The Division of Institutional Equity is proud to announce the expansion of its services with a new Advocacy Program, co-located with the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center (WGEC). This initiative underscores UMBC's commitment to fostering a safe and equitable campus environment for all students.

Comprehensive Support for Survivors

The Survivor Advocacy program offers individualized, trauma-informed support for students who have experienced gender-based harm, including relationship violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. Whether the incident occurred recently or prior to attending UMBC, survivors can access services ranging from one-time consultations to ongoing support.

Introducing Respondent Advocacy

In alignment with UMBC's dedication to due process and educational equity, the newly established Respondent Advocacy program provides compassionate, non-punitive support for students navigating the Title IX process as respondents. This program emphasizes education, emotional support, and personal growth, encouraging students to engage in self-reflection and align with community values.

Confidential and Accessible Services

All Advocacy Services are confidential, ensuring that information shared by students is not disclosed to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR) or Title IX officials without explicit consent. This confidentiality fosters a safe space for students to seek assistance without fear of mandatory reporting.

Meet Our Advocates

• Kate Arbaugh, Survivor Advocate

• Lauren Allen, Acting Respondent Advocate and Senior Director of the WGEC

Contact Information & Website

Students seeking support can schedule an appointment by emailing advocacy@umbc.edu. Visit us at https://advocacy.umbc.edu/

About the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center

The WGEC advances gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective through co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities. The center is located on the ground floor of The Commons, Suite 004.

[The services provided are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.]

Announcing the "Building Equitable Workplaces: An Inclusive Hiring Series"

The Division of Institutional Equity (DOIE) and Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) at UMBC are proud to present a transformative four-part series designed to empower all faculty and staff in fostering equity, inclusion, and belonging within our community.

Overview

In today's evolving landscape, fostering inclusive hiring practices is more crucial than ever. Embracing diversity, fairness, access, inclusion, and belonging, is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.

Join us to gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to implement intentional recruitment, hiring, and retention practices. Aligned with UMBC’s core values of inclusive excellence, community, and equitable opportunity, the series offers a comprehensive understanding of the current hiring landscape, strategies to mitigate bias, and actionable frameworks for cultivating diverse and inclusive teams.

Session Details

1. Inclusive Hiring in the Current Context: Understanding the Landscape

   • Date, Time, Location: March 13, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Commons 329
   • Facilitators: Tanyka Barber, Vice President for Institutional Equity/Chief Diversity Officer & Lynne Adams, Associate Vice President-Chief Human Resources Officer
   • Description: Explore the pressing challenges and opportunities in higher education hiring today. Topics include aligning institutional representation with the student body, navigating the competitive landscape for diverse talent, addressing implicit biases in recruitment, understanding shifting labor market trends, and ensuring equitable access throughout all hiring stages. Participants will gain insights into how intentional hiring practices can help UMBC build a representative and thriving workforce that reflects its values of equity and belonging.
   • RSVP here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/140163

2. Fostering Fairness: Strategies to Recognize and Overcome Bias in Hiring

   • Date, Time, Location:: April 7, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Commons 329
   • Facilitators: Jasmine A. Lee Associate Vice President for Community & Culture & Walter Parrish, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
   • Description: Uncover unconscious biases that can influence decision-making during recruitment and selection. Through guided exercises and reflection, attendees will learn practical strategies to mitigate bias and ensure fair and equitable hiring practices. The session will also explore how bias manifests differently between staff and faculty searches.
   • RSVP here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/140166

3. The Inclusive Hiring Toolkit: Practical Tools and Resources

   • Date, Time, Location: : April 17, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Commons 329
   • Facilitators: Jasmine A. Lee Associate Vice President for Community & & Jill Wardell, Director of Talent Learning & Organizational Development 
   • Description: This workshop offers concrete tools and resources to operationalize inclusive hiring. From crafting equity-centered job descriptions to conducting inclusive interviews, it equips attendees with actionable steps to attract, engage, and retain diverse talent. Participants will also gain access to the Institutional Equity Inclusive Hiring E-Toolkit.
   • RSVP here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/140169

4. Action Planning for Inclusive Hiring: Turning Strategies into Practice

   • Date, Time, Location: : May 8, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Commons 329
   • Facilitators: Jasmine A. Lee Associate Vice President for Community & Kelly Coleman, Director of Talent Acquisition and Total Rewards 
   • Description: Focus on creating personalized action plans for implementing inclusive hiring strategies within your departments and units. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, plans for review, or specific cases to explore. You will leave with a roadmap for fostering equitable opportunity and accountability in your hiring processes.
   • RSVP here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/140170

Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Understanding: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current hiring landscape and the importance of aligning our hiring practices with our institutional value of inclusive excellence.

• Bias Mitigation: Learn to identify and mitigate unconscious biases that can influence recruitment and selection, ensuring fair and equitable hiring practices.

• Practical Tools: Acquire concrete tools and resources to implement inclusive hiring, from job description development to interview techniques.

• Actionable Strategies: Develop personalized action plans to apply inclusive hiring strategies within your specific departments and units.

By participating in this series, UMBC faculty and staff will be equipped to navigate the complexities of the current hiring environment, ensuring that our recruitment and retention practices reflect our commitment to inclusive excellence.

Registration Information

The series will be conducted in-person and seating is limited. RSVP on the MyUMBC page for each individual event. 

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This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.