President Valerie Sheares Ashby is a people person. You can see her eyes light up while she talks with folks. 

On her very first day as president of UMBC, Sheares Ashby made it clear that she wants to be available to students. Right off the bat, in true professor form, she set up weekly student office hours to do just that. 

As you might expect, her office hours are already very popular, so we decided to reflect her friendly open-door philosophy in this regular president’s column. Sheares Ashby is also engaging in a listening tour to hear from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners across campus and beyond in the coming month. We look forward to sharing highlights from the tour in future issues.

UMBC Magazine: How would you describe your first few months at UMBC, and what has it been like getting to know this community?

President Sheares Ashby: These first few months have been energizing, inspiring, and joyful. The more people I meet, and the more I start to make connections, the more I love this place. You can love something from a distance because of its values. But when you meet the people, and they embody those values, your love grows even deeper. It has been especially rewarding to engage with students, see who they already are, and imagine what they will become as a result of their experiences at UMBC.

And then, what is most inspiring for me is that it’s becoming more clear every day what the possibilities are for what we can do together going forward.

UMBC Magazine: That’s a terrific segue! What would you like alumni to know about your thoughts on UMBC’s future and how you hope they will be involved?

President Sheares Ashby: Well, right now, as you know, I’m holding listening sessions with members of the community, and I want as many alumni as possible to participate. As we do this, I know that I will discover even more about our collective purpose and the possibilities for UMBC. I have said to alumni that I don’t know what I’m going to ask them to do yet, but when I feel like I’ve got something that’s worthy of their time and effort and the difference that they can make, I will bring it to them. And there will be something that I need our alums to do, for sure, because they are such an important part of UMBC’s future. 

I had the opportunity recently to meet with the executive committee of the Alumni Board of Directors and then, of course, many, many more alumni during Homecoming. As they introduced themselves, they talked about what they are doing and what they loved most about their UMBC education. It was wonderful because I could hear how they are living out the values of the institution wherever their careers and lives have taken them.

I heard people talk about civic engagement and social justice and the things that we believe deep in our core. They’re out there in the world exemplifying what UMBC is, in business, professions, public service, and the arts, and that is just incredible. The more people see our alumni doing this, the more we will continue to attract excellent students, and UMBC will only grow stronger.

Former BFSA President Wanda Soares Nottingham will be retiring after 25 years of service at UMBC. Wanda, also a union board member, will retire on January 1, 2023. 

Wanda has been the Administrative Assistant for Africana Studies since 2005. She started in 1997 in the Center for Health Program Development and Management. She was named UMBC'S Non-Exempt Employee of the Quarter in 2018.

Wanda also revived the Black Faculty and Staff Association and was the President for several years.

Her final day at UMBC will be December 16th, 2022. If you see Wanda before then please congratulate her and wish her well. 

We will miss you, Wanda! Thank you for your service and best of luck to you in this next chapter of life!!! Enjoy and have a great retirement. 

Below is a link to her farewell card. Please take the time to sign it and wish Wanda well and a Happy Retirement!!!

https://www.groupgreeting.com/sign/f1f30c65babade9 

Meet Sandra Abbott, who has been working in UMBC’s art world for 14 years. Whether it’s through setting up world-class exhibitions or coordinating educational programs, Sandra combines her work as curator of collections and outreach at the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture (CADVC) and affiliate faculty in the visual arts department. Sandra thrives in her role of introducing Retrievers and community members to great art.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: I love working with students who are exploring my profession. They keep me on my toes and ask the best questions.

Q: Who is someone in the community who has supported you, and how did they do it?

A: When I needed to research local 3D printers for a special K-12 art project, I reached out to alum Maks Prykhodko, M.F.A. ’21, IMDA. Maks returned my email within 24 hours and offered help, including a personal introduction to those I needed to connect with at the best vendor.

This is only one example of many alumni I’ve reconnected with professionally after UMBC. This community supports you at UMBC and beyond. It’s the best network!

Q: Tell us about what you love about where you work.

A: What I love about the CADVC gallery is the amazing, world-class artwork I pass by every time I come and go from my office.

Headshot courtesy of Abbott.

Q: What brought you to UMBC in the first place? 

A: I was drawn to UMBC as a place known for its academic rigor and scholarship. I wanted to develop my career amongst those who took their work as seriously as I took mine.

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

There is always someone who can help you when you have a question or a challenge. The network of experts we have access to at UMBC is astounding. They range from those in cybersecurity and STEM to the arts and beyond. I’ve made many connections here, which often continue beyond UMBC. 

There is also always something happening—live theater, films, exhibitions, lectures, and performances. Personal growth, wellness, and education are among so many shared values here.

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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.