Breaking the M.O.L.D. initiative launches with in-depth disc

“Breaking the M.O.L.D.,” the new initiative supported by a $3M grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, jump started its programming with its opening event August 15-16 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) that brought together cohorts from three partner institutions: University of Maryland at College Park (UMD CP), Morgan State University (MSU), and UMBC. 

Guest speakers President Valerie Sheares Ashby (UMBC), Provost Hongtao Yu (MSU), Provost Jennifer King Rice (UMD CP) and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Stephanie Shonekan (UMD CP) presented opening remarks focusing on leadership in academia and beyond. The initiative’s principal investigators (PIs) and leaders-in-residence (LIRs) led panels, participated in an HumetricsHSS values sorting activity and facilitated frank conversations on challenges universities face today, prompting discussions about creative solutions for a brighter future from scholars in the arts, humanities, and related fields. 

Programming for Breaking the M.O.L.D. initiative will include joint cohort meetings throughout the 2022-2023 academic year at partner universities where the participants will learn about each institution’s unique administrative systems. Participants will also meet on their individual campuses to learn more about their own organizations, and to examine how the perspectives of leaders from humanities and the arts can make a unique difference at colleges and universities. 

---------------------

UMBC’S PIs Dean Kimberly Moffitt (CAHSS) and Vice Provost Pat McDermott, as well as faculty LIRs Timothy Nohe and Carolyn Forestiere, will work with UMBC’s faculty cohort. The cohort includes Tamara Bhalla, American studies; Erin K. Hogan, modern languages, linguistics, and intercultural communication; Eve Muson, theatre; Liz Patton, media and communication studies; Orianne Smith, English.

For more information about Breaking the M.O.L.D., its participants and programming please go to https://mold.umbc.edu or see prior coverage in the Washington Post and UMBC News.