Global Opportunities at UMB

The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) recognizes the importance of global social work through research, teaching, field opportunities and faculty engagement. In line with our JEDI principles, UMSSW emphasizes a decolonization lens through global social work practice, community engagement, partnership/exchange development and student opportunities. Within this strategy we emphasize the value of reciprocal innovation and different ways of knowing to address the needs and well-being of vulnerable populations in global contexts. In addition, this strategy aims to increase global opportunities for students, faculty, staff and alumni both here at UMSSW and in our partnering agencies/institutions, especially focused on ways in which we can increase equity in opportunities for global work.

The Global Initiatives Strategy is in line with the UMB Strategic Plan of 2022-2026 addressing the five themes throughout our initiatives where relevant. Namely,

ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRATION OF CORE VALUES
STUDENT GROWTH AND SUCCESS
UNIVERSITY CULTURE, ENGAGEMENT, AND BELONGING
INNOVATION AND REIMAGINATION
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION

Global faculty/staff engagement and partnerships

UMSSW encourages and supports engagement in global opportunities for faculty and staff. Through increased awareness of global opportunities among all faculty and staff at UMSSW, global perspectives can be fostered and integrated into UMSSW as a whole. We hope to increase and emphasize opportunities particularly among staff who may benefit from such opportunities.