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UMBC staff, students, and alumni shared their expertise and contributed to national conversations on civic learning at several conferences in March.
American Association for State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project Summit (Chicago, March 15-16)
Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff Dr. David Hoffman, director; Tess McRae ‘22, assistant director for connective learning; Ann Tropea, assistant director for engaged media; and Arisbeth Valencia, undergraduate student and SGA senator, participated in this annual summit. Dr. Hoffman spoke at the opening plenary session about the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Theory of Change, a set of guiding ideas for the American Democracy Project for which he was the lead author.
UMBC alumnae Romy Hübler '09, M.A. '11, Ph.D. '15, director, Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Towson University, and and Markya Reed '18, M.A.'23, assistant director of operations, Center for Social Concern, Johns Hopkins University, also spoke during the opening session.
In addition, along with Dr. Timothy Eatman, professor of urban education and dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community at Rutgers University-Newark, and Dr. Justin Vaughn, professor and director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership, Coastal Carolina University, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Hübler co-led a design lab focused on building connections necessary to create and sustain a thriving democracy across professional roles, institutions, and communities.
Dr. Hoffman serves as a member of the ADP Steering Committee and Tess McRae is UMBC’s campus liaison.
Compact26 (Chicago, March 15-17)
In addition to Dr. Hoffman, McRae, Tropea, and Valencia, Matt Hoffman, director of the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Pluralism; Eric Ford, executive director of public service programs, Shriver Center; and Uday Sharad Joshi, TRHT community arts specialist, Shriver Center, participated. Matt Hoffman co-led a session called “Promoting Pluralism Practices in Higher Education” with colleagues from Interfaith America/AASCU’s Pluralism Cohort. The panel was organized by Cassie Meyer, director of campus partnerships for Interfaith America. Hoffman shared about the work that he has been doing with Dr. Jasmine Lee in the Division of Institutional Equity and Dr. Renique Kersh to promote civic pluralism on campus at UMBC.
Valencia wrote a reflection on her participation in the ADP Summit and Compact26 on LinkedIn.
SNF Ithaca Leadership Summit (Newark, DE, March 19)
Dr. Hoffman participated in this gathering of about 40 academic leaders to address “Advancing Constructive Engagement through Civil Discourse.”
The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) was proudly represented at NASPA's 2026 Annual Conference in Kansas City, where a dynamic group of professionals contributed to national conversations on belonging, leadership, and student success.
Attendees included staff from across the division. Together, they engaged in professional development, networking, and knowledge-sharing with colleagues from across the country.
VPSA
Briana Lawson, Director of Staff Culture and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
Dr. Rae Chresfield, Director of Health and Wellbeing
Residential Life
DiAvanti Bedford, Assistant Director for Residential Education for Conduct & Care
Ka'Lynn Ruth, Graduate Assistant, Residential Experience
Student Belonging
Jennifer Artis, Director of Student Life and Success for Graduate, Adult Learners, and Commuters
Mitchell Everett, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Life
Griselda Flores, Director, Essential Needs and Connections
Angelina Jenkins, Assistant Director, The Mosaic Center
Serena Studivant, Assistant Director, Commuter Student Success
Student Engagement
Tori Ciorra, Assistant Director, Student Organizations
Jen Ewing Fox, Assistant Director, Leadership and Governance
Lesa Goodhue, Special Assistant to the Dean of Students
DoSA's presence was especially impactful through several conference presentations. Highlights included sessions on impostor syndrome and graduate student wellbeing, commuter and adult learner belonging, supervision best practices, professional development for frontline staff, and identity-based experiences in higher education. These presentations reflected the division's strong commitment to advancing inclusive excellence and supporting diverse student populations.
Studivant showcased the Commuter Connections initiative through two poster presentations, further elevating the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for commuter students. Her work was recognized nationally with a NASPA Excellence Award, highlighting DoSA's leadership in advancing commuter student success and belonging.
NASPA 2026 provided an opportunity for DoSA staff to both learn from and contribute to the field of student affairs. The conference experience reinforced the institution's ongoing dedication to fostering belonging, innovation, and student-centered practices.
DoSA continues to lead with purpose, amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and shaping the future of higher education.
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