Just tackling the rigors of a college course load on its own can be daunting for any student. But when you add in the additional responsibilities of working and getting involved with co-curriculars, it can become impossible…unless you’re Shawn Bearam, Jr., computer science. Throughout his time at UMBC, he saw how much value this level of involvement and responsibility added to his college career and saw it as his way of giving back.

Q: What drew you to UMBC?

A: I chose UMBC for a few reasons—first because of the scholarships they provided me, and also because of the diversity here. Other schools didn’t have the same diversity UMBC was able to offer. My last reason was the smaller campus. I felt like a smaller campus would allow me the opportunity to connect with professors and I wouldn’t get lost in a large lecture hall. The professors here actually remember me.

Q: Why did you choose your major?

A: I’m a computer science major. I was always considered the tech kid growing up, and in my early college program, one of the pathways was computer science. I discovered that I liked problem solving, seeing what was going wrong, and it became fun for me. 

Q: What inspired you to get so involved in different campus departments?

A: I found communities where it seemed that everyone was having fun together, and I wanted to be a part of that. My first role was working with the events staff in Athletics, then I applied to work with bwtech@UMBC. From there, I applied to work in the Vice President of Student Affairs office as an office assistant and I was promoted to lead office assistant. During my first year I was also hired as a resident assistant, and I was later promoted to lead resident assistant. I also served as a first-year ambassador for SGA.

I started to see that I was able to learn so much here. Overall, I saw people who looked like me in different spaces, and I knew they would be able to understand me, so I wanted to get involved. 

Q: How have your various roles on campus impacted your time at UMBC?

A: My many roles  made me want to stay at UMBC. I had the option to graduate last semester, but I wanted to stay another semester, I didn’t want to leave everyone so soon. I feel safe at UMBC. It also made me want to keep pursuing my education—I knew that being involved in so many different organizations meant I needed to keep my GPA up, so it pushed me to stay focused in my classes so I could keep having fun. 

Q: How did you balance your academic work with your on-campus jobs?

A: It was a struggle at first, but using my Google Calendar helped me manage my time. My employers here also made sure to emphasize the importance of me being a student first.

My community director at Walker Avenue Apartments, LaDonna Wyatt, became a mentor to me while I was searching for internships. I was applying to different places, but it became difficult and I wanted to give up. She pushed me to keep applying and was there for me throughout the process which then led me to getting an internship with the Division of Information Technology for the state. The faculty and staff here really care about the students as a whole. 

Q: What made you decide to join SGA?

A: I was involved in SGA during my early college program at Montgomery College. I felt like I was really making a change while I was there, and I wanted to do the same at UMBC. I started off as a first-year ambassador in SGA here, then I became the director of communications, and I am currently the chief of staff. I knew after my first year that SGA was something I wanted to continue with and I wanted to keep moving up.

Q: Through all of your roles on campus, what is one moment that had the biggest impact on you?

A: Being an office assistant in the VPSA office. Everyday they drive me forward, and encourage me with their motto: Strive to unlock potential and transform lives. It really feels like a family. They’ve been asking me about how I feel as I’m getting ready to graduate and making sure that I have everything together. At first, it was a shock to me, but they really care about me even though I’m about to leave, and they care about what I’m going to be doing even after I leave. That role has had the biggest impact on me because they are so invested in seeing me grow and succeed. 

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I was just offered a role with the State of Maryland with the Division of Information and Technology and I will be starting as a project analyst. 

Q: What advice would you give to new students who are curious about getting involved on campus?

A: You may be scared, but sometimes you have to do things while you’re scared too. It may be scary to go to a big (seb) event because there’s so many people, but that may be the place where you find friends. You can be scared while you do things, but still do it. My personal motto is: The worst thing someone can say is “no.” Take those big steps, join the club, and if the club you’re looking for isn’t there—create it! 

My whole experience at UMBC has been amazing—I can be myself here, and I’m not going to be judged. Community is truly the word to describe UMBC. 

Story by Allison John ’24, psychology, graduate coordinator for first-year engagement and anchor programs. All photos courtesy of Bearam unless otherwise noted.

The University System of Maryland is conducting a survey to understand current attitudes toward and opinions of public higher education in Maryland and how it is perceived to impact the state. Because you are a student at a USM institution, we would value your participation. Please consider taking a few minutes to share your opinions by taking the survey.

TAKE THE SURVEY

The survey is being conducted by our marketing partner, BVK, on our behalf. Your responses will remain anonymous and will be automatically submitted to BVK and analyzed only in aggregate with others.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and, as a thank you for participating, you will be given the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of fifty $25 Amazon.com gift cards.

Review full drawing rules.

Thank you for your consideration.

TAKE THE SURVEY 

If you have questions about the survey, please send them to USMStudentSurvey@BVK.com

Thanks again!

Original Event Post

Join us on Friday, May 1st (11am), for this dedicated day to honor the voices, contributions, and vibrant cultures of our immigrant community members who make UMBC feel like home.

Keynote Speaker: Anna Lapera; "Through Story, The Root is Not Far"

Anna Lapera teaches middle school by day and writes stories about girls stepping into their power in the early hours of the morning. Her debut novel, Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice, is an International Latino Book Award winner, the 2025 International Literacy Association Honor book, a Jane Adamms Children's Book Award Finalist, and a 2025 American Library Association’s Feminist Book Project selection. It was named one of the Best of 2024 by the School Library Journal, New York Public Library, Booklist, and was recently translated to Spanish. Her second novel, a YA speculative historical fiction story set in 1978 Guatemala, is forthcoming.

Anna Lapera is a pushcart prize-nominated author and educator in the DC area. She comes from a Guatemalan mother and Hawaiian-Filipino-German father, and was raised all over the world. She teaches by day and writes stories about kids stepping into their power in the early hours of the morning. She is a member of Las Musas, a Tin House and Macondo Writers Workshop alum and Kweli Journal mentee, and has received financial support from Tin House, Kweli Journal and SCBWI. When she is not writing or teaching, you can find her visiting trails and coffee shops in DC and Maryland, where she lives with her family. 

Learn more about Anna at: https://www.annalaperawriter.com/

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.

Shout out to the Class of 2026!

You made it, and we are so proud!

To all undergraduate and graduate students, Division of Student Affairs invites you to join us for a fun afternoon.

Thursday, May 7 | 4 – 6 p.m. The Commons, Terrace

Featuring:

• Food and drink
• Photos with Chip and the UMBC letters
• Free alum t-shirt
• Graduation cap decorating

Did you know you can be awarded up to $1,500 to support your research?

Jennifer knew! And she's applying!

"Sometimes, you feel like a drop of water in an endless sea," Jennifer commented. "But now with the URA award, I can get my research funded! If I hadn't noticed that myUMBC post (about Ken), I think the moment would have been gone and all my dreams would have passed before my eyes with curiosity." 

You can apply here: https://ur.umbc.edu/ura/

"Glad I carried on," Jennifer later noted.

BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand

Hosted by the Office of Professional Programs, GEARS, and the Career Center

📥 Please RSVP by pressing "Sign-up" above this message!

📅 April 28 | 5:00–7:00 PM

📍 UMBC Commons, Rm. 329

😋 Snacks available!

Whether you're job hunting, networking, or just starting to think about your professional presence online, this is the event for you! Join us for BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand,  an interactive workshop designed to help you craft and strengthen your digital identity in today's competitive landscape.

Who You Are:

• A graduate or undergraduate student looking to build or refine your online professional presence

What to Expect:

• Tips and strategies for building a strong, authentic digital brand
• Guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn, portfolio, and other professional platforms
• Networking opportunities with fellow students and career professionals
• Resources and support from the UMBC Career Center and Office of Professional Programs

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing presence, this is a great chance to invest in yourself and your future career.

Follow us on Instagram @gears_umbc for updates on upcoming events!

BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand

Hosted by the Office of Professional Programs, GEARS, and the Career Center

📅 April 28, Tuesday | 5:00–7:00 PM

📍 UMBC Commons, Rm. 329

📥 Please RSVP by pressing "Sign-up" button on the event page here.

📸 BIG bonus: We will have a professional photographer on site providing FREE headshots/ Linkedin Profile pictures.

😋 Snacks available!

Whether you're job hunting, networking, or just starting to think about your professional presence online, this is the event for you! Join us for BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand,  an interactive workshop designed to help you craft and strengthen your digital identity in today's competitive landscape.

Who You Are:

• A graduate or undergraduate student looking to build or refine your online professional presence

What to Expect:

• Tips and strategies for building a strong, authentic digital brand
• Guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn, portfolio, and other professional platforms
• Networking opportunities with fellow students and career professionals
• Resources and support from the UMBC Career Center and Office of Professional Programs

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing presence, this is a great chance to invest in yourself and your future career.

Follow us on Instagram @gears_umbc for updates on upcoming events!

Got an idea that could change campus life? It’s time to step into the tank! 🦈💡

The GSA Student Affairs Senators are hosting the Graduate Student Shark Tank, and we want to hear your pitches. Whether it's a new student resource or a campus improvement, this is your chance to get your ideas in front of university administrators and staff.

Here is everything you need to know:

The Details

• 🗓 Date: April 28

• 🕐 Time: 1:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Commons 329

• 🍱 Bonus: Enjoy FREE Biryani while you pitch!

The Format

• Pitch: 1–2 minutes to sell your idea.

• Q&A: 1 minute of questions from our "Sharks."

• Rewards: Win prizes for the best ideas!

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29th) from 12-1pm in The Learning Collaborary (University Center room 115) Melissa Huselton from PreMedical & PreDental Advising and Adam Morris from the Career Center will discuss how to build professional relationships and make a positive impression when you start a clinical job, shadow physicians, volunteer, or conduct research. Learn how to build your professional network and foster connections that can lead to strong, detailed letters of recommendation. Have a question for Mr. Morris? You can ask it in advance via the form here! Register for the event here!

Last Overflow of the semester!! School's getting crazy, so join us for an hour of prayer to stay centered on the one who offers to carry us through it all.

We'll be in ILSB101 tonight (4/28) at 7:30pm!