Meet a Retriever

Hope Weismann smiles at camera.

Meet a Retriever—Hope Weisman ’14, M.A. ’18, transfer student advocate

/ 5 minutes of reading

Meet Hope Weisman ’14, psychology, M.A. ’18, applied sociology, a Transfer Academic Advocate and member of the UMBC community for 10 years and counting. As a transfer to UMBC herself, Hope has found the perfect professional role for herself at UMBC’s Academic Success Center. Thanks for sharing your story, Hope! Q: Tell us about your primary why, and how it led you to UMBC. A: I came to UMBC as an undergraduate student because it felt like it was the right fit for me. I was transferring from a local community college and I had never even been to UMBC.… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Hope Weisman ’14, M.A. ’18, transfer student advocate

A man with long gray hair and matching beard and glasses waves. He was a philosophy major at UMBC.

Meet a Retriever — Rev. Bob Hall ’74, philosophy

/ 4 minutes of reading

Meet Rev. Bob Hall ’74, philosophy, president of the Christian Council of Delmarva and a planned gift donor to UMBC. Through his work, Rev. Hall is able to combine the strengths of traditional churches to address needs in his community — and he says he got the grounding he needed for this work as a student at UMBC. We can’t wait to hear about who inspired him most. Take it away, Bob! Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want the Retriever community to know about you? A: I am a clergyperson who has worked in the faith-based non-profit sector for most… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever — Rev. Bob Hall ’74, philosophy

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

A young man stands in a black polo shirt talking into a microphone

Meet a Retriever—Xavier Smith ’23, M31, computer engineering, scholar and mentor

/ 6 minutes of reading

Meet Xavier Smith, a senior computer engineering student who is heading to MIT next year to pursue his dreams of earning a Ph.D. and starting a biotech company. As a part of UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars Program, the U-RISE Scholars Program, and a number of other organizations on campus, he truly understands the meaning of community. Take it away, Xavier! Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you? A: I am a senior studying computer engineering on the communications track. In fall of 2023, I will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where I will be… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Xavier Smith ’23, M31, computer engineering, scholar and mentor

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

Information systems student Anthony Rivera explains his research to another researcher

Meet a Retriever—Anthony Rivera, information systems major and student researcher

/ 5 minutes of reading

Meet Anthony Rivera, a senior information systems (IS) major and a first-generation college student. When he’s not working on research related to improving equity for Medicaid recipients, you can also find him exploring his creative side through photography and a minor in theatre. Take it away, Anthony! Q: Tell us about how you wound up at UMBC. A: Hello, my name is Anthony Rivera and I am a senior information systems (IS) major, theatre minor student using he/him pronouns. I study IS because I am fascinated by the way people interact with technology and seeing those trends in human activity.… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Anthony Rivera, information systems major and student researcher

A woman in a gray UMBC t-shirt stands in front of a desk where she acts as an academic peer advocate.

Meet a Retriever—Adeola Ojomo, sociology major and academic peer advocate

/ 3 minutes of reading

Meet Adeola Ojomo, a sophomore sociology major who started working on campus helping other students as an academic peer advocate (APA) after being inspired by another APA who helped her with some excellent advice. Take it away, Adeola! Q: Tell us about yourself. What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you? A: My name is Adeola Ojomo and I work at the Academic Success Center as an academic peer advocate. Some activities I enjoy outside of school include Tai Chi and gardening. I’m also a music lover! I can vibe with music from any decade and… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Adeola Ojomo, sociology major and academic peer advocate

Headshot of Nate Dissmeyer in a grey suit with a yellow tie and pocket square.

Meet a Retriever—Nate Dissmeyer ’07, alumni leader and recurring donor

/ 5 minutes of reading

Meet Nate Dissmeyer ’07, information systems, a program manager with Galapagos Federal Systems, providing Army IT support at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Dissmeyer finds fulfillment in helping to develop IT professionals and supporting the Department of Defense community. And UMBC really gave him the skills to succeed in his position, he says. Dissmeyer, who is a recurring donor and a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABoD), found his way at UMBC through involvement with the Habitat for Humanity chapter and as a member of Triangle Fraternity.  Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Nate Dissmeyer ’07, alumni leader and recurring donor

A young entrepreneurial speaker presents in front of a projection

Meet a Retriever: Basil Udo ’22, entrepreneur and bwtech@UMBC technologist

/ 5 minutes of reading

Meet Basil Udo ’22, biochemistry and molecular biology, an entrepreneur and technologist in the third cohort of bwtech@UMBC’s Maryland New Venture Fellowship for Cybersecurity program, where teams work together to create the commercially viable solutions the nation needs to secure physical and virtual infrastructures. Basil walks us through the timeline of creating his business venture as an undergraduate, support from campus leaders to help finesse his vision, his entrepreneurial award, and how he made the most of his UMBC connections to find a job in his area of industry.  Q: How did you get involved with bwtech@UMBC? A: In Spring… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever: Basil Udo ’22, entrepreneur and bwtech@UMBC technologist

People talk at an art opening at CADVC, Sandra Abbott is center with a purple scarf and shoulder length brown hair

Meet a Retriever—Sandra Abbott, curator of art and outreach at CADVC

/ 2 minutes of reading

Meet Sandra Abbott, who has been working in UMBC’s art world for 14 years. Whether it’s through setting up world-class exhibitions or coordinating educational programs, Sandra combines her work as curator of collections and outreach at the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture (CADVC) and affiliate faculty in the visual arts department. Sandra thrives in her role of introducing Retrievers and community members to great art. Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why? A: I love working with students who are exploring my profession. They keep me on my toes and ask the… Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Sandra Abbott, curator of art and outreach at CADVC

A woman and a man celebrate Retriever scholarships at UMBC

Meet a Retriever — Phil Shockley ’04, M.P.P. ’09

/ 7 minutes of reading

Meet Phil Shockley ’04, political science and information systems, M.P.P. ’09. As an undergraduate, he was Student Government Association president and took part in interesting internships, and as an alum and donor he continues to engage and give back to his alma mater. He’s now making a UMBC education even more accessible to others by endowing a scholarship in honor of his parents. Continue Reading Meet a Retriever — Phil Shockley ’04, M.P.P. ’09

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