At the University of Maryland College of Education, we believe that everyone should become better informed and play a role in improving our communities.
Civic engagement has the potential to help students develop their capacities for understanding their role in complex social, economic, and political systems. Through our new EdTerpsEngage initiative, COE will provide resources and information to our community on how they can maximize their impact, stay informed, stay involved, and exercise their civic rights and duties.
9/11 Day of Rememberance
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. For some members of our community, this anniversary may renew grief for those lost and injured on that day and for those who have been affected by the profound, long-term impacts. The events of 9/11 also inspired hope and action. The heroism of first responders motivated thousands of then teenagers, young adults, and others to give back by enlisting in military service, engaging in volunteer or national service, or beginning careers that meet vital community needs in fields such as health, disaster relief, and education.
In the spirit of renewal, the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 pushed Congress to designate September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The purposes of that day are to continually unite the country, to honor those lost and injured on 9/11, to recognize the people who were inspired to serve that day and beyond as first responders, members of our military, recovery workers and volunteers, and to inspire all Americans to serve.
The College of Education invites you to join in commemorating the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Please share the resources and opportunities listed below with anyone in your networks that you think would appreciate them.
If you are considering volunteering for a day or engaging in a longer-term service opportunity, you may want to explore UMD’s Services 24/7 directory that links people to Prince George's County organizations that provide human services from afterschool programs, to housing and foreclosure assistance, to veteran services. If you live outside of Prince George’s County, you may find an opportunity that matches your time and interests on this directory managed by AmeriCorps, which allows you to search for virtual opportunities and in-person experiences within a radius of your zip code.
Download the teaching materials and resources document.
Today, we invite you to join us at 11am for an interdisciplinary panel discussion.
9/11 Then and Now: Renewing a Commitment to Service, Volunteerism and Civic Engagement.
Friday, September 10, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (Virtual)
Follow this link to register: go.umd.edu/Sept11ThenAndNow
Every vote matters and every vote counts. Through our #EdTerpsVote campaign, COE helped our community members stay informed and provided election and voting updates. We hosted a series of virtual events, including teacher preparation workshops on how to teach civic engagement in the classroom. We partnered with local organizations to explain the impact of voting on K-12 and higher education. Our students, faculty and staff shared videos across multiple digital platforms on why they vote. And we collaborated with peers throughout UMD's campus to elevate our civic engagement goals and encourage everyone to 'Get Out and Vote!'
Upcoming Events
September 10 - 9/11 Then and Now
Past Events
January 18 - MLK Day of Service
October 15 - Teaching About Voting and the 2020 Election: A Workshop for Secondary School Teachers
Community engagement directly impacts the policies, programs and public services in our local communities. Now is the time to tap into our networks to stay informed and involved. We all have a part to play to move our mission forward and to create a more equitable world. Check here for updates on volunteer opportunities and ways that you can stay engaged in your local communities.
We know that many members of our community are already involved in meaningful volunteer work, but we would like to share some additional volunteer opportunities and encourage everyone to find a way to get involved—maybe even make this a regular part of your schedule throughout the semester.
On-Campus Opportunities
One opportunity for this semester that directly addresses needs on our campus is the UMD Campus Food Pantry. GlobalUMD is another opportunity in which facilitators can register to (virtually) help international students, visiting scholars and community members practice their oral communication skills with the English Conversation Partners Program. We also welcome you to explore other volunteer opportunities with the UMD Office of Community Engagement (click on “events”).
Off-Campus Opportunities
The Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps is accepting applications to assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution, where you would be assigned to your county's "Maryland Responds" volunteer unit. You do not need to be a medical/health worker to volunteer. Many county governments across the state also publicize volunteer opportunities all year long (e.g., https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/). And, a number of virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities can be found through the AmeriCorp Volunteer Search and Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism websites.
Sustainability Opportunities
First things first, join us in our pledge! I commit to making small changes one step at a time for a healthier planet.
Now, here are a few sustainable actions you can consider taking:
- Take advantage of sustainable forms of transportation UMD offers, such as Shuttle-UM and UMD Smart Commute.
- Support farmers markets, such as the UMD Farmers Market or find a local farmers market in Maryland.
- Donate to the Green Maryland Gift Fund, which supports the University Sustainability Council and Office of Sustainability.
- Apply for a grant from the Sustainability Fund to make campus facilities more sustainable. All students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive funding.
- Review the UMD Waste Guide to learn more about waste and recycling and SustainableUMD ProgressHub to see the campus' progress towards its sustainable goals.