Meet Emmanuella Osei, a junior studying public health and sociology and the president of UMBC’s Public Health Council of Majors. She is passionate about health equity, public service, and mentorship. As a Retriever, Emmanuella is a fearless leader, actively involved in multiple scholar programs, and volunteer initiatives across the globe—from Maryland to South Africa to Costa Rica. Her commitment to high-impact research has led her to tackle critical issues like food insecurity among students at UMBC and access to long-term COVID-19 care. She is a proud recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. Her dedication to making a difference continues to take her where she is most needed. Take it away, Emmanuella!

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

A:  I am pursuing a dual degree in public health and sociology and a certificate in the social dimensions of health. Throughout my time at UMBC, I have engaged in many experiential learning opportunities. In the summer following my freshman year, I interned at Columbia Community Care, a non-profit in Howard County that offers hunger relief, youth development, and wellness programs. In summer of 2024, I participated in the Summer Research Opportunity Program at the University of Michigan, where I researched access to long COVID care in the HELPER lab at the School of Public Health. Most recently, I participated in the AIFS study abroad program in Costa Rica where I learned about Costa Rica’s health care and tropical systems.

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

A: I came to UMBC because of the vibrant and supportive community I felt when I first toured the campus. I knew that as an immigrant and first-generation student from Ghana [in West Africa], UMBC would be a great place to be. Because UMBC is a minority-serving institution and home to students from diverse backgrounds and identities, I felt it would offer the perfect environment for me to also grow academically while providing countless opportunities. So far, UMBC has definitely lived up to my expectations, and I truly believe that everyone can find their place here.

Q: Tell us about the people who are helping you grow at UMBC, and why their HOW made such a difference to you.

A: My research mentor, Dr. Sameera Nayak, has been extremely supportive of my independent research. She became my mentor during my sophomore year as part of the McNair Scholars Program. Now, as an Undergraduate Research Award Scholar studying food insecurity among students at UMBC, Dr. Nayak continues to guide me and provides feedback on each stage of the research process. After collecting and analyzing over 500 responses, I am now working on disseminating my findings beginning at UMBC’s spring Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD).

Q: Are you currently part of a scholars program or Living Learning Community at UMBC?

A:  In addition to being a McNair Scholar, I am a member of UMBC’s Honors College and the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, a four-year scholarship program focused on community engagement and policy. As a Sondheim Scholar, I participated in a faculty-led study abroad summer course in Cape Town, South Africa, to learn about global community engagement and social change. In my first two years at UMBC, I was also a member of the Shriver Living Learning Community (LLC) for students passionate about service, leadership, and advocacy. I served as a peer mentor in my sophomore year, supporting first-year students as they transitioned to college. 

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

A: I am the president of UMBC’s Public Health Council of Majors. I love planning professional development and social events to bring public health students together. In the past year, we have hosted events such as graduate school information sessions, internship panels, resume workshops in collaboration with the Career Center, and LinkedIn headshots, among others.

Q: How are you making a difference for other Retrievers?

A: Since my sophomore year, I have worked as an Academic Peer Advocate through UMBC’s Academic Success Center. In this role, I support other undergraduate students by connecting them to the great resources UMBC offers. Through the Shriver Center, I volunteered at the Great Kids Farm, a Baltimore City Public Schools farm-to-school program. Currently, I serve as a student ambassador for the Commodore Collegiates Program, a partnership between UMBC and Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School. I give students an exciting tour of UMBC, lead fun STEM activities, share my college experience, and engage them in discussions about college.

* * * * *

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 Scholars Programs at UMBC.

Renaissance Fine Arts is seeking a dynamic & self motivated Art Consultant to join our team. Candidates must have excellent sales closing skills, an upbeat and professional demeanor with a desire to help our clientele "personalize" their homes and offices with art.

We expect that you will charismatically interact with our clientele and will become knowledgeable of and enthusiastic about our art collection. You must be willing to proactively build and maintain client relationships. When you are not welcoming walk-in clients, you are cultivating new sales opportunities.

Carla Guarraia, Ph.D. ’06, molecular and cellular biology, has received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for her work at the Park School in Baltimore. Only one award is given per state per year, and Maryland is an extremely competitive region.

In 2017, Guarraia proposed and coordinated a complete redesign of the science curriculum for ninth and 10th graders at Park in close collaboration with colleagues. The new ninth grade course, first implemented in 2019, integrates physics, engineering, and computer science content, and the 10th grade course brings together concepts from biology, chemistry, and data analysis. In addition to covering content, the courses emphasize skill-building and opportunities for memorable and authentic project-based experiences that inspire excitement about science. Park juniors and seniors are then prepared to pursue an array of electives in all five disciplines and interdisciplinary topics.

An external evaluator lauded the resulting curriculum, which Park calls its “Core Program,” for its alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards, differentiated learning approach for students with a range of needs, emphasis on mastery learning and a growth mindset, prioritization of active learning, and the faculty’s commitment to caring for their students. 

Expanding her view

Guarraia, who as of the 2024 – 2025 school year is the upper school science department chair at Park,  studied for her Ph.D. under the mentorship of Philip Farabaugh, professor of biological sciences. Then she completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Jennie Leach, associate professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. 

“Phil Farabaugh supported my growth as an academic, and as a citizen of the world. He consistently showed respect for me and built up my confidence that I could be smart and fun while not only teaching science but caring for the people around me. As a mentor for life, I have learned from Phil that if I am my authentic self my life will be most successful,” Guarraia says.  

Leach “shares my passion for teaching, and in Jennie I continue to have a role model for pursuing ambitious exciting science while also being a working mom,” Guarraia adds. 

“UMBC is a really special place that shaped my view of Baltimore, as the campus focus was on rigorous education, inclusion, and excellence, and it was my first experience with a truly international community,” Guarraia says. “I am forever grateful for how UMBC, Jennie, and Phil expanded my view of the world and of myself.”

Free Virtual LSAT Workshops hosted by TestMasters

Note: UMBC does not endorse any specific LSAT preparation program.  For a list of all commercial test prep companies that have licensed official LSAT content, please click here.  

AccessLex Institute Webinar - Choosing a Law School

National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA) and Castillo Scholars Virtual Judicial Panel

Free Virtual Panel for all Pre-Law and Law Students!

Join the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA) and Castillo Scholars for their conversation with a federal judge, deputy solicitor, and current judicial clerk on navigating your law school journey and pursuing a clerkship in the federal judiciary and/or a career in public service.

Panelists:

– The Hon. Edmond E. Chang, U.S. District Court, District of Northern Illinois

– Alex Hemmer, Deputy Solicitor General of Illinois and Former Law Clerk to Justice Sonia Sotomayor

– Elissa Lowenthal, Law Clerk for D.C. Court of Appeals and Former Appellate Litigation Fellow for Solicitor General for the District of Columbia

Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Time: 4:00 PM 

Location:  Zoom

Register here!

February LSAC Digital Law School Forum (Register by February 4)

LSAC Law School Forums serve as invaluable opportunities for aspiring law students to learn about law school and connect with law school representatives.

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025

Time: 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Workshops begin at 4:00 PM 

Meet with law school reps from 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

Register here!

HBCU Law Schools' Annual Virtual Law School Event

Location: UC Ballroom Lounge, Room 302

This workshop will be presented by Jake Weissmann, Vice President for Government Relations and Student Affairs and Dr. Laura Antkowiak, Professor and Director of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program.

Don't miss thiis informative and engaging event!  Lunch will be provided so come ready to engage, learn, and enjoy a meal.  

Click here for more information and to download a flyer.