The first week of October marked the seventh year of the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising’s (OAPA) Major Event—a signature, campus-wide experience designed to guide and empower all students on their academic journey.
Though the event has evolved in format over the years, its purpose remains the same: to support students who are still discovering their academic passions, reassessing their current paths, or considering new directions. This year’s iteration brought that mission to life with renewed energy, innovation, and a little cosmic inspiration.
This year’s three-day series was built around a space theme, inspired by UMBC’s partnership in NASA’s Artemis III mission. Featuring graphics of moons, constellations, and galaxies—designed in collaboration with Common Vision—the event invited students to see themselves as explorers on a journey of academic self-discovery.
Throughout the week, 167 students engaged in:
Accompanying the Major Event this year was an interactive mobile and web app to transform the way UMBC students and the entire campus experience its signature program. By leveraging the extensive scope of customizable features available via Webex Events (formerly Socio), Coordinator for Pre-Transfer Advising Desiree Sterling created an immersive, multimedia hub for attendees to navigate the Major Event on site (i.e. via Majors Fair interactive map), synchronously (i.e. joining the virtual academic planning workshop), or asynchronously (i.e. scanning profiles and resources imported into the app). The app also supports other key functions for event management and post event follow up.
At its core, the advising model behind the Major Event—and OAPA’s broader work—reinforces a powerful message: Exploration is not a setback—it’s a step forward.
Through advising, OAPA encourages students to see exploration not as indecision, but as an active and essential part of academic growth. That’s why the term exploratory is used in place of undecided—to reflect a more intentional, strengths-based approach to guiding students through academic uncertainty.
Advisors work with students to create space for reflection, strategic course selection, and goal setting, helping them explore options while maintaining academic progress.
“Exploratory students are doing essential academic work,” one advisor shared. “They’re not lost—they’re learning to ask the right questions.”
This advising philosophy also encourages students to make meaningful connections—between their interests, skills, values, and the opportunities available to them both in and beyond the classroom. Conversations about majors often lead to broader discussions about internships, research, study abroad, and long-term career goals—helping students design an academic path that aligns with who they are and where they want to go.
For exploratory students, The Major Event is more than a fair—it’s a launchpad. It offers a low-pressure environment where students can:
It also reminds students that they are not alone—many of their peers are navigating similar uncertainty. The event helps normalize the experience while providing clear and practical next steps.
OAPA’s commitment to exploratory students doesn’t begin or end with The Major Event. Year-round, students can access:
With another Major Event behind them, OAPA is already focused on what’s next. Post-event feedback from students, departments, and campus partners will help shape future programming. The team is also exploring how the Sched app can support ongoing engagement, not just during events but throughout the academic year.
“Our goal is to make academic exploration an empowered, supported, and celebrated part of every student’s experience at UMBC.”
Students who attended the alumni panel saw firsthand that exploration and uncertainty often lead to meaningful and even unexpected careers. The panelists shared stories of redirection, resilience, and purpose—underscoring that exploration isn’t just about choosing a major, but about designing a life.
The next step? Students can continue exploring with the support of the Office of Academic and Pre-professional Advising.
Meet with an advisor. Enroll in a new course. Explore a different discipline. Submit that major declaration form. Each step brings students closer to launch.
And with the right support in place, exploration isn’t a detour—it’s how students land among the stars.
We are proud to highlight the academic achievements, professional development milestones, and well-deserved recognitions earned by our colleagues across Enrollment Management this past academic year. From advanced degrees and certifications to impactful presentations and prestigious awards, these accomplishments reflect an ongoing commitment to student success, leadership, and scholarly excellence.
On March 3, 2025, Monique Ransom, Associate Director for Academic Advisor Development & Student Transition Programs in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising, successfully defended her dissertation titled Finding Support and Sense of Belonging While in the 'Murky Middle': A Phenomenological Analysis of Black Students' Academic Advising Experiences at a PWI. She earned a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Frostburg State University. Dr. Ransom’s dissertation is published and available in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
This spring, Sharisse Gibson, Program Specialist for Financial Literacy and Education in OFAS, earned an M.S. in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.
This summer, Kevin Mitchell, Senior Manager of EM Business Systems and Solutions in OEM, earned an M.S. in Cyber Operations from University of Maryland Global Campus.
In April, Kashif Khan, IT Specialist in OEM, earned the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, completing 8 courses that demonstrate competency in identifying and mitigating common cybersecurity risks and threats.
In December 2024, Samantha Drummond, Executive Administrative Assistant for OAPA and the Registrar's Office, was named Admin of the Month by the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP). She also completed the ASAP Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE), and this spring, she completed the Building Bridges Across Maryland leadership and professional development program.
This summer, Andrea Cipolla, Director of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS), passed the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators(NASFAA) Certified Financial Aid Administrator® exam, affirming her dedication to ethical and effective financial aid practices.
Amanda Copper, Financial Aid Counselor in OFAS, earned three NASFAA credentials: Application Process, Needs Analysis, and Student Eligibility.
Meaghan Walker, Student Services Coordinator in OFAS, earned her first NASFAA credential in Consumer Information.
Shelly Kessler, Manager of Audit & Compliance in OFAS, earned all 16 NASFAA credentials.
OFAS team members Jenn Volberding (Associate Director of Scholarships), Briana Cross (Assistant Director, Merit Scholarships), and Natalie Smith (Scholarships Coordinator) each earned two NASFAA credentials in Cost of Attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
In May, Rosalie Chesley was promoted to Program Specialist in Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation.
In December, Carmen Cain, Assistant Registrar in the Registrar's Office, presented University Catalogs: Page to Screen at the Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission (MSACROA) Conference in Baltimore. Her session explored adapting print catalogs to the digital environment using catalog software, with a focus on user experience.
On November 4, 2024, Desiree Sterling, Coordinator for Pre-Transfer Advising in OAPA, presented Lizzo, ASMR Embodiment, and a Surround Sound Cultural Critique on Body Positivity as part of the Dresher Center’s CURRENTS: Humanities Work Now series. She also led a session at the UMBC Black Excellence Summit in February titled Stepping into Excellence with Line Dancing, highlighting the cultural roots of line dancing in the Black community. The day ended with her leading attendees in a lively soul train line. Desiree, a two-time UMBC alum, also published a book review in Critical Studies in Media Communication in July 2024 titled Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women’s Digital Resistance.
Ericka Thompson (Assistant Director for Allied Health Programs), Deanna Cerquetti (Academic Advisor), and Dr. Kenneth Baron (Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Student Success) presented Pathways to Purpose: Innovating Healthcare Career Exploration for the Next Generationat the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP) Conference this summer.
This year, Ciera Clay Valian, Senior Assistant Registrar for Transfer Services and Articulation, received the Jakubik Family Endowment Award during the Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards, recognizing her exceptional contributions to student academic success.
Bethany Spore, Compliance Manager in the Registrar's Office, is a 2024-2025 recipient of the Diane M. Lee Teaching Award, for her work as an instructor for UNIV 101. She is known for her student-centered approach, emphasizing active listening and individualized support.
On May 15, Dr. Laszlo Korossy, Assistant Director of Advising, Outreach, and Assessment in OAPA, received the Faculty/Staff Mentor Award at UMBC’s inaugural Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards, in recognition of his work in Orientation Advising.