UMGC is seeking volunteers to participate as panel speakers for upcoming civic engagement events. These sessions are educational, nonpartisan, and moderated.
Time Commitment:
- Interview: ~30 minutes
- Preparation: 1–2 hours
- Event day: ~1.5 hours
Panel Topics & Dates:
- Issue-Based Voting — Thursday, June 11 | 7:00–8:00 PM ET
Description: Participants will learn the difference between voting based on issues versus party. They will consider the values and the solutions they care about, practice understanding voter information and primaries, and gain tools to make thoughtful, issue-driven decisions.
- Why Your Vote Matters — Based on Your Major — Tuesday, August 11 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET
Description: Participants will learn how civic issues connect to their field of study. They will explore how government and policy decisions affect careers in areas like cybersecurity, business, health, and education, and gain skills to make values-based, solution-focused choices.
Who We’re Looking For:
3 - 5 Students or professionals from a range of fields who understand how public policy and government decisions affect their work, studies, and communities, and who can speak to how civic issues show up in their everyday and professional lives. Such as, professionals with backgrounds or majors in education, healthcare, cybersecurity, business, psychology, and other fields.
Desired Skill Sets:
- Ability to remain nonpartisan and avoid promoting a specific party or point of view
- Ability to share information that allows participants to think and apply freely
- Respectful, collaborative communication
- Willingness to listen, allow space for others to speak, and build on discussion
