March 29, 2024

Introducing … ASPIRE Week, April 10 to 15

Hello UMW Family,

From the first day you became an Eagle, you began to learn about, embody and reflect our ASPIRE Community Values. ASPIRE is an acronym that stands for Accountability in our behaviors, the pursuit of Scholarship, holding ourselves to the highest levels of Personal and Institutional Integrity, cultivating Inclusive Excellence for everyone, demonstrating Respect and Civility in all we do, and maintaining Engagement in the communities to which we belong. Our values guide us and make us who we are and for that reason a celebration is in order.

SGA Vice President Jaylyn Long came up with the idea to host our first -ver ASPIRE Week, which will take place April 10-15, 2023. Please save these dates and plan to join in the fun. More information about each day can be found below.

Monday, April 10: Accountability Day will be marked through tabling and brief updates from selected offices and student and professional organizations. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in front of Lee Hall (Rain location: Cedric Rucker University Center, Living Room). Refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday, April 11: Scholarship Day will feature ASPIRE tabling at the Majors Fair and a chance to create a name tag displaying your current or intended major. The fair runs from noon to 2 p.m. at Palmieri Plaza (Rain date: Thursday, April 13, Palmieri Plaza, noon to 2 p.m.). Ice cream will be provided.

Wednesday, April 12: Personal and Institutional Integrity Day is a time when the Honor Council and Student Conduct Review Board will be tabling. There will also be an opportunity for all UMW community members to sign a banner to recommit to personal and institutional integrity. This will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the patio of the Cedric Rucker University Center (Rain location: CRUC Living Room). Popcorn will be provided.

Thursday, April 13: Inclusive Excellence Day. Student organizations and offices on campus that display inclusive excellence will be tabling throughout the Cedric Rucker University Center. University Dining will serve lunch in the Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the menu will feature dishes that highlight the cultural heritages of many of their team members. For those who have meal plans, the cost of lunch is one meal swipe or $9 Flex. The cost for members of UMW’s faculty and staff is $6.50. The cost for all other guests is $13 plus tax, and payment may be made with EagleOne or credit cards (cash is not accepted).

Friday, April 14: Respect and Civility Day. There will be a social media-based celebration of this day that you can join using #MaryWash.

Saturday, April 15: Engagement Day. Students are invited to engage in community service projects taking place across campus. Prior sign-up is kindly requested and a link will be provided next week. There will be a pizza party for participants after the event has concluded. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ASPIRE Week would not be possible without the hard work of our fabulous committee members and sponsorship from the Office of the President. We are grateful for all you are doing!

Please be on the lookout for additional details next week. We hope to see you at the events!

Shavonne R. Shorter, Ph.D.  (she/her)
Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Digital Studies