Dr. Ciara R. Christian, Co-Director
Since 2014, Dr. Ciara R. Christian (she/her) has been professionally engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice work.
Dr. Christian discovered her passion for this work as a result of her experiences in the Peace Corps, where she both noticed and experienced gaps in cultural competency within the organization. This experience served as a catalyst for her return to higher education, allowing her to more deeply explore identity development, social inequality, and social change. Ultimately, this led her to intergroup dialogue as a vehicle for helping others to engage deeply about and across differences. Her practice is rooted in an ethic of radical, revolutionary love and a commitment to helping others see and center our shared humanity.
Outside of work, Dr. Christian is a lover of culture, language, and travel. Additionally, she enjoys cooking, dancing, listening to podcasts, and sharing quality time with friends, family, and her Cockapoo doghter, Bellatrix.
Dr. Jasmine A. Lee, MSW, Co-Director
Dr. Jasmine A. Lee is a scholar-practitioner dedicated to fostering radical love, true belonging, and thriving communities. Through dialogue work, she helps UMBC and leaders create environments where people feel valued, seen, and empowered. With a background in social work and extensive experience in DEIB leadership—primarily in higher education—Dr. Lee is a master facilitator trained in restorative practices and dialogue methodologies. Known for her engaging, down-to-earth approach, she inspires communities with authenticity, humor, and deep insight.
Dr. Lee also serves as the Associate Vice President for Community and Culture and is responsible for ensuring the university upholds its core value of inclusive excellence by furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice initiatives for students, faculty, and staff through training, workshops, cohort experiences, consulting, and community learning.
Dr. Lee is a whole human who loves cartoons, traveling, laughing at corny jokes, hanging out with her puppy, and spending time with family and friends.
Adam Watkins, Administrative Assistant
Adam is the Administrative Assistant for the Center for Social Justice Dialogue. He previously provided administrative support for Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion and Belonging and the Center for Democracy and Civic Life before joining the Division of Institutional Equity. He is an advocate for rest, play, and finding and protecting joy. Adam also provides administrative support for the Associate Vice President for Community and Culture.
Caleb Ruck, Graduate Assistant
Caleb Adrian Ruck, M.A. (he/him) is a PhD student in the Language, Literacy and Culture program at UMBC. His research, such as his Master’s thesis “Man Plans, G-d Laughs: A Graphic Autoethnography of an Intercultural Communication Student”, focuses on the intersection of creative production and academia, intercultural communication, and queerness in athletic spaces. With the Center for Social Justice Dialogue, he is eagerly learning from those around him and developing his critical dialogic competencies, influenced by his background in modern languages, linguistics and cultural anthropology. He also dabbles in graphic design and is consequently very familiar with UMBC’s brand and style guide.
Wendy Low, Coordinator
Wendy Low (she/her) is a facilitator, trainer, and coach dedicated to creating spaces of connection across differences. With nearly a decade of experience in civic education, interfaith leadership, and community organizing, she has trained educators, facilitated conversations on challenging issues, and developed programs that inspire people to engage with democracy, pluralism, and storytelling for social change. Wendy leans into the conversations most people avoid, believing that the engagement of differences can create a better society.
A former rock climbing coach, Wendy brings her love of play, growth mindset, and joyful participation into her work. Whether in the classroom, a dialogue circle, or on the climbing wall, she leads with curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to helping others discover their capacity for transformation.
Outside of work, Wendy is pursuing her M.S. in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management and can be found exploring museums, attending theater, rock climbing, or sharing quality time with friends.
MSW Intern, Chloe Kastner
Bio coming soon.
