UMB Champions of Excellence Good Neighbors, Good Deeds Community Engagement Center Leadership Team When the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shut down in Maryland, only those deemed essential were allowed to remain open with strict safety protocols in place. While the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Community Engagement Center (CEC) was not considered essential to the state, it is absolutely essential to the West Baltimore community it serves. Ashley Valis, MSW, executive director of community engagement and strategic initiatives at UMB, knew that she and her CEC team would...