Staying in the Loop is a new post series from the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) that seeks to create connections between alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of UMBC and CBLA. Click here for more information about CBLA.

Name: Dr. Tamara L. Lewis
Major: Psychology
Grad year: 1992

Q: What do/did you enjoy most about being a part of the UMBC community?

From the moment I arrived on campus as a freshman, faculty, staff, and students reached out to encourage me to take full advantage of all the campus had to offer. After graduation, I still felt the campus was reaching out to me. I frequently received mailers and email correspondence about campus activities and opportunities to become involved as an alumni. I appreciate the opportunity to remain supportive and I stay connected by participating on various alumni committees and regularly attending alumni events. Currently, I serve on the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni and the Alumni Board of Directors. I also enjoy co-hosting an annual alumni reunion of my sorority sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated during Homecoming.

Q: UMBC is approaching its 50th anniversary (2016) and certainly the campus has come a long way – from a small commuter school to the nation’s #1 “up-and-coming” university – in such a relatively short period of time. What, in your opinion, makes UMBC so unique/special? What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC?

One of the first UMBC items I purchased was a t-shirt decorated with flags and the statement, “The world is our campus.” That t-shirt reflected my perception of UMBC while I was a student and it still reflects my perception. I am excited by the world of opportunity UMBC affords its students.

Q: If you could meet one person in the world who would it be and why?

I’d like to meet President Barack Obama because he overcame many hurdles to accomplish something my ancestors never imagined – becoming the first African American President of the USA.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

Giving back and saying “thank you” are two important lessons my parents taught me as a child. Upon graduating from UMBC, I couldn’t help but show my appreciation for the positive role UMBC played in my professional and personal development. It’s important for alumni to give both of their time and monetary donations, no matter how small.

Q: What is one book you think everyone should read?

I love to read, so recommending one book is difficult. However, the most important book I’ve read is the Bible.

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?

I could never live without my belief in God because I draw all of my strength from my faith.

We are proud to announce Staying in the Loop, a new post series from the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) that seeks to create connections between alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of UMBC and CBLA. Click here for more information about CBLA.
Name: A. Jay Nwachu
Major: Psychology
Grad year: 2003
Q: What do/did you enjoy most about being a part of the UMBC community?
The academically empowering environment as well as the diversity of the student body provided an opportunity for personal, academic and professional growth.
Q: UMBC is approaching its 50th anniversary (2016) and certainly the campus has come a long way – from a small commuter school to the nation’s #1 “up-and-coming” university – in such a relatively short period of time. What, in your opinion, makes UMBC so unique/special? What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC?
UMBC is rather unique given its rapid growth, not necessarily in numbers, but in its ability to compete with the nation’s best institutions in such a short period of time. My most memorable experience, out of many great experiences, was having the opportunity to partner with 2 of my best friends today to address the potential gaps in services that would result when the university administration decided to shut down the Office of Multicultural Affairs which served as an informal home for many on and off campus students. We were able to work with the administration to keep the office open but change its focus to serve the growing diversity at the university with more structured programming. The office remained open and was renamed the Office of Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives and has since been renamed to The Mosaic Center.
Q: If you could meet one person in the world who would it be and why?
Not anyone in particular. I believe that those that I cross paths with at any given space and time can contribute to my life in some capacity. I would rather live life with the anticipation of who next I can share my life with versus wishing to meet a particular person.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?
You can’t make everyone happy, just focus on making God happy.
Q: What is one book you think everyone should read?
This is a tough question……
Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?
Airplanes….the ability to travel.

We are proud to announce Staying in the Loop, a new post series from the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) that seeks to create connections between alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of UMBC and CBLA. Click here for more information about CBLA.

Name: A. Jay Nwachu
Major: Psychology
Grad year: 2003

Q: What do/did you enjoy most about being a part of the UMBC community?

The academically empowering environment as well as the diversity of the student body provided an opportunity for personal, academic and professional growth.

Q: UMBC is approaching its 50th anniversary (2016) and certainly the campus has come a long way – from a small commuter school to the nation’s #1 “up-and-coming” university – in such a relatively short period of time. What, in your opinion, makes UMBC so unique/special? What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC?

UMBC is rather unique given its rapid growth, not necessarily in numbers, but in its ability to compete with the nation’s best institutions in such a short period of time. My most memorable experience, out of many great experiences, was having the opportunity to partner with 2 of my best friends today to address the potential gaps in services that would result when the university administration decided to shut down the Office of Multicultural Affairs which served as an informal home for many on and off campus students. We were able to work with the administration to keep the office open but change its focus to serve the growing diversity at the university with more structured programming. The office remained open and was renamed the Office of Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives and has since been renamed to The Mosaic Center.

Q: If you could meet one person in the world who would it be and why?

Not anyone in particular. I believe that those that I cross paths with at any given space and time can contribute to my life in some capacity. I would rather live life with the anticipation of who next I can share my life with versus wishing to meet a particular person.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

You can’t make everyone happy, just focus on making God happy.

Q: What is one book you think everyone should read?

This is a tough question……

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?

Airplanes….the ability to travel.