草莓视频APP

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Dr. Carolyn E. Shuttlesworth
Location: SC 152, Rockville Campus (map)

An Open Mic Session for campus and community poets, novice and experienced, focusing on cultivating a poetic home/sense of home in Maryland. While all themes are welcome, we encourage people to read poems set in this area.? Audience members are welcome to read.? This open mic is multigenerational and multicultural.  

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Wyckham Avery
Co-Host: Angela Lanier
Location: SV Lobby, Rockville Campus (map)

A place for students, faculty, and staff to learn basic techniques to mend their clothes. A variety of supplies will be available, as well as stitch coaches to help, written guides, and many other resources. 

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Dr. Glenda Hernandez Tittle
Co-Host: Carla Naranjo

This informational Zoom session will provide an overview of the Montgomery County Sister City partnership between Montgomery County and Morazán, El Salvador. Guest panelists will share historical context, share partnership initiatives and outcomes as well as identify opportunities for new membership engagement and involvement. 

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.  or 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Libby McClayton

This virtual session will dive into building community and creating a sense of belonging through service -learning. This session will provide context of service learning, what it means to belong to something greater than yourself, and how to cultivate community with those of different backgrounds than yourself through service and cultural humility. Featured in this session will be a student who took part in service-learning programs, including Impact MC and/or Alternative Spring Break, to discuss how service learning created a sense of belonging and community at MC and the "real world" for them.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Marianne Szlyk
Co-Host: Mingot Davis and Ethan Goffman
Location: Rockville Campus (map)

An open mic for campus and community poets (both novice and experienced), focusing on cultivating a poetic home/sense of home in Maryland. We will encourage people to read poems set in this area. We also encourage first-time readers. Audience members are welcome. This open mic is multigenerational and multicultural. 

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Teresa Lew (primary), Lucy Laufe, Alejandro Leopardi, and Becky Eggenschwiler
Co-Host: Alejandro Leopardi

The event will be a panel discussion that includes three of the five MC student winners of the annual Beacon Conference (Rafael Castillo-Grynberg, Sophia Kalinyak, and Lila Wooden) along with four MC honors faculty (Prof. Lucy Laufe, Prof. Alejandro Leopardi, Prof. Rebecca Eggenschwiler, and Prof. Teresa Lew). The Beacon Conference hosts a consortia of approximately ten mid-Atlantic two-year community colleges whose students present scholarly papers to a panel of students, faculty, and judges. The papers encompass a wide range of subjects, many of which are humanities based. The 2025 winners will give an overview of their papers (“The Intersection of Myth and Philosophy in Plato’s Gorgias "by Sophia Kalinyak," "Defying Containment: Unifying Themes from Dostoevsky and G?del" by Lila Wooden, and "Good Architecture Matters" by Rafael Castillo-Gynberg). There were 15 panels this year, and MC Honors students won 5 of them, so there's much to be proud of. This panel is a celebration of their achievements along with an overview of the role of the humanities in the honors seminars and dyad courses these students have taken. We will discuss the MC courses that inspired the students' papers, the impact of the Renaissance Scholars program along with other MC honors programs, and the process of preparing and presenting their papers at the Beacon conference.

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Dr. Rebin Muhammad and David Carter
Location: Germantown Campus (map)

Discover the beauty of Islamic geometric tessellations through an interactive, hands-on experience. Using 3D-printed models, stamps, and other creative tools, participants will explore how repeating patterns blend mathematical structure with artistic expression. This session highlights the cultural significance of tessellations as symbols of unity and connection, showing how art and math together can foster creativity, belonging, and community at 草莓视频APP.

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | In person
Host: David Lott
Co-host: Heather Satrom
Location: P3 217, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Celebrated Takoma Park poet david alberto fernández will read and discuss poems from his new bilingual (English/Spanish) collection World consumes itself/Mundo se consume. This in-person session will also announce The Sligo Journal's student poetry and fiction contests, as well as a new student creative writing club at the TP/SS campus.

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Jim Douglas
Co-Host: Dianne Cherry

Writing allows us to articulate complex feelings and thoughts, often leading to greater clarity and emotional relief. Techniques like stream of consciousness writing, journaling and narrative therapy enable us to explore our experiences, unpack traumatic events and construct coherent personal narratives. Writing can also promote mindfulness and enhance self-awareness. This presentation will explore what writing therapy is and the mechanisms through which writing facilitates healing, and will identify best practices for integrating therapeutic writing into academic settings.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Brett Pelham
Co-Host: Rachel Sullivan
Location: HT 216, Germantown Campus (map)

The Women and Gender Studies Program is hosting a presentation on maternal mortality in Montgomery County and across the US, particularly as it relates to racial inequalities.

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Dr. Maria Sprehn
Co-Host: Ron Nunn 
Location: Driving Range, Germantown Campus (map)

The ancient spear (atlatl) throwing contest will be held outdoors on the Germantown campus where students and the MC community will be able to learn and then compete in this ancient skill.

Anthropology Professor Nunn will be guiding participants in how to throw this spear (atlatl) that can send darts more than 100 yards and over 80 miles an hour. 

TBD | Virtual
Host: Jamie Gillan
Co-Host: Sarah Jewett

Come screen digital data stories collaboratively created by MC and UMBC interns in digital story and data science telling the stories of scientists and their work. Discussion with interns and mentors will follow each screening. 

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Dr. Carmen Poston-Farmer Travis
Co-Host: Sadegh Foghani

Meeting ID: 981 0908 6989
Passcode: 576646

A humanitarian effort that turned into an impromptu case study, this event will be a virtual talk and presentation on an informal and impromptu personal and professional encounter, experience, and observation of a woman chief and her village of Ta Nazombe in the country of Malawi. The talk and photo showcase will include themes associated or disassociated with humanitarian, women and gender equity, inclusivity, empowerment, and lineage connections. 

9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | In-Person
Host: Aayushi Hingle
Co-Host: TBD
Location: ST 103 Atrium, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Sidewalk Talk: A Sidewalk Talk is a community listening event with trained listeners who provide heart-centered, judgment-free listening about anything you want to talk about. This event beautifully echoes the theme of this year’s Humanities Days, celebrating connection and belonging, not just within our campus community, but with the hope of inspiring those values far beyond it.

Volunteers will provide empathic listening. Listening is what connects us to each other and affirms us. It's what gives us a sense of belonging and makes us human. Our MC volunteers will provide empathic listening. This event is part of my Intercultural Communication class’s Community Engaged Learning, aimed at fostering empathy, a sense of belonging, and the practice of active listening.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Virtual
Host: Philip Bonner
Co-Host: TBD

Based on the recent book A Teacher’s Guide to Learning Students’ Names by Michelle D. Miller but drawing from a variety of sources, this one-hour faculty workshop explores the power of names in building a sense of belonging in the college classroom. Participants will learn why remembering and pronouncing student names correctly fosters trust, engagement, and respect. The session also highlights the importance of place names, acknowledging where students come from as a vital part of their identities. Faculty will engage in reflective activities, share strategies, and practice practical tools for learning and honoring names. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with concrete approaches to create a more inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Melissa McCeney
Co-Host: Jamie Gillan
Location: IgnITe Hub, MK 1st floor, Rockville Campus (map)

A multi-media presentation about Melissa McCeney's work as a wildlife photographer and the ways in which it has fostered deep connections with wild places, non-human animals, and people she otherwise would never have met.

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Dr. Maria Sprehn
Co-Host: Student life-Germantown Campus
Location: In front of HS 138, Germantown Campus (map)

Día de los Muertos Community Celebration: Join MC Anthropology students in an observance of the Day of the Dead. An altar will be constructed in a public space. MC students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to bring copies of photos, mementos, food, or drink in honor of departed loved ones, sit in contemplation, and learn more about this holiday celebrated in different parts of the Spanish-speaking world.

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hosts: Co-sponsored by The Office of Programs & Venues, GHI, PPHI, Student Life, Humanities Area, and MC English 
Co-Host: TBD
Location: Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Award-winning poet and performer, Denice Frohman, will bring her one-woman performance to the RV and TPSS campuses. Denice will share her spoken word for 30 minutes and then take time questions and continued dialogue with the audience.

Tickets are free, but must be reserved

For group reservations, please email paulpeckhumanitiesinstitute@montgomerycollege.edu

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Theodore Shusterman
Co-Host: Jamie Gillan
Location: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Learn how students from across disciplines discovered connections, found inspiration, and reflected on shared experiences through figures in American music history.

Combining experiential learning through Smithsonian Institution museum visits, Harvard's Project Zero's Thinking Routines, and the personal narrative of Digital Storytelling, students connected with trailblazers, innovators, and change-makers, and the resulting themes that emerged reflected identity, belonging, representation, and the inspiration to pursue paths society may have traditionally said were unavailable to them. This presentation will focus on student projects centered around the personal connections made via figures from American music history.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Carrie Fitzgerald
Co-Host: Angela Lanier
Location: Planetarium, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Live planetarium show: Throughout history, the stars have been a canvas for human imagination, storytelling, and connection. While each culture has its own constellation patterns and sky lore, the stars themselves are the same for us all. This program will explore how humanity’s shared sky has shaped diverse traditions, guided navigation and calendars, and inspired art and meaning across civilizations. Together, we will reflect on how the night sky fosters a sense of connection and belonging, reminding us that while our stories may differ, our sky is shared.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Virtual
Host: Jona Colson
Co-Host: TBD

A community-centered literary event, AMERICA’S FUTURE: Poetry & Prose in Response to Tomorrow, featuring readings and discussions from the recently published anthology of the same name. This collection highlights the work of 164 diverse writers from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, as well as contributors with ties to the DMV from across the country. 5-7 readers from the anthology of diverse backgrounds and genres. The event will explore this year’s theme, “Honoring Connections and Belonging Here and Beyond,” through live readings, dialogue, and reflection. Writers will share poetry and prose that engage with questions of human connection, belonging, and the ways in which communities—local and global—are strengthened through shared experiences and diverse perspectives.

Mini workshop--One or two of the readers will host a workshop where participants will be asked to generate their own writing on the theme.

The program will include a moderated discussion that invites 草莓视频APP students, faculty, staff, and community members to reflect on how their own place in America's Future. The event will emphasize interdisciplinary dialogue, inter-generational exchange, and culturally rooted perspectives, affirming the role of the humanities in cultivating compassion, resilience, and deeper understanding at a time of widespread division.

9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Dan Jenkins
Co-Host: N/A
Location: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

As in years past, I will organize a student ethics essay contest leading up to the event. At the event, the student winners of the contest will be announced and have the opportunity to share their essays. If possible, I will also recruit a guest speaker for the event. 

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Virtual
Host: Shelley Jones, Teresa Lew, Comfort Davis Mingot
Co-Host: Carla Naranjo

The event will be a panel of MC faculty, MC students, and faculty from universities from our international partner institutions who have engaged in virtual exchanges and collaborations between MC students and university students from different parts of the world. Members of the panel will share how students and faculty engaged in conversations and collaborations and reflect on how the experience enhanced a greater sense of connectedness across borders. Participants will also learn about how they can increase their knowledge and understanding of virtual exchange via several opportunities offered at MC.

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Suzanne Johnson, President of the Sugarland Ethno-History Project Nonprofit
Co-Host: Tara Tetrault
Location: P4 112, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

The Sugarland Ethno-History Project President will speak on the Descendants, the new archaeological findings, and the photograph archive available to researchers.

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hosts: Co-sponsored by GHI, PPHI, Humanities Area, IRJC, Student Life and other MC disciplines
Location: Parilla Arts, Rockville Campus (map)

Award-winning poet and performer, Denice Frohman, will bring her one-woman performance to the RV and TPSS campuses. Denice will share her spoken word for 30 minutes and then take time questions and continued dialogue with the audience.

Tickets are free, but must be reserved

For group reservations, please email paulpeckhumanitiesinstitute@montgomerycollege.edu

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Tracie Babb, LaTonya Pinkard, Gina Wesley
Co-Host: TBD
Location: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (map)

Research highlights belonging as a key factor in student success, workplace engagement, and community well-being. When individuals feel that they belong, they are more likely to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Writing offers a unique pathway to belonging because it allows for authentic self-expression, fosters empathy through storytelling, and builds community through collaborative creation.

By incorporating writing practices into classrooms, workplaces, and community spaces, we can create inclusive environments where all voices are heard and valued.

This one-hour interactive presentation explores how writing fosters a sense of belonging by connecting individuals to their identities, to others, and to the communities they are part of. Through a blend of reflection, storytelling, and collaborative writing, participants will experience firsthand how writing can build empathy, inclusion, and shared purpose.

2:30 p.m.| Virtual
Host: Jennifer Haydel, Antonio Montano, Ginger Robinson, and selected BRIDGE cohort participants
Co-Host: Jennifer Haydel and Ginger Robinson

Early this fall, 26 employees from units across the college will convene for the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s facilitated dialogue certification training. In Spring 2026, these newly trained facilitators will work in pairs to host challenging conversations on a variety of topics as part of the college’s BRIDGE Program: Building Relationships Through Inclusive Dialogue and Genuine Engagement. This program is housed in the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging and was developed by a cross-functional group of employees. More information about the BRIDGE program can be found at the following site:
Building Relationships through Inclusive Dialogue and Genuine Engagement (BRIDGE) . 
 
The proposed event will feature a 10-minute overview of the scholarly literature demonstrating the positive impact that a variety of facilitated dialogue types have on fostering constructive, inclusive, engaged conversations regarding challenging or controversial topics. This will be followed by a presentation from selected certification training participants, during which they will discuss their experiences in the training and preview their plans for the spring dialogues. 
 
Facilitated dialogue as a means of fostering a sense of belonging on college campuses has received a significant amount of media attention in recent months, including in articles published by the Chronicle of Higher Education and The New York Times. The BRIDGE program's efforts are timely, directly related to this year's Humanities Days theme, and connected to the college's strategic plan goals.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (tentative time) | Virtual
Host: Karl Smith
Co-Host: TBD

The movie "Sinners" premiered in April 2025. It has become one of the highest grossing films of its genre (new window#Box_office). The film honors "connections and belonging here and beyond" in exquisite detail. On the surface it is a horror/vampire movie, but dig a little deeper and you find a movie that explores the caste system of the Jim Crow South, African American music and culture, and American history. This event will not be a formal presentation or lecture; it is meant to be a chance for fans of horror/vampire movies to share their love of the genre and appreciation for this film in particular.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Virtual 
Host: Michelle Moran 
Co-Host: Florence Gadson

Former PPHI Honors Interns will discuss their experiences assisting researchers at the Library of Congress, as well as presenting what they learned from writing their own independent research projects. 

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Jenny Hodges
Co-Host: TBD
Location: IgnITe Hub, MK 1st floor, Rockville Campus (map)

This interactive session explores the concept of radical inclusion through representation - the intentional effort to recognize, value, and uplift all voices - by engaging with artifacts and stories from the Smithsonian Institution’s vast collections. Participants will encounter images, narratives, and digital exhibits from museums such as the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian as well as how they are often represented within media and popular culture. These resources illuminate how representation shapes our understanding of history and how diverse communities have contributed to our collective cultural community at 草莓视频APP.

The session also focuses on how practices of radical inclusion and authentic representation can increase our sense of belonging at 草莓视频APP. Through guided exploration, participants will examine how museum artifacts challenge dominant narratives and reflect on their own roles in creating inclusive learning environments. By the end of the session, attendees will develop a deeper understanding of radical inclusion as both a historical lens and a practical strategy for fostering belonging on campus and beyond.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | In-Person
Host: Amanda Miller
Co-Host: Maria Sprehn
Location: Germantown Campus (map)

Calaveras T-Shirt Printing Workshop Inspired by artist José Posada 
Participants will select from a collection of carved blocks representing skulls, bones, and other imagery to assemble a unique calavera to print on cloth or paper.  
T-shirts are provided and upcycled garments are welcome.  
Please sign up to claim your spot! 

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Virtual and In-Person
Host: Angela Lanier 
Co-Host: Joe Stumpf
Location: IgnITe Hub, MK 1st floor, Rockville Campus (map)

Discussions of public health in the wake of the COVID pandemic continue to attract interest, and these conversations build on such earlier public health emergencies as the polio and AIDS epidemics. All these moments can highlight discussions over who and what belongs within the arena of “public health,” and they also illuminate the connections among individuals, families, medical professionals, government officials and other parts of the broader national community. Join Sunil Dasgupta, UMBC Political Science Program Director at the Universities at Shady Grove, and Andrew Nolan, UMBC History Program Director at the Universities at Shady Grove, as they discuss the political dimensions of and provide historical context for how people in the United States have wrestled promoting the health of their publics.

2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. | Virtual and in person
Host: Chip Gladson 
Co-Host: Megan Howard 
Location: IgnITe Hub, MK 1st floor, Rockville Campus (map)

Explore the theme of Honoring Connections and Belonging Here and Beyond through the lens of digital storytelling.

The fall 2025 cohort of the Level 1 Digital Storytelling Internship will present a collaborative digital story that highlights personal and collective narratives of connection. Digital stories amplify diverse voices, promote dialogue, and foster a stronger sense of belonging within the 草莓视频APP community and beyond.

Join us for a digital story screening and a discussion moderated by the interns about how storytelling strengthens human connections and belonging.