PoliticalScience

A mentor stands outside talking with a student about asking for help and community support with a building and trees in the background

Graduating students share how unexpected paths and community support got them to where they needed to be

/ 5 minutes of reading

“College can be a nerve-wracking and anxious experience, right? So when you have a question, or when you are feeling uncertain, when you are feeling overwhelmed, do me one favor,” said Joel DeWyer, director of campus life operations, encouraging students to find community support. “Find someone around you in your community and ask for help.” Continue Reading Graduating students share how unexpected paths and community support got them to where they needed to be

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

A group of students and a professor stand stand close together holding small gold and black signs, civic engagment

Inaugural UMBC Paw Poll reveals high levels of student civic engagement

/ 5 minutes of reading

“My guiding philosophy is to create applied-learning projects that have legs—that go beyond the classroom context. Paw Poll is one example,” says Ian Anson, associate professor of political science. “I want students to experience how political science theories and applications impact communities—in this case, the UMBC community.” Continue Reading Inaugural UMBC Paw Poll reveals high levels of student civic engagement

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 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

Five people pose next to a mail in ballot drop off box on campus.

Voting Is an Everyday Practice

/ 7 minutes of reading

Today, millions of college students across the country are voting. Other students are not voting—they might be discouraged that their voice can make a difference, uninformed about their voting rights, or just unengaged with the political process.  In a conversation facilitated by UMBC Magazine, Musa Jafri ’24, political science, SGA director of civic engagement, Sunil Dasgupta, professor of political science, and founder and host of the podcast “I Hate Politics,” and David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, language, literacy, and culture, the director of UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life, discuss the vital democratic process—on campus and off—and the daily practice… Continue Reading Voting Is an Everyday Practice

10 people in professional clothing pose, smiling at camera in front of GRIT-X 2022 backdrop.

GRIT-X 2022 brings to life the “essence” of UMBC research and creative achievement

/ 5 minutes of reading

Amid a bustling day filled with Homecoming excitement, GRIT-X returned to UMBC this month for its sixth year, delivering a wide-ranging lineup of Retriever excellence in action. Held in the Fine Arts Recital Hall, this year’s GRIT-X was the first for new UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby. Enjoying one engaging talk after another, she deemed the event “the essence of UMBC.” Continue Reading GRIT-X 2022 brings to life the “essence” of UMBC research and creative achievement

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

 

Start typing and press enter to search

Scroll to Top