StudentAffairs

Lisa Gray discusses the role of education, awareness, and empowerment in raising young girls to be politically and socially conscious

Following the #BlackLivesMatter and #SayHerName movement over the past year, WEAA’s The Marc Steiner Show hosted a panel discussion on how parents and educators are incorporating the living history of the events which sparked these two social movements into lessons for their children and students, especially young girls of color. Lisa Gray, director of student life for cultural and spiritual diversity, participated in the discussion and shared her experiences as a leader for cultural diversity on campus, and as a mother of an 11 year-old daughter growing up in an era where these social justice issues are quickly rising to… Continue Reading Lisa Gray discusses the role of education, awareness, and empowerment in raising young girls to be politically and socially conscious

Diverse Names UMBC’s Student Affairs A “Most Promising Place to Work”

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education has named UMBC one of this year’s “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” among the nation’s research universities. UMBC was one of only 31 universities featured on the national list and one of just 14 research institutions included. “Student affairs at UMBC is guided by the mission of facilitating learning and preparing students for success in a multicultural and increasingly global society and workforce,” Diverse reported. “The Division of Student Affairs embodies a true commitment to teamwork and community, while cultivating student development and growth.” “At UMBC we believe that each person has a… Continue Reading Diverse Names UMBC’s Student Affairs A “Most Promising Place to Work”

David Hoffman, Student Life, Outlines Attributes for Civic Engagement on American Democracy Project

When the American Democracy Project met in New Orleans last month, founder George Mehaffy described some early civic engagement efforts as “marginal, episodic, and celebratory.” David Hoffman, assistant director of student life for civic agency, responded to Mehaffy’s comments by suggesting language to describe positive attributes of civic learning and democratic engagement efforts. “We need equally clear and concise language to describe the positive attributes of profoundly valuable and impactful civic learning and democratic engagement efforts,” Hoffman wrote on the American Democracy Project’s website. He proposed four attributes that should describe civic engagement efforts, including integral, relational, organic, and generative.… Continue Reading David Hoffman, Student Life, Outlines Attributes for Civic Engagement on American Democracy Project

David Hoffman, Student Life, Considers Higher Education’s Future in Zocalo Public Square

Zocalo Public Square, a non-profit website specializing in humanities journalism, recently invited scholars to describe the ideal 21st century university. David Hoffman, assistant director of student life for civic agency, responded with an article emphasizing the need for universities to become spaces for discourse and action in order to remain relevant in society. In the article, Hoffman discussed UMBC’s response to the Baltimore protests in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death, noting that the campus teach-in focused on sharing knowledge to support construction action in a way that respected everyone’s stories and abilities to contribute. “That spirit of mutual respect… Continue Reading David Hoffman, Student Life, Considers Higher Education’s Future in Zocalo Public Square

CHEE Names UMBC’s Student Affairs in 15+ Most Promising Workplaces List

The Center for Higher Education Enterprise (CHEE) named UMBC as one of its 15+ Most Promising Places to Work in 2015. UMBC was honored on the list along with other 16 other universities, including Florida State University and The Ohio State University. CHEE conducted the study as part of a partnership with Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and the American College Personnel Association. The list was created using a web-based survey that focused on workplace diversity, staffing practice, and work environment and examined categories such as family friendliness, salary and benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Critical Social Justice Presents Franchesca Ramsey on “Social Media For Social Change” (2/18)

*Due to the weather, this event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 18 at 7.30 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.  Best known for her viral parody video of racial microaggressions, Shit White Girls Say…to Black Girls, comedian and vlogger Franchesca Ramsey discusses her approach to harnessing the power of social media across multiple platforms in order to engage in meaningful dialogues about social justice. Inspired by her interactions with other prominent social justice bloggers, Ramsey critiques the toxic “call-out culture” that pervades many social justice communities and explores alternative approaches to demanding accountability in online spaces. Her poignant video, How… Continue Reading Critical Social Justice Presents Franchesca Ramsey on “Social Media For Social Change” (2/18)

David Hoffman, Student Life, Publishes Chapter in Democracy’s Education

David Hoffman, assistant director of student life for civic agency, wrote a chapter in the recently published Democracy’s Education: Public Work, Citizenship and the Future of Colleges and Universities. The book challenges educators to rethink the meaning of citizenship and education. Hoffman’s chapter, entitled “Fostering Civic Agency by Making Education (and Ourselves) ‘Real,’” describes the philosophy of BreakingGround, a collaborative approach to innovative campus and community engagement at UMBC. Hoffman draws on his research and experience at UMBC, focusing on students who gained civic agency by causing meaningful change on campus through launching new organizations and engaging in purposeful conversations.… Continue Reading David Hoffman, Student Life, Publishes Chapter in Democracy’s Education

Lee Hawthorne Calizo, OSL, Recognized as ACPA Diamond Honoree

Lee Hawthorne Calizo, Director of Student Life, was recognized at the American College Personnel Association’s National Conference in Indianapolis in this years class of Diamond Honorees. Lee was nominated by colleagues who believe she has distinguished herself as a teacher, administrator, researcher, writer, and an association leader. In addition, Lee has demonstrated sustained contributions to ACPA, higher education, and the Student Affairs profession at the local, state, regional, national, or international levels.

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