Come out to Ally Hangout every other Thursday from 11am-12pm to have a great discussion on  being an ally and some facts on the LGBTQIA2+ community.

Carly Shearer ‘26, an evaluation intern in the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, has been honored on the National Student Voting Honor Roll as a leader in nonpartisan campus civic engagement. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) recognized 168 students across the country for their contributions to creating a more civically engaged culture within their campus communities. From civic learning to voter participation, these students lead by example and empower their peers to become lifelong participants in democracy. 

Shearer is in her second year as an intern with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. She explores the impact of the Center’s initiatives across campus and beyond. In addition to her service as an intern, Shearer participated in the Center’s STRiVE leadership for public purpose program and a Change Makers Dinner in the 2023-2024 academic year, was a site coordinator for STRiVE in 2025, and a STRiVE 2026 coach. She is a Center for Women in Technology Scholar majoring in computer science and minoring in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies.

Shearer said, “I'm grateful to everyone who nominated me for the award which reflects the shared commitment of our community to this work. Being part of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life has shown me that civic life is everywhere, and that students from any background have more power than they think. Our work helps students connect to civic life, no matter their major, and feel confident using their voices to make change.”

“Carly is one of the most extraordinary students I have had the pleasure of working with,” said Tess McRae ‘22, the Center’s assistant director for connective learning. “She is always willing to take on a challenge, and makes every project she works on better for her perceptiveness and intellect. The work she has done to support civic engagement on campus, including in her role with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, has been consistently thoughtful, innovative, and sensitive to the diversity of experiences among the student body. I am thrilled that ALL IN has recognized her excellent contributions.”

Jen Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, shared, “From hosting registration drives to initiating conversations with classmates in the hallway, our 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll is filled with students who exemplify what it means to be a leader in civic engagement. As college students face increasing barriers to voting while on campus, these students are making nonpartisan voter participation a lifelong habit for themselves, their peers and their campuses. We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and excited to see their continued impact as we approach this year’s midterm elections.”

ALL IN supports more than 1,000 campuses and 10 million students nationally to make nonpartisan civic engagement an ongoing part of campus life. Members of the 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll were nominated by campus leaders for their dedication and excellence in voter education, registration and turnout in 2025. 

ABOUT the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge 

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student civic engagement. Through an intentionally designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, voter participation, and ongoing engagement in our democracy at more than 1,000 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is an impact hub for ideas, leaders, and initiatives that strengthen civic culture, power, and participation. Rooted in purpose and powered by people, Civic Nation brings together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, brands, and influencers to take on the biggest issues of our time. Civic Nation is home to five national initiatives: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote. 

Name: Gunner Sudol

Pronouns: Any/All

Title: Coordinator for Desk Services, Residential Life

Years in Student Affairs: 5

UMBC alum: I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees at UMBC in biological sciences with a focus in neuroscience. 

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?
Most might be able to assume from my title that I do a lot with customer service and addressing concerns, but I am also responsible for co chairing our recruitment committee which markets, hires, and onboards a massive student staff team to support the department of Residential Life. One of my favorite new projects this year has been the amount of assessment I have been conducting throughout our process sourcing feedback and reviewing our processes' accessibility to make it as effective as possible in preparing and selecting excellent students to join our teams.  

What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here?
An important thing I learned in my time at UMBC is that change is a constant. Every year I think ‘This will be the year that I will be able to copy and paste what I did last year!’ And every year I’m wrong! I’m not mad about it. New things happen and strange developments beyond my control keep me on my toes and drive me to improve every time and refine processes as much as I can. 

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work? 
One of the things I enjoy most is cosplay! For those that don’t know what it is, basically I never grew out of playing dress up. I love it because there are so many artistic skills needed for the hobby. I have learned how to sew, paint, do make up, hair style, 3D print and so much more all for one hobby. I get to flex my creativity and craftiness in a variety of ways and get to look cool at the end of it. 

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Peer Health Educator program allows students to serve as leaders on campus and promote health/well-being, and there's a stipend! 
Application is live! Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10.  2026- 2027 Peer Health Educator Application

Faculty navigate political conversations in their classrooms whether they plan to or not. When we understand politics broadly as the processes through which we figure out how to live together, rather than strictly as voting gameplay, these moments are not just unavoidable but pedagogically important. Faculty already bring experience to managing complex classroom dynamics, and this workshop builds on that foundation by offering a dialogic perspective designed specifically for conversations across political difference. Participants will explore what it looks like to hold commitments to both free expression and inclusive community in practice, examine the particular dynamics that make political dialogue feel high-stakes, and co-develop guiding questions they can adapt to shape their own classroom strategy when these moments arise. This workshop will be facilitated by Ricky Blissett (Center for Democracy and Civic Life).

To RSVP and get the link for this event, visit the original post on the Faculty Development Center's myUMBC, and they will send you a Google calendar invitation with a WebEx link one hour before the session. If you register less than an hour before the session, you will receive the WebEx link when you register. Please email fdc@umbc.edu if you have any questions. If you have registered and find that you can no longer attend, please kindly release your spot so that others may attend.

(Counts toward the ALIT Certificate)
(Counts toward the INNOVATE Certificate)

Join Retriever Integrated Health and the Office of Health Promotion for an afternoon focused on your well-being.

Tuesday, April 7
3 – 5 PM
The Center for Well-Being (2nd Floor)

Celebrate spring and World Health Day with a tour, wellness bites, and a chance to explore everything RIH and OHP has to offer.

What to expect:

• Guided tours
• Community acupuncture
• Wellness screenings
• Mind Spa experience
• Program & service spotlights
• Refreshments & giveaways

Meet the teams, explore the space, and learn how to access support throughout the semester.

No registration needed — just drop in.

This event is 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.

Monday, April 6th, 4 - 6 PM Break the Mold, Fireside Lounge
Join our Graduate Peer Health Educators for networking and pottery. Meet UMBC alumni and learn their tips for standing out in the job market and furthering your education, and hear how these alumni manage their mental health and overall well-being while managing responsibilities. 

Tuesday, April 7th, 3 - 5 PM, RIH/OPH Spring Open, Center for Well-Being

Celebrate World Health Day by taking a space tour of RIH, checking your blood pressure and weight, trying out free acupuncture, and finishing in the mind spa with meditation or a quick massage chair session.

Wednesday, April 8th, 12-1 PM Wellness Wednesday, Commons Mainstreet

Join the Physical Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Peer Health Educators for heart health tips! Stop by and see how many tips you're already doing to benefit your heart!

Thursday, April 9th 11 AM - 1 PM, Letting Go to Grow, Commons Terrace

Join the Mental Health Peer Health Educators for some mental and emotional declutter. Take a break from the stress and join them on the terrace for some mental health exercises. 

*All 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.

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Peer Health Educator program allows students to serve as leaders on campus and promote health/well-being, and there's a stipend! 
Application is live! Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10.  2026- 2027 Peer Health Educator Application

Our lovely retrievers! Starting today, The Pride Center will be opening at 11am on Fridays! Our new operating hours on Fridays will be 11am-5pm. Monday-Thursday hours will not change. (:

Join us in UC 312 for todays TDOV Resource Fair and Panel! Our panel will start officially at 2:15pm, but please stop by beforehand to talk to our wonderful Resource tables and get a fun goodies!