Alternative Spring Break

A group of six people gathered around a table brainstorming on a large sheet of presentation paper.
ASB participants reflect on their takeaways from conversations with community partners about educational justice for youth impacted by intimate partner violence.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a five-day immersive learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students focused on a variety of social issues in Baltimore. ASB groups work with community partners, government officials, and scholars to foster sustainable connections and lay the groundwork for long-term collective civic action addressing disparities resulting from structural racism and other systemic inequities. Participants find the experience engaging, inspiring, educational, and transformative and have gone on to affect change in Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and beyond.

ASB participants spend the week in small topic groups that are led by pairs of student leaders trained by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life to position their peers effectively as knowledgeable advocates and active, engaged co-creators of a thriving democracy and civic culture. Throughout the program, leaders and participants think critically about complex challenges and ways to address them. Each group focuses on a specific topic, but the groups also consider overlaps among the topics.

Overhead view of a large group of students from a variety of backgrounds wearing black shirts.
The ASB 2025 team at the end of the experience

Questions previous ASB groups have explored include (as examples):

  • How are food disparities created, perpetuated, and challenged in Baltimore City?
  • How do individuals with disabilities experience social injustices? What can be done to address this issue?
  • What are the difficulties and barriers that people experiencing homelessness face in Baltimore and what can be done to mitigate those issues?

The three topic groups for Alternative Spring Break 2027 are:

  • Community and Belonging in K-12 Schools (co-led by Arisbeth Valencia and Thomas Redpath)
  • Equity and Access in Women’s Healthcare (co-led by Aysa Fatma Alderman and Emily Hernandez)
  • Breaking the Link Between Poverty and Criminal (In)Justice (co-led by Jaylin Gooden and Sedat Sefik)

ASB is open for full participation by all undergraduate and graduate students 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.

ASB 2027 Application (due Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST)

When is Alternative Spring Break (ASB)?

ASB takes place in March during UMBC’s Spring Break. ASB 2027 will take place from Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19, 2027. To participate, you must be available to participate in the entire program.

Where does ASB take place?

We are planning to host ASB 2027 at the Holiday Inn Express in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. Participants will stay in shared hotel rooms. Some activities and meals will happen on site, while others will happen in community spaces in Baltimore with partners from local and regional organizations. Round trip van transportation between the UMBC campus, the Holiday Inn Express, and various sites in Baltimore will be provided to participants and leaders.

How much does it cost to participate in ASB?

UMBC covers most of the cost of each participant’s attendance. However, each participant pays a $150, non-refundable contribution toward the program’s cost. Financial assistance is available. If you are selected to participate in ASB 2027, we will send you a form that includes an opportunity to request a payment waiver. We do not want the $150 contribution to be a barrier to anyone’s participation.

Do I have to be an “involved” student to participate in ASB?

Absolutely not. ASB will be helpful to any student regardless of previous involvement or leadership experience. No prior experience or involvement is necessary. We are looking for a diverse group of students committed to developing their social change and civic engagement skills and applying them to create positive change in their local communities, including Baltimore.

Can I participate in ASB if I am graduating from UMBC in December 2026 or earlier?

No. You must graduate no earlier than May 2027 to participate in ASB 2026.

Can I participate in ASB if I am a graduate student?

Yes.

Can I participate in ASB if I have a mental or physical disability?

Yes. If you have a disability and are unsure whether you would be able to participate in ASB, please contact us. We will work with you to identify potential accommodations.

Can I participate in ASB again if I have participated before?

Yes, we welcome previous ASB participants to participate again. However, first-time applicants will be prioritized in the application review process. You can also serve as an ASB leader multiple times, including after participating in ASB. Applications to be an ASB leader generally open in March. Follow the Center for Democracy and Civic Life myUMBC page to be notified when we release the application.

How do I apply to participate in ASB?

Complete the ASB 2027 application by Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants will receive emails in late November letting them know about the status of their applications.

ASB 2023 participants engaged in conversation with the Baltimore Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
ASB participants engage in conversation with leaders from the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

For additional information, please contact Ricky Blissett at rblissett@umbc.edu.

Student Testimonials

“I was somewhat nervous going in, and wasn’t sure what to expect…I feel as if I came away with an enriching experience that I will never forget.”

— ASB participant

“I was somewhat nervous going in, and wasn’t sure what to expect…I feel as if I came away with an enriching experience that I will never forget.”

— ASB participant