All posts by: UMBC News Staff

Student Scholarship Q&A: Kristina Higgins, chemical engineering

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Kristina Higgins ‘16, chemical engineering, who is an Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship recipient. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who is a child or grandchild of a UMBC graduate, and who shows great community involvement.

Name: Kristina Higgins
Major: Chemical Engineering
Extra Curricular Activities: Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and club soccer
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
I chose to attend UMBC because of its outstanding STEM program and the recognition it receives throughout the country. I also love that at UMBC I can walk around campus and see familiar faces, instead of being drowned out in the population of a very large school.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
The most amazing discovery I have made as a student at UMBC is the amount that I have in common with so many people from different backgrounds. UMBC is very diverse and I have had a chance to meet people from all different cultures.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
Delta Phi Epsilon sorority has shown me how to be a well-rounded person. I consistently take part in a variety of activities including community service events, philanthropy events, and different workshops that build skills such as resume builders and study habit tips.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
It is very important to me to get scholarship support. My college education is very important to me and I am very thankful to receive support on something that is such an integral part of my life.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I am most proud of continuing to complete all of my classes to the best of my ability in such a challenging field of study. I continue to surprise myself on what I can accomplish.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
I would want to express my gratitude and make sure they know that I will be using that scholarship to continue to work hard at UMBC and pursue my future goals.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to work for an environmental engineering firm in order to help maintain and improve the sustainability of the watersheds around us.

Give back through our alumni scholarships today!

Outstanding Alumna: Kaliope Parthemos ’93

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to this year’s Alumni Award winners. The UMBC Alumni Association proudly honors distinguished alumni and faculty for their accomplishments and dedication to UMBC. Today we’re talking with Kaliope Parthemos ‘93, psychology, about her career as Chief of Staff to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. 

Name: Kaliope Parthemos ’93, psychologykali
Job Title: Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Award Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Q: Why did you choose to attend UMBC?

In addition to UMBC’s proximity to home and its affordability, UMBC had a great academic reputation.

Q: Is there a particular class or professor at UMBC who really inspired you?

My externship program with the Choice Program inspired me to pursue a career in public service. It motivated me to pursue a career where real change can happen through my work. A career where I can use my skills, training and advocacy to help others.

Q: What has been the greatest success in your career? The greatest challenge?

I am very proud of being able to serve the citizens of Baltimore City throughout my career, often serving the most vulnerable citizens. Having served as Deputy Mayor for 4 years and now as Chief of Staff of a large U.S. city, I know the decisions made will impact future generations: from school construction plans to new recreation and aquatics centers, to pension reform, to implementing the city’s 10-year financial plan. My greatest challenge has been facing historic budget deficits and dwindling federal resources. I am proud of the fact that when we come into the mayor’s office in 2010, we faced a historic budget deficit of over $121 million without drastically cutting public safety and essential services or raising property taxes.

Q: What are your proudest personal achievements?

Two things: 1. As a first generation Greek American, I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, much less graduate from law school. I am proud of my professional and educational achievements and strive to always give back in my career. 2. A few months after I became Deputy Mayor at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am proud to say that I am a breast cancer survivor.

Check out the other Alumni Award winners.

Pres. Hrabowski’s Encouraging Message for Maryland Parents in The Baltimore Sun

Last week, President Hrabowski spoke at a parent empowerment and engagement forum sponsored by the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) and the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County.

At the forum, as HCPSS discussed a program to help parents track student achievement, Dr. Hrabowski encouraged parents to take advantage of educational opportunities and resources and be increasingly involved in their children’s learning.

“I want parents to understand how very important it is for them to play a key role in helping their students achieve in school,” he said. “And I want parents to understand that they needed to support teachers in raising the bar for every child.”

Click here to read “UMBC’s Hrabowski challenges Howard parents to lay educational foundation at home” in The Baltimore Sun.

Photo Gallery: UMBC Hosts Fourth Annual 1966 Society Dinner

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski hosted the fourth annual 1966 Society dinner on September 15 in the University Center Ballroom Lounge at UMBC.  The 1966 Society celebrates those individual members who have identified the UMBC Foundation in their estate plans.

Before dinner, guests walked over to the Meyerhoff Building and toured the labs with Dr. William LaCourse, Dean of CNMS, and Zeev Rosenzweig, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where they learned about the exciting research being done by UMBC faculty.

Some of the faculty — Dr. Marie-Christine Onuta, Dr. Marcin Ptaszek, and Dr. Ryan White — then joined 1966 Society members for dinner.

Please contact Kim Robinson at kim.robinson@umbc.edu if you would like information about estate planning.

Ana Maria Schwartz Caballero, MLLI, Receives NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award

Ana.mov

Baltimore Ravens fans were treated to a special event during the September 28 game: Ana Maria Schwartz Caballero, modern languages, linguistics and intercultural communication, received the 2014 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.

Schwartz Caballero received the honor for her work with the Latino community, which includes serving as chair of Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s Hispanic Commission, member of the Legislative Task Force on the Preservation of Heritage Language Skills, president of UMBC’s Latino/Hispanic Faculty Association, faculty advisor for UMBC’s Hispanic/Latino Student Union, advocate with CASA de Maryland, and much more.
“I share this award with the members of our Latino community who work so hard to better their lives and who make our state a better place to live; and with my students, whose drive and persistence are my inspiration,” the professor shared.
Schwartz Caballero has chosen UMBC’s Esperanza Scholarship Fund to receive the $2,000 grant that came with the award.

Student Scholarship Q&A: Bria Hamlet, health administration and policy program

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Bria Hamlet ‘15, who is an Alumni Association Scholarship recipient.

Name: Bria Hamlet
Major: Health Administration & Policy Program, Track II – Health Policy
Extra Curricular Activities: Peer Health Educator, President of the Women of Color Coalition
Scholarship received: Alumni Association Scholarship

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
My decision to attend UMBC was not an easy one, as I initially had my heart set on going out of state for college. I quickly learned that UMBC was not only a great place to study, but a perfect fit for me. I love being a Retriever and making the most of every day on campus. I fell in love with our school spirit, academic strength, and comfortable community. I can honestly say I would not want to be anywhere else.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
The most amazing discovery I’ve made so far as a student at UMBC is my sense of unity with my fellow students. We’re all in this together, whether it’s overcoming our hefty workloads or bonding over a power outage on campus. I feel very at home here and hope many other students feel the same.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
I have been a Peer Health Educator through University Health Services for three semesters. I am quickly approaching my fourth and final semester, as I am aging out. This program has really shaped both my experience at UMBC, but also my career aspirations and goals. I LOVE health education. I love helping other students feel empowered to take care of themselves, but also understand risk and make informed decisions. We put a lot of time and effort into creating fun and engaging programs for our classmates; we would not show them anything we wouldn’t sit through ourselves. I take so much pride in being a part of this amazing, elite group of students and I am grateful for every moment spent with them.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
Right before I chose a college, my parents and I had the talk about making wise financial choices. While there was never any doubt that I was destined to attend college, my parents had the foresight to avoid mountains of debt through going out-of-state. My decision to attend UMBC was the smartest choice financially, but that did not mean there were not struggles. I still have loans, I still worry about how I’m going to pay for graduate school, and I wonder why it costs so much to help people grow scholastically. However, this scholarship support shows me that there are great people out there who want me, as well as other students, to [succeed] too! It’s a great feeling and I plan to pay it forward someday.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I am very, very proud of the work I put into building my GPA this past school year. Out of 10 classes, I received A’s in eight. I have always been studious, but I hit bumps in the road that no longer made my GPA a reflection of me. I have worked hard to pull it up, and will continue to do so in my final semesters here.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
Thank you so much for seeing in me a student worthy of your support and kindness. I have never received a scholarship before and I am thrilled that you changed that for me. I will try my hardest to make you proud, and represent your alma mater in the best way I possibly can.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I plan to attend graduate school to obtain my Masters in public health. Afterwards I will gain my PhD in population, family and reproductive health. My short-term goal is to become a health educator, and my long-term goal is to open up my own non-profit healthcare center. I also hope to donate back to UMBC.

Support the UMBC Alumni Scholarships today!

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in The Baltimore Sun and Jewish Times

Donald NorrisPublic Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris discussed the upcoming gubernatorial election in The Baltimore Sun and Jewish Times this week.

In an article in the Jewish Times about Republicanism in Maryland, Norris predicted that a win for the Democrats, explaining that Republican nominee Larry Hogan’s focus on the economy would not sway voters. In The Baltimore Sun, Norris commented on Hogan’s attention to environmental issues. Hogan has questioned Democratic nominee Anthony Brown’s commitment to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. “I’ve been in the state since 1986, and I don’t remember the bay being an issue, at least in this way,” said Norris.

Click here to read “Being Purple” in the Jewish Times and here to read “A political divide over the environment” in The Baltimore Sun.

Norris also spoke to the Baltimore Sun about Governor Martin O’Malley’s possible bid for the presidency and how it might affect his relationship with the Clintons. “He’s a got a relationship with the Clintons,” Norris said. “And I don’t know how you run against someone without ticking them off.”

Click here to read “Subtly, O’Malley draws distinctions with Clinton” in The Baltimore Sun.

Kimberly Moffitt, American Studies, on The Marc Steiner Show

Kimberly Moffitt, American Studies, joined The Marc Steiner Show on Monday, September 29 to discuss police brutality, societal perceptions of Black children and recent attacks on the Obamas. Other panelists in the roundtable included Marshall Bell, host of Midday Magazine with Marshall Bell and author of Baltimore Blues: Harm City, and Ray Winbush, Director of the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University.

In the conversation about attacks on Michelle Obama, Moffitt related it to her research on body politics. “Oftentimes we look at the black body as being this space that occupies a position of being revered and reviled, all at the same time. And so, when you look at someone like Michelle Obama, she occupies that space constantly,” she said.

To hear the full segment on The Marc Steiner Show, click here.

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, Op-Ed in The Baltimore Sun

Political Science Professor and Chair Thomas Schaller writes about his views on religion, war and the political practices of ISIS in his latest column in The Baltimore Sun.

Tom Schaller 1Schaller notes the dangerous nature of what ISIS purports to want: a return to the era of Islamic caliphates. “Political leaders hungry for power and control often peddle to potential followers the intoxicating promise of reviving a high-varnished, glorified past that never really existed,” he writes. “Such delusions often turn lethal, especially when revanchist aspirations cannot be delivered to adherents and are met with resistance from opponents.”

To read “The Islamic State’s false promise,” click here.

UMBC’s Professional Graduate Programs Info Sessions

12658627603_8a9325afcf_zUMBC’s Professional Graduate Programs are designed to prepare working professionals to grow academically and professionally, and become leaders in some of today’s most in-demand fields.

Participate in upcoming information sessions to learn about Professional Graduate Programs in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Health Information Technology, Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Geographic Information Systems offered at UMBC’s Main Campus and at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.

Fall Info Sessions:

  • Systems Engineering & Engineering Management Virtual Info Session: Oct. 9, 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Health Information Technology Virtual Info Session: Oct. 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Biotechnology Virtual Info Session: Oct. 21, 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Cybersecurity Virtual Info Session: Oct. 23, 12 – 1 p.m.
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology Info Session: Oct. 29, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Geographic Information Systems Info Session: Nov. 5 & 6, 6 – 8 p.m.

RSVP here!

Each information session will highlight program format and curriculum, as well as the application process. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Alums in the News: Chance, Sherman, Frampton, and Morgan

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

softball

Caitlin Chance ‘14, psychology, recently accepted a position as assistant softball coach on the Shorewomen’s staff at Washington College. During her time at UMBC, she was a four-year starter for second base. Chance also played in the 2011 and 2014 America East Championships and was team co-captain her junior and senior years. Read more.

videogame

With the release of the iPhone 6, Stephan Sherman ‘00, M8, interdisciplinary studies, presented at an Apple iPhone Keynote about his company’s VainGlory game that will run on the iPhone 6. Sherman is co-founder and CCO of Super Evil Megacorp, a game company, and he discussed how the multiplayer game will be taking advantage of the larger screen and quicker processors of the iPhone 6. Watch the keynote.

tgd-robframpton-091614-7896

With only 222 fire officers worldwide, Robert Frampton ‘14 M.S., emergency health services, is the first in Maryland to receive the “fire officer” credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Frampton has been working at the Salisbury Fire Department since 1999 and with this new title, he will have the ability to contribute to a forum to improve the Salisbury department and other departments across the country. This new position took him three months to complete, along with a peer review and a secondary application which must be completed every three years for him to remain the fire officer. Read the full article.

Steve-2013-Headshot

Stephen Morgan ’72, psychology, is one of The Daily Record’s Most Admired CEOs for his work with The Arc Baltimore. His company fits under the category of nonprofit with more than $10 million in annual revenue. The Arc Baltimore provides support to individuals and their families with disabilities. See the complete list of winners.

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Outstanding Alumna: Hadieh Shafie ’04

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to this year’s Alumni Award winners. The UMBC Alumni Association proudly honors distinguished alumni and faculty for their accomplishments and dedication to UMBC. Today we’re talking with Hadieh Shafie ‘04, imaging and digital arts, about her career as an independent artist.

Hadieh Shafie - Alumni_Award_RecipientName: Hadieh Shafie ’04 M.F.A., imaging and digital arts
Job Title: Independent Artist
Award Category: Visual and Performing Arts

Q: Why did you choose to attend UMBC?

I came to UMBC because I became interested in performance and digital arts. I learned about UMBC’s program when doing research on graduate schools. I found a few key people at UMBC that really piqued my interest. Also, it was one of the programs that supported graduate students with financial backing and professional experience.

Q: Is there a particular class or professor at UMBC who really inspired you?

Every one in the department was incredibly supportive, still there are a few faculty members that made a deep impression on me and they are Professor Kathy O’Dell, Professor Preminda Jacob, Affiliate Associate Professor Symmes Gardner. Their mentorship had a tremendous impact on my time at UMBC and my development as an artist and as an individual.

Q: Please tell us a little about the trajectory of your career and what you are working on now.

I am currently in the studio producing work for my solo show with Leila Heller Gallery in New York which will debut in February 2015. Leading up to this, I have seen my work presented in not only the U.S. but also in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Seeing my work presented in so many countries and venues has provided an exciting evolution for how I think about my practice as an artist.

Q: What has been the greatest success in your career? The greatest challenge?

The greatest success has been to realize my ambition and dream of waking every day to lots of work and experimentation in the studio. To know that I am engaged in the kind of work that leaves no desire to ever consider “retirement.” The greatest challenge has been that there is never enough time.

Q: What are your proudest personal achievements?

Staying grounded has been very important to me and I strive for this quality every day.

Check out the other Alumni Award winners.

UMBC UMBC
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 Directions & Parking

Resources

Important Contacts

Emergency Info

Contact Us

Apply

Top Stories of the Week

© UMBC: A University System of Maryland Member Institution