OutList Draft

The UMBC OutList Mentorship Project

In Spring 2023, the UMBC OutList was re-imagined to now have a dual-purpose: 1) To continue to serve as a space for faculty and staff to self-identify, and 2) To additionally allow students to be connected with faculty and staff in mentorship relationships. This new iteration of The Outlist was created in partnership between the LGBTQ Faculty-Staff Association (FSA) and the Student Government Association, with support from The Pride Center with Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion and Belonging (i3b), and is now maintained by the LGBTQ FSA. The purpose of this project is to serve as an acknowledgement to the importance of visibility within the queer community.

This project is a work of love that is in co-alignment with the institutional value of Inclusive Excellence  (Link) and with the following values of each of the co-creators:

• LGBTQ FSA
• The UMBC Student Government Association supports undergraduate students in creating a collaborative community, supporting co-curricular and academic experiences, identifying and providing a voice to students’ hopes and concerns, promoting and defending students’ welfare, and engaging students in campus activities and decisions that help foster mutually beneficial partnerships with individuals and organizations on and off-campus.  (UMBC SGA Strategic Plan 2022-23)
• i3b’s values of Radical Love & Belonging and Equity & Advocacy (Link)

The co-creators of this project feel it is important for students to see that the faculty and staff they interact with are representative of themselves, their identities, and their potential, who serve as a role-model during and beyond their college career. Our priorities as professionals and student leaders are for the outcomes of: 1) LGBTQ+ student retention, 2) student graduation, and 3) building network connections as alumni and beyond.  Additionally, our goal in developing the OutList into a mentorship program is for students to be able to partner with faculty and staff to help them develop with their queer identities in mind and/or to become agents of change.

The co-creators also recognize the importance of this project for faculty and staff. This includes: 1) visibility to each other and celebrating each other’s identities, 2) for prospective future faculty and staff to be able to picture themselves having a sense of  “home” and the potential to expand their chosen family at UMBC, and 3) to be able to give back to younger generations or other professionals who are seeking mentorship.

It is our sincere hope that the OutList Mentorship Project will serve as a foundational and important piece of the queer history of UMBC!

The Legacy of UMBC’s Outlist

Historically, UMBC’s OutList has represented faculty and staff members who self-identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or “+” and have chosen to be visible in this virtual space for the wider community. Spearheaded by the UMBC LGBTQ Faculty & Staff Association, the OutList promoted greater visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and reflected the commitment to diversity and inclusivity at UMBC.