Their new website is mymsrp.com

Important Note:

Meet track and field student athlete Anjayooluwa “Jayo” Adegboyo ’25, biochemistry and molecular biology, who was named the 2025 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. The publication sponsors the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards to honor students of color who have excelled in the classroom and on the athletic field, demonstrating a commitment to community service and student leadership. Jayo is a Meyerhoff Program Scholar and is excited to pursue a career in medicine after being trained in research at UMBC.

Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?

A: I am a student-athlete who graduated with a biochemistry major and a physics minor in the Honors College. I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine and research to solve problems associated with migraine and autism-related disorders.

Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.

A: An alum and fellow Meyerhoff Scholar from UMBC about 20 years ago, and a notable professor from Duke University, Dr. Kafui Dzirasa ’01, inspired and supported me by investing in my future as a research advisor, motivator for my passions, and connecting me with people who do work related to my career goals.

Q: Tell us about what you love about your academic program or an organization you’re involved in.

A: I am a part of the Meyerhoff Scholars program and U-RISE scholar. I really appreciated how much the programs reached out to us about research opportunities in STEM related to the interests of me and my peers.

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: All of the support is there, just do not be afraid to ask around. You never know who may have the answer to your question; whether it is a roommate in a different major or a faculty member in one of your gen ed classes!

Q: Tell us about your primary WHY, and how it led you to UMBC

A: I came to UMBC because of the opportunity to pursue both of my passions in track and field competition and scholarship. It also introduced me to the prospect of pursuing a career in research through the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and its affiliations.

Q: Tell us about the people who are helping you grow at UMBC.

A: My support for my WHY came in the form of familial circumstances. My twin brother has autism and is relatively non-verbal, and my dad has migraines that get progressively worse as the days go by. These issues got me interested in medicine. UMBC helped guide me on a path to successfully apply to and get accepted to an M.D./Ph.D. program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Q: What clubs, teams, or organizations are you a part of? What do you love about them?

A: I was a part of the UMBC track and field team, the NOBCChE e-board, a member of NSBE, and a mentor in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program’s peer mentorship program. I also tutored in the physics and chemistry tutorial centers and the SI-PASS program.

Q: What do you enjoy about your scholar program?

A: I love the Meyerhoff Scholars Program because the community is filled with people with similar goals of pursuing research in STEM. It also felt like another family, from the peers who love interacting with one another outside of the classroom to the faculty who always have an intense desire to guide us scholars on the path to realizing and attaining our career goals.

Q: Tell us more about being a student-athlete and scholarship recipient. What would you tell others who are in your shoes about UMBC?

A: These dual parts of my life were difficult to get in tuned with during college because I felt some imposter-syndrome in trying to excel athletically and academically, while at the same time as I would see the accomplishments of my peers in each realm.

Eventually, I came to embrace my dual-roles and found harmony in the balance between the two, most especially during my roughest year (3rd year) where I had to balance training and competitions every week with studying for the MCAT (the medical school entrance exam), research, tutoring, and my ongoing classwork. I built so much resilience through these experiences that I would never trade it for anything in the world.

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.

The job search can be an exciting time — but it can also feel discouraging when applications go unanswered or interviews don't lead to offers. In a competitive market, rejection is normal, but that doesn't make it easy. The good news? You can learn to navigate setbacks, stay motivated, and keep moving forward, with the help of these tips:

1. Reframe Rejection as Redirection

Remember: every "no" brings you closer to the right "yes." Instead of seeing rejection as failure, view it as feedback. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience — maybe it's refining your resume, expanding your network, or exploring a different industry. Book a Search Strategies appointment with a Career Center Advisor to get even more ideas on how to improve.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

A long job search can feel endless, but there are ways to make it feel more manageable. Break the search down into steps you can accomplish each week, like updating one section of your resume, applying to three jobs, or reaching out to two networking contacts. Small wins can add up — and help you build momentum.

3. Lean on Your Support System

You don't have to go through this process alone. Share your pitfalls and wins with friends, mentors, or career advisors at the Career Center or beyond. They can offer encouragement, perspective, and even new job leads. The more you let others know that you're on the hunt, the more eyes there will be out there seeking viable opportunities. Maybe it would be helpful to meet with a friend outside of career events and apply for job positions together. It's ok to ask for help, accountability, and support.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Stress can easily build up during a long search. Make time for activities that recharge you — whether that's exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a day off from applications. Maybe making a curated playlist while you submit applications can help you stay motivated, or maybe you need to engage in breathwork and affirmations before starting each day. A clear mind helps you stay confident and focused. 

5. Keep Building Skills While You Search

If you're waiting on responses, invest in your professional growth. Take an online course, volunteer for a nonprofit you're interested in, or start a personal project. Sign up for a micro-internship at Parker Dewey or a job simulation at The Forage. Check out offerings from the UMBC Training Centers and watch the Paws & Pivot Webinar Series. Adding new experiences and skills to your resume shows employers that you are staying active and adaptable.

Strategize Your Next Steps

Setbacks don't define your career — they guide it. For more ways to stay resilient and turn challenges into opportunities, join us at our online workshop, Mindset & Momentum: Staying Resilient in the Job Hunt, at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, September 30. This supportive session will share practical strategies to help you stay motivated and keep your search moving forward.