Past Lunch on a Mission Sessions

As we looked to developing the Lunch on a Mission series for 2021-2022, we wanted to be responsive to what we've heard from our staff about the impact the COVID-19 has had on them personally. For 2021-2022, we announced that focusing on staff wellbeing will be the priority for Lunch on a Mission. 

The outstanding curriculum the Student Life Change Team built for Lunch on a Mission in 2020-2021 the Canvas course called Lunch on a Mission: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The modules for those courses are still readily available for those who accept an invitation to participate. If you'd like to be included, please contact Brenna Hucka ([email protected]).

For 2021-2022, we launched a second Canvas course called Lunch on a Mission: Wellbeing. The topics by month are listed in the table below. Student Life staff received an invitation to the course from Canvas.  Participation in the course, like all Lunch on a Mission programs, was voluntary.

We also had an in person event during Homecoming 2021! Student Life sponsored a tailgate barbecue.

Lunch on a Mission is going virtual for 2020-2021!

The COVID-19 pandemic created the necessity for rethinking Lunch on a Mission. Our goal was to create opportunities to grow and develop professionally, remain physically distant, and minimize Zoom time. Thanks to the Student Life Change Team, we have a chance to engage in a virtual, asynchronous program for 2020-2021. The program focused on Goal 2 of the UMD Strategic Plan ("Advance equity, diversity, inclusiveness, and social justice within the campus community." and Goal Area 2 (Inclusive Excellence) of the Student Life Strategic Plan. Participation in the Lunch on a Mission program helped staff meet the divisional requirement to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion training annually.

Student Life Staff were encouraged to engage in learning and discussion online through the Lunch on a Mission Canvas course. Each month, a new module was opened. Modules content focused on a variety of topics related to Goal 2 and included videos, articles, podcasts, and other educational materials to take in. Each module featured a discussion board that folks used to engage in reflection and discussion. Thoughtful, respectful, and brave conversations were encouraged in this space.

This was a space for all Student Life staff to engage in expanding their learning and to share their experiences on topics related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The course remains available to Student Life staff, who should log in to Canvas and look for the UMD Student Life - Lunch on a Mission course in their Dashboard. Please contact Brenna Hucka at [email protected] with questions or concerns.