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Dr. Jeff Cullen, director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, has been selected as a Faculty Fellow for the 2025 Donald D. Gehring Academy, Senior Conduct Officers track. The Gehring Academy will be held July 13-17 in Detroit, MI.
An alumnus of the Gehring Foundations track in 1998 and the Senior Conduct Officer track in 2012, Dr. Cullen has served as the director of Student Conduct and Community Standards for 15 years. He also co-founded the restorative practices program at UMBC. Prior to that, Dr. Cullen was the chief conduct officer at Virginia Tech. His dissertation examined pathways to deconstruct white racial privilege within his own graduate program.
The Gehring Academy is named for Dr. Don Gehring, who founded the professional association now known as the Association for Student Conduct Administration. The Academy is a cohort-based immersion experience where senior conduct officers from across the country will gather for four days of networking and a professional development deep-dive. Attendance at one of the Gehring Academy tracks is how many conduct professionals get their start in the field.
“Congratulations to Dr. Cullen on being selected as a Faculty Fellow for the 2025 Gehring Academy,” said Fritzie Charne Merriweather, associate vice president for administration and chief of staff in the Division of Student Affairs. “Jeff's leadership in Student Conduct and Community Standards, along with his work in restorative practices, has had a lasting impact at UMBC. This well-deserved recognition reflects his dedication to student development and the field as a whole.”
Serena Studivant, assistant director of commuter student success, gave a presentation at UMBC’s recent Black Excellence Summit that was featured on Morgan State University’s Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy website. Titled "Unleash Your Superpower: Owning Your Story to Defeat Imposter Syndrome," Studivant’s presentation was described as “...an engaging and interactive session designed to empower participants to see their life experiences as the foundation of their superhero origin story.”
"’Sharing my origin story and how it has shaped my creative superpower was both empowering and affirming’" said Studivant. ‘Imposter syndrome often makes us question our worth, but when we own our stories—our struggles, triumphs, and the unique perspectives we bring to the table—we unlock a power that no one can take from us.’”
“In her talk, Studivant reflected on growing up in Baltimore in a close-knit family, discovering an early passion for photography and art that would later shape her unique worldview. As a Black first-generation college student, she shared how her creative lens allowed her to see possibilities in the face of challenges, ultimately becoming a key to her academic and professional resilience.”
Studivant is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Morgan's Higher Education Leadership program in the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy.
This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.
Matt Wood ‘13, M.P.P ‘15, safety and security coordinator in Residential Facilities, was recently awarded a certificate in industrial hygiene from the Chesapeake Region Safety Council. Wood has worked in Residential Facilities for over 15 years, beginning in 2009 as a student maintenance assistant.
Working through the Chesapeake Region Safety Council, Wood completed over 200 hours of training related to occupational safety in general industry, construction safety, and industrial hygiene. Industrial hygiene is the study of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazards that can affect people's health and well-being. Industrial hygienists are known for using objective data and observation to recognize and evaluate hazards.
“The certification better positions Student Affairs to address industrial hygiene issues and concerns,” said Frank Caldwell, acting director, residential facilities. “Matt will continue to apply these skills in Residential Facilities and work closely with UMBC Environmental Safety and Health staff to address resident and employee health and safety concerns.”
