AOK Library’s Spotlight! Symposium: Are You Good? Checking In With Maryland’s Young Adults
Wed, March 25 at 9am-12:30 in the AOK Library Gallery
Event Description
The AOK Library's Spotlight! Symposium will host a hybrid public symposium titled Are You Good? Checking In With Maryland's Young Adults on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in the Library Gallery and online.
A link to join the event online, as well as driving instructions can be found here.
This long-standing symposium is a themed conversation in which
invited speakers discuss their research and experience on a selected
topic – the lives of young adults in Maryland. The Symposium supports
the University's vision of creating an inclusive culture that connects
innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic
engagement.
The goal of the symposium is to highlight the research of our
community, but also the library collections and the subject expertise of
our librarians.
The guest speakers will include UMBC faculty, alumni, students, and
external community members. We've established a connection with
community members of the Charlestown Assisted Living community to
integrate them in the symposium, not only as guests but as speakers. The
speakers, topic, and language are inclusive and intentionally highlight
the voices and concerns of the marginalized and underrepresented.
With the help of our attendees, we aim to critically examine the
current factors impacting Maryland's young adults aged 18-25. We hope to
acknowledge the many challenges young adults are facing, as well as the
glimmers of hope on the horizon for our emerging adults.
Accompanying the speakers will be a librarian-curated reading guide
that spotlights the collection of the Library related to the topic. The
reading guide was crafted by our subject expert librarian, Katy
Sullivan.
Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you at the event!
SCHEDULE
9:00-9:15 am Welcoming remarks from Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen
9:15-10:00 am Danielle Locke (UMBC, Graduate Assistant and PhD Candidate)
Behind the Screens of Young Adult Romantic Relationships
10:00-10:45 am Donna Martin + Ellyn Loy (Charlestown Senior Living Community)
Bridging the Gap: A Conversation with Community Seniors
15min BREAK
11:00-11:45 am Katy Sullivan (UMBC, Head of Reference & Instruction/Spotlight Librarian)
(Being) Young in America: A Panel Discussion with UMBC students
11:45-12:30 pm Dr. Kate Drabinski (UMBC, Gender, Women's, + Sexuality Studies)
Disability and Accessibility at UMBC: Student and faculty perspectives
This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected
category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.
Posted: March 24, 2026, 12:28 PM