The University of Maryland School of Nursing Office of Strategic Engagement and Impact invites you to The Gathering, a day of community-building centered on food, joy, reflection, and meaningful connection.
Monday, Feb. 23
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Southern Management Corporation Campus Center Elm Ballroom
The Gathering is the Office of Strategic Engagement and Impact's inaugural summit, designed to create a welcoming and inclusive space where faculty and staff can come together to feel connected, valued, and renewed. Inspired by the warmth of a family gathering and the nourishment of shared meals and fellowship, the summit invites participants to engage in facilitated conversations; interactive activities; and a panel discussion featuring faculty, staff, and student voices reflecting on shared experiences and community within the School. Together, these experiences bring our core values to life and explore how they can move beyond guiding principles to become everyday practices that strengthen trust, enhance collaboration, and foster a deeper sense of belonging and collective purpose.
We are honored to welcome Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, vice dean of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Duke University School of Nursing, as our keynote speaker. He is the immediate past president of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Grant made history as the first man elected president in the ANA’s 127-year history. A nationally and internationally recognized leader, Grant brings more than 30 years of nursing experience and is widely known for his work addressing equity, racism, and inclusion within the nursing profession. His leadership and scholarship continue to shape the future of nursing and health care across the country.
In addition, we are excited to feature storytelling by They/Them Ty, Baltimore’s beloved queer comedian and self-described “everyone’s only trans friend.” Through quick punchlines, honest storytelling, and undeniable charm, they create space for laughter, reflection, and shared humanity; helping participants feel seen, connected, and grounded in the power of lived experience.
Together, these voices will help set the tone for a day grounded in connection, courage, and community, reminding us that we succeed when we gather with intention. Together, we will build connections, cultivate mutual respect, and reaffirm our shared purpose as a community. The Gathering is more than an event; it is a call to live our values through the work we do and the relationships we build.