Meet Laura Howell; she graduated from UMBC in 1986 with a B.A. in political science. She is an advocate for those with developmental disabilities and the CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services, having recently celebrated her 20th anniversary in the position. Laura is also an active member of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving as chair of the governance committee. She credits her time at UMBC and the support she received here for preparing her for a career of advocacy and service. Take it away, Laura!
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I graduated from UMBC in 1986 with a degree in political science. It was the perfect major for me, as I knew at an early age that I wanted to be involved in political work. I used my education, experience, and contacts from UMBC to develop a career that has largely focused on advocacy at the state level to make a difference in the lives of Marylanders.
“To me, a unique part of the DNA of UMBC is that the school will support you to achieve whatever your dream is, even if that dream seems unobtainable as a student.
Laura Howell ’86
Q: Tell us about your current job. What do you like most about it?
A: I am the CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services. I just celebrated my 20th anniversary in this position, and the opportunity to be a leader and advocate for and with people with developmental disabilities and the incredible community providers that support them is priceless.
Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?
A: To be honest, I attended UMBC starting in 1983 as a kid who grew up in Catonsville and did not have the financial opportunity to attend a more expensive college. I was incredibly fortunate that UMBC was “affordable,” with the help of a lot of financial aid and scholarships. While there were a few other options, UMBC was the only school I ever considered. I was incredibly lucky to have such an amazing university in my backyard!
Laura Howell on stage with Maryland Governor Wes Moore at Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis 2024, a huge advocacy event that she helped lead.
Q: Tell us your HOW.
A: The professors at UMBC were incredibly supportive. I was a determined student but on the quiet side, and I felt seen by the political science faculty who believed in me and supported my career goals, which started with wanting to work in Annapolis at age 19. UMBC connected me to an internship with a legislator which quickly turned into a job with the University of Maryland’s Legislative Office. The experience I gained in those formative years has served me well ever since.
Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.
A: I met my first mentor, Judy Orlinsky, at the age of 19 through a work-study position I obtained through UMBC. She worked for the University of MD System in Annapolis, and through her support and the opportunities she extended to me, I learned a tremendous amount about the workings of our State Capitol, and how to be successful lobbying for change. As a testament to the strength of that relationship, she is still an important person in my life 40 years later.
Pictured left: Laura standing with her first mentor, Judy Orlinsky, after receiving an award for Best Employee for the State of Maryland, Professional and Administrator Category, for her work in the Maryland Homeless Services Program in the late 80s and early 90s.
Q: What’s your favorite part of Retriever Nation?
A: My favorite part about being a Retriever, in addition to the great education I received, is watching UMBC become a powerhouse nationally as an institution of higher education.
Q: Tell us what you love about your organization.
A: As a member of the UMBC AABOD, it has been great fun to reconnect with UMBC, and to see how it has grown and changed, while still retaining the qualities that made it great in the 80s. To me, a unique part of the DNA of UMBC is that the school will support you to achieve whatever your dream is, even if that dream seems unobtainable as a student.
Q: What drives you to support UMBC?
A: I donate monthly to the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund. This has always been meaningful, but I recently realized that a small scholarship from the Endowed Scholarship Fund was the final piece of financial aid that helped me realize my dream of spending a semester in London, studying and interning with a Member of Parliament in 1986. That was truly a full-circle moment.
Pictured right: Laura in London in 1986.
About the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund
Through the Alumni Endowed Scholarship, the board of directors strives to make a difference in the lives of deserving students, to help them achieve their dream of receiving a university degree and joining the alumni community.
The board offers a general and legacy scholarship to outstanding undergraduate UMBC students. Eligible students may apply for the general and legacy scholarships each year. The award for the Alumni Association General and Legacy Scholarships for 2023 – 2024 is at least $2,000. These scholarships are partially funded through the generous support of UMBC alumni.
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UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.
Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.
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