The Women's Center would like to share an exciting scholarship from Central Scholarship of Maryland!

Central Scholarship of Maryland has an exciting scholarship opportunity your student members may find beneficial.

See flyer for details!

The Marjorie Cook Scholars Program

Amount: Up to $5,000, renewable

Qualifications:

• Graduate female students in Maryland who intend to empower women through public action and advocacy/ intend to become lawyers or public-policy makers devoted to advancing women’s social and political status
• Women majoring in public policy or law on the graduate level
• Displayed passion for/commitment to women’s rights and equality
• (volunteerism, internships, research, prior work experience)
• 3.0 GPA or higher

Are you an active member in the Women's Center community? Are you looking to contribute to the Center in new and exciting ways? If so, maybe the Women's Center Advisory Board is the next step for you!
Download your application today!

The Women’s Center Advisory Board is a collective of faculty, staff, and students (graduate and undergraduate) with an interest in the process associated with developing and maintaining the UMBC Women’s Center.

Board Members are asked to participate in a monthly board meeting, scheduled for the first Friday of each month during the academic year.  This forum allows the Director to share information about the Center and similarly allows the board members to share their knowledge, wisdom and unique perspectives.

In addition to advising the Director, Board Members help and give support in the planning, programming, and public relations of the Center via various sub-committees. These responsibilities would entail additional hours of commitment outside of the monthly board meetings.

Board members are appointed for two-year terms, with possibility of renewal.

The Women’s Center seeks to serve a diverse population of women, as well as men interested in gender and women’s issues.  As a result, a diverse board is sought to assure that varying needs and interests are represented.

DEADLINE: Friday, March 16, 2012

For additional information, please call the Women’s Center at x52714 or email womens.center@umbc.edu.

All Are Welcome So Long As They Respect Women’s Experiences, Stories & Potential

The Diversity Educator Interns are a mix of six, talented undergraduate and graduate students who work to fulfill the Mosaic Center's mission and vision. The DEIs co-facilitate cross-cultural and diversity awareness discussions and educational workshops for UMBC student, staff and faculty groups by request. Want to know more or want the DEIs to present to your class or group? Contact mosaic@umbc.edu.

Name: Chengcheng Zhou (Cici)

Major: This is my second semester in UMBC. I’m currently a graduate student in the Intercultural Communication Program.

Q: How is your major applicable to diversity education?

A: As you see, my major is Intercultural Communication. So, basically, what we learn in my program is applying concepts and skills of intercultural communication to different fields ranging from linguistics to politics.  The diversity education program contains a lot of cultural exchanges and contacts. It’s the best place that I can think of to apply what I have learned in class to practice.

Q: Why did you decide to apply for the Diversity Educator Internship?

A: For me, the name of Diversity Educator Internship itself is attractive. I think it could be a really good opportunity for me to apply what I’ve learned in class to all the activities in this program. It also opens the floor for me to draw on my previous experiences-- contacting and doing workshops with people from different cultural backgrounds--to help contribute a more respectful, civil and accepting campus.

Q: How would you define diversity?

A: Diversity, for me, is being aware of the differences among people and willing to embrace them with mindfulness.

Q: How does UMBC foster an appreciation for diversity?

A: First, the diversity can be presented in student population. We always can run into people from different culture backgrounds on campus, India, China, Spain, etc.. Second, there are a series of talks open to our campus that address a multitude of issues relevant to diversity.

Q: What are ways that students can participate in advocacy for diversity?

A: I think being a advocate, firstly, is being open-minded to everything that you come across in your daily life. Secondly, be mindful and respective to all those differences that you come across. Of course, participating different workshops and training about diversity is also a good way.

Q: After graduating how will you continue to be an advocate for diversity?

A: I definitely will bring what I’ve learned at UMBC to China. No matter what my career will be in the future, I will introduce the Intercultural Communication to my colleagues and friends.

Are you eligible for the Charlotte Newcombe Scholarship and the UMBC Scholarship for returning students? You must answer YES to the following questions to be eligible.

• Are you a student 25 years old or older?

• Are you working toward your first undergraduate degree?

• Are you enrolled for fall and/or spring classes?

• Have you earned at least 60 credits?

• Do you have at least a 2.5 GPA?

• Are you in financial need?

• Are you willing to attend group meetings and/or contact meetings that are designed to help support you as a mature women?

If so... feel free to download an application today for the 2012-2013 school year. For questions, feel free to contact Jess in the Women's Center or at jessm@umbc.edu.

Applications are due April 6, 2012.

The Diversity Educator Interns are a mix of six, talented undergraduate and graduate students who work to fulfill the Mosaic Center's mission and vision by promoting cross cultural programs, education and collaboration. Want to know more? Contact mosaic@umbc.edu.

Name: Andrea Duval

Major: Modern Languages and Linguistics major studying French and Intercultural Communication

Hometown: Native New Yorker

Q: Favorite animals? Random facts? 

A: I love dogs (especially big cuddly ones), hamsters, and my baby betta fish! Random facts...  There's no pizza quite like a Brooklyn pizza. 

Q: How did you learn about the Diversity Education Internship (DEI)? Did you know right away that you wanted to do it?

A: I heard about it in an email I received from the MLL department here.  I thought "This sounds perfect!" and decided to apply.  I knew that this was right up my alley, and I'm glad I went for it. 

Q: Have you volunteered in any other diversity positions before you started? How did you learn skills you needed to know for this internship? 

A: My freshman year I volunteered in the English Language Institute as  conversation partner, helping international students develop their conversational English. It was a great experience and put me in a position where I had to develop the necessary skills to communicate across cultures.  And those skills are invaluable as a DEI. 

Q: How many hours each week do you work in the OSL Mosaic Center? What do you do during that time? 

A: I work an hour a day in the Mosaic as a part of the Marketing Team, keeping our information updated on myUMBC to inform the student population of our upcoming events, and to put the word out about what the Mosaic is and what we do. 

Q: What is the most difficult thing you have encountered so far into the internship? What is the most interesting thing you have encountered?

A: Learning to let go of your fears and volunteering to do something I might not usually be comfortable doing, like sharing a personal story and stepping out of my comfort zone.  It's important in this internship to be able to put yourself out there, or else it would be hard to help anyone else. 

Q: What would you say to other students inquiring about becoming the next generation of DEIs?

A: Do it! Apply, inquire, ask questions, and most importantly be willing to be active in the center.  Come in and talk to an intern, find out what goes on in the Mosaic, and think of ways to help make it even better! 

Q: What are your plans/goals for after UMBC? 

A: I feel that graduate school is a definite for me.  Whether it happens right after graduation or a few years down the road depends.  But I plan to further my education, and I can't wait to find out what opportunities await me. 

• Are you a female veteran?
• Are you currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces?

If so, please come and join us meet and network with other UMBC community members who, also, are. This support group is exclusively for women. Complimentary tea and coffee available for all guests.

First Meeting:

When: Monday, February 13th

Time: 4:00-5:00pm

Where: The Women's Center (Commons, 004)

For more info, please e-mail Jess at: jessm@umbc.edu