The OCCE manages the Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Poppleton, a welcoming front door for West Baltimore residents to connect with resources, programs, and partnerships offered by UMB and its collaborators. Through strong relationships across campus and with neighborhood organizations, nonprofit partners, local leaders, and community members, the CEC serves as a hub where community members can access resources, share knowledge, and shape initiatives that reflect their priorities.
The CEC hosts a variety of recurring opportunities that are free and open to the community, hosts special events, and accepts reservation requests aligned with the mission of OCCE.
Community and Civic Engagement OCCE
The Office of Community and Civic Engagement serves as UMB’s liaison to communities across the state of Maryland on behalf of the Office of the President. Focusing on communities in West Baltimore that border the UMB campus, OCCE develops and nurtures Universitywide partnerships with external stakeholders, including K-12 public schools, community organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses. We assist UMB’s professional schools with coordinating community engagement initiatives. Additionally, OCCE coordinates faculty, staff, and student volunteer and service-learning initiatives to respond to needs identified by community partners.
Community Engagement Center
Celebrating Juneteenth
Hosted by the Office of Community and Civic Engagement and the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness (IEIE), UMB’s sixth annual Juneteenth Jubilee on June 17, 2026, was a fun and family-friendly event that featured music, giveaways, food, and activities for all ages.
YouthWorks Meets WombWork to Produce a Work of Art
Baltimore youth in summer employment program get a platform to be seen and heard as their voices take center stage through a UMB partnership with a community arts organization.
Community Engagement Across UMB
Through Theater, Baltimore Youth Find Their Voice at UMB
August 28, 2026
UMB hosted WombWork Productions’ Summer Teen Ensemble, where Baltimore youth explored juvenile justice through theater while building confidence and finding their voices.
School of Social Work Helps Baltimore Go Back to School
August 24, 2026
Fifth Annual Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 23 provided free resources and school supplies to families.
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Celebrating Freedom, Building Community at UMB’s Juneteenth Jubilee
July 17, 2026
UMB's fifth annual Juneteenth Jubilee brought neighbors, students, faculty, and staff together to celebrate the holiday at a new location: the 4MLK building at the University of Maryland BioPark.
