From Black History Month to Founders Week, the calendar is filled with events that enrich the workplace experience for our employees.
At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the calendar is always filled with opportunities for employees to engage, learn, and connect. It isn’t just a workplace — it’s a vibrant community offering events throughout the year to enrich the experience of faculty, staff, and students alike. For employees, the list of opportunities sometimes changes, but annual events provide many opportunities for engagement.
The school year begins with Faculty Convocation, where academic excellence is celebrated and sets the tone for the events ahead. Soon after, employees gather at the Founders Week Staff Luncheon, enjoying a sense of camaraderie and connection with colleagues from across the University.
As winter approaches, the Holiday Craft Fair fills the SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms with festive cheer, offering unique handmade and homemade items from artisans from the UMB and local community. The new year brings UMB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion into focus with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Black History Month Celebration, honoring Dr. King’s legacy and highlighting ongoing efforts toward justice and equality. Shortly after, the Women's History Month Symposium showcases the achievements of women in various fields, inspiring attendees to reflect on the contributions of female leaders.
The UMBrella Speaker Series regularly features influential women sharing their personal and professional journeys, while the President’s Q&A sessions give all employees direct access to UMB leadership, fostering open and transparent dialogue. Throughout the year, State of the School addresses provide valuable updates from our professional schools, offering insights into future goals and strategies.
For lighter moments, UMB Night at Oriole Park brings employees together for an evening of fun and community at Camden Yards, celebrating Baltimore’s love of baseball. Additionally, the Community Engagement Center hosts regular community lunches and dinners, creating opportunities to connect with local residents and strengthen ties with the surrounding neighborhood.
The tradition of Lunch with the President continues to be a favorite, where informal conversations with UMB’s leadership help build a stronger sense of unity. And the Diversity Speaker Series ensures that critical discussions around inclusivity remain at the heart of UMB’s mission. Likewise, the State of the University Address gives attendees a comprehensive overview of UMB’s progress, while previous President’s Panels on Politics and Policy and the Core Values Speaker Series brought essential conversations on leadership and governance to the forefront. Even in the digital age, the "Virtual Face to Face" interview shows have offered spaces for ongoing connection and dialogue.
For employees who are also students, the Campus Involvement Fair (formerly known as Fall Fest) and Founders Week Student Cookout round out the year, providing opportunities to connect with peers and explore extracurricular activities.
Each event offers a chance to grow, engage, and experience UMB as a thriving community committed to its people. Hopefully you can attend one of the events on the horizon!
You can learn about events in different ways: browse The Elm website, read The Elm Weekly newsletter in your email every Monday morning, follow UMB on social media, check the eboards/digital screens in campus buildings, and regularly review the UMB calendar for updates at calendar.umaryland.edu.