Four UMB staff members participated in the program and graduated April 10.
The 15th cohort of the Building Bridges Across Maryland (BBAM) program wrapped up this month with four participants from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) graduating.
UMB's 2024-2025 participants were Megan Blackwell, program administrative specialist, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry; Lauren Crum, administrative assistant II, Office of the President; Natalie Jones, academic support coordinator, Maryland Carey Law; and Denise Rollins, senior human resource specialist, School of Nursing.
The program is designed for administrative staff, with eight institutions receiving five spaces for participants. The advantage of the program is networking with staff from so many institutions, both private and in the University System of Maryland.
The cohort graduated on April 10 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County's (UMBC) Biotech Center. Each participant’s manager was also invited to attend the graduation ceremony. This year, all four participant managers attended: Vineet Dhar, Saifa Poole, Anita Hopkins-Morris, and Kristie Nichols.
The BBAM program includes a cohort of individuals from eight higher education institutions in Maryland. In addition to UMB, this year’s schools were: Goucher College, Loyola University Maryland, McDaniel College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Towson University, University of Baltimore, and UMBC.
Participants attend nine sessions, which includes a kickoff in August and graduation in April. The kickoff session brings participants together to learn what is expected to complete the program and to get to know each other. After the final session, participants are invited to attend a formal graduation where they receive a certificate of completion. To graduate with their cohort, participants must attend five or more sessions.
The content sessions for 2024-2025 included Career Planning, Networking, Self-Care, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Productivity, and completion of the CliftonStrengths Assessment.
If you’d like more information, please email hrtraining@umaryland.edu. Additional information on applying for the 2025-2026 cohort will be available soon.