We're 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: Crystal Diaz
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
A: UMBC is an awesome place. There is always someone willing to help. From finding a classroom on your first day to writing a dissertation, people on this campus are there to guide you if you just reach out and ask.
Name: Crystal Diaz
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: I started working at UMBC in Septmeber 2012.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Assistant Director within the Center for Women in Technology.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Recruit, mentor and encourage women and supportive men within engineering and IT.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: Talking to students on a daily basis is the absolute best part of my job. They amaze me each day not only because of their ability to succeed in rigorous academic majors, but because of their willingness to support other women and young girls interested in engineering and IT.
I am fortunate to wake up every morning and be excited to come to "work." I never take for granted that I love what I am doing.
I am fortunate to wake up every morning and be excited to come to "work." I never take for granted that I love what I am doing.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: The best thing I've learned about UMBC is that everyone is passionate about something. I love hearing how exited people get about their research, philanthropy, job, or whatever else they are doing on campus. It is wonderful to be in a place where people feel encouraged to have that kind of energy and freedom to make some sort of difference in the world.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Texas...always Texas! And cooking. I enjoy trying out new recipes, and I'm always happy when people tell me about their favorite local restaurants.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.