By: Matthew David Milo

Photo Credit: Vincent Civiletti

I recently had the opportunity to learn more about Anna Mishonova, who is an international exchange student from Ukraine.

I have had the pleasure to work with her both at UMBC in several classes, as well as at an internship where I have been able to work with one of the most positive, intelligent, creative, and driven people I have ever met. Anna serves as a constant reminder that even when life gives challenges, like Putin’s war in Ukraine which forced Anna to leave her home, there is always the choice to rise above and continue working hard for both yourself and the people you care about.

She has plans to go to MICA to pursue her Master’s after she graduates, and we at UMBC have been very lucky to have been able to share our campus and home with a bright mind and turn a dire situation into an opportunity to share culture and hope. 

In design I remember her saying “The Sun has risen over the Mountain”, and I keep that quote close to remind:  there are always good things and new hope to come.

Favorite class in MCS? Why?

It’s a bit hard to choose, but I would probably say MCS 377 Making Visual Culture or MCS 333 History and Theory of Media Communication Studies. The fist is right up my alley: I love arts and hope to become a graphic designer. This class gave me a very good foundation and practical skills to achieve that. With MCS 333, I wasn’t too enthusiastic in the beginning, since the name of the course does not sound that exciting to me. However, as the class progressed, I found myself becoming more and more interested in MCS theory. It is exciting and stimulating to learn about the different frameworks, ideas, and explanations the authors had for the world in front of them. As we continue to develop media further, I’m sure this class will get even more interesting readings and theories.

Favorite experience in UMBC? Why?

It might be an unexpected answer, but I really loved walking to the 7:15 am yoga class. My walk takes about 10 minutes from my dorm to RAC, and I go down a very picturesque hill, pass the Library pond, and the university center alley to then meditate and listen to my body for an hour. It is an amazing way to start my day and keep my body and mind in tone. In general, walking on campus overall is very pleasant, especially around the Hilltop circle.

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

I’m looking forward to continuing my studies and getting my MA in Graphic Design from MICA. With a combination of UMBC and MICA knowledge, I’m sure I will be a force to reckon with :) I want to express myself through both graphic design and written word, and hopefully, get a job in the creative field that I will really enjoy. On a smaller scale, my best friend is coming all the way from Germany to spend 2 weeks in the US. I haven’t seen her in over 2 years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and I miss her so much. I’m so excited to show her around campus and spend time with her.

Describe your path in UMBC and MCS specifically.

I came to UMBC as a transfer student from Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Back home, I was studying journalism in V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, and I decided to continue along this path in UMBC. I was extremely lucky to get a scholarship from the university that would allow me to finish my bachelor’s degree. I had to catch up a lot, though, because courses from Ukraine did not transfer fully to the US university. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the process and got a chance to take very interesting classes, like HIST 111 Western Civilization 1700 to Present with Prof. Brandon Munda. I absolutely loved that class and would take it again if I could.

What made you choose MCS?

Back in Ukraine, I wanted to become a journalist to share stories that might otherwise be forgotten and create a positive impact in society. With time, however, I realized that I wanted a more creative career that would allow me to explore and be imaginative. In the US, I chose Media and Communication Studies because it impressed me with its diversity and large scope of directions. I knew that with this degree, I could work as a journalist, but also as a social media manager, marketing specialist, graphic designer, etc. I really enjoy this wideness, especially in the modern world, which requires us to adapt fast.

How did this major prepare you for the future? What skills did you gain?

I became a better writer, reader, thinker, and creator through my experiences with MCS. The exposure to different ideas, topics, opinions, and theories broadened my perspective and allowed me to include many different angles when trying to solve a problem. Through MCS, I got a strong foundation in graphic design, as well as communication, writing, and analytical skills. I feel prepared for the future ahead of me.

What do you do in your free time?

I love cooking, especially Ukrainian cuisine. It brings me back home in a way and allows me to share my love for Ukraine with my loved ones here. I also like to sketch and often do it during classes. I’m learning to play the piano and would love to learn other instruments as well. I’m also learning French online with a small group of Ukrainian students and a professor from my previous university. We have persevered through COVID lockdowns, full-scale invasion, and even different time zones! 

Do you have any advice for people starting out their student paths?

A simple thing that really helped me was starting out a physical planner. I still type things down on my phone sometimes, but nothing beats the pen and paper method in my opinion. It takes the million thoughts and worries new students might have and puts them in tangible words right in front of you. It’s also very satisfying to cross out tasks you have completed.

What is your favorite place on campus?

I have two: the library pond and the West Hill apartments. The first is very tranquil, with ducks and geese around, as well as very cozy little roads around the pond. West Hill apartments remind me of European streets; I want to move to Europe and consider West Hill a demo version of it :)  

What would you like to see more of on campus?

I would probably like to see more trees. The campus is very beautiful, but I feel like more trees in different locations would help with softening strong winds and giving shade in summer. I would also like to see more sustainability efforts: better recycling options, composting urns, upcycling events, etc.

Three Questions With … is an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about staff in the Division of Student Affairs. This month, get to know Vic Madrid from Retriever Integrated Health!

Name:

Vic Madrid, M.D.

Pronouns: He/him/his

Title:

Medical Director/Associate Director of Health Services

Retriever Integrated Health

Years in Student Affairs/UMBC:

5 (started August 2018 as Contingent I, then Regular FT staff October 2020)

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?

I do not personally see many patients these days, but take pride and priority in ensuring that our amazing medical team has all the tools necessary to provide the highest quality care that they can.  I also cherish the many opportunities to work with other departments across campus to contribute to the health and safety of our entire community and beyond, not just those who come to our clinic in the Center for Well-Being.  One example is our work with the Dept. of Recreation and their summer youth camp.  When needed, I can zip over to the RAC to check out an injured camper or administer meds.  Another rewarding annual project is coordinating the vaccine clinics every fall, bringing a convenient option for our students and staff to be best protected against seasonal illnesses.  

What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here? 

This is my first venture in higher education, coming from a 20-year career practicing primary care medicine.  I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how the young mind works, and figuring out myriad ways to better help our students navigate through their journey here.  I am also inspired by the dedication and expertise of so many UMBC colleagues who will stop at nothing to develop and deliver the best college experience possible. 

But the most important thing that I have learned is how to work with others across unfamiliar disciplines.  As a physician, much of the work and decision making is done alone.  But as an example of amazing collaboration, the pandemic opened up many opportunities to work with so many different departments, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of the entire community coming together with a single purpose.

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work? 

After spending time with family, my next greatest passion is flying down mountain trails on skis in the winter and on my mountain bike year-round.  I love outdoor experiences, and am fortunate to have Patapsco Valley State Park as my backyard.  There you’ll find me riding for fun and fitness.  Sometimes I ride solo for a form of mental therapy, other times with my family and friends, and every fall you might catch me leading a bunch of teenagers as a coach with the Trolley Trail Tacocats, a middle and high school level mountain bike race team in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.  When the weather doesn’t cooperate, I enjoy playing the guitar and fixing things- bikes, cars, tuning skis, and anything else in the house and garage.  

("Three Questions With Vic Madrid" will be published in the May 2024 issue of "DoSA Matters," the division's internal e-newsletter.)

Every May, Honors College graduating students vote for the Faculty Fellow of the Year who best embodies the ideals of the Honors College in their teaching of a seminar. This year’s recipient is David Hoffman, Ph.D. ‘13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. In addition to being memorialized on the plaque in the Honors College seminar room, Dr. Hoffman will speak at the Honors College Medallion Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21. 

Dr. Hoffman began teaching in the Honors College in fall 2017, when the first of two courses he co-designed debuted. Talking Democracy (HONR 200), helps students become critically aware of the interplay among communication styles and techniques, democratic values, and the civic health of communities. Students reflect on their own values, hopes, experiences, and approaches to communication, and build skills that can help them initiate and enact positive social change. Dr. Hoffman designed and initially taught this course with former Student Affairs colleague Craig Berger, and refined it with subsequent co-instructors Dr. Romy Hubler ’09, M.A. ’11, Ph.D. ’15, (former Center associate director), Dr. Simon Stacey, Honors College director, and Tess McRae ‘22, coordinator for civic design.

The other course, Be Your Best Self in Real Life (HONR 300), debuted in spring 2019. The course investigates how institutions regulate our lives, and helps students build skills at recognizing, challenging, and changing institutional norms that can prevent people from thriving together. Dr. Hoffman designed and initially taught this course with Dr. Hübler and Dr. Stacey, and refined it with subsequent co-instructors Dr. Stacey and Tess McRae.

When asked what he might share with Honors College students at the May ceremony, he offered these thoughts: “One of the Civic Life Maxims that guides the Center for Democracy and Civic Life's work is ‘We Build the World We Know.’ What we mean is: If you are going to change the world for the better, it is important to have had some experience of a better world, even in a very local setting, to spark your imagination and guide your choices. Students graduating from UMBC undoubtedly have had some experiences in the last few years that fit this description: spaces and activities in which they have felt that they truly mattered and belonged, bonded with people with different identities and backgrounds by sharing stories, and benefited from being immersed in a culture that embraces their potential wholeheartedly. Think about what those experiences have been for you. We don't always recognize experiences of happiness, liberation, and connection as core aspects of the learning you do in college. But if you nurture the memory of them, those experiences can be the seeds of all the contributions you will make to every community of which you will ever be a part.”