Name: Dennis Walker Jr.
Pronouns: He/him
Title: Assistant Director of Adult Learner & Veteran Student Success
Years in Student Affairs/UMBC: 1 year and 6 months
What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?
Our veterans and Adult Learners have a space! We were fortunate enough to be provided a space for our veterans and adult learners that promotes inclusivity and connectivity amongst the two populations. We understand that our veterans and adult learners have a different experience than what is considered “traditional" so this is a space created for these students to unwind, study, connect, and ask for assistance regarding their specific needs at UMBC. We are located in the University Center, room 201-D.
What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here?
One of the most important things I have learned in my year and a half of employment at UMBC is that going with the flow may take you to places you didn’t expect to be, but will teach you things about yourself you didn’t know along the way. This past year has had a lot of transition and change, but it has helped me learn that sometimes things have to be fluid in order to truly serve an intentional purpose. I have learned valuable lessons about myself as an employee, a leader of my responsibilities, and most importantly as a person.
What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to watch anime and sports. I am a big time Philadelphia Eagles fan (GO BIRDS), so this has been a season of joy for me. I also enjoy watching crime documentaries, participating in community service with my local NAACP, playing video games, and spending time with my loved ones!
Position Type: Internship, Stipend, Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student
Handshake ID: 9726261
Hiring Manager: Dr. Ciara Christian
Term: Spring 2025 semester with the ability for renewal
Yearly Stipend: $1500
Do you always find yourself talking about social justice? Are you the friend in your group who's always adding “nuance” to the conversation? Then we’re looking for you! Social Justice Dialogue Facilitation Fellows work for the Center for Social Justice Dialogue and are supervised by professional staff within the Center.
The main role of this internship is to support the work of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue (CSJD) in cultivating a campus community where everyone feels empowered and equipped to engage in difficult dialogue across differences of identity, background, and lived experience. Built on a foundation of Intergroup Theory and other social justice education frameworks, interns will co-create and deliver workshops on topics of identity, social justice, and dialogue to student populations. Further, students will support projects including MediaBytes, Your Story Belongs Here, InterACT, FYS: Race, Social Justice, and Dialogue, and other departmental programs. They may also support collaborative dialogue programs in partnership with other departments on campus (e.g. The Women’s Center, Center for Democracy and Civic Life, Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging, etc). Facilitators are expected to work a maximum of ten hours a week which includes weekly staff meetings to engage in deep learning, prepare for workshops, and continue developing student-focused programming. Interns engage in ongoing training, reviewing key activities, facilitation skills, and foundational introductions to various social justice concepts. Interns must be available for these training sessions as well as program retreats.
Upon the completion of more advanced training (including Restorative Practices) and a full year of participation, students will have the opportunity to apply to a “senior internship” position to facilitate higher stakes dialogues.
Develop, facilitate, and promote peer-led workshops on topics related to identity, social justice, and dialogue to student populations
Engage in ongoing learning and development connected to dialogue and facilitation
Co-create the continued foundation for IDEAL and InterACT programs, as well as contribute ideas and content for workshop curriculum
Support CSJD programming through attendance, marketing/promotion, co-facilitating activities within larger dialogues and workshops, etc.
Meet with the primary supervisor and attend regular student staff meetings (dependent on student availability)
Serve as departmental “student liaison,” gathering information about current student “hot topics” and needs and wants connected to dialogue
Serve as an ambassador for IDEAL and InterACT programs, as well as CSJD more broadly
Follow all area regulations within the Code of Conduct (this is provided during the staff onboarding process)
Fulfill all other duties and responsibilities as appropriate and assigned (including, but not limited to occasional oral / written reflections, time tracking, etc.)
Must be a full-time, matriculating undergraduate or graduate student at UMBC;
Must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (semesterly checks will be conducted);
Must be able to commit to a minimum of one full academic year for at least 10 hours per week;
Interns are strongly encouraged to enroll and fulfill all the requirements PRAC098 offered through the Career Center each semester, but especially for their first full semester of the internship program. Learn more about PRAC here.
Must be committed to being a positive role model and demonstrate leadership skills;
Must demonstrate ability to interact and communicate mindfully in person and online with diverse students, staff, faculty, and other campus community members;
Must be flexible with schedules depending on relevant programs, events and/or student professional development opportunities;
Must have flexibility to work evening and weekend hours on occasion;
Must attend all training sessions
Demonstrated experience with myUMBC, Gmail, Google Drive, Canva, Instagram,, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and/or Illustrator
Demonstrated basic knowledge in any of the following areas: the relationship between identity, power, privilege and oppression, intersectionality, social justice-related theories, intergroup dialogue (e.g. Critical Race Theory, Feminist/Womanist Theory, Queer Theory, Social Identity Theory)
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience through student organization leadership, civic engagement and/or activism
Have summer and winter availability; and
Have verbal, spoken, and/or written multilingual skills
Donate to the Black and Gold Rush
Dinner with Friends: Lockdown Stories is a dinner and conversation program. UMBC community members (undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni) will have the opportunity to share stories and participate in table conversations about their experiences of the COVID lockdowns that began in March 2020. The conversations will be structured to foster healing and connection, and to generate lessons that can sustain us all through challenging times.
Monday, March 10 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
University Center 312
This event is open to the entire UMBC community, but space is limited. Complete this brief RSVP form to reserve your spot.
This event is organized by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life in collaboration with the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee; College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Exempt Staff Senate; Graduate Student Association; Non-Exempt Staff Senate; Retriever Integrated Health; and Student Government Association.
]]>Dinner with Friends: Lockdown Stories is a dinner and conversation program. UMBC community members (undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni) will have the opportunity to share stories and participate in table conversations about their experiences of the COVID lockdowns that began in March 2020. The conversations will be structured to foster healing and connection, and to generate lessons that can sustain us all through challenging times.
Monday, March 10 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
University Center 312
This event is open to the entire UMBC community, but space is limited. Complete this brief RSVP form to reserve your spot.
This event is organized by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life in collaboration with the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee; College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Exempt Staff Senate; Graduate Student Association; Non-Exempt Staff Senate; Retriever Integrated Health; and Student Government Association.
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