Meet Miriam Copeland
INDS Spring 2026 Graduate Highlight Series
B.A.: International Disaster Resilience and Security
Major, Minor, Certificate, and/or Honors:
- Honors College
- Security Studies Certificate
Degree Mentors:
- Dr. Lauren Clay| Professor & Department Chair, UMBC Department of Emergency & Disaster Health Systems
- Dr. Daniel Aldrich| Dean’s Professor of Resilience and Director of the Resilience and Security Studies Program, Northeastern University
- Dr. Jose Arenas Gomez| Assistant Teaching Professor, Individualized Study
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
I joined INDS because I wanted to major in Bioethics, which is not offered as a traditional major at UMBC. Being a student in the INDS department allowed my degree to evolve with me as I learned and developed my career goals.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I plan to apply for a fellowship opportunity at the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, where I completed a successful internship this past summer.
Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?
-
UMBC Individualized Study Council| Student Representative
October 2025 – December 2026 - UMBC Symphony Orchestra
Violin
September 2024 – December 2025
Awards, Certifications, Scholarships, etc. that you have received in your time at UMBC:
- President's Scholar
- Music Performance Fellow
- President's List
- Dean's List
Internships:
- Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Office of Resilience
Summer Intern
June 2026 – August 2026 -
Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics
Genomics and Society Mentorship Program, Intern
June 2025 – May 2026
For More information on Miriam's INDS journey please Click Here!