SistaCare is a community-care and dialogue group that explores the ways undergraduate and graduate students who identify as Black/Africana women and femmes, regardless of their gender expression, experience campus communities. Weekly sessions will explore experience, impact, and connection and are open to all individuals regardless of their sex, gender, race, ethnicity, or national origin. Come to learn, share, and connect!
To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with us via email, csjdialogue.umbc.edu, with "Sistacare" in the subject line. All sessions 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.
UMBC will host three Fix Your Course Content Days, dedicated to improving the accessibility of digital course materials in Blackboard. During these three individual sprints, faculty, staff, and instructional designers can review Ally accessibility reports, make fixes to Blackboard course content, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive teaching.
When
Work individually or in your departments, or join one of our collaborative sessions to update the accessibility of your course content.
Why Fix Content?
What to Do on a Fix Your Content Day
Here’s a simple roadmap with four easy steps you can follow:
1. Review your Ally report.
Log into your course. Go to Books & Tools from the right navigation menu to access your Ally accessibility report. Note your starting score. Prioritize files you use most (syllabus, major readings, assignment sheets, handouts, etc.) or where you have inaccessible images that impact meaningful content.
2. Make at least 3 targeted fixes.
Use the Ally "repair" workflow (built into Blackboard) to take action:
3. Strive for 85.
As you make your fixes, aim for an Ally score of 85 percent or higher in your courses. This benchmark represents solid progress toward accessible, student-ready materials. Focus on content with Severe (red) or Major (orange) issues.
Each improvement -- adding alt text, correcting headings, or replacing scanned PDFs -- moves your score closer to 85, or exceeds it, and helps ensure your course is usable for every learner.
4. Reflect and plan next steps.
Think about recurring patterns in your courses (e.g. many scanned articles, many images lacking alt text). Use that insight to inform future course redesign or content creation. Consider sharing your top three fixes with your department to help normalize accessible practices across campus.
If you'd like to be recognized with a microcredential for your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, submit your results using this Google Form.
A Few Tips to Make It Easier
On an upcoming Fix Your Content Day, join us in making a measurable impact on our course content. Whether you fix three items or thirty, your work matters. Let's make UMBC's digital learning environment more inclusive together.
Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC’s Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.
Questions? Reach out to hrbenefits@umbc.edu
]]>February offers fresh opportunities to deepen healthy habits as you explore ways to feel your best now and in the future! The Wellness Program will continue to support your thrive journey each month with motivating webinars, seasonal challenges, and monthly resources designed to help you stay energized, informed, and thriving as the year unfolds.
As part of UMBC's ongoing commitment to fostering equitable and inclusive learning and working environments, we're excited to offer departments a meaningful opportunity to strengthen community, repair relationships, and build trust across campus through Restorative Practice sessions. These offerings include multiple circle types, facilitated by partners in the Division of Institutional Equity (DOIE), and tailored to the unique needs of faculty and staff departments.
We invite faculty, staff, supervisors, and department leaders to discover how restorative practices can empower your teams to cultivate cultural competency, equity, accountability, and community care. These collaborative sessions provide a dedicated space to enhance communication, deepen connections, and foster a more inclusive work environment. To learn more or explore how these practices might benefit your department, please reach out to the Community & Culture team at culture@umbc.edu.
Circles provide structured, equitable spaces for dialogue and connection. Whether used proactively to build community or responsively to address harm, circles honor the voices and experiences of all participants through guided conversation. DOIE offers various circle types, including community-building, learning, restorative dialogue, healing, resetting, and re-entry circles to support faculty and staff (individuals, groups, departments).
Reach out for DOIE support when: Your department wants to strengthen culture proactively, address interpersonal tensions or misunderstandings, process the impact of bias incidents or crises, support colleague reintegration after conflict or leave, or explore challenging topics related to equity and inclusion.
In DOIE, restorative conferences are structured, facilitated meetings designed to address significant harm, policy violations, or formal workplace conflicts, particularly when navigating identity-based issues, community climate, and cultural differences. These conferences bring together affected parties with institutional representatives to repair relationships, establish accountability, and create clear paths forward.
Reach out for DOIE support when: There has been a formal complaint, policy violation, or significant identity-based interpersonal harm; parties are ready to engage voluntarily in structured dialogue; institutional representatives need to be part of the resolution process; or clear, documented agreements and follow-up are essential.
DOIE provides customized facilitation for departmental retreats, listening sessions, and other gatherings where skilled, restorative facilitation helps groups navigate complexity and move toward shared goals, particularly when navigating identity-based issues, community climate, and cultural differences.
Reach out for DOIE support when: Your department is planning a retreat and needs skilled facilitation; you want to gather qualitative feedback through listening sessions or town halls; your team is navigating organizational change or climate concerns; or you need support creating inclusive dialogue spaces for sensitive or complex topics.
*Available Facilitators: Jasmine A. Lee, Associate Vice President for Community & Culture/Co-Director of Social Justice Dialogue, and Sy Simms, Learning and Development Specialist, and other trained members of the Community & Culture team and UMBC campus.
We encourage all campus partners to take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen our shared culture of equity and belonging.
For questions about requesting restorative practices support, scheduling a circle, or determining the best approach for your department, please visit doie.umbc.edu or contact the Community & Culture team at culture@umbc.edu.
To participate in a Restorative Practices training hosted by Student Conduct and Community Standards, visit https://conduct.umbc.edu/programs/restorative-practices/events-and-workshops-offered/.
The Division will be tabling at GMC, come connect with us over breakfast and learn more about our programs, resources and support for our campus community.
Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a guided tour of UMBC's "Campus on a Hill" on February 11 & 23. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and this is a great opportunity to learn about campus accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally! Registration and additional information about the tours can be found here: [February 11] [February 23].
These virtual training sessions 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. Each training session will last approximately 50 minutes, and the Webex link will be sent to registrants within 24 hours of the training time. Please use the links below to register: [February 6] [February 9].
Join us for our first Circles for Beloved Community—facilitated spaces for faculty and staff to gather and build trust and understanding. These circles offer an opportunity to slow down, connect across roles and experiences, and practice being in community together. Register here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/149920
February is Black History Month! Engage with our 'Read, Watch, Listen & Participate' post.
Join us for Critical Social Justice Week, a multifaceted and interdisciplinary programming initiative that explores social justice in both theory and practice from academic, activist, and artistic perspectives. Click here to learn about past Critical Social Justice themes. The WGEC and CSJD have the following lineup of events for our campus community to engage with for the week.
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.
UMBC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the campus community and is committed to maintaining a campus environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. To help meet these goals, UMBC requires all students to complete an online educational program covering topics such as consent, bystander intervention, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and related issues. All students are required to complete this training at the start of each academic year. The online training can be accessed through UMBC's Vector Solutions login page. For questions, please see the Student Training FAQ page or email ecrtraining@umbc.edu.
Note: All programs, events, and opportunities are open to full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and University nondiscrimination policies.
These financial webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of your retirement plan or vendor.
Register for TIAA’s live webinars to get financial information, news and tips from their experts.
Reserve your spot by clicking the registration links below. These webinars are a part of your retirement plan benefits.
Thursday, February 12, 12pm to 1pm: Yours, Mine, Ours: Finances for Blended Families
Blended families come in many forms and bring unique financial dynamics. Whether you're merging incomes, planning for children from different relationships, or managing different priorities, this webinar will offer practical tools to help your family thrive
In this webinar, they will discuss:
Tuesday, February 24, 11am to 12pm: Managing your finances during and after a divorce
Divorce can bring significant financial changes. From splitting assets to updating beneficiaries and creating a new financial plan, this webinar provides tools to help take control with clarity and confidence.
In this webinar, they will discuss:
The Division of Institutional Equity joins the Mosaic Center and our many campus community members in recognizing and honoring Black History Month.
Black History Month is celebrated each year in February to honor the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. The 2026 Black History Month theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations". This month, the Division of Institutional Equity invites you to engage through our "Read, Watch, Listen, Participate" list to celebrate, connect, and explore.
To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with each program office directly. All sessions 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.
Join us at UMBC events throughout the month to connect, celebrate, and learn together
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTn2ExeEaIg/
Visit the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture located in downtown Baltimore to learn more and be inspired by the lives of African American Marylanders.
This reading list features powerful stories by Black authors that capture the richness, humor, complexity, and beauty of Black life in the United States.
This must-watch collection highlights the brilliance, resilience, and lasting contributions of Black individuals who have shaped history, culture, science, law, and sports in the United States.
10 things about Dr. Carter G. Woodson - Father of Black History Month. Link: https://youtu.be/f2-qjMiTQqw?si=zZHELAzDzSPWL3jU
Malcom X
Hidden figures
Marshall
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
42
Through storytelling, music, culture, and conversation, these podcasts highlight the everyday joy, innovation, and contributions of Black people—past and present.
The Nod
The Read
Code Switch
Questlove Supreme
Oprah's Super Soul
MSRP webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of their retirement plan.
"Social Security: Fundamentals For Every Age"
Social Security isn't just a retirement issue - it's a lifelong planning topic. Learn the fundamentals of how the program works, what affects your future benefits, and how to plan smarter at every stage of life.
"Getting to Know EMPOWER: Participant Technology in Action"
Explore the tools, technology, and experiences that help participants make the most of their retirement journey with EMPOWER.
(Presented by Empower, MSRP's Contractor for Plan Administrator)
"Your Pension, Social Security, and MSRP: Retirement Income For Life!"
Wondering how much income one needs in retirement, when to claim Social Security, and how State Pension and MSRP savings fit together? Join MSRP to learn how to estimate benefits from all retirement income sources and plan with confidence.