Real People Profiles: Morgan Russo
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Morgan Russo

Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: On my 5th semester now. 

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Inter-fraternal Council Vice President of Programming, Student Government Association Finance Board Representative, Jewish Student Union Treasurer

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: Making good things happen, and preventing the bad. 

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A:  Creating a positive impact on campus.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A:  Go big, or go home. 

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A:  Laser Tag

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: On Tuesdays, the best place on campus is room 318 in the commons at 5:30pm. 



--
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]]> I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/real-people-profiles-morgan-russo.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8914/guest@my.umbc.edu/9ddc11635622a42a63a365ba1fe879b2/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 14 1 true Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:21:00 -0400 Join/Nominate the First Year Council The First Year Council is a forum for first year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the Office of Student Life (including me), FYC members participate in activities that help them get connected and make a difference on campus. 

To join the First Year Council, new UMBC students can be nominated by any student organization on campus.  Here is how Kaitlyn Snyder, the student leader who will be working with this year's FYC, describes the opportunity: 
First Year Council provides a unique opportunity for First Year Students (transfers and freshmen alike) from all over campus to work together in order to make this campus their home. Enthusiastic students network and form bonds with one another outside of the class room. Further, new students get to experience leadership positions and meet with current student, faculty and staff leaders who can help them accomplish their goals. First Year Council is one of the main reasons I am the person that I am today and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.  
If you are interested in joining First Year Council, join a club and ask the Executive Board to nominate you. If you are an Executive Board member and know someone who would be a great fit for First Year Council please nominate them! Nomination forms can be found on the First Year Council Group page on myUMBC (follow the link).

Please e-mail completed nomination forms to Kaitlyn at ks11@gmail.com, or submit a hard copy to me (David Hoffman) in the Office of Student Life, Commons 336, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30th.  Contact Kaitlyn if you have any questions.

The First Year Council's first meeting will take place on Friday, October 7th at 3:00 p.m. in Commons 329. 
]]> The First Year Council is a forum for first year UMBC students to learn, grow, contribute, and have fun together.  With guidance from an experienced student leader and support from advisors in the... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/joinnominate-first-year-council.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8885/guest@my.umbc.edu/cc45cc960fab46cf5d776a681de8796b/api/pixel first-year-council Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 20 0 true Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:46:00 -0400 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:46:00 -0400 Your 'Make UMBC Yours' List Last week we talked UMBC Bucket Lists; now let's talk about some of the things we've already done here.  "Make UMBC Yours" is a campus mantra.  So how have you done it?

I've had the Forrest Gump-ish good fortune to have had small roles in a lot of campus-shaping activity.  I was there when the first Homecoming Bonfire was dreamed up (by a freshman), helped students place black and gold banners around campus and a hydration station in the new Retriever Learning Center, and supported students in launching the Prove It! campus change contests.  One contribution of my own that has stuck: When students came up with the idea for the original Stress Free Zone years ago, I was the one who suggested the name.

What about you?  No contribution is too small: Designing your own major through INDS counts, as does holding doors open for the people entering buildings behind you (I feel better about the world every time somebody at UMBC does that for me).  How have you made UMBC yours?

]]> Last week we talked UMBC Bucket Lists; now let's talk about some of the things we've already done here.  "Make UMBC Yours" is a campus mantra.  So how have you done it? I've had the Forrest... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/your-make-umbc-yours-list.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8842/guest@my.umbc.edu/69e78cbe7baf1085231896e294f49d18/api/pixel campus-culture make-umbc-yours stress-free-zone Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 26 11 true Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:33:00 -0400 Emerging Researchers Conference for AGEP & Bridge to... Full Title: Emerging Researchers Conference for AGEP & Bridge to the Doctorate Students
Undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the following NSF programs are invited to submit abstracts for the 2012 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM:
***Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP);
***Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST);
***Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP);
***Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP);
***LSAMP-Bridges to the Doctorate;
***Research in Disabilities Education (RDE); and
***Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP).
This conference is cosponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Education and Human Resources Programs (EHR) and the NSF Division of Human Resource Development (HRD), within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR).

The conference will be held in Atlanta, GA, on February 23-25, 2012. All student poster and oral presentations will be scheduled for Friday, February, 24, 2012 or Saturday, February 25, 2012.

The conference is designed to help students to enhance their science communication skills; better understand how to prepare for science careers in a global workforce; and, to find out about summer, graduate school and employment opportunities. Towards this end, the general format for the 2-1/2 day conference will include:

*** Undergraduate poster and oral presentations;
*** Graduate student poster and oral presentations;
*** Plenary sessions and professional development workshops; and
*** Exhibitors from the academic, government, and business sectors.

Please review the abstract submission guidelines prior to beginning the submission process:

http://www.emerging-researchers.org/ern-guideline/

To submit your abstract, please access the following link:    http://www.cvent.com/d/dcq73k

A limited number of student conference travel awards will be provided.  Travel awards will cover transportation, hotel, and the conference registration fee.  (Travel information is listed in the comments section of this post.)

The conference registration fee is $400 per person. This fee covers the cost of conference meals.

For complete conference information, please access the ERN Conference website at http://www.emerging-researchers.org.

Key dates related to abstract submission and travel
*** The deadline for poster and oral abstract submissions is October 21, 2011.
*** Notification of abstract acceptance will be sent by December 2, 2011.
*** The deadline to submit travel award applications is October 21, 2011.
*** Travel awards will be announced on or before December 2, 2011.

For questions regarding the online abstract submission process, please contact Donna Behar at dbehar@aaas.org.

Sincerely,
Yolanda S. George, Deputy Director
AAAS Directorate for Education &
Human Resources Programs


]]> Full Title: Emerging Researchers Conference for AGEP & Bridge to the Doctorate Students Undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the following NSF programs are invited to submit... http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/emerging-researchers-conference-for-agep-bridge-to-the-doctorate-students/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/11370/guest@my.umbc.edu/8b4c91fa199413a8abb4906471797589/api/pixel academic-enrichment advising agep bd-fellows bridge-to-the-doctorate development ern-conference gradschool gradstudents graduate-education graduate-school learning lsamp-bridge-to-the-doctorate maryland national-agep national-conference-for-agep national-science-foundation nsf nsf-conference nsf-ern-conference postdoc professor professoriate promise promise-marylands-agep support teaching Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Graduate Student Development 0 0 false Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:28:06 -0400 Scenes from the RLC Opening Celebration On UMBC's 45th anniversary Monday, the campus celebrated the opening of the new Retriever Learning Center, a 24/7 study space in the Albin O. Kuhn Library.


SGA members wait for the speeches to begin

Students, faculty, staff and alums came to celebrate


Former SGA President Yasmin Karimian, now a student at
Georgetown Law Center, shares her thoughts


UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski marks the moment

The RLC is spacious and flexible, and on most days must be 
a great place to study--but perhaps not on this afternoon 
when dozens of people file in to take a look around
Library Director Larry Wilt wears the bow
donned by the RLC's planners with pride
Equations and their students

]]> On UMBC's 45th anniversary Monday, the campus celebrated the opening of the new Retriever Learning Center, a 24/7 study space in the Albin O. Kuhn Library. SGA members wait for the speeches... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/scenes-from-rlc-opening-celebration.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8833/guest@my.umbc.edu/06680e24e834c4cedcd2602df4b75081/api/pixel scenes-from-photos Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 19 0 true Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:44:00 -0400 The Occasional Post About My Dog My dog Bucky now has published more articles this year than I have.  I'm just saying.  Plus he gets to wear a badge (although I got to wear it first at last semester's UMBC Black and Gold Leadership Awards).

]]> My dog Bucky now has published more articles this year than I have.  I'm just saying.  Plus he gets to wear a badge (although I got to wear it first at last semester's UMBC Black and Gold... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/occasional-post-about-my-dog.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8800/guest@my.umbc.edu/e9a588e6b9859706f6f7bd04855339d6/api/pixel bucky-and-penny Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 19 7 true Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:57:00 -0400 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:57:00 -0400 Real People Profiles: Dylan Cook
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Dylan Cook

Hometown: Port Republic, MD

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This semester marks the beginning of my third year here at UMBC!

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: SGA Executive Vice President, Peer Advisor, Governor’s Summer Intern, and Brother of Pi Kappa Phi
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: Giving peers the tools they need to learn to own their passions

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A:  It isn’t uncommon to hear students talking about the importance of being involved on this campus; if, for no other reason, than to create opportunities to meet and make connections with a diverse group of people. What I love most about my roles on campus though, is the fact that their diversity lets me re-encounter people I have already met, but in a completely different context. It’s one thing to meet somebody within one of their many life-roles, and to get to know them well within that context, but it is so much more enlightening to get to know that very same person from another perspective. You don’t truly know a person until you have seen how these roles cooperate, or quite often, conflict, to form a complete image of who they are. Nobody is one-dimensional enough to be fully understood from an encounter of a single kind.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A:  You are going to change your mind. More often than you could have ever imagined that you would, and more often than you are going to feel comfortable allowing. My advice to you is this: approach every one of these opportunities as if it were a study in self discovery. Take a moment to reflect on what is causing this change, and whether or not the outcome is truly organic. Be willing and able to change your mind when the moment arrives, but always make sure that you are the one calling the final shots. Allow yourself to be challenged and tested again and again, but always remember to stay what you are.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A:  Going to Concerts! Most people who meet me would never think that I’m the type of guy who spends most of his free time at punk rock festivals or sold-out hip-hop basement shows. People who say that the music industry is dying clearly haven’t seen the incredible surge of talent and passion from these genres in the past few years. Do yourself a favor: support the artists you love by seeing them on tour.  Also, on a completely unrelated note – I absolutely love Indian food. Seriously.

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A:  The history of UMBC as being a place where students are empowered to bring their passions and dreams to life is hardly a new development. In October of 1968, a student named Annette Stadd organized an eight-hour marathon of student involvement, an event that began with the infamous UMBC “Bitch-In.” While those familiar with the story know that the event brought about a fantastic array of discussion, many aren’t aware of the fact that the conversation resulted in little more than three hours of students pointing the finger at the faculty and administration for causing the problems that they faced. Stadd was infuriated by the remarks that were being made, and announced to the students that their solution-less complaining was going to solve nothing; instead, she encouraged them to “become active, say ‘I want to help’” (The Retriever, Nov. 1968). During your time here at UMBC, I encourage each and every person to answer that call. 

BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.
--
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If you're at UMBC, join the Co-Create UMBC MyUMBC group

Send me an email

]]> I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/real-people-profiles-dylan-cook.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8724/guest@my.umbc.edu/70cb60b54450d8f0920ae1329929fcb8/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 38 7 true Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:35:00 -0400 Your UMBC Bucket List Earlier today I had a conversation with Caitlyn Leiter-Mason about whether she'd be applying to serve as a coach at UMBC's STRiVE leadership retreat in January.  She said no, but that being a STRiVE coach is on her "UMBC bucket list."

A UMBC bucket list: all the experiences you want to be sure you have while you're still here to have them.  What a wonderful idea!  So, friends, what's on your UMBC bucket list?  Mine includes seeing a performance in the new Performing Arts & Humanities Building, writing in the journal hidden in the bench in the Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park, and completing my tour of the first 10 years of The Retriever Weekly in the AOK Library's Special Collections.

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]]> Earlier today I had a conversation with Caitlyn Leiter-Mason about whether she'd be applying to serve as a coach at UMBC's STRiVE leadership retreat in January.  She said no, but that being a... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/your-umbc-bucket-list.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8618/guest@my.umbc.edu/6045f3e23213f27163d51363c60badb6/api/pixel thought-experiments Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 86 81 true Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:47:00 -0400 Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:47:00 -0400 100,000 Stories: Which One Is Yours? UMBC's Women's Center is a forum for community-building, learning, empowerment and the pursuit of social justice.  In this guest post, Jess Myers, Acting Director of the Women's Center, shares the Center's rich story and invites you to be part of it.

Happy 20th Birthday Women’s Center!
100,000 Stories: Which One Is Yours?

I remember exactly how I felt the first time I walked into the Women’s Center here at UMBC. I was still in the process of job searching since the move back to Baltimore from Colorado and a not-so-great economy had only landed me a part time job. I had set up an information interview with the current director, Mollie, to find out more about her professional journey and how she got to be director of a Women’s Center—a dream job of mine. As soon as I came into the Center and sat in the lounge, a peace came over me. My worries hushed and for the first time in several months, I felt my heart smiling. This place had amazing energy, love, and strength. This was a place I wanted to work. Lucky for me, I got my wish and I’m now in my dream job, directing the Women’s Center in its 20th year. As I think back over the 20 years the Women’s Center has been open serving over 100,000 individuals, I can only imagine other similar stories in which the Women’s Center has played a pivotal role. I believe it is those 100,000 stories that whispered in my ear, telling me I would be okay on my first visit to the Center and I believe it is those stories that still give me peace and strength every time I walk into this place. 

Over the past 20 years, 100,000 individuals have walked through the Women’s Center’s doors co-creating our community—hence the anniversary year’s theme of 100,000 Stories: Which One is Yours?  Just as I have shared my own story, I’ve been encouraging faculty, staff, and students to reflect and share their own stories of the Center throughout the year-long celebration. I also feel it is important to share the Women’s Center’s story with the UMBC community. During my short time at UMBC, I have been impressed by the rich history of the Women’s Center. From the diligent work of our founding members to the dedication of others to keep our doors open during the many transitions of the Center to the everyday activism and awareness of those blossoming within our space, our history is deep and inspiring. Much like the title of this blog, the Women’s Center truly was Co-Created by so many important and valuable people who did not want to settle for a campus without a Women’s Center. I realize not everyone on campus has had the opportunity to hear it so I’m thankful to be able to share some of it with you today. 

UMBC is a diverse community with diverse needs. Since its founding in 1966, faculty, staff and students have felt the need to have a safe space on campus where resources, information, and materials could be accessed on issues relating to gender, equity, and justice. In creating that space, the Founding Committee for the Women’s Center had to ask themselves important questions about establishing a Center in the first place. For instance: What services will be provided? Where will it be located? Who will run it? Where will funding be obtained? The Founding Committee went about answering these questions by gathering information about pre-existing Women’s Centers and their functions. With this information, the Founding Committee was able to write a proposal and hold formal meetings with administrators to request space and funding support for a Women’s Center with a mission to assist women in achieving their full potential in education, work, and personal lives through personal empowerment, academic and intellectual growth, and professional development. The Women’s Center became a reality in September 1991 and was opened its doors on the second floor of GYM I (which was located in the same space the Commons currently stands).

During its early years, the Women’s Center stayed open through the help of a part-time director and the Women’s Union, a feminist student organization, helped to enlist student volunteers who collectively contributed a total of 50 hours per week.  In addition to hosting meetings and groups focusing on women’s issues, the Center also provided meeting space for a variety of campus organizations. The Center worked to plan events, workshops and seminars; offered referrals; provided lending library; and programs targeted at single parents, non-traditional students, and women of color. It became an advocate on campus for issues of concern to all people. 

Over the next several years, the Women’s Center showed its grace, agility, and flexibility with many changes. The leadership of the Center transitioned several times with many faculty and staff stepping in and up to support the Women’s Center. Additionally, the Center moved several times before finally landing in its current home space, The Commons, in 2004.  The Center is now complete with comfortable couches, a kitchenette, a meditation/lactation room, a lending library, an ever-present supply of dental dams, fe/male condoms, tampons, pads and alternative menstrual products, several communities like the book club, returning women group, & mother’s group, and resources and referrals ranging from sexual assault and relationship violence, reproductive health, menopause, sexual orientation, gender awareness, scholarships, and counseling services.  

Since its beginning, with only one volunteer staff member, the Women’s Center has expanded into a much larger space with a larger staff. Programming has changed and grown to meet the needs of the community and the Women’s Center staff commitments and responsibilities have also changed to complement the trends in higher education and society. Last year the Center hosted over 250 programs, assisted survivors of interpersonal violence, supported individuals in the LGBT community, helped build a community for returning women, and supported working moms and dads. Indeed, there is no doubt that the Women’s Center commitment to providing space, programming and opportunities for the development of women (and all individuals) has remained true over the past 20 years. 

Recently, one of our recent graduates, Kat Patterson, came back to the Women’s Center to help us film for our digital story telling piece. I had the honor in introducing her to Simmona Simmons, one of the founding members of the Women’s Center. As I told Kat about Simmona’s role in the Women’s Center, Kat put her hands over her heart and said, “Thank you. Without the Women’s Center, my experience here would not have been as rich.” It was a beautiful moment that I am grateful to experienced. And, as I stand here at this pivotal moment, I look back over the 20 years, but perhaps even more importantly, look forward to the next 20 years. I am hopeful for the new stories of gratitude and thanks, for the new ways we will expand and grow, and for the new ways students will see the Women’s Center as their friend and ally.  The Women’s Center is an ever evolving co-creation of those who come through our doors. Please use our anniversary year to be a part of the story! 

The 20th Anniversary year officially begins on Wednesday, September 14th at noon with our kick-off picnic. Hope to see you there! For more information stop by the Women’s Center or check out our group page on my.umbc.

--Jess Myers
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]]> UMBC's Women's Center is a forum for community-building, learning, empowerment and the pursuit of social justice.  In this guest post, Jess Myers, Acting Director of the Women's Center, shares the... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/09/100000-stories-which-one-is-yours.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8587/guest@my.umbc.edu/3b4db1399b697b328305ee610ac7acd3/api/pixel guest-posts womens-center Co-Create UMBC https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 21 0 true Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:52:00 -0400 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:52:00 -0400 How to Minimize Stress and Balance your Life On August 26, 2011, Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, led a luncheon workshop for graduate students. The main goal of this workshop was to encourage graduate student to find the perfect balance between their academic responsibilities and goals and their personal lives.  Dr. Deluty shared important information during this one-hour session [...] ]]> On August 26, 2011, Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, led a luncheon workshop for graduate students. The main goal of this workshop was to encourage graduate student to... http://promisesuccessseminars.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/how-to-minimize-stress-and-balance-your-life/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/8584/guest@my.umbc.edu/f65285bbe0eee1ce0df866f458fe3609/api/pixel agep grad-student-success-seminar gradstudents graduate-school-preparation graduate-student-professional-development promise promise-marylands-agep seminars summer-success-institute-ssi workshops Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students 2 0 false Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:23:15 -0400