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Staff Senate Source August 2025

Fiama Romero - Monday, August 4, 2025

Staff Senate Source

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August 2025

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A New Term, A Renewed Commitment

As we begin a new term on the Staff Senate, we’re thrilled to welcome our newly elected senators and introduce this year’s Executive Committee. We’re honored to represent you — and grateful for the opportunity to continue strengthening staff voices across campus.

To all UMB staff: whether you’re gearing up for the fall semester or just finding your rhythm after summer, we’re wishing you a smooth and energizing start to the academic year. The Staff Senate is here to listen, to advocate, and to help make UMB a place where every staff member feels heard, valued, and supported.

If you ever want to connect — to share a concern, ask a question, or just say hello — our anonymous feedback form is always open.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Your Staff Senate Executive Committee
Fiama Romero, Tom Hockensmith, Aaron Graham, Christina Way, Amanda Barnes, Briana Clark, Kelly Sikorski, & Michael Penney

In Memoriam:
Honoring Dr. Allison Howard

The Staff Senate mourns the passing of our cherished colleague and friend, Dr. Allison Howard (Deitz).

Allison served the Staff Senate for many years with deep commitment and compassion. She held roles as Vice President, Member-at-Large, and served on numerous committees — always leading with empathy, insight, and a fierce dedication to justice. Her warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on our community, and her absence is felt profoundly.

To honor the memory of Dr. Allison Howard, the School of Social Work PhD Program has created the Dr. Allison Howard PhD Program Travel Award. Allison loved being able to travel to conferences and share her research findings with other researchers as well as practitioners who were making a meaningful impact in the world. Funds raised will allow future PhD students to travel to conferences and present their own work. Learn more or give at:
https://give.umaryland.edu/schools/UniversityofMarylandBaltimore/spark-ssw-support-the-future-of-social-work/pages/ph-d-student-support-fund

The Staff Senate is also in the process of forming an ad hoc committee to explore meaningful ways to honor Allison’s legacy as a Senator. We will share updates in the months ahead.

May her memory continue to inspire the work we do and the way we care for one another.

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News from Across Campus

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Aug. 5: National Night Out

Join UMB Police and Public Safety for National Night Out! This annual event is an opportunity to meet, mingle, and make a difference in our community.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

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Aug. 12: Quantum Human Capital Management User Fair

Join us to preview UMB’s brand-new employee system, QHCM, going live on Oct. 27. The QHCM user fair will provide information about the new employee system, answer your questions, provide in-system demonstrations, and include instructions for training to get you ready for the go-live.

When: Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Elm Ballrooms, SMC Campus Center

Register for the QHCM User Fair here.

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Help UMB Shape Our Branding Strategy by Taking This Survey

Strengthening UMB's identity is critical for our students, faculty, staff, the city, and the state. Every few years, we take the pulse of our community by conducting a market survey with Edge Research. Your role in this important initiative is paramount. Your feedback is anonymous and will be shared only in the aggregate.

Learn more and take the survey.

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Speakers Needed for Career Day

The Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) invites UMB faculty, staff, and students to share information about their careers with young visitors to the University.

OCCE invites UMB departments to create engaging one-hour information sessions that showcase the diverse careers essential to Maryland's only public health, law, and human services university.

Interested individuals and groups can learn more here.

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Sept. 9: Buy Tickets for UMB Night at Oriole Park

Join fellow students, colleagues, alumni, and supporters of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) at Oriole Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to watch the Orioles face the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Fans who purchase this ticket package will receive a co-branded Orioles/UMB baseball cap.

Purchase tickets here.

UMB Staff Senator Spotlight

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What’s something you’ve accomplished on the Staff Senate during your time as a Senator?
As a Staff Senator, I had the honor of serving on the University Life Committee responsible for putting together UMB's Got Talent program where we witnessed the amazing talent of our UMB community. Additionally, I am committed to serving as a Staff Senate liaison for the Enterprise Risk Management Implementation Committee. My future goals are to continue to learn and grow in shared governance and to continue to represent my constituents' interests.

What’s a fun vacation that you’ve taken or would like to take?
This summer, my entire family is meeting in Indianapolis to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum, where we will relive our favorite family memory in the coolest place!

What’s your most prized possession and why?
A parlor table set my parents salvaged and refinished together when they were young and starting out. The set is my most valued treasure because it represents the unique beauty of family and reminds me that wealth is not found in money.

What’s the theme song to your life?
I don't have one yet - maybe it's still being written 🙂