A recent article in The Washington Times reviews states that have experienced glitches after rolling out health exchange websites as part of the Affordable Care Act. The article mentions the Maryland website which experienced software defects, causing state officials to offer retroactive coverage to users who couldn’t purchase plans in time for the start of the new year.

In the article, Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris offered insight into how the health exchange website problems could affect the upcoming Democratic primary in the race for governor. He said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown will likely win despite being the target of criticism for the website’s problems.

“If he does win and the website continues to have problems the GOP nominee, whoever that is, will certainly use [Obamacare issues] against him, though I can’t imagine that that alone would cause him to lose,” Norris said.

To read the full article in The Washington Times, click here.

Our PHA Woman of the Month for February is Nicole Rangos!
Nicole is VP of Public Relations for PHA and Phi Sigma Sigma’s Sisterhood Development Chair. 

Nicole is a junior Biology major with a Psychology minor. Nicole has been very active in helping with both fall and spring recruitment. She has been awesome with her position as VP of Public Relations for PHA. She always thinks of ways to get the word out about any events and reaches out to see if she can help with Recruitment. She is very reliable and always follows through with her job. For the past few weeks, Nicole disaffiliated from her membership in Phi Sigma Sigma to help with recruitment as a Rho Gamma. Nicole loved her experience, helping potential new members find their home in the UMBC Greek community. 

Outside of Greek life, Nicole is a Teaching Assistant for Biology 141. This past summer she worked in a molecular biology lab at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, conducting research on axon regeneration. 
Nicole is a truly dedicated sister and member of the PHA family.

Congratulations, Nicole!

When I first graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, I was confused. While I had a sense of accomplishment, I also wondered what my next step should be. After a year of agonizing over how to advance my career, I decided to go to graduate school.

Surely after completing a Master’s degree my future endeavors would be laid out in front of me like a yellow brick road. There would be no confusion, only accomplishment after accomplishment. I guess I don’t have to tell you, that this ideal situation didn’t happen. After receiving my Master’s degree, yes I had obtained new skills, but I was still flailing.

Enter my mentor, Deesha Philyaw, co-author of the forthcoming book, “CoParenting 101: Advice from a Formerly Married Couple on Parenting Across Two Households” (New Harbinger, 2013)

Let me back up to say that a mentor is someone who has the type of career you would like to have. You work with this person and they help to guide you, as you accomplish your goals.

Philyaw was a professor in my Master of Professional Writing degree program at Chatham University. Throughout not just my classes with her, but my entire program she was always extremely helpful, and went above and beyond the job of being my professor.

After graduation, although afraid, I asked Philyaw to be my mentor, and she happily agreed. Since then she has been a great source of information, and inspiration.

Why You Need A Mentor:

The First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama talks about the importance of mentors in the newest issue of More magazine. She says of her own mentor, "She stood out for me, not just because she was African American but [because] she was a professional…and she was a very passionate person who was committed to working in the community. She encouraged me to start a day-care program for some of the faculty members’ and staff members’ children. And I would have never done that without her encouragement.”

Mentors are a great resource to have because they usually have been where you would like to go. They know the steps you need to take, and often have ideas that you maybe have never thought of. So rather than walking blindly into your career path, a mentor can guide you.

Mentors are also great for being a reference on your résumé or writing a reference letter on your behalf, motivating you when you feel like quitting, finding resources or teaching you how to find the information yourself, helping you with your job search, and many other areas.

Where to Find Your Mentor:

At school— Do you have a favorite professor, or advisor? Do you look at them and wonder how they accomplished all that they have? Perhaps this would be a good person to ask to mentor you.

Internship—Usually you intern at the type of company where you would like to work after graduation. Your internship supervisor may be a great option for a mentor in that they work in the industry you desire to work in. They can give you a lot of valuable information.

Volunteering— If you volunteer for organizations that align with your passions and goals, you are bound to meet someone who would make a great mentor.

Student groups— There are often various student groups on campus that are based on certain professions such as the: Marketing Association, Literary Journals, MBA student groups etc. A mentor can be found either in the professor overseeing the group, or even in a fellow classmate. The mentor doesn’t have to be a lot older than you. Sometimes a person in graduate school would make a great mentor for someone who is an undergraduate.

Remember the goal is to pick someone as your mentor, who has a career like the one you desire to have. Their guidance will be worth so much more than you can imagine.

In an article published last week, Governing Magazine explored participation in the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Republican Governors Association (RGA) and National Governors Association (RGA), and how it is increasingly becoming a proving ground for governors seeking higher office.

Political Science Professor Thomas Schaller is quoted in the article when describing Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s leadership role with the DGA. He says O’Malley “used the platform very well,” and “it gave him reason to take positions on national issues, especially inequality and poverty.”  

While leading a governors association can be a good platform to develop a policy portfolio and weigh in on key policy issues, Schaller says success “really depends upon what that chair does with the opportunity.”

You can read the full article in Governing Magazine here. 

The three PAID leadership intern programs below are taking place this summer.  These programs are open to all majors.  I encourage you to review the program details and consider applying to one or more of these great opportunities.

GOVERNOR'S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/students/the-scholars-programs/gsip/), Deadline:  March 10th
The Governor’s Summer Internship Program introduces college students to the unique challenges and rewards of working within MD State Government while earning a $3,000 stipend.  For 10 weeks (June 2- Aug 8), interns: -Work in state government agencies on substantive projects, including drafting speeches and correspondence, tracking legislation, attending hearings, assisting with constituent case work, and researching policy options.  - Participate in seminars with top Maryland officials and make site visits to State facilities.  - Develop policy papers on a significant issue facing Maryland (e.g. the Chesapeake Bay, crime, care for the elderly) and present their findings in person to the Governor.

WALTER SONDHEIM JR. NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/students/the-scholars-programs/maryland-nonprofit-leadership-program/), Deadline: March 26 The Maryland Nonprofit Leadership Program offers paid summer internship opportunities in the nonprofit sector to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students attending Maryland institutions.  Participating interns work for ten weeks full-time from June 2nd to August 8th while participating in bi-weekly seminars in nonprofit management.  Each participating student receives a $3,000 stipend.

MDOT FELLOWS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/students/the-scholars-programs/mdot/), Deadline: March 7th The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Fellows Internship Program is designed to introduce Maryland’s most promising college students to the rewards and challenges of working within Maryland’s integrated transportation system.  Interns can gain experience in policy development, marketing, international relations, computer networking, engineering, planning and financing, public relations, and neighborhood conservation.  Placement opportunities are available at the MD Aviation Administration, MD Port Administration, MD Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, MD State Highway Administration, MD Transportation Authority, or The Secretary’s Office. Participating student earn $3,500 during 8 weeks this summer (June 9- August 1).

Folger Theatre announced on its “Production Diary” blog last week that Richard III has been extended and will now run at the theatre through March 16. English Associate Professor Michele Osherow worked closely on the production of Richard III as dramaturg and sat down for an interview to discuss her role.

In a Q&A published on the Folger Theatre blog, Osherow notes the role of dramaturg can vary depending on the production. “In a general sense, the dramaturg is thought of as ‘the scholar in the rehearsal room,’” Osherow said. “The scholarship I’ll bring to a Folger project can range from literary criticism to historical information.”

Osherow further discussed her role as always focusing on what makes the play stronger by discussing concepts with the director, mastering the history of the play and providing materials to help artists involved in the production.

“Listening carefully and being open-minded is very important. At the same time, it’s my job, I think, to ask a lot of questions about choices and concepts, to interrogate how they serve the play,” she added.

You can read the full interview in Folger Theatre’s blog here.