Reflections on Respect and Integrity 2025
At UMB, our core values are more than words, they are our way of life — the demonstration of what we stand for and the guide for our behaviors.
Our core values of Respect and Integrity, Well-Being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery are at the heart of our mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland and society at-large.
Since August, we have been exploring UMB’s core value of Respect and Integrity: We value each other and hold ourselves accountable for acting ethically and transparently using compassion and empathy. UMB’s campus community has been invited to pause and reflect on what it truly means to embody these principles in our words, actions, and in the spaces we share.
Values in Action: Listening, Learning, and Leading with Integrity
In collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies’ Office of Values and Strategic Initiatives, the Core Values Program office was excited to launch the Values in Action Speaker Series. For the inaugural event, over 50 staff and faculty members came to hear Bill Joyner, the leader of UMB’s Office of Community and Civic Engagement, discuss the importance of demonstrating care in the workplace and embodying the values of a learning organization. Joyner’s remarks remind us that our core values are not abstract ideals but rather, they are lived experiences that take shape in the everyday decisions we make: how we speak to one another, how we respond under pressure, and how we show up when no one is watching.
Through stories, reflection, and conversation, the session challenged participants to consider how respect and integrity shape trust, teamwork, and accountability across our UMB community. It marked a strong beginning for the new series — one dedicated to bringing our core values to life through dialogue and shared practice.
Reading to Understand: UMB Reads! “Learning to Disagree”
Complementing the live conversation, this fall’s UMB Reads! book club dove into "Learning to Disagree" by John Inazu, a timely exploration of how we can hold deep convictions while remaining open to others. The book prompted heartfelt discussions across schools and departments about curiosity, humility, and courage — the quieter companions of respect and integrity that help us navigate difference without diminishing one another.
Participants reflected on how disagreement, when handled with respect, can become a catalyst for learning and growth. Inazu’s stories gave us language for what many of us already feel: that our strength as a university lies in our ability to listen generously and act with integrity even when our perspectives diverge.
Voices from the UMB Community
Our Core Values Conversation continued online, where students, staff, and faculty shared their reflections on what respect and integrity mean in action.
In response to the question “What does it mean to you to treat someone with respect? What does it mean to treat someone with respect even when you disagree?”
Alexis Guethler, School of Social Work staff member, wrote:
“Treating someone with respect is about listening to their views, working to understand their position, and believing that they come to you with their best intentions. When we disagree with people, treating them with respect means valuing their time and effort in sharing their opinion with you and taking time to consider their viewpoint — even if it’s conflicting with our own.”
Kristen Hickox, a UMB student, added:
“Treat people the way you want to be treated. Be mindful of others’ differences and use those differences to learn new perspectives and grow.”
When asked, “What does it take to create a culture where people can trust each other to do the right thing?”
Felisha Whiting, staff member from the School of Dentistry, reflected:
“Creating a culture where people can trust each other to do the right thing starts with implementing core values, especially respect and integrity. Without these values being clearly established and consistently upheld, building trust becomes difficult.
"It also requires authenticity — showing up as your true self while maintaining professionalism. When team members see leaders and colleagues acting with integrity, treating others with respect, and staying genuine in their interactions, it sets the tone for the entire organization.”
Carey Martin, from the Office of the Provost, shared:
“Creating a culture where people trust one another to do the right thing starts with clarity and consistency around our core values. We need to model our values, especially in difficult times. Trust also requires transparency, openly communicating not just successes but also challenges, so people see honesty as part of the culture. Equally important is accountability. People need to know that when mistakes happen, they will be addressed fairly and constructively, and that doing the right thing is both expected and recognized. Finally, creating psychological safety at UMB — where individuals can speak up, raise concerns, and share ideas without fear — helps to reinforce trust.”
In response to “Integrity is built through consistency, transparency, and reliability. How can you hold yourself accountable for following through on your commitments this week?”
Felisha Whiting again offered wisdom from her leadership perspective:
“As a leader, I hold myself accountable by taking responsibility for the decisions I make, even when they don’t work out as planned. I believe in being transparent with my staff about any changes that may affect them while reassuring them that these changes are often made with the intention of improving our workflow and patient care. I also make it a priority to show up each day for my team, through daily check-ins, support, and motivation, so they know they can rely on my consistency and commitment.”
Living Our Values Together
Each of these reflections — shared in workshops, book clubs, and online — illustrates the deep commitment of UMB’s people to creating a culture grounded in Respect and Integrity. These values remind us that how we treat ourselves and one another determines who we are as a community.
At UMB, we hold ourselves accountable not just to our mission of improving the human condition and serving the public good, but to how we embody that mission every day. When we lead with respect and integrity, we build a foundation of trust that allows us to do the hard, necessary, and meaningful work of change together.
Looking Ahead: Well-Being and Sustainability
As we close this chapter, we invite you to continue the journey by engaging in our upcoming focus on Well-Being and Sustainability. Join us for the next Values in Action Speaker Series on Dec. 9, participate in UMB Reads! as we delve into Neha Sangwan’s "Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life," kicking off on Nov. 19, and share your own reflections by responding to our upcoming Core Values Conversation questions — posted every other Monday throughout November and December, and weekly throughout January. Together, we can continue building a culture that sustains not only our work, but our collective well-being as we serve Maryland and the broader public good.