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

To strengthen transparency and ensure graduate students stay informed about discussions with university leadership, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) is sharing summaries from the Fall semester Town Halls and Meet & Confer meetings.

For the first time, GSA is formally compiling and distributing these updates to the broader graduate student community. These reports include discussions from:

• College-level Senator Town Halls: 

CAHSS Senators Report, CNMS Senators Report, COEIT Senators Report

 • Student Affairs Senator Town Hall: 

Student Affairs Senators Report

• GAAC Town Hall and Meet & Confer discussions with university leadership: 

GAAC Report

These summaries highlight key themes raised by graduate students, administrative responses, and ongoing follow-up conversations. Our goal is to close the feedback loop, increase transparency, and ensure that graduate students are aware of the advocacy efforts taking place on their behalf.

GSA will continue working with campus leadership to address concerns raised during these sessions and will provide updates as conversations progress.

If you have additional feedback or issues you would like GSA to raise in future discussions, please feel free to reach out at 

gsa@umbc.edu

gsapresident@umbc.edu

Thank you for staying engaged in the graduate student community.

—
UMBC Graduate Student Association (GSA)

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) election process for the 2026–2027 academic year is officially underway. 

Please review the updated election timeline and key details below. We encourage all graduate students to participate in the process by submitting nominations, learning about candidates, and voting.

NOMINATION FORM

 Election Timeline

• March 8, 2026 – GSA Election Nomination Form Deadline (updated deadline)
• March 9 – March 13, 2026 – Student Eligibility Check Period
• March 13, 2026 – Candidate Notification and Campaigning Details Shared
• March 23 – March 25, 2026 – Senator & E-Council 3-Minute Speech Recordings
(In-person preferred; locations will be communicated soon)
• March 26, 2026 – Speech Recordings Released on myUMBC
• March 27 – March 30, 2026 (until 5 PM) – Voting, Elections & Campaigning (Senators only)
• March 30, 2026 – E-Council & Senate Speaker Candidate Notification
• April 1, 2026 – E-Council & Senate Speaker 1-Minute Speech + Q&A at the Senate Meeting (1pm in person)
• April 10, 2026 – Final Election Results Announcement

Important Note for GAAC Candidates:

Candidates running for GAAC positions will be voted on specifically by Graduate Assistants (GAs) and should not campaign to the broader graduate student population.

Questions?

Please reach out to the GSA Election Committee Co-Chairs or committee members:

Election Co-Chairs
• Reena – rkale1@umbc.edu
• Neil – kneil1@umbc.edu

Election Committee Members
• Apurv – ja92776@umbc.edu
• Aditya – adityak7@umbc.edu
• Tanmay – tanmayp1@umbc.edu

We encourage all graduate students to stay engaged and participate in shaping the future of the UMBC Graduate Student Association.

"Talk it Through" Topic of the Month:
A recommended topic for postdocs and their mentors to think about and discuss:
               Belonging – Do you feel included and supported in your department and institution?

Below, every event or opportunity is hyperlinked for you to click and register. Mark your calendars!
UMBC EVENTS:

▶ Graduate Student & Postdoc Development (GSPD): 
March 2, 2 PM: Research & Publication Webinar: CAHSS Faculty Perspective
March 4, 10 AM, ITE 238: How to Develop Your Lesson Plan - CIRTL event
Mar 24,12 PM, COMM 331: The Anatomy of Professionalism: Building Trust through Autonomy and Reliability
Mar 26, 2 PM, UC: 310: Strategic Science Communication: Mastering the Art of Presenting to a Lay Audience

▶ AOK Library:
Mar 9, 12 PM, Online: Creating an Academic Research Poster Using PowerPoint
Mar 10, 3 PM, Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn : 259: Skills for Graduate Students: Systematic Reviews
Mar 23, 12 PM, Online: Creating an Academic Research Poster Using Canva

▶ Faculty Development Center (FDC) Webinars:
Mar 5, 12 PM, Online: Transparent Assignment Design Workshop 
Mar 25, 12 PM, Engineering : 102: Teaching Through the Body: An Introduction to Embodied Learning 

▶ Career Center:
Mar 4, 12 PM, Online: Graduate Career Consortium Virtual Career Expo
Find an internship, postdoc, fellowship or full-time role.
Mar 27, 10 AM, UC 312: International Student Career Conference

▶  Center for Ethics and Values: 
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Series:
1-2 PM, BIOL 120
March 4: Human Subjects Research 
March 11: Authorship, Peer Review, and Publication
March 25: Mentor/Mentee Responsibilities and Relationships 

▶ Center for Social Science Scholarship (CSSS) (None for this month)
FROM OUR PARTNERS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND (USM):

▶ University of Maryland, Baltimore
** March is Career Development Month 2026! **
Month long series of webinars! 
12:15 - 1:15 PM
REGISTER
March 2: Salary Negotiation
March 5: Executive Presence 101: Public Speaking for Career Success
March 9: Crafting the Perfect Resume & CV – Understanding the Key Differences
March 11: Strategies of Effective Interviewing
March 23: From Connection to Career: Mentoring and Networking for Emerging Scientists
March 24: AI to Supercharge Your Job Search

▶ CARTI @ UMMS Webinars:
March 5, 9 AM: Developing Your Research Question, Hypothesis, and Specific Aims
March 12, 9 AM: Developing Tables, Figures and Graphs for Your Research Paper
March 18, 1 PM: Pivoting to Private Foundation Funding
March 19, 9 AM: NIH Basics: Understanding Grant Mechanisms, Funding Announcements, and using NIH RePORTER
March 31, 1 PM: NIH Basics: Understanding Grant Mechanisms, Funding Announcements, and using NIH RePORTER
▶ University of Maryland School of Medicine:
New, free virtual course! March 25, 10 AM - 3 PM (Break between 12-1 PM): Introduction to Qualitative Research

WEBINARS FROM NATIONAL PARTNERS:
▶ CIRTL (the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching & Learning):
Reminder: UMBC is part of the national CIRTL network- open to all graduate students and postdocs. Earn a nationally recognized certificate that demonstrates your commitment to being an effective instructor.
Aug 1, 2025 - Aug 1, 2026: Self-Paced Teaching & Learning Courses (2025-2026 Academic Year) Learn more about and register for CIRTL's self-paced, asynchronous offerings for 2025-2026.

Stop by Coffee Mondays to grab a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and take a breather between classes.

Whether you're coming to study, chat, or just refuel, this is your weekly reminder to slow down and connect with fellow grad students.

Where? Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons 308)
When? Every Monday | 10am - 2pm
Come as you are — pajamas, laptops, and coffee orders welcome.

Curious about what the Office of Graduate Student Life is all about?

We're popping up in the ITE Atrium! Stop by to learn more about our events, resources, leadership opportunities, and how we support grad students across campus. Whether you're new, almost done, or somewhere in between — we've got something for you.

Come say hi, ask questions, and see how you can get involved. We'd love to meet you!

Where? ITE Atrium
When? 11am - 1pm