The Talent Learning & Organizational Development team needs YOU! As our team continues to develop and enhance our learning and development offerings for the campus, it is critical that we stay connected to the pulse and this is where you come in! As we understand your motivation, challenges, and desires, we can all help shape the future of professional development and continue UMBC’s legacy as a Great College to Work For!

To enable focused conversation, we have created 4 separate virtual focus group sessions for different populations:

Faculty - February 14th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

New Hires - February 18th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (new date)

Staff - February 24th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Manager/Leader - February 26th from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

You may sign up for your chosen session here! Please hold your calendar and stay tuned for a webex link. 

Inclusive Excellence in Action Series

Spring 2025

Join us for Inclusive Excellence in Action, a dynamic monthly series highlighting key belonging, inclusion, full participation, and relevant social justice areas, practices, and behaviors at UMBC. Held virtually on Wednesdays, these two-hour sessions provide an opportunity to learn from campus experts in the Division of Institutional Equity, and many other campus and community partners.

Each session will offer practical insights into the work in these areas, share valuable resources, and equip participants with actionable skills and behaviors to foster inclusivity in their personal and professional lives. This engaging series will inspire and empower our community to implement inclusive excellence daily.

Dates: February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13
Format: Virtual, two-hour sessions

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February 11, 2025 - Leading with Empathy: An Interactive Workshop

Presented by: Office of Equity and Civil Rights

In this interactive, skills-based workshop, participants will gain practical tools for responding with empathy to disclosures of discrimination, harassment, hate, and bias. Topics covered include: 

• Policies and procedures that guide the work of the Office of Equity & Civil Rights

• Key definitions relating to sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, and sexual misconduct, hate, bias, and discrimination

• Strategies for incorporating evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in the immediate aftermath of a disclosure

RSVP Here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/137101

Webex Number: 2870 340 8426; Password: IEIASP2024

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March 11, 2025 - Supporting Religious Practice and Pluralism on Campus

Presented by: Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b)

In this interactive, skills-based workshop, participants will explore strategies for fostering a campus environment that supports religious practice, spiritual well-being, and pluralism. Through discussions, case studies, and collaborative problem-solving, attendees will gain insights into UMBC's commitment to religious inclusion and practical tools to navigate real-world scenarios.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding the policies and resources available to support religious practice on campus.

• Practical approaches to addressing and accommodating religious needs in academic settings.

• Building confidence in fostering religious pluralism through inclusive practices.

RSVP here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/137104

Webex Number: 2869 659 0750; Password: IEIASP2024

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April 8, 2025 - Disability Inclusion through Accessible Resources and Practices

Presented by: Accessibility and Disability Services

In this interactive, skills-based workshop, participants will gain practical tools to create a more accessible and inclusive campus environment. Led by the Accessibility and Disability Services team, this session will provide insights into supporting individuals with disabilities, implementing proactive, inclusive practices, and understanding the accommodation process.

Topics covered include:

• When and how to refer individuals to appropriate disability support services.

• Understanding the accommodation process and what to expect.

• Meeting obligations under ADA and Section 504 and going beyond compliance to foster inclusion.

• Practical steps to create accessible courses, events, and materials.

• Building partnerships and allyship to increase accessibility across campus.

RSVP Here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/137103

Webex Number: 2861 798 7578; Password: IEIASP2024

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May 13, 2025 - Cultivating Radical Love & Belonging at UMBC

Presented by: Community and Culture

This workshop introduces participants to ideas and practices for building the Beloved Community at UMBC. The Beloved Community framework embraces inclusion and fosters equity by inviting everyone to participate in culture change and community-building work. 

Topics covered include:

• Making connections between Inclusive Excellence and Beloved Community

• Exploring the 10 principles of beloved community and their applicability on a college campus

• Exploring UMBC best practices that contribute to beloved community

• Beloved Community Pledge

RSVP Here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/137105

Webex Number: 2861 464 4692; Password: IEIASP2024

Overall Series Description:

The Building Bridges Across Difference: A Dialogue for Every Day series equips faculty, staff, and students with practical tools to foster connection and understanding across differences in today’s polarized climate. Grounded in the Center for Social Justice Dialogue's commitment to shared power and inclusive practices, this series provides strategies to build trust, navigate challenging and emotionally charged moments, and create environments that encourage community and mutual respect. By embracing intergroup dialogue practices daily, participants will enhance their ability to inspire critical self-reflection, cultural storytelling, generous listening, and loving accountability.

All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1:30 pm and will be held VIRTUALLY.

If you have accessibility needs, please email csjdialogue@umbc.edu.

Session Descriptions:

1. Setting the Tone - Dr. Ciara Christian + Caleb Ruck

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/137090
This session focuses on laying the groundwork for a dialogic community environment. Participants will explore strategies to establish trust, build relationships across difference, and create inclusive norms. Drawing on principles of circle pedagogy and shared power, attendees will learn how to set intentions that invite curiosity and co-create a sense of belonging amongst diverse groups.

2. Navigating Hot Moments - Dr. Jasmine Lee + Dr. Ciara Christian

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/137091
University campuses are spaces where challenging conversations can arise unexpectedly. In this session, participants will develop tools to navigate "hot moments"—those intense or emotionally charged situations—while maintaining a commitment to inclusion and shared learning. Through case studies and interactive practice, attendees will strengthen their ability to hold space for difficult dialogues and navigate identity-based differences with empathy, clarity, and compassion.

Student curricular opportunities

• First-Year Seminar – Social Justice Dialogue (FYS 102 – 25) - semester long undergraduate course designed to support students in: (1) understanding and utilizing dialogue to explore social justice concepts (specifically race and racism), (2) developing skills for peer facilitation, (3) exploring entry points to engaging in social change
• Community Leadership - Social Justice Leadership & Dialogue (CLDR - 610) - 5 weeks skills course in the Community Leadership program designed to support community leaders in utilizing dialogue pedagogy and practice to engage in inclusive leadership 

Student co-curricular opportunities

• IDEAL - Internship experience designed for students to engage in peer-facilitation
• Interact - Experience for first-year residential students to develop foundational skills to engage in difficult dialogue
• Facilitated Dialogues/Town Halls - As requested by departments and groups, CSJD will collaborate to host community dialogues and facilitate community Town Halls to explore community needs, facilitate group problem solving, and develop associated action steps. 

Faculty/Staff engagement opportunities

• Dialogue Facilitation Training - Faculty and Staff are invited to participate in an 8 hour dialogue facilitation training. Participants will learn foundational theory, practice key skills, and explore activities and approaches to engaging dialogue in their daily work on campus. 
• Facilitated Dialogues/Town Halls - As requested by departments and groups, CSJD will collaborate to host community dialogues and facilitate community Town Halls to explore community needs, facilitate group problem solving, and develop associated action steps. 
• Fac/Staff Dialogues (Beginning Summer 2025) - Six-session cohort focused on exploring social identity, power, privilege, and oppression, while developing intergroup dialogue skills and practices.