NOTE FROM THE STAFF
For the Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff team, March was full of transitions, and April promises more of the same. As we describe below, Adam Watkins joined the team as our first Administrative Assistant. Romy Hübler became the Center’s Associate Director after having served as Assistant Director since our launch in 2018. After three years, we finally were able to host our immersive, six-day Alternative Spring Break program in person in Baltimore. UMBC announced plans for a fall semester in which physical spaces on campus will be used at full capacity for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the Center began recruiting interns, Alternative Spring Break leaders, ConnectionCorps facilitators, and STRiVE coaches for the 2022-23 academic year. This week, we learned the identity of UMBC's next President, Dr. Valerie Shears Ashby. We are very much looking forward to getting to know her. Additional changes and opportunities are on the horizon.
For us, these transitions are bittersweet. Members of our team are getting ready to graduate from UMBC and move to the next stages of their lives. UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski has been a mentor and supporter of the Center, and we will miss him. The group that worked together for months to make Alternative Spring Break a success will disband. But the Center for Democracy and Civic Life is growing, and we are thrilled by opportunities to continue working with partners on campus and in national networks such as the American Democracy Project, Bringing Theory to Practice, Imagining America, and the Kettering Foundation. As a new season blossoms, we are thinking with gratitude about the people who continue to nurture us, including our colleagues in UMBC’s Division of Student Affairs, and wishing everyone a season of growth.
Best,
David Hoffman Ph.D. ’13, Romy Hübler ’09, M.A. ’11, Ph.D. ’15, Adam Watkins, Caleb Ruck, Charis Lawson ’20, Faith Davis, Garrett Posey, Markya Reed ’18, and Tess McRae
Center for Democracy and Civic Life Staff
FEATURED NEWS
Welcome Adam Watkins
On March 28, Adam Watkins (he/him/his) joined the Center for Democracy and Civic Life as its first administrative assistant. Adam also will support the Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion and Belonging (i3b) team.
Adam is looking forward to working in a higher education setting. A 2004 graduate of Towson University, Adam says, “I found the inclusive and accepting university experience to be profoundly transformative, and I am eager to support student services that enable others to thrive as I did. Further, as someone who worked in and around the nation’s capital, I recognize the importance of getting and keeping students, particularly college-age students, involved in participatory democracy, and I am eager to provide support for efforts which promote civic engagement.”
You can contact Adam at adamw4@umbc.edu.
Romy Hübler Becomes Associate Director
Romy Hübler’s position with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life has been reclassified from Assistant Director to Associate Director in recognition of the wide range of responsibilities she has assumed since the Center’s 2018 launch. Romy’s role includes serving as UMBC’s liaison to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project and the NASPA LEAD initiative, two national higher education civic engagement networks; working with David Hoffman to establish and guide implementation of the Center’s strategic vision; designing curricula and training facilitators for the Center’s immersive and guided conversation programs; initiating, designing, and leading research projects; and supervising staff members. Romy is a triple alumna of UMBC who has worked in the Division of Student Affairs since 2016.
Center Hosts Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in Baltimore
More than 30 UMBC undergraduate students explored the systemic and human dimensions of complex social issues in Baltimore last month through the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s ASB program. Over the course of six days and five nights, the participants met with more than 40 representatives from government agencies and nonprofit organizations, participated in skills-building workshops and roundtable discussions, and engaged in reflection activities. The participants spent much of their time in groups exploring specific topics: immigrant health equity (led by Dominique Henriques Melo and Mokeira Nyakoe), K-12 educational equity (led by Diane Stonestreet and Polina Kassir), and transformative justice (led by Mulan Bell and Wendy Zhang). The leaders had worked with Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff over the previous five months to develop the curriculum and plans for ASB.
"ASB changed my perception about Baltimore City and its people. I've always thought that there is a beauty that I had not had a chance to see [because I had] only been exposed to one side of the story. Experiencing it and being in it was affirming, grounding, and connecting." — ASB 2022 Participant
Eric Ford, Felipe Filomeno, Jodi Kelber-Kaye, and Kate Drabinski joined the group for a session entitled Contextualizing Baltimore, sharing their insights about and work in the city. ASB also featured a Change Makers Dinner, in which participants had the opportunity to talk with Brittany Young (B-360), Fred Watkins, Jr. (Lil' Laughs), Maisie Forland (Restorative Response Baltimore), and Stefanie Mavronis ’12 (Baltimore City Mayor’s Office) about their approaches to social change.
The ASB group also met with current and former staff members in Baltimore City government, including Marvin James (Baltimore City Mayor’s Office), Brionna Adams (Baltimore City Mayor’s Office), and Nick Machado (Campaign Manager). Stefanie Mavronis organized the panel and discussion.
“Before ASB, I didn't really have a hope for change. I was reluctant [to believe] that I would be able to see change happen in my lifetime. Now, I am hopeful [about] there being change, and I realize that small changes are still changes.” — ASB 2022 Participant
In addition, David Hoffman, Faith Davis, Markya Reed, and Romy Hübler facilitated workshops focused on inclusive practices, civic agency, and social change.
“ASB has further solidified my hope that a community of care is possible in our society, maybe even within my generation.” — ASB 2022 Participant
UMBC Sophomore Farah Helal Selected as University System of Maryland Student Regent
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has appointed UMBC sophomore Farah Helal to serve as the University System of Maryland Student Regent for 2022-24 (with full voting rights for 2023-24). Farah, a past participant in the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s STRiVE leadership for social impact program, currently serves as director of governmental affairs for UMBC’s Student Government Association (SGA).
David Hoffman and Romy Hübler coordinate UMBC’s student regent nominee selection process and work with campus nominees to prepare for later stages in the selection process. SGA leaders Rehman Liaqat and Wendy Zhang also served as members of the selection committee.
USM encompasses 12 institutions, including UMBC, and three regional higher education centers. It employs more than 16,000 faculty members and 25,000 staff members, and owns almost 1,000 buildings. Its annual operating budget is more than $5 billion. There are more than 170,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at its various institutions. The 21-member Board of Regents is the ultimate authority in governance of USM.
Tess McRae Facilitates Student Civic Leaders Committee Meeting
On March 11, Tess McRae co-facilitated a meeting of the University System of Maryland (USM)’s Student Civic Leaders Committee (SCLC). At the meeting, guest speakers Adam Gismondi and Prabhat Gautam from the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) presented findings from the 2020 National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) and shared recommendations for fostering civic engagement on college campuses. Student committee members, staff members serving as campus voting coordinators, and USM System Office staff members had a conversation with Adam and Prabhat about how to interpret their NSLVE reports.
The SCLC supports civic engagement and education efforts within and between USM universities. The committee was established in 2020 in response to the Board of Regents’ acknowledgement of the continuing importance of civic education and civic engagement to the mission of the University System of Maryland. Student leaders from USM institutions and USM System Office staff members comprise the SCLC’s membership. Tess and Delanie Blubaugh, a student at Frostburg State University, serve as the SCLC’s Co-Chairs. Dr. Nancy Shapiro, USM’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Education and Outreach, and Dr. Joann Boughman, USM’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, convene the committee and support its work.
To learn more about civic engagement and education work at the system level, click here.
Political Engagement Working Group Plans for Election 2022
Charis Lawson, David Hoffman, Garrett Posey, and Romy Hübler have been convening leaders from the Resident Student Association (Logan Lineburg) and the Student Government Association (Farah Helal and Musa Jafri) in weekly meetings since the beginning of the spring semester to discuss how members of the campus community are making sense of national and world events and develop plans for collaborative political engagement initiatives in the run up to Election 2022.
On March 11, Eleanor Lewis and Dinah Winnick joined the group to strategize about using a variety of communication platforms to promote engagement. On March 18, Collin Sullivan ‘19 offered the group insight about technological innovations that can support voter engagement at UMBC.
Center Hosts Meaningful Careers and Civic Autobiography Workshops
On March 1, Charis Lawson and Tess McRae facilitated two Meaningful Careers workshops for first-year students in the Discovery Scholars Program and for graduating seniors enrolled in GLBL 496: Global Experience Practicum. Participants considered the connections between their passions and potential career choices; reflected on the civic contributions they hope to make through their careers; identified questions, concerns, and fears they have related to establishing a satisfying career; and brainstormed about skills they would like to develop during their time as UMBC students. Meaningful Careers Workshops are among the ways the Center for Democracy and Civic Life works with students to envision themselves as civic professionals who contribute to their communities in and through their careers.
On March 30, ConnectionCorps members Clair Volkening and Rehman Liaqat facilitated a Civic Autobiography workshop for students in the Shriver Living Learning Community. Participants reflected on their intentions and aspirations related to improving people’s lives and solving public problems; considered the settings in which they had felt most inspired and capable of taking action; and discussed the lasting contributions they would like to make.
UNDERGRADUATES: Join Us as a 2022-2023 Intern (Deadline to apply: 4/4)
The Center for Democracy and Civic Life is looking for three UMBC undergraduate students to join our team as 2022-23 interns. Interns support the Center's programs and initiatives, working collaboratively with other members of the staff. Each intern has a particular area of focus, but all members of the team are involved in developing and producing the Center's work. Interns work either 10-15 or 15-20 hours per week during the academic year, with some variation explained below.
The internship positions available for 2022 - 2023 are:
Graphic design intern (15-20 hours/week): The graphic design intern creates program materials, advertisements, reports, and web pages aligned with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s visual iconography, and suggests design possibilities to other members of the team.
Community civic engagement intern (10-15 hours/week): The community civic engagement intern supports Alternative Spring Break and other programs that position students as agents of change in the Baltimore region. Alternative Spring Break will take place from March 19 - 24, 2023, during UMBC's Spring Break, and the community civic engagement intern must be available throughout that week.
Political engagement intern (15-20 hours/week): The political engagement intern supports programs that connect UMBC students with the legislative process in Annapolis, engage them in politics and pathways to political leadership, and encourage their participation in local, state, and national elections. The political engagement intern also supports the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s research projects and contributions to national higher education initiatives.
All intern positions pay $12.50/hour for fall 2022, $13.25/hour for spring 2023.
This application is due on Monday, April 4, 2022.
If you have any questions about the application or the selection process, please email civiclife@umbc.edu.
UNDERGRADUATES: Join Us as a 2022-2023 Affiliate (Deadline to apply: 4/4)
The Center for Democracy and Civic Life is seeking undergraduate students to play leading roles in its 2022-23 programs as affiliates of the Center. Affiliates include Alternative Spring Break leaders (up to six positions), ConnectionCorps facilitators (up to eight positions), and STRiVE coaches (five positions). All positions are stipended and acknowledged on students’ transcripts.
Applications for all three positions are due on Monday, April 4, 2022. Apply here.
Alternative Spring Break leaders
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a six-day immersive learning experience. ASB participants explore the systemic and human dimensions of complex social issues in Baltimore. Each small group focuses on a specific topic, but the groups also consider overlaps among their issues. ASB groups work with community partners, elected officials, and scholars to identify pathways to long-term local engagement.
Past ASB groups have explored challenges and solutions relating to housing, access to nutritious food, education, and health care, criminal justice, and a variety of other issues in Baltimore. Applicants can choose to explore these topics or propose new ones.
Each leader works with a co-leader and as a member of a leadership team organized and trained by Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff during weekly meetings in the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. Together the leaders develop plans for a holistic, empowering ASB experience for all participants during the week of UMBC’s Spring Break, March 19 - 24, 2023.
The overall time commitment is approximately 100 hours over the course of the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. For specific dates, see the application.
Leaders receive a $1,000 stipend and a zero credit practicum notification (PRAC 096-08) on their transcripts for winter and spring 2023. Leaders also receive a graduation cord to recognize the contributions they have made to the education and growth of their peers. The Shriver Center coordinates PRAC 096-08 and the distribution of graduation cords.
All undergraduate students are invited to apply. Preferred but not required: Applicants will have participated in ASB or a similar multi-day experiential learning program.
ConnectionCorps facilitators
The ConnectionCorps is an initiative through which UMBC students learn to foster democratic participation and authentic connection among participants in the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s workshops and programs (e.g., Change Makers Dinner, Changing Maryland, and Dinner with Friends). ConnectionCorps facilitators participate in bi-weekly and ad-hoc training sessions to build community, develop skills, and prepare to facilitate.
The overall time commitment is approximately 30 hours in each of the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semesters. For specific dates, see the application.
ConnectionCorps facilitators receive a $400 stipend and a zero credit practicum notification (PRAC 096-08) on their transcripts for spring 2022. They also receive a graduation cord to recognize the contributions they have made to the education and growth of their peers. The Shriver Center coordinates PRAC 096-08 and the distribution of graduation cords.
All undergraduate students are invited to apply. Preferred but not required: Applicants will have participated in Center for Democracy and Civic Life workshops or programs.
STRiVE coaches
STRiVE is an intensive, five-day leadership for social impact program organized in partnership with the Student Government Association. The STRiVE coaching team prepares for and facilitates STRiVE, which will take place January 9-13, 2023. STRiVE coaches meet weekly during the fall 2022 semester to practice sessions and make plans. Coaches also prepare to facilitate small and large group sessions. By the time of the retreat, all coaches have received all the training and practice needed to succeed as a STRiVE coach.
The overall time commitment is approximately 100 hours over the course of fall 2022 semester and winter 2023 term. For specific dates, see the application.
STRiVE coaches receive a $1,000 stipend and a zero credit practicum notification (PRAC 096-08) on their transcript for winter 2023. They also receive a graduation cord to recognize the contributions they have made to the education and growth of their peers. The Shriver Center coordinates PRAC 096-08 and the distribution of graduation cords.
All undergraduate students are invited to apply. Preferred but not required: Applicants will have participated in STRiVE or a similar multi-day experiential learning program.
Use this form to apply to be an Alternative Spring Break leader, ConnectionCorps facilitator, or a STRiVE coach for the 2022-23 academic year. Again, applications are due on Monday, April 4, 2022.
If you have any questions, you can contact us directly at civiclife@umbc.edu.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES & PROGRAMS
Civic Courage Journaling Project Gathering (Virtual)
Friday, April 29, 2022 • 3:15 – 4:45 p.m.
The Civic Courage Journaling Project creates opportunities for individual reflection and group conversations about personal experiences that have important, often hidden civic dimensions. Civic Courage, identified by the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) Theory of Change as one of the capacities necessary for active and engaged citizenship, encompasses the ability to take risks, work through tension, be patient in the face of challenges, stay open and engaged, take responsibility for the foreseeable consequences of one’s actions, face changes bravely, and act in accordance with one’s core values and beliefs.
UMBC student, faculty, staff, and alumni journal bearers respond to prompts from the Center for Democracy and Civic Life by creating entries in their journals. We share the prompt via email and our myUMBC page during the week of each gathering. If you’d like to be involved with the Civic Courage Journaling Project, send us an email: civiclife@umbc.edu.
For a full, interactive list of our Spring 2022 virtual programs, click here. We hope to see you.
To contact the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, email civiclife@umbc.edu.
To read the Center’s Annual Report for 2020-2021, click here.