Seeking Participants for Social Justice Dialogue Cohort Experiences
Faculty, staff and students: apply for SJDCE today!
The Social Justice Dialogues Cohort Experience (SJDCE) at UMBC invites participants from all perspectives and experiences to engage in meaningful conversations across difference. Rooted in intergroup dialogue theory, SJDCE provides a space to learn and practice the skills, tools, and mindsets necessary for effective communication across diverse identities and lived experiences — with courage, empathy, and openness.
The Social Justice Dialogue Cohort Experiences at UMBC are 8 two-hour dialogue circles that bring together students, faculty, and staff, to engage in sustained, facilitated dialogue across difference. Each cohort meets weekly within one of UMBC's vibrant cultural centers: The Mosaic, The Pride Center, and The Gathering Space.
In a time of growing polarization and deepening social divides, and fear surrounding living authentically, the Social Justice Dialogues Cohort Experience (SJDCE) offers a way forward, not through debate or persuasion, but through connection, listening, and shared learning.
Cohorts will be split between faculty/staff and students (both undergraduate and graduate), allowing participants to forge meaningful relationships with peers similarly passionate about social change, leadership and humanizing pedagogies.
Students interested in applying for the pilot program can do so here. Additionally, faculty and staff can nominate students by emailing csjdialogue@umbc.edu by March 10.
Faculty and staff can apply here. Applications are due by March 12.
This is a pilot that is a part of a larger research project, meaning cohort sizes are limited and the 2026 sessions will be used to collect data for assessment purposes.
These events 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.
To view the original myUMBC post click the link below:
https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/posts/157087
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The Social Justice Dialogues Cohort Experience (SJDCE) at UMBC invites participants from all perspectives and experiences to engage in meaningful conversations across difference. Rooted in...
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Division of Institutional Equity
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Center for Social Justice Dialogue
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A promotional graphic titled “Social Justice Dialogues” features large bold text centered on a cream background with a pattern of light brown dots. Two overlapping speech bubbles in teal and dark green appear on the right side, symbolizing conversation. At the bottom left is the UMBC logo with the text “Division of Institutional Equity, Center for Social Justice Dialogue.
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Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:20:22 -0500
Join Former Accessibility Trailblazer Award Winner and UMBC Faculty Member Dr. Sarah Bass for an Accessibility Presentation
Repost from Instructional Technology
STEM courses often include complex content—equations, graphs, data tables—that can create significant accessibility barriers for students with disabilities. This session provides STEM faculty with a clear, practical overview of how to make STEM materials accessible. The session will focus on common accessibility challenges in STEM and highlight fixes that faculty can implement without advanced technical skills.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify common accessibility barriers in STEM course materials (e.g., math notation, graphs, tables, and PDFs) and explain why these create challenges for students using assistive technologies.
Describe practical strategies and tools for improving accessibility in STEM content, including approaches for math equations, visual data, and structured documents that align with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Apply a prioritized approach to remediation by recognizing which fixes are easiest for faculty to implement themselves and where to seek additional support for more complex issues.
The virtual format will be primarily presentational, with brief discussion pauses to address questions and share experiences. Participants will leave with actionable strategies, recommended tools, and resources to begin improving accessibility in their STEM courses. The session will be recorded.
Open to all UMBC and USM faculty, staff, and students. No prior accessibility experience needed.
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Bass, Associate Teaching Professor of Introductory, Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Dr. Bass is a dedicated faculty champion for accessibility, promoting inclusive teaching practices to create a more supportive educational environment for every learner.
Helpful STEM Links to Review:
Brought to you by:
This session was initially presented as part of the USM Kirwan Center Spring Cleaning 2026 series.
- USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation (KCAI)
- Council for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL)
- USM Digital Accessibility Work Group (DAWG)
- USM Campus Centers for Teaching and Learning