Meet Monique Jones Cephas ‘92, information systems management. Monique is the Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Electronic Services and Systems Integration at the Social Security Administration and the current Scholarship Committee Chair of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Monique credits her time at UMBC and participation in the university’s cooperative education program—along with a lot of hard work, perseverance, and dedication—for her career success. “Each one, reach one” is one of Monique’s favorite mantras. This is why she gives back to UMBC as an active member of the Alumni Association. Take it away, Monique!
Q: What’s your favorite part of Retriever Nation?
A. As a member of the UMBC Alumni Association, I enjoy connecting alums with other alums, alums with current students, and enriching our UMBC network. It is imperative to me to help students understand the dynamics of building their network even before graduating from UMBC with hopes of using this network to find a position in their field of study.
Kisha Parker ’00, Karen Woodard ’90, and Monique Cephas ’92 at the 2020 Alumni Association Board of Directors retreat.
In addition to my service on the alumni board, I was also a founder of the Chapter of Black and LatinX Alumni (CBLA). Founded in 2006, CBLA was formed to create multicultural programming and continue intercultural interactions for the UMBC Black and Latinx community. CBLA is open to all UMBC alumni and in alignment with UMBC’s value of Inclusive Excellence, we want alumni members to join us in building our culturally conscious community.
Q: What do you love about your academic program or an organization you’re involved in?
A. I am an avid public servant. In 1990, I was initiated as a member of the Lambda Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which is the first Greek letter organization on UMBC’s campus. I love the sisterhood, advocating for justice, and helping young people to achieve their dreams by awarding scholarships. My lifetime commitment to public service and the values that were instilled in me as a leader with the Lambda Kappa chapter have carried over to make me a successful president of the Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter with more than 400 members.
“It is imperative to me to help students understand the dynamics of building their network even before graduating from UMBC with hopes of using this network to find a position in their field of study.
Monique Cephas ‘92
Q: Where did you find support at UMBC?
A. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in UMBC’s cooperative education program starting in 1991 as this is how I started my career at the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a computer specialist. I have worked at SSA for more than 32 years moving up the career ladder from an IT specialist to a team leader, office director, and now a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Deputy Associate Commissioner for the Office of Electronic Services and Systems Integration.
Q: How have you given back?
A. I love to support the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund. As someone who worked their way through college, the mission of that fund is near and dear to my heart. I know that the donations I make will be put to good use by a student in need. This year the board received scholarship applications from 41 qualified students, but we were only able to award $18,000 total to nine students. As chair of the Alumni Association Board of Director’s scholarship committee, I know we can help more deserving students. We hope to award even more scholarships in the future—with your help.
The UMBC Alumni Endowed Scholarship
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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