With the Iowa Caucuses just days away, UMBC faculty have been in the news weighing in on the current state of the presidential race. Kimberly Moffitt, an associate professor of American studies, was a guest on the Baltimore Sun podcast “Roughly Speaking with Dan Rodricks” to discuss the recent Republican presidential debate on Fox Business Network. During the segment, Moffitt shared her thoughts on the interactions between candidates and economic and foreign policy issues in the race, among other topics of discussion.

Political Science Professor and Chair Thomas Schaller wrote an opinion piece for The Hill that focused on the rise of Sen. Ted Cruz, drawing on arguments made in his latest bookThe Stronghold that the Republican Party’s recent focus on its congressional wing has had an impact on presidential elections.

Focusing on local election issues, School of Public Policy Professor and Director Donald Norris was quoted in aBaltimore Sun article about former Md. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown’s campaign finance status and provided context for a NorthJersey.com article about a ballot question this fall that would authorize expanding casino gambling in New Jersey. Norris described the media campaign surrounding the 2012 ballot question in Maryland over whether to allow a new casino in Prince Georges County.

For the full list of recent news items, see below:

Roughly Speaking: GOP Debate (Baltimore Sun podcast)
Ted Cruz opinion piece (The Hill)
Brown chips away at campaign debt (Baltimore Sun)
Jackson: Ballot questions to trigger ad barrage(NorthJersey.com)

View this story as originally published on UMBC News.

Dear Students,

The CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation is a study abroad program designed to provide African-American students living or attending school in Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member districts with the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and learn Mandarin during a two-week visit to China. Through this initiative, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) aims to promote African Americans’ interest in career and study options involving US-China relations, thereby expanding opportunities for African Americans in an era of increasing globalization.
 
The CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation program dates are June 2, 2016 – June 20, 2016.
 
In 2016, one (1) group of 20 students will participate in the program. Students will take part in orientation activities in Washington, DC before leaving for China and in a debrief session in Washington, DC upon their return. Students will participate in a challenging and rewarding program during their two weeks in China that includes academic, cultural and reflection activities.
 
The 2016 program is open to students who meet the following criteria:
 
·       Live OR attend school in a CBC member district. Visit house.gov and our “CBC Member list”:https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.academicworks.com/clients/cbcfinc/client/1447083136/2016%20CBC%20Districts%20-%20General%20Mills.pdf  to see if they are in the CBC. Students who live or go to school in New Jersey are all represented by a CBC member
·       Enrolled in an HBCU, predominantly-black schools, or majority institutions; for community college students, must be graduating in May 2016
·       Majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics-related (STEM) fields, business or trade
·       Completing their second, third, or fourth year of college in May 2016 based on credits earned
·       Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
·       Have a valid passport at the time they submit their application
·       U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
 
All of the scholars’ housing, travel and meals in China are covered by the China-US Exchange Foundation. CBCF covers participants’ housing and most of their meals during their stay in Washington, DC; CBCF also covers the scholars’ ground transportation in Washington, DC once the program has started.
 
Prospective applicants can apply by completing the two part application: A General Application for everyone applying to a CBCF program and Supplemental Questions specific to the China Study program.
 
To access the application, please visit https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/opportunities/342. Students applying for the China Study program must complete both parts. You will see the Supplemental Questions after completing the General Application.
 
The application requires:
 
·       2 completed recommendation letters (Ideal recommenders would be a dean, department chair, academic advisor, or employer.)
·       Resume (1-3 pages)
·       Recent professional-looking photograph
·       Color copy of passport (and permanent resident card for legal residents)
·       Responses of no more than 500 words each to “3 of 4 essay questions”: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.academicworks.com/clients/cbcfinc/client/1425327661/US-China%20Delegation%20Essay%20Question%20Selection.pdf.
·       Official transcript MAILED to: CBCF Inc., Attn: US-China Program, 1720 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
 
I have attached a CBCF Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Delegation flyer to share with your faculty and student body. Students can learn more and apply at the following website: https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/opportunities/342. The application deadline is March 1, 2016.
 
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Christina D. Sullivan-Mutia, Manager-Leadership Institute for Public Service, with the CBCF at (202) 263-2821 or csmutia@cbcfinc.org.

Cheers!

Interdisciplinary Studies Major with Academic Honors: Fall 2015

Semester Academic Honors- 3.5

Michelle Alban

Jeffrey Carr

Adam Freitag

Kendrick Hudson

Emily Melluso

Heather Mortimer

Tziana NessAvier

Khrithika Prakash

Eric Scharfenberg

Erik Schwarzenberg

Kayla Smith

Sophia Venero

Dean's List- 3.75

Julianna Brightman

Sylvia Egoigiawerie

Kathryn Hardy

Kayla Lilly

Chrysandra Medley

Marina Mizell

Neena Paul

Jazmin Simmons

Stanley Wang

President's List- 4.0

Tiffany Cook

Nimasha Fernando

Karli Funk

Alex Getachew

Wyatt Griffith

Taiki Haugen

Maniraj Jeyaraju

Myungsun Jung

Kara McNaney

Himadri Patel

Thomas Pipolo

Priyanka Prasad

Markus Proctor

Rosa Rada

Melanie Schehr

Michelle Seu

Brooke St. Martin

Alyson Stetyick

Hao Wang

Bryan Zamzow