Growing up, Zainab Alkebsi ’09, political science, always knew she wanted to become a lawyer. The daughter of Yemeni immigrants, Alkebsi is the first in her family to attend law school, as well as the only deaf member of her family. As an attorney, Alkebsi hoped she could help break down barriers to accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Now, as policy counsel for the National Association for the Deaf (NAD), Alkebsi does just that. In her role with NAD, Alkebsi interfaces with government agencies, Congress, coalitions, media, and businesses on all issues affecting the deaf and… Continue Reading 2018 Alumni Awards: Zainab Alkebsi ’09, political science
Chief Judge Wanda Keyes Heard ’79, political science, was drawn to UMBC by the intimate class sizes and impressive credentials of the political science faculty, but quickly grew to love the campus and remained an on-campus student throughout her undergraduate days. Today, she is the first female Chief Judge in the history of the 8th Judicial Circuit, appointed to the position after serving the citizens of Baltimore City as a Circuit Court Judge in Baltimore for 19 years. Though 40 years have passed since her time at UMBC, she credits her time as an undergraduate student for her professional successes… Continue Reading 2018 Alumni Awards: Chief Judge Wanda Keyes Heard ’79, political science
Each June, faculty, staff, and students from across the U.S. gather to discuss higher education’s work preparing students to engage in civic life. Below are reflections from five students who participated in this year’s Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) Meeting as members of UMBC’s delegation. The meeting took place in Anaheim, California, from June 6-9, 2018. Note: This post originally appeared on the UMBC Breaking Ground Blog. Markya D. Reed ’18, Psychology, immediate past Executive Vice President, UMBC Student Government Association CLDE has helped me recognize the power of the student voice, especially as it pertains to… Continue Reading Student Voices for Higher Education and Democracy
When you think about fearsome predators in the ocean, the first thing that pops into your mind is probably a shark. Sure, sharks are OK, with their sleek, menacing shape and their gaping jaws with rows of jagged teeth. But if you were a fish living on a coral reef or cruising along the shore over the sands of a tropical island, you would fear a far more terrifying predator. Continue Reading A cooler ocean predator than sharks? Consider the mantis shrimps
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UMBC Alumni Association recognizing alumni and faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the University, their professions, and communities. In October, the individuals below will be honored. Interested in learning more about the award recipients? Profiles will be posted here at UMBC Magazine leading up to the awards ceremony. REGISTER TODAY: Join us Thursday, October 4, to celebrate these individuals at the Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall. 2018 UMBC Alumni Award Winners Outstanding Alumna in Engineering & Information Technology Kimberly Ellison Taylor ‘93, Information Systems Global Strategy Director, Oracle Outstanding Alumna… Continue Reading 2018 Alumni Awards Announced
F. Chris Curran, Assistant Professor of Public Policy University of Maryland, Baltimore County A federal school safety commission that formed after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre won’t be focusing on guns. That’s according to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who stated recently that firearms were “not part of the commission’s charge per se.” She made the remark in response to a U.S. senator who asked if the commission would consider the role of firearms in school violence. Of course, if the commission were to focus on just guns, they would miss the mark. But as a scholar who studies school… Continue Reading School safety commission misses the mark by ignoring guns
