This April, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities across the division are open to full participation by all community members. Here’s how you can get involved!
April 1 – 16 | The Commons: 004
Clothesline Shirt Making & Rally Sign Making
Join the Women’s, Gender and Equity Center throughout April to create shirts for the Clothesline Project and rally signs for the Take Back the Night march. Supplies will be available all month, with completed shirts displayed on April 9 and 16. Participants are invited to contribute to ongoing awareness efforts, with later creations featured in future exhibits, including Relationship Violence Awareness Month.
April 1 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | University Center 312
Trans Week of Visibility Panel and Resource Fair: Visibility in Higher Education
Join the Pride Center and Women’s, Gender, & Equity Center for a panel and resource fair celebrating Trans Week of Visibility. This event will feature a facilitated panel discussion, community resources, and opportunities for connection centered on trans and non-binary experiences in higher education. Attendees can engage in meaningful dialogue, enjoy refreshments, and explore resources supporting visibility and inclusion.
April 6 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | The Commons: 328
Green Dot Training: An Interactive Bystander Training
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center and the Division of Student Affairs for a hands-on bystander intervention training as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This interactive session equips participants with practical tools to help prevent power-based violence, including sexual and partner violence. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn a digital credential to showcase their training and commitment to creating safer communities.
April 7 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | The Commons: 329
Crafting Your Story: Crochet & Connect
Join Social Justice Dialogue Facilitation Fellows for a creative and reflective afternoon of crochet, storytelling, and dialogue. Participants will learn basic crochet techniques while engaging in guided conversations around identity, growth, challenges, and community. No experience is needed, materials, snacks, and refreshments will be provided.
April 7 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | The Commons: 004
Sexual Assault 101: Consent on Campus – How to Support a Survivor
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center in partnership with Turnaround Inc. for an interactive workshop. This session explores the realities of sexual violence on college campuses, including consent, myths, and prevalence. Participants will engage with real-life scenarios and gain practical tools to support survivors and foster a culture of respect and accountability.
April 8 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Virtual
Start by Believing: Supporting Disclosures of Sexual Violence
Join the Division of Institutional Equity and UMBC Campus Police for a workshop designed to help faculty and staff confidently respond to disclosures of sexual violence. Participants will learn about the Start by Believing campaign and build skills to support survivors in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered way. This session aims to strengthen a culture of support, safety, and accountability across the UMBC community.
April 8 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Engineering 027
ADS Film Screening: Being Michelle
Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a screening of Being Michelle, highlighting the powerful story of a deaf, autistic woman who endured incarceration and systemic neglect. The film explores her resilience and the impact of support through her connection with a blind life coach, Kim Law. Come watch, reflect, and engage. Popcorn will be provided.
April 9 & 23 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | The Commons: 2B23
SistaCare
Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue for SistaCare - a community care and dialogue group that provides a supportive space to explore the experiences of Black/Africana women and femmes on campus while fostering connection, reflection, and care. These sessions invite participants to learn, share, and build community, and are open to all individuals. Event details: [April 9] [April 23].
April 9 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | The Commons: 004
Movie Night: Nevertheless
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center for a special evening screening of Nevertheless (2020), directed by Sarah Moshman. This documentary shares powerful, intersectional stories of individuals impacted by sexual harassment across industries, connecting to the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. Come watch, and engage in reflection and conversation on preventing sexual misconduct. Pizza, popcorn, and sweet treats will be provided.
April 10, 15, 24 & 28 | Multiple Times | In-person & Virtual
UMBC Talks: Inclusive Excellence
Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue and Center for Democracy and Civic Life for a series of 90-minute, co-facilitated dialogues designed to shape UMBC’s shared definition of inclusive excellence. These interactive sessions invite students, faculty, and staff to engage with a drafted framework, share perspectives, and contribute to guiding the university’s future vision and strategic direction. Each session offers space for meaningful conversation across different campus experiences. Event details: [April 10] [April 15] [April 24:10am & 2pm] [April 28].
April 13 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | AOK Library Gallery
Guest Lecture: Silent No Longer
Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for an upcoming conversation with Robert Stack on advancing disability rights and addressing systemic barriers. The conversation will also highlight his new book, Silent No Longer: Advancing the Fight for Disability Rights, which explores critical issues within the disability services industry. Attendees can expect insights into profit-driven care, disparities in funding, and challenges impacting quality support. This session invites the community to engage in meaningful dialogue and advocate for more equitable and dignified care systems.
April 14 | 11:30 am - 1 pm | Virtual
Inclusive Excellence In Action Series
Join us for the second session of this semester’s Inclusive Excellence in Action series, “Skills to Center Humanity in the Academy: Responding to Anti-DEI Efforts Across Higher Education”. This session will equip participants with practical tools, strategies, and key takeaways to strengthen inclusive leadership, relationship-centered engagement, and humanizing approaches that foster learning and beloved community across campus.
April 15 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Virtual
Supervisors: Navigating Accommodations and FMLA from Referrals to Implementation
Join Human Resources and Accessibility & Disability Services for an upcoming session designed for UMBC supervisors on supporting disability inclusion in the workplace. The session will review FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, with a focus on navigating accommodations and extended leave requests. Open to supervisors, this online session will deepen understanding of FMLA and accommodations while building capacity for inclusive excellence at UMBC.
April 15 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Virtual
Culture Conversations
Join the Office of Community and Culture for a facilitated conversation on “Sustaining Transformative Relationships". Participants will learn how to cultivate relational practices that strengthen connection, reduce harm, and support more sustainable ways of working together.
April 15 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | University Center:302
Circles for Beloved Community
The Office of Community and Culture invites faculty and staff to gather in facilitated spaces to build trust and understanding. These circles offer an opportunity to slow down, connect across roles and experiences, and practice being in community together.
April 16 | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | The Commons: Mainstreet
UMBC’s Take Back the Night 2026
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center for an evening of solidarity and action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This event features a resource fair, survivor speak-out, campus march, and opportunities for community reflection and healing. Attendees are invited to stand against sexual violence, support survivors, and engage in building a safer campus community, with self-care spaces and support resources available throughout.
April 17 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Virtual
Dis/Ability On The Job: Accommodations and FMLA 101 for Non-Supervisors
Join Human Resources and Accessibility & Disability Services for an upcoming session tailored for UMBC employees on supporting disability inclusion in the workplace. This session will review FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, with a focus on managing one’s own health conditions and returning to work. Open to all employees, this online event offers an opportunity to deepen knowledge and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive workplace at UMBC.
April 20 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | The Commons: 318
Building Better Days (Tools for Daily Engagement): The 80/20 Principle
Join UMBC’s Davonya Hall and Danielle Woody from Towson University for an interactive session on applying restorative practices in everyday workplace interactions. This session explores the 80/20 principle, emphasizing proactive relationship-building as the foundation for a healthy and supportive community. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to foster trust, accountability, and meaningful engagement in their daily work.
April 23 | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | The Commons: 004
Survivor Self-Care Day
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center for a restorative afternoon of trauma-informed self-care during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This event offers survivors and allies space to relax and decompress through activities such as yoga, acupuncture, health check-ins, and crafting. Participants are invited to prioritize healing, wellness, and community care in a supportive environment.
Discussion Group Meetings
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center this month for weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces such as Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, Returning Adult Learners, Athletics Group, Between Femmes, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group.
Employee Annual Title IX Training Requirement
Pursuant to UMBC's Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, all faculty (including adjunct faculty), staff (regular and contingent), and student-employees (including teaching assistants and graduate assistants) are required to complete Title IX training each year. Employees who have not yet completed the training requirement should review the instructions and complete the outlined series of three asynchronous modules as soon as possible. New employees should complete training within 60 days of hire.The training will cover topics such as an overview of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR), what constitutes prohibited conduct under university policy, responding to a disclosure, procedures for reporting and resolving reports of prohibited conduct, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, and other applicable policies and procedures. Additional information regarding the training may be found in ECR's training FAQs. If you still have questions, please contact ECR at ECRtraining@umbc.edu.