Global Asias Symposium & Celebration

Global Asias Symposium & Celebration
Monday, May 4
11am-6:30pm

This daylong event will showcase and celebrate the work of the Global Asias Initiative, a three-year initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation that has created a forum for engaging in conversations in the fields of Asian American Studies, Asian diaspora studies, and Asian Studies. The Initiative has has created connections across disciplines, departments, institutions, organizations, and communities here on campus and beyond. With our grant from Mellon Foundation coming to a close this year, we are showcasing the many achievements of the initiative.
If you’re a UMBC community member, please use the myUMBC links below to RSVP. If you’re a broader community member, please RSVP with Priya at priyab@umbc.edu!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11:00am-12:30pm
Welcome & Belonging and Community Luncheon: Conversations on Asian experiences at UMBC

Join us for our Belonging and Community luncheon to kick off the Global Asias Closing Symposium, which is dedicated to the power of storytelling, creative expression, and community. We will share personal stories through art and reflection to celebrate the joy, calm, and cultural heritage that sustain us. From these individual stories, we will build a shared vision of grounded community and understanding of Asian experiences at UMBC. Through a series of collaborative art activities and dialogue, we will turn our hopes for connection and belonging into a visual representation of our future at UMBC. Hosted in partnership with the Mosaic Center, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and the Office of Residential Life.

 Location: Fine Arts 011
Lunch is Provided

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1:00pm-2:15pm
Keynote Address with Dr. Anna Guevarra
Public Humanities and Global Asias 

Join us for a presentation by Dr. Anna Guevarra (University of Illinois – Chicago). Dr. Guevarra will be discussing the “Dis/Placements”: A People’s History of Uptown Project and its connection to her Global Asias in Chicago course and will explore the politics and ethics of involving students in community-engaged projects.

Location: Fine Arts Recital Hall (Room 118)

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3:00-4:30pm
Global Asias in Dialogue Roundtable

Faculty roundtable focused on a discussion of research and teaching through a Global Asias lens. In addition to the panelists, the audience will have the opportunity to discuss pedagogy, curricular development, and research around the study of Asia, its diasporas, and other Global Asias themes. All are welcome.

Location: Performing Arts & Humanities Building (PAHB) Room 216
Refreshments Provided

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5:00-6:30pm
Global Asias Student Showcase & Reception

Join us for a student exhibition, interactive activities, and a celebration of the work of the grant! We will open the Global Asias Student Showcase Exhibition, which will feature mixed media work from students developed through a series of Global Asias workshops this spring. In partnership with the National Association of Asian American Professionals – Baltimore Chapter, we’ll also have art-making and other activities to interact with.

Location: AOK Library Gallery
Food from Ekiben provided

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Thank you to our partners the Asian Studies Program, Mosaic: The Center for Cultural Diversity, Residential Life, McNair Scholars Program, and the Baltimore chapter of National Association of Asian American Professionals for support organizing this celebration.
Please contact Global Asias Project Manager, Priya Bhayana at priyab@umbc.edu for more information.
Poster Design by Tyra Bounxouaysana ’26, commonvision UMBC Student Design and Print Center