UMBC and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) have honored Tafat Boudif ‘27 as part of the fourth annual ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education, and turnout efforts in their communities. Boudif is one of 232 students who mobilized their fellow students to make their voices heard in a historic election cycle. (Watch an instagram video of Tafat and other recipients.)

“Whether they hosted nonpartisan voter registration drives or early voting celebrations, the students honored today made sure their peers did not sleep in on Election Day,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “With 100,000 local elections happening across the country in 2025, ALL IN students continue to ensure that everyone on their campuses has the information they need to cast their ballot. The 232 Student Voting Honor Roll honorees lead by example, making nonpartisan voter participation a lifelong habit for themselves and their peers.” 

As a political engagement intern with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, Boudif helps facilitate civic and political processes for students on campus to allow them to demonstrate their full potential and achieve meaningful change within their communities and beyond. A political science and global studies double major, she also hopes to promote safe spaces in which students of all identities feel comfortable to be vulnerable in their experiences.

Boudif shared, “Voting as a college student is not easy, and it is something I fear will become even harder in the coming times. However, the attack we see on voting rights today is indicative of how powerful our voices can truly be once we have the opportunity to express them. That is why I do this work; I believe each individual has a story that is key to how we shape our nation and I dedicate myself to ensuring that everyone can actually tell that story, in this case through voting. I feel honored to be recognized, but mostly grateful for my colleagues at the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and other students across the nation who continue to support this work despite its difficulties.”

A recent survey from CIRCLE found that 48% of under-35 youth who did not vote in 2024 heard little or nothing at all about how to vote, compared to the 15% of under-35 youth who cast their ballots. By integrating nonpartisan voter registration and education into campus life, colleges and universities can have a measurable impact in encouraging students to become active and engaged citizens.

"Voting is one of the many ways we can take part in shaping the direction of our communities, nation, and world," said Trentqual Rhone, coordinator for political engagement at the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. "Over the past decade, we’ve seen increased efforts to restrict voter participation, especially among marginalized communities—making programs that support voter registration, turnout, and civic engagement more important than ever. We must continue working to ensure our students have the tools and motivation they need to show up to the polls, make informed decisions, and participate in building a future that reflects the world they want to see."

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student civic engagement. With the support of the ALL IN staff, campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning, voter participation and ongoing engagement in our democracy on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge engages more than 1,000 institutions enrolling over 10 million students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote.

Dear UMBC Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Christa J. Porter as the next vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. Christa joins UMBC on July 1 from Kent State University in Ohio where she serves as the interim dean of the Graduate College and as a faculty member. 

The vice provost and dean of the Graduate School is a key position in serving the university to guide the future of graduate education and graduate student success at UMBC. Christa is a collaborative leader who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to inclusive excellence and student success to the role. She brings substantial administrative experience at the department and university level, working across colleges and divisions in a shared governance environment. 

As we embark on strategic planning, Christa also has significant experience in this space. In addition to her administrative experience, Christa brings a very strong record as a faculty member. Christa is a nationally recognized scholar, teacher, and mentor. Her areas of expertise include the socialization and trajectory of Black women in higher education, student development at the intersections of identities, and research and praxis in higher education and student affairs. In addition to serving as the next vice provost and dean of the Graduate School, Christa will also have a faculty appointment in the Language, Literacy, and Culture doctoral program.

Christa earned a Ph.D. in college student affairs administration and an interdisciplinary qualitative research studies certificate at the University of Georgia, a M.A. in higher education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.A. in social relations and policy from Michigan State University.

I want to give a special thanks to Jeffrey Halverson, who has selflessly served as the interim vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. His thoughtful leadership has been invaluable during this season of transition. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ana Oskoz for chairing the search committee and everyone who was involved in the search process. I appreciate your continued commitment to graduate education at UMBC. 

Please welcome Christa to the UMBC community as she returns to Maryland. 

Sincerely, 

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs