INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE IN ACTION SPRING ’26
Highlighting key inclusion, belonging, and access practices
This semester's series is designed to support staff and faculty in building more inclusive, effective, and human-centered practices. These interactive workshops focus on translating reflection into action through concrete tools, strategies, and key takeaways participants can apply in their roles. Each session emphasizes inclusive leadership, relationship-centered practices, and humanizing approaches to fostering learning, engagement, and beloved community across campus.
Session Topics
1. Skills for Cross-Cultural Mentoring
Presented by Dr. Christa Porter
Dr. Christa J. Porter is an Associate Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture and the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at UMBC. Her scholarship and leadership are grounded in Black feminist and intersectional frameworks, with a focus on identity, development, and praxis in higher education. Dr. Porter is a nationally recognized scholar and mentor, with extensive publications and multiple awards for teaching, mentoring, and service. Her work centers Black women's experiences and advances equity-focused, identity-conscious mentorship in academic spaces.
View event details here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/150444
2. Skills to Center Humanity in the Academy: Responding to Anti-DEI Efforts Across Higher Education
Presented by Dr. Alex C. Lange & Dr. Jasmine A. Lee
Dr. Alex C. Lange is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director in the School of Education at Colorado State University. Alex studies how college affects students' learning and development during and after their enrollment. Using this knowledge, they help higher education professionals and researchers fulfill their institutions' missions of learning, inclusion, and transformation for all members of campus communities. Prior to being a faculty member, they worked in various units on college campuses, including LGBTQ student services, intercultural dialogue, student organization advising, leadership education, and alumni services.
Dr. Jasmine A. Lee, the co-presenter, is a higher education and social justice scholar-practitioner with over 18 years of experience fostering inclusive environments for students, staff, and faculty through direct programming and strategic leadership. Beyond higher education, they partner with K–12 schools, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to provide training, consulting, coaching, and organizational change support. Their scholarship and practice focus on dialogue, inclusive excellence, organizational culture, and social justice. Widely published and recognized with multiple awards, the co-presenter is known for advancing equity-driven change across educational and community contexts. Dr. Lee serves as the Associate Vice President of Community & Culture and Co-director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue at UMBC.
View event details here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/150442
Register for sessions here: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9YzNS55VsUBvkuG
To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with us via email, culture.umbc.edu, with "[INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE IN ACTION]" in the subject line. All sessions 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.
Posted: February 16, 2026, 12:17 PM
