Thank you for your interest in STRiVE.
STRiVE is an intensive and engaging, five-day leadership for social impact retreat that helps inspire and support students in becoming more effective leaders and contributors to their communities, especially the UMBC community. STRiVE participants develop friendships; discover their strengths and values; learn how to work more effectively in groups; envision contributions they could make at UMBC; engage issues relating to identity, privilege, and systemic oppression; and tackle both simulated and real leadership and social change challenges. Past STRiVE participants have gotten deeply involved in campus organizations and initiatives, and have made phenomenal contributions. More than 700 students have completed the program and have given it outstanding reviews. The Center for Democracy and Civic Life hosts STRiVE in partnership with the Student Government Association (SGA), with support from PNC Bank.
STRiVE 2023 will take place from January 9-13, 2023. 50 undergraduates will participate, guided by a team of 11 UMBC staff and student coaches. We are planning to host the program in-person at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD (round-trip bus transportation from the UMBC campus will be provided to participants). Participants will stay in motel-style rooms and all activities will be held on site. We will take appropriate COVID safety precautions, and if absolutely necessary will host the program in a virtual format.
We especially encourage first- and second-year students to apply because they will have the greatest opportunity to apply lessons learned at STRiVE before they graduate. But the retreat is open to all UMBC undergraduates on the Catonsville campus.
SGA, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and PNC Bank cover most of the cost of each participant’s attendance. However,
each participant pays a $100, non-refundable contribution toward the
retreat’s cost. Financial assistance is available. If you are selected
to participate in STRiVE 2023, we will send you a form that includes the
financial aid request. We do not want the $100 contribution to be a
barrier to anyone’s participation.
The STRiVE 2023 application is due at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022.
By submitting this application, you are authorizing the Center for Democracy and Civic Life to check your UMBC records to confirm there are no disciplinary or other issues that would preclude you from participating in this program.
Contact UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life by emailing David Hoffman, Markya Reed, and Tess McRae at
civiclife@umbc.edu with any questions.
