Events

All Center for Democracy and Civic Life programs and extended learning experiences are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.

Use the calendar below to learn more about our upcoming events.

View Upcoming Events

Location

University Center : 312

Date & Time

April 29, 2026, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Description

On Wednesday, April 29, UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that...

Poster showing a shared dinner table from above with people eating together. Large text reads “Dinner with Friends,” presented by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, described as a guided dinner conversation program for everyone. Speech bubbles highlight topics: student housing, transit access, and graduate student employment.

View Event Details for Dinner with Friends | April 2026

Location

Off Campus

Date

March 16, 2026 – Mar 20, 2026 (All Day Event)

Description

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a five-day immersive learning experience for UMBC undergraduate and graduate students to explore the systemic and human dimensions of complex social issues in...

View Event Details for ASB 2026 (Applications due December 19)

Location

Online

Date & Time

March 13, 2026, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Description

Do you have an idea for a project, class, program, or initiative to help UMBC community members (including students) engage in social change? Need some funding to make it real? The...

View Event Details for BreakingGround Grants: Funding Projects and Learning for Change

Location

University Center : 312

Date & Time

February 2, 2026, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Description

On Monday, February 2, we will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC community. Our conversations will be focused...

Image of two people having dinner together with text: Thrive On: Dinner and Conversation Program

View Event Details for Thrive On: Is What’s On Your Plate Nourishing You?

Location

Off Campus

Date

January 12, 2026 – Jan 16, 2026 (All Day Event)

Description

UMBC's STRiVE program has inspired hundreds of undergraduate students since 2009. Now it's your turn. Spend five days building community and developing skills while exploring leadership for...

View Event Details for STRiVE 2026

Location

University Center : 312

Date & Time

November 20, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Description

On Thursday, November 20, we will host Thrive On, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC community. Our conversations will be focused on two...

Image of two people eating dinner together. Title text: "Thrive On: Dinner and Conversation Program"

View Event Details for [CANCELED] Thrive On: Is What’s On Your Plate Nourishing You?

Location

Sherman Hall : Atrium

Date & Time

November 20, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Description

Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews, and scenes of math transformation in action, Counted Out shows what's at risk if we keep the mathematical status quo. Do we want an America...

Image with a title screen for the documentary: "A film by Vicki Abeles. Counted Out: Math is power"

View Event Details for Counted Out: A Public Screening and Discussion

Location

Online

Date & Time

November 5, 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Description

Do you have an idea for a project, program, or initiative to help UMBC community members (including students) engage in social change? Need some funding to make it real? The BreakingGround...

View Event Details for BreakingGround Student Grants: Fund Your Ideas for Change

Location

Online

Date & Time

October 29, 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Description

Do you have an idea for a class, program, or project to help UMBC community members (including students) engage in social change? Need some funding to make it real? The BreakingGround initiative...

View Event Details for BreakingGround Faculty & Staff Grants: Support Learning for Change

Location

University Center : 312

Date & Time

October 23, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Description

On Thursday, October 23, UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC...

View Event Details for Dinner with Friends | October 2025

Events

Dinner with Friends | April 2026

Join us for dinner and good conversation

ASB 2026 (Applications due December 19)

BreakingGround Grants: Funding Projects and Learning for Change

Info session March 13 @ noon – Apply now for up to $2,500!

Thrive On: Is What’s On Your Plate Nourishing You?

Join us for dinner and good conversation

STRiVE 2026

[CANCELED] Thrive On: Is What’s On Your Plate Nourishing You?

Join us for dinner and good conversation

Counted Out: A Public Screening and Discussion

BreakingGround Student Grants: Fund Your Ideas for Change

Info session Nov 5 @ noon – Apply now to make it real!

BreakingGround Faculty & Staff Grants: Support Learning for Change

Info session Oct 29 @ noon – Apply now for up to $2,500!

Dinner with Friends | October 2025

Join us for dinner and good conversation

Search UMBC

Join us for dinner and good conversation

Info session March 13 @ noon – Apply now for up to $2,500!

Join us for dinner and good conversation

Join us for dinner and good conversation

Info session Nov 5 @ noon – Apply now to make it real!

Info session Oct 29 @ noon – Apply now for up to $2,500!

Join us for dinner and good conversation

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