Arissa Falat
B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Plans: Pharm.D./J.D., University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

UMBC is peerless regarding the interest faculty members take in the well-being of students across academic and extracurricular endeavors. Naturally, this gives rise to a tight-knit community of highly motivated individuals.

Arissa Falat is a University Scholar and member of the Honors College who has received numerous scholarships in her time at UMBC, including the 2017 Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit Student Scholarship, 2017 Lise Satterfield Scholarship, and UMBC Undergraduate Research Award for her work in Kathy Seley-Radtke’s chemistry lab. She was invited to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Beyond her own studies and research, Falat serves as a teaching assistant for courses in molecular and general genetics and cell biology, including teaching discussion sections, writing exams and quizzes, conducting review sessions, grading, and more. She has also counseled, hosted, and welcomed to campus on visit days prospective and admitted students as a UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions Student Ambassador.

On top of her academic accomplishments, Falat has performed in more than 100 figure skating shows and participated in even more competitions. She passed the senior level test in three figure skating disciplines, making her a triple gold medalist in U.S. Figure Skating.

Falat became a professional in 2017, and she shares her skating skills by volunteering to teach lessons in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and performing in benefit shows. “For me, figure skating provides the essential balance between the rigors of a demanding academic schedule and the relief of that mental tension,” she says.

With so many interests, Falat had a difficult time choosing a particular path forward. “Deciding on which graduate path to pursue used to eat me alive, but UMBC nurtured my passions and made me realize that I don’t have to pick just one interest,” she says. She plans to pursue a dual Pharm.D./J.D. degree.

Portrait by Marlayna Demond ‘11 for UMBC.

Janae Baptiste
Ph.D., Chemistry
Cum Laude
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
Plans: Postdoctoral researcher, UMBC

At UMBC, I have been able to pursue my passion for research and explore questions that interest me…The terrific mentorship I have received here has given me confidence to continue in research and, ultimately, enter the professoriate.

Janae Baptiste is a Meyerhoff Graduate Fellow and an NIH Chemistry-Biology Interface Fellow, dedicated to both research and teaching. Her research in the lab of Michael Summers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute facility at UMBC focuses on determining the structure of proteins involved in the replication of HIV, which is a necessary step toward developing new therapies to block viral replication. Baptiste will continue her research in the Summers lab as a postdoctoral researcher after graduation, as well as teach biochemistry to undergraduates.

“UMBC helped me to discover that I love to teach,” she says, “by providing several opportunities to interact with undergraduates in research and teaching laboratories.” An ability to explain chemistry in an accessible way is critical for teaching, and Baptiste demonstrated that skill when she won People’s Choice Award and second place overall at UMBC’s 2017 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. She also volunteers with Baltimore City youth to increase their exposure to STEM activities and mentorship.

Portrait by Marlayna Demond ‘11 for UMBC.

Manisha Vepa
B.A., Economics and Global Studies
Minor: Music
Summa Cum Laude
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Plans: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, South Korea

UMBC has afforded me many critical opportunities to gain the quantitative skills required for a career in foreign policy, as well as to cultivate a passion for research and East Asian affairs.

Manisha Vepa came to UMBC ready to explore — both driven to excel academically and excited to become an active member of a caring community. As a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar, she was particularly interested in learning about the diverse needs of different communities and how public policy can affect communities, locally and internationally.

“The mentorship I have received from my professors and staff advisors has been invaluable,” says Vepa. “They have taught me how to be reflective, analytical, and mindful in both my personal and academic lives.”

Vepa’s particular interest in Asian culture and policy led her to study in Hong Kong for a semester. She will continue her exploration of Asian cultures as an English-language educator through the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program in South Korea, before pursuing a graduate degree in East Asian affairs.

On campus, Vepa has served as president of the UMBC Moot Court for the past three years, a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) for four years, and Assistant Speaker of the Senate for 2017-18. She also found balance in continuing her study of music as a Music Performance Fellow by playing the viola in the UMBC Symphonic Orchestra all semesters except for when she studied abroad. While abroad she played in two orchestras in Hong Kong. In addition, she served as a tutor in the Refugee Youth Project at Beechfield Elementary/Middle School.

“I have grown as a leader through my involvement in Student Government Association, the local community, and my international opportunities,” says Vepa. “My experiences empowered me to be an active part in social change efforts and helped me develop a deep passion and understanding for civic engagement and civic agency that has guided my college career.”

Portrait by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

K.J. Maura
B.A., Sociology
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Plans: Basketball career overseas

We say it every day in the huddle before practice: “together.” The chemistry and the friendships we have built helped us stay focused on our goals. I’m thankful for my teammates and coaching staff. Every single person on the team played a role to help us reach together and I’m proud to call them family.

K.J. Maura’s college journey took a few twists and turns, as he found his path from Puerto Rico to UMBC. Once he put on that Retriever jersey to play for the UMBC men’s basketball team, he immediately got to work making sure he would leave a lasting impact.

Maura consistently proved his dominance on the court. He was named the America East Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, only the second Retriever to ever earn a major award in the conference. Shortly afterward, he skyrocketed to national recognition through UMBC’s historic run at March Madness. For the first time in NCAA men’s basketball history, a no. 16 seed toppled a no. 1 seed. Maura helped lead the charge, scoring double digits, instrumental in UMBC ultimately defeating University of Virginia, 74-54. After graduation, Maura will continue his basketball career overseas.

Joseph Sherburne
B.S., Financial Economics
Summa Cum Laude
Hometown: Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Plans: M.A., data science, UMBC

UMBC has introduced me to so many people who have helped set a path for me when my time here is done and with whom I will have lifetime bonds. It has also given me the two best moments of my life in winning the America East Championship and beating a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Making the decision to travel from Wisconsin to Maryland to attend UMBC is one that changed Joe Sherburne’s life forever. Throughout his career at UMBC, Sherburne has skillfully balanced academics and athletics, excelling and setting records in both.

Sherburne was the first UMBC and first America East Conference men’s basketball player to ever be named to the Academic All-America Division I Basketball First Team. An exemplary leader, Sherburne served as a captain for the history-making 2017-2018 men’s basketball team and still maintained his place on the President’s List each semester. After graduating, Sherburne will remain at UMBC to pursue his master’s degree in data science and continue his basketball career with the Retrievers.

Jourdan Grant
B.A., Media & Communication Studies
Hometown: Bowie, Maryland

UMBC has prepared me in the way that the university has a standard in how you carry yourself and really embrace success.

Since coming to UMBC as a freshman, Jourdan Grant has truly put the time in to propel himself and the UMBC men’s basketball team toward greatness. He currently holds the record for playing the most men’s basketball games in UMBC history. He also became the first player in history to play 30 or more games within his first three seasons of competition.

Few will be surprised to hear that Grant’s most memorable UMBC moment was in the first round game of the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Grant’s exuberance after dethroning no. one seed University of Virginia is showcased for posterity in the NCAA’s culminating “One Shining Moment” video of tournament highlights.

Portraits by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.