Inclusive Excellence in Action: Conversation Cafe
Written by: Deborah Dada | Graduate Student, Management of Aging Services | Graduate Assistant, Office of Community and Culture, Division of Institutional Equity, UMBC
Every Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in UC 210, diverse members of the UMBC community gather over tea, coffee, and conversation. Known as the Conversation Café, this initiative creates a welcoming, low-stakes environment where English Language Institute (ELI) students can practice their English while also connecting with the broader UMBC community. I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the Conversation Café. From engaging in the activities to observing the ease with which students connected, it was clear that the space fosters both comfort and curiosity. The atmosphere was relaxed yet intentional; participants laughed, shared stories, and navigated language barriers together in a way that felt natural and meaningful.
What may appear to be a simple gathering is, in reality, a thoughtfully designed space rooted in inclusion, belonging, and shared learning.
The next week, I sat down with Victoria Merab Akinyi, Graduate Assistant for Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator in the Center for Global Engagement, to better understand the impact of the Conversation Café.
“The beauty of our program is that it is open to anyone interested in meeting new people and learning about different cultures,” Akinyi shared.
Originally established in the early 2000s, the Conversation Café has long served as a bridge between students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While it was initially created to support ELI students in building confidence in their English-speaking abilities, the program has evolved into a broader community-building initiative that welcomes the entire UMBC community.
At its core, the Conversation Café is intentionally student-centered. Sessions are designed not just for students, but with them. At the start of the semester, students contribute songs from their home countries to a collective playlist, and in some sessions, they create posters highlighting their cultures, foods, and traditions. Weekly activities include interactive games and cultural storytelling that encourage participants to bring their identities into the space, with music from the shared playlist. When attendance is smaller, the program adapts by incorporating more relaxed activities such as watching short films with subtitles, creating additional opportunities for language practice.
These small but meaningful activities serve as powerful conversation starters, making it easier for students to engage, connect, and learn from one another.
Beyond language practice, the program fosters deeper intercultural understanding. Students are not only improving their communication skills but also developing confidence, practicing active listening, and gaining exposure to perspectives different from their own.
“You’re not just having conversations,” Akinyi explained. “You’re learning about another person’s culture, their experiences, and how to connect with people beyond what you’re used to.”
Importantly, the Conversation Café is also open to UMBC students who participate as volunteers. This creates a dynamic environment of peer-to-peer engagement, where volunteers and ELI students learn from one another. For volunteers, the experience provides valuable opportunities to strengthen intercultural communication skills, build relationships, and engage meaningfully with global perspectives on campus. The program’s impact is best captured through the voices of its volunteers. As one student shared:
“I liked how the short film showed that even some of the most ridiculous dreams are possible. Volunteering and being part of the Conversation Café is a lot of fun. My advice to anyone who doesn’t know about this program yet, or is considering joining, is not to overthink it. Everyone here is just trying to learn and grow—whether it’s improving their understanding of a new language or learning how to talk to someone new. Just dive right in and don’t worry about trying to be perfect.”
Since January 2025, the program has engaged an estimated 70 participants through its weekly sessions. The program’s success is rooted in intentional design. Simple elements like coffee, tea, and snacks help create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. More importantly, a strong intercultural mindset guides each session, ensuring that activities are inclusive, engaging, and reflective of the diverse student population.
“We design our activities with students rather than for them,” Akinyi emphasized. “It’s about understanding what works for them and creating a space where they feel comfortable showing up as they are part of every journey.”
However, the journey has not been without challenges. Changes in location due to university policies have limited visibility, making outreach more difficult. Despite this, the team has remained flexible, adapting to better meet student needs.
This adaptability speaks to the program’s sustainability. With structured resources and guides, the Conversation Café is designed to continue beyond individual facilitators, ensuring its long-term impact on campus.
Ultimately, the Conversation Café embodies UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence by creating a space where diversity is not only present but actively celebrated. It moves beyond representation to foster genuine connection, mutual respect, and shared learning.
In a campus environment where students often navigate differences in culture and identity, initiatives like the Conversation Café serve as a reminder that belonging is not automatic; it is intentionally created.
And sometimes, it begins with something as simple as a conversation!
Written by: Deborah Dada
Graduate Student, Management of Aging Services
Graduate Assistant, Office of Community and Culture
Division of Institutional Equity, UMBC
Share Your Inclusive Excellence Practice
Across UMBC, meaningful work is happening every day to advance equity, inclusion, access, and belonging, often in ways that may not always be visible. Through the Inclusive Excellence Storytelling series, we aim to highlight these efforts and create opportunities for shared learning across our community. We invite students, faculty, and staff to share initiatives, programs, or practices that reflect a commitment to Inclusive Excellence. This may include work in curricular innovation, inclusive pedagogy, community engagement, student support, policy development, or other efforts that foster connection, equity, and belonging. Your story can help inspire others and contribute to building a more inclusive and connected UMBC community.
To share your story, please email Culture@umbc.edu with a brief description of your initiative and your contact information. A member of our team will follow up with next steps.