Taught by subject matter experts, the Community Leadership Skills Courses emphasize practical skills, deep dives into crucial topics, and take only 5 weeks to complete!
Skills Courses are available to UMBC students, staff, and faculty, as well as anyone who is interested in ongoing learning.
Ongoing learners can take one or more Skills Courses as professional development sessions via UMBC’s Institute for Extended Learning (IXL) – no university application required. The practical aspect of the courses allows you to immediately apply what you’re learning to your work. The courses can be converted to credits later, if you decide to enter the UMBC Community Leadership graduate program.
To learn more about scholarship opportunities for the Skills Courses, contact Community Leadership Program Director Sally Scott.
For UMBC Students, Staff, and Faculty
We welcome UMBC-affiliated students, staff, and faculty to register for Community Leadership Skills Courses. Each course generates one credit, so three Skills Courses is the equivalent of one three-credit course.
Current UMBC Students
Graduate Students: We welcome UMBC-affiliated graduate students from all programs to register for Community Leadership Skills Courses. Each course generates one credit, so three Skills Courses is the equivalent of one three-credit course.
Undergraduate Students: UMBC Undergraduates with 60 credits or more can join graduate students and community learners in the Community Leadership Skills Courses. Each course is worth one credit and undergraduate sections are listed as CLDR 410.
Note: Undergraduate course sections cannot be applied to graduate degrees.
(Search using Subject: CLDR – Community Leadership)
Current UMBC Faculty and Staff
UMBC faculty and staff are welcome to join our community of ongoing learners. Faculty and staff must have an active UMBC student plan of study on their record to register for a course. If you are an active student, you can register normally. Those members without an active plan of study interested in taking the skills course may apply as a graduate Community Leadership non-degree student on the Graduate School’s website.
The Graduate School non-degree application would be due no later than one week prior to the semester start. Non-degree students can register for courses one week before the semester begins. However, current UMBC employees should check in with Human Resources for tuition remission information and deadlines. The non-degree application requires applicants to submit a copy of their transcripts showing degrees earned with the application. UMBC faculty and staff will need to check the box stating that they are a UMBC employee.
Note: if you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, you should contact Undergraduate Admissions about applying as an undergraduate non-degree student to take CLDR 410.
Available Community Leadership Skills Courses
Fall 2025
Taught by Joby Taylor.
Participants will learn techniques to develop a strong “sense of place” and powerful new skills for placemaking in community settings.
Taught by Meghann Shutt.
In this five session class, students will learn the fundamentals of grant proposal writing including: ethics in fundraising, finding and vetting funding opportunities, analyzing grant opportunities, usually referred to as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), organizing, writing and submitting compelling proposals, and the do’s and don’ts of teaming with organizations. Throughout the class students will choose one project to develop throughout the five weeks we work together. The steps of this applied project will be to: identify, write, and submit a grant proposal for a real nonprofit organization. All assignments will be written exercises that will receive feedback from the instructor and contribute to the ultimate class goal of submitting an actual proposal by class end.
Taught by Denise Griffin Johnson & Lane Victorson.
Community Organizing is a practice that supports community development, community cohesiveness, community leadership, and builds community capacity to define, embrace, and create culture and belonging; giving people agency over what they value. The practice of Community Organizing identifies community leadership, builds facilitation skills, planning skills, resource development, increases connections to people and places, and most importantly teaches how best to engage in public discourse so that many perspectives are heard, understood, and valued. The course will provide students with some practical skills for organizing, while also engaging in the framework of traditional organizing and cultural organizing.
Winter 2026
Taught by Charlotte Keniston.
This course will guide students through the process of creating a digital story and also give them the tools to facilitate digital storytelling workshops themselves. Digital stories are short-format videos in which the creator narrates a story from their own life; they are often connected to broader themes and can be used to tell the story of a person, organization, community, or movement. Digital storytelling uses simple digital technology, such as cell phone photography and audio recording, and user-friendly, free video editing software. Take a look at some DIGITAL STORY VIDEO examples.
No previous digital video or photography experience is necessary. In this course, students will create one 3-5 minute digital story and develop a sample curriculum for facilitating a workshop in a community or organization of their choice.
Spring 2026
Taught by Ashley Bush & Katie Long.
This course will guide students through the steps of program development and implementation that reflects community culture and priorities. “Programming as Inclusive Process” seeks to help students develop programming which connects multiple communities through shared activities and spaces, and addresses the importance of creating programs and events which respond to community needs, feedback, and assets. The course will equip students with an understanding of the concept of inclusive programming and the value of community engagement to create sustainable community programs and events.
Taught by Jessica Wyatt.
This course will address the fundamentals of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), how to practically implement ABCD in students’ daily professional practice while developing a community of practice using ABCD, as well as, becoming ABCD practitioners in the field. Working through an ABCD process, participants can move towards whole-community mobilization through mapping the capacities assets of individuals, associations, and institutions while building relationships.
Taught by Candace Chance.
Have you heard the saying, Put your money where your mouth is? If not, it is a saying that means to follow through on something you said. Organizations say a lot through their marketing, their grant proposals, and ultimately through their vision, mission, and values. But there’s one major way to see if they’re really walking the walk or just talking: their BUDGET! An organization’s budget is their accountability to the things that they say. This course will teach students how to align their values and their intended impact with their budgets so that they can stand in integrity.
All Courses
Taught by Jessica Wyatt.
This course will address the fundamentals of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), how to practically implement ABCD in students’ daily professional practice while developing a community of practice using ABCD, as well as, becoming ABCD practitioners in the field. Working through an ABCD process, participants can move towards whole-community mobilization through mapping the capacities assets of individuals, associations, and institutions while building relationships.
Taught by Candace Chance.
Have you heard the saying, Put your money where your mouth is? If not, it is a saying that means to follow through on something you said. Organizations say a lot through their marketing, their grant proposals, and ultimately through their vision, mission, and values. But there’s one major way to see if they’re really walking the walk or just talking: their BUDGET! An organization’s budget is their accountability to the things that they say. This course will teach students how to align their values and their intended impact with their budgets so that they can stand in integrity.
Taught by Denise Griffin Johnson & Lane Victorson.
Community Organizing is a practice that supports community development, community cohesiveness, community leadership, and builds community capacity to define, embrace, and create culture and belonging; giving people agency over what they value. The practice of Community Organizing identifies community leadership, builds facilitation skills, planning skills, resource development, increases connections to people and places, and most importantly teaches how best to engage in public discourse so that many perspectives are heard, understood, and valued. The course will provide students with some practical skills for organizing, while also engaging in the framework of traditional organizing and cultural organizing.
Taught by Charlotte Keniston.
This course will guide students through the process of creating a digital story and also give them the tools to facilitate digital storytelling workshops themselves. Digital stories are short-format videos in which the creator narrates a story from their own life; they are often connected to broader themes and can be used to tell the story of a person, organization, community, or movement. Digital storytelling uses simple digital technology, such as cell phone photography and audio recording, and user-friendly, free video editing software. Take a look at some DIGITAL STORY VIDEO examples.
No previous digital video or photography experience is necessary. In this course, students will create one 3-5 minute digital story and develop a sample curriculum for facilitating a workshop in a community or organization of their choice.
Taught by Gayle Carney.
Participants will uncover their organization’s personality and where it stands in the current landscape, explore their audience’s needs and values, and identify concrete steps toward a more effective brand.
Taught by Meghann Shutt.
In this five session class, students will learn the fundamentals of grant proposal writing including: ethics in fundraising, finding and vetting funding opportunities, analyzing grant opportunities, usually referred to as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), organizing, writing and submitting compelling proposals, and the do’s and don’ts of teaming with organizations. Throughout the class students will choose one project to develop throughout the five weeks we work together. The steps of this applied project will be to: identify, write, and submit a grant proposal for a real nonprofit organization. All assignments will be written exercises that will receive feedback from the instructor and contribute to the ultimate class goal of submitting an actual proposal by class end.
Taught by Tom Coale & Janssen Evelyn.
This course will focus on the tenets of grassroots community advocacy at the local level. From stop signs to school funding, local government plays a fundamental role in designing communities for people to thrive.
Taught by Joby Taylor.
Participants will learn techniques to develop a strong “sense of place” and powerful new skills for placemaking in community settings.
Taught by Rob Lee & Sally Scott.
Learn the art of podcasting from conception to publication in this engaging and hands-on course. Discover the essentials of planning a podcast, mastering the use of equipment, editing techniques, and explore effective marketing strategies.
Taught by Ashley Bush & Katie Long.
This course will guide students through the steps of program development and implementation that reflects community culture and priorities. “Programming as Inclusive Process” seeks to help students develop programming which connects multiple communities through shared activities and spaces, and addresses the importance of creating programs and events which respond to community needs, feedback, and assets. The course will equip students with an understanding of the concept of inclusive programming and the value of community engagement to create sustainable community programs and events.
Taught by Kayleigh Mrowka & Lauren Mauriello.
Restorative practices can transform communities and systems by allowing community members to maintain and sustain relationships even when harm has occurred.
Taught by Ciara Christian & Jasmine Lee.
This course is designed for people who have a deep interest in issues related to race, social justice, power, privilege, oppression, intercultural dialogue, and the ways such issues influence our leadership abilities and interests.
Taught by Kate Scherr-Adams.
Strategic planning helps organizations set priorities, focus energy and resources, strengthen operations, and establish agreement for intended outcomes. Engaging communities is imperative to successful outcomes, trust building, and equity.
Skills courses (CLDR 610) are offered throughout the year. Please check the schedule of classes each semester to see which topics are being offered, as not every topic is offered every term. Some Skill Courses may be available during Summer and Winter sessions.