Meet Adriana Torres. Adriana is a psychology major who has wanted to be a teacher ever since she was in school at Lakeland Elementary/Middle School. She decided to attend UMBC without ever visiting the campus because of the Sherman Scholars Program, which supports and prepares high-quality teachers for urban schools. In her spare time, Adriana enjoys baking, binge-watching her favorite TV shows, and meeting new people. Take it away, Adriana!
Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?
A: I came to UMBC because of the abundant opportunities it provides in terms of educational support, both financially and in tangible classwork support. But beyond that, I believed that UMBC could help me reach my goal—becoming a teacher. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I grew up looking up to my teachers because of how much they cared and wanted to help me in whatever way they could, even beyond schoolwork. Both of my parents are also teachers, so that sparked my interest in teaching as well.
What drew me to UMBC specifically was their Sherman Scholars program. I didn’t know much about UMBC when I was first applying here. To be honest, I had never even visited the campus before I decided to come here. However, knowing that there would be a community of people who would support and help me work towards my dreams and aspirations was what motivated me to be here.
“I believed that UMBC could help me reach my goal—becoming a teacher.
Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?
A: Some of the most influential people during my time at UMBC have been the mentors and leaders of the Sherman Program. With their willingness to help and kind affirmations, I have felt so supported and encouraged to continue on my journey to be a teacher. They have given me more direction in terms of where I want to head in my teacher journey.
Q: What do you love most about the Sherman Scholars program?
A: I love being a Sherman Scholar because it’s bringing me closer to my future goal of being a teacher. It’s also allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of how to interact with students more effectively. One part of my story that is unique is the fact that I actually graduated from Lakeland Elementary/Middle School, which has a close relationship with the Sherman Scholars Program. Lakeland was a great school for me. My mom taught there for all my life, so I grew up in that community. I always felt supported by my teachers, and it eventually solidified my desire to become a teacher.
“It makes it interesting to see the growth of someone who graduated from Lakeland to someone who is now in the Sherman Scholars Program.
Throughout high school, I maintained my ambition by attending a school with a pathway to becoming a teacher as well. Finally, I made my way to UMBC, where I again feel incredibly encouraged to work towards my goal of being a teacher.
Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community?
A: One thing that I would want someone to know about the UMBC community is that no matter what, there will always be opportunities here that will push you to be your best and provide appropriate guidance to help you along the way. The most important thing to remember is that you have to be the one reaching out for help.
As an adult, it is always your responsibility to be the one to better yourself, as others around you do not know what you are struggling with. But once you ask for help, staff, faculty, and students will gladly help you whenever possible. A great example of this is the Academic Success Center. Here, a variety of resources are offered, such as tutoring and advising.
Q: Are you part of any clubs?
A: I am on the board of the club Best Buddies. The main goal of this club is to connect people with intellectual or developmental disabilities with people to form lifelong friendships. I truly love this club, not just because of the amazing cause but also because the people who are a part of the club are so warmhearted and caring. I genuinely enjoy every meeting we all have together because of the energy and personalities of the club members.
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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.