Alumni

A woman in bright purple walks and talks next to a man in a suit jacket outside next to a sculpture. she is helping connect him to faculty funding and awards

Meet a Retriever—Rachel Brubaker, M.A. ’00, faculty funding connector

/ 5 minutes of reading

Meet Rachel Brubaker, M.A. ’00, historical studies, assistant director for grants and program development at the Dresher Center for the Humanities. Brubaker, a self-proclaimed humanities nerd, has worked in different positions at UMBC for 22 years, but her current seat in the Dresher Center allows her to combine her UMBC degree with her passion for public humanities and education to collaborate with faculty members on research proposals and help connect them to prestigious funding opportunities. Take it away, Rachel! Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you? A: I have been assistant director for grants… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Rachel Brubaker, M.A. ’00, faculty funding connector

Three men walk down academic row, the middle man points to something in the distance

The math (and the man) behind our national security

/ 9 minutes of reading

In the 1960s, a common routine for elementary school students was to practice hiding under their desks in case of a nuclear blast. Following the Bay of Pigs standoff in 1961, international tensions remained high as the United States and the Soviet Union continued advancing their nuclear weapons. But global armament was only a minor inconvenience to Stanley Czajkowski in those days. As a third grader in Miss Hamill’s class, he was busy falling in love with the riddle of math.  Unbeknownst to this future Retriever was how he would eventually use those foundational mathematical skills to develop algorithms designed to… Continue Reading The math (and the man) behind our national security

Four men wearing suits and ties pose together outside

Meet a Retriever—Karndeep Singh ’18, M26, CYA president

/ 6 minutes of reading

Meet Karndeep Singh ’18, M26, biochemistry and molecular biology, a graduate student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the biochemistry and molecular biology Ph.D. program. Singh is conducting his thesis research in Dr. Michael Summers’ laboratory at UMBC. Outside of research, he’s been involved with UMBC’s Chapter of Young Alumni (CYA), serving as the president since summer of 2020. Singh says he’s found his way at UMBC through involvement in research, residential life, and networking with alumni at UMBC. Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Karndeep Singh ’18, M26, CYA president

Two adults stand in front of a table with a blue table cloth with the letter GAO written in white a federal program.

Rooted in Advocacy—Giese ’99 ensures federal programs meet community needs

/ 6 minutes of reading

“The humanities, the cultural studies, provide important insights that we all need to influence the nation that we live in. It makes you think creatively about how you want to live your life,” says Danielle Giese’99. “Combining Africana studies with political science has given me incredible insights into how our government systems affect people of color. ” Continue Reading Rooted in Advocacy—Giese ’99 ensures federal programs meet community needs

two men stand next to a surf board at the beach

Hang Ten with New Friends

/ 3 minutes of reading

When UMBC’s volleyball team headed to the University of Southern California (USC) for a tournament, Athletics reached out and invited West Coast Retrievers to an LA happy hour before the game. Eager to reconnect with their alma mater and meet other alumni in the area, folks gathered together and new friendships were formed.  Despite the decades between their UMBC experiences, Matt Sheriff ’00, political science, and Nathenael Dereb ’21, computer science, bonded over a quintessential California connection—surfing. Specifically, Dereb, a recent relocator, wanted to learn how and Sheriff, who’s been on the West Coast for years, had the skills to… Continue Reading Hang Ten with New Friends

A volleyball player prepares to hit a ball back over the net

Then & Now—Band of Sisters

/ 2 minutes of reading

At the 2022 Homecoming alumnae volleyball scrimmage, Kasey Crider, who joined UMBC as head volleyball coach earlier this year, got a firsthand view of the connections the program has forged over the last 50 years—connections that he considers the foundation of the team’s success. “I exist in that ecosystem of this legacy, which hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m walking out of there going, ‘Man, this is why you do it. You have these incredible people.’” The volleyball players over the years would tell you that common values and hard work unite a team that comes from all… Continue Reading Then & Now—Band of Sisters

Embroidered napkins sewn together with a hand touching the fabric.

Unstuck in Time—Peeling Back Layers Through Art

/ 5 minutes of reading

As a visual artist, Monique Crabb, M.F.A. ’22, intermedia and digital arts, draws from her environment quite literally—producing textile-based artworks colored with the rich hues of plants and objects around her. This fall, she spent a month in residency at the Baltimore County Public Library, teaching workshops and engaging with library users as she created new work inspired by her surroundings. These are her reflections from that experience.  One of the most calming places to be in is a public library surrounded by people’s research, stories, and history of every place and culture from almost every perspective imaginable. At times,… Continue Reading Unstuck in Time—Peeling Back Layers Through Art

The town of Ellicott City with a banner in the foreground announcing the 250th anniversary

Her Story of History 

/ 4 minutes of reading

Ellicott City, founded 250 years ago this year, holds more than its share of history. The lore of the old mill town is dense with pioneers, millers, astronomers, abolitionists, fires, floods, and firsts, including the nation’s first national road and railroad. Writer Ellen Nibali ’90, English, wanted to tell the history of the town. But how could she condense all those years into something that would both enlighten and entertain? Then she thought of the magic of the musical. “The underlying thing is that I love stories,” Nibali said. “And I always enjoyed music. Then I realized that a musical… Continue Reading Her Story of History 

three women in black and gold pose happily behind a table

Reconnecting with Retriever Pride at Homecoming 2022

/ 3 minutes of reading

Every year, Retrievers of all ages (including some actual Retriever pups) and community members gather together for UMBC’s Homecoming—and as always, this year had something for everyone. For those who wanted to get an early start on the festivities, Retrievers enjoyed the morning’s 5k Dawg Chase and Fun Run. From there, alumni and friends could sit down for Family Breakfast, cheer on the Puppy Parade, gather for an ice cream social, and take in all the rides. “For a lot of folks at UMBC, it’s coming back to a department, coming back to a social group, coming back to a… Continue Reading Reconnecting with Retriever Pride at Homecoming 2022

New 2022 Hall of Fame members pose together in gold stoles

Celebrating Retriever Achievements

/ 4 minutes of reading

The weeks around Homecoming offer multiple ways for the UMBC community to reconnect with our Retriever pride and celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing alumni. Two marquee events during this time are the Alumni Awards ceremonies and the UMBC Athletic Hall of Fame Induction. Recognizing alumni excellence  Standing out on the Alumni Awards stage, Rising Star honoree Stefanie Mavronis ’12 shared a sentiment echoed by several other speakers—UMBC is a place to flourish.  “UMBC did more than accept students like me who brought idealism and lots of passion to campus,” said Mavronis, chief of staff in Baltimore City Mayor’s Office… Continue Reading Celebrating Retriever Achievements

A young man with glasses stands with his arm around an older woman

Non-Linear Paths to Leadership

/ 5 minutes of reading

Francisco Cartagena describes his academic journey as unorthodox. Now an employee for the City of Gaithersburg, Cartagena started his educational path as an undocumented student. While charting numerous challenges, Cartagena ’19, political science, M.P.S. ’22, cybersecurity, also found ample opportunities for growth along the way, becoming an effective leader of social change at UMBC at The Universities at Shady Grove. Cartagena arrived with his family from El Salvador as a preteen. In 2009, he graduated from high school and set out to Montgomery College to pursue his associate’s degree in general studies—a goal that would take him a decade to… Continue Reading Non-Linear Paths to Leadership

a man in a peach colored shirt and a hat plays a cabasa

Music Man

/ 4 minutes of reading

Devin Walker ’89, political science, is a man with a plan. And a cause and a vision and a passion. Oh, and a Grammy nomination. “Uncle Devin, the Children’s Drumcussionist,” as he’s known professionally, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Children’s Music Album in 2022 as a member of the 1 Tribe Collective, one of his many top-level endeavors that center around education, music, and young people. He’s the musical muscle and co-owner of The Uncle Devin Show, an interactive musical experience for children that uses percussion instruments to inspire both fun and critical thinking. Walker also runs a… Continue Reading Music Man

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