On Saturday, April 10th, the 3rd annual Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Conference will be held at Towson University. This exciting event originated at UMBC in April 2008, then moved to the University of Baltimore in April 2009, and Johns Hopkins University plans to host it in spring 2011. Such a collaboration of colleges and universities through the Baltimore Collegetown Network and the Maryland Campus Compact will result in great opportunities to network amongst other college students, staff, and faculty throughout Maryland through workshops, the Community Partner Fair, and lunch through topical discussions.
The Service-Learning Program at The Shriver Center at UMBC continues to serve on the planning committee after recognizing the resource that the UMBC community can provide, as well as learn from other peers in the capacity of service-learning and civic engagement. This year's theme "Planting Seeds of Service: Cultivating Civic Engagement" will engage the greatest number of participants (300+) and workshops (32) since its inception in 2008. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings will be the Keynote Speaker.
UMBC is represented in several ways:
- Yasmin Karimian and David Hoffman present "Re-Visioning Student Governments as Creators of Civic Agency Platforms"
- Ben Davis, Nathan Rehr, and Benjamin Hong present "Alternative Spring Break: Awareness Games Reflection"
- Jennifer Arndt Robinson and Joby Taylor present "Ethical Reflection for Seasoned Service Learners"
- Joby Taylor presents "Peace Follows Service: Service-Learning as a Path For Building a Culture of Peace in Baltimore"
The first 40 UMBC students will have their $5 registration fees paid for by The Shriver Center. Transportation will also be provided by Shriver Center staff. To register, go to http://www.towson.edu/studentaffairs/civicengagement/DevelopmentOpportunities.asp