interdisciplinary studies

A family embraces and smiles at the camera. The father has a foam UMBC paw.

Meet a Retriever—Jennifer Herson ’99, Alumni Association Vice President

Meet Jennifer Herson ’99, interdisciplinary studies. Jen is an executive at Data Canopy, a data center and cloud company, and the current Vice President of Operations of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors. As a board member, Jen believes deeply in the mission of UMBC and the sense of community and belonging this institution fosters. She helps perpetuate these values through her work on the board and as a donor. Take it away, Jen! 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: Everyone can… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Jennifer Herson ’99, Alumni Association Vice President

GiveCorps Spotlight: Help Interdisciplinary Studies get to the Kinetic Grand Championship!

[vimeo 143338349 w=500 h=281] Kinetic Trailer from Zachary Garmoe on Vimeo. Last year, a group of UMBC students and alumni combined their expertise in engineering, art, and design to build the Kraken Upcycle, a plastic behemoth on wheels that took home the grand prize in Baltimore’s Kinetic Sculpture Race. (We wrote about them last summer at UMBC Magazine, and you can take a peek here.) The next step in their incredible journey is the Kinetic Grand Championship in Arcata, California, this May…and they need your help to get there. When you give to UMBC’s Kinetic Sculpture Race team, you’re not just supporting this one… Continue Reading GiveCorps Spotlight: Help Interdisciplinary Studies get to the Kinetic Grand Championship!

Freedom of Expression: Majid, Alexander

Every so often, we shine a spotlight on alumni who have made the news recently, in Baltimore and beyond. Today, we’re featuring two alums who are making an impact through creative expression, whether through storytelling or visual art. Asif Majid ’13, interdisciplinary studies, former class valedictorian and current instructor at UMBC, will relay his tale of getting lost on a pilgrimage to Mecca at the February 10 Stoop Storytelling event at the Senator Theatre in Baltimore. Stoop Storytelling is now in its 10th year, and was created to “foster empathy and build a community” in Baltimore, both by empowering citizens to tell their own… Continue Reading Freedom of Expression: Majid, Alexander

Green Works

Here at UMBC, we honor our recent graduates’ accomplishments and look forward to seeing their education and experience continue to grow. We would like to take the time to meet a few of our newest alumni and discover what the future has in store for the Class of 2015. Anna Johnson ’15, Ph.D., Geography and Environmental Systems has combined her love of gardening with her research interests to have a lasting impact through improving Baltimore’s urban environment and serving an important–and often overlooked—population. As an active participant in the Maryland Green Prisons Initiative, Anna worked with inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institution… Continue Reading Green Works

From the Stage to the Screen: Theresa Columbus ’11

Every so often, we’ll chat with an alum about what they do and how they got there. Today we’re talking with Theresa Columbus, about her work a creator of the feature-length film “Chaza Show Choir,” a musical comedy about a high-school show choir’s journey to Europe. The film was screened April 29th at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore. Name: Theresa Columbus Major: Interdisciplinary Studies Grad Year: 2011 Q: Where did you first come up with the idea for “Chaza Show Choir”? I had been writing and directing lots of short plays in Milwaukee, and my partner, Didier Leplae, was interested… Continue Reading From the Stage to the Screen: Theresa Columbus ’11

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! 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. With the release of the iPhone 6, Stephan Sherman ‘00, M8, interdisciplinary studies, presented at an Apple iPhone Keynote… Continue Reading Alums in the News: Chance, Sherman, Frampton, and Morgan

UMBC Alums Excel in New Spacial Discoveries

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! Stephen Freeland, interdisciplinary studies, responds to a study on the role of chance in Earth’s mineral formation. In an article published by Wired, Freeland explains how vital minerals are in order to sustain life on Earth. According to Freeland, “Minerals pull order out of chaos…all of this swimming in an ocean of unknowns.” To read the full article, click here.   Mehdi Benna, Center for Space Science and Technology, is the lead… Continue Reading UMBC Alums Excel in New Spacial Discoveries

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