Meet Lisa Nissley ‘01, political science. Lisa is a legislative liaison at the Department of General Services, as well as the chair of the mominating committee on the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors. In her spare time, you can find her at the ice rink (her two children are involved in figure skating and ice hockey), the pool (swim team), or the lacrosse field. Lisa also enjoys reading, cooking (when it’s not required), walking, and being creative. Take it away, Lisa!
Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?
A: It truly is a community, and that is a feeling that stays with you. I have worked in the political world of campaigns and government relations and always seem to connect with UMBC grads, some I knew and others who were there before or after me. Also, the community is diverse, so there is always someone to connect with and learn from.
Q: Where did you find support when you were here?
A. When I came to UMBC, I was eager to find community and feel like I belonged and I wanted to build my career. The interesting thing is how those two goals aligned. I joined student organizations, interned in Annapolis, and made friends in class. Some of those very people have been in my corner ever since.
Q: Who is someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you?
A: Dr. Tom Schaller—I always enjoyed his classes and he was involved in the political world, so I would see him out in the world doing what he talked about in class. He assigned long research papers we worked on throughout the semester, and what seemed daunting at first turned out to be very interesting. I was lucky to assist in his research. We have stayed in touch over the years and he has shared advice and guidance throughout my career.
“I love finding UMBC alumni just about everywhere I go.
Q: Tell us more about your journey from UMBC to your current role.
A: I actually transferred to UMBC and didn’t expect to stay, but I loved it! I eventually graduated in 2001 with a political science degree. Over the years since graduating, I have been a state employee working in the legislative branch and various state agencies doing policy and government relations. Recently, I started at the Department of General Services in the legislative office. I am enjoying being back in Annapolis full-time and being part of the legislative process.
Q: How have you given back?
A. I serve on the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) as chair of the nominating committee. I really enjoy giving back to the UMBC community in this way. We work to have a diverse board that represents the alumni community, and I’m always impressed by the exciting things our alumni are doing out in the world. I also give annually to the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund. Through the Alumni Endowed Scholarship, the AABOD strives to make a difference in the lives of deserving students, to help them achieve their dream of receiving a university degree and joining the alumni community.
About the Alumni Association Board of Directors
UMBC’s Alumni Association is a non dues-paying organization and is led by a volunteer Board of Directors—volunteer graduates, like Lisa, who support advancing the mission and vision of the association and, by extension, UMBC, through their visibility as alumni leaders and active participants in the ongoing work of the board and its committees.
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Tags: Alumni association, Alumni Endowed Scholarship, Meet a Retriever
