Meet Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman ’19, mathematics with a minor in economics. Anna is an award-winning Ghanaian American researcher and writer and a doctoral student studying public policy and economics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Anna is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Boston honoree and the youngest recipient of a CEDAW Women’s Rights Award by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women—previously awarded to Vice President Kamala Harris and former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Anna’s newest book, “The Double Tax: How Women of Color are Overcharged and Underpaid,” explores why it’s so expensive to be a woman in America and why it doesn’t have to be this way. Take it away, Anna!

Q: What initially brought you to UMBC?

A: I came to UMBC from the University of Maryland, College Park. On a large campus, I felt too much like a number and not like an actual person. I also felt, in my gut, that College Park wasn’t the right campus for the kind of growth I knew needed to happen to transition into adulthood. UMBC, at first, seemed like the right fit, but I struggled a lot to find my place and to find my voice. I didn’t immediately know what I wanted to do right away. It actually took me until my junior year to figure out the path I am on now, and even then, I wasn’t too sure! That said, the communities on this campus really became the match for the fire I feel today in the work I do. The educators, the students, and the organizations have fueled me throughout, even now as an alum.

Q: Were you involved in any student organizations at UMBC?

A: One of my favorite organizations to lead and be a part of was the UMBC chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). There’s something about being part of a Black-led organization alongside Black students that was so empowering. I was educated at predominantly white schools up until college, so between participating in NSBE, where we started new traditions like the annual NSBE pageant and launched the first U.S. conference for Black women economists, and being part of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, I felt more seen than I had in the years prior.

Q: Who in the UMBC community has inspired you or supported you?

A: There are a couple of people across the UMBC community who have made a big impact on me, but I want to focus on two people specifically: Bonny Tighe and Jacqueline King, Ph.D. ’09, human services psychology. Ms. Tighe taught my Calculus II class, which at the time was one of the most difficult courses offered for STEM majors. She and Dr. Kalman Nanes really believed that I could do hard things, and her class became a turning point for me—math was really something I could pursue in college. She’s also hilarious.

Dr. King is my soul sister, truly a kindred spirit. She is part of what I like to call my Mount Rushmore of educators. Dr. King led the MARC/URISE program, which funded my final years of college. She saw me stumble in with no plan, no purpose, and no direction, and coached me into the life I am living and thriving in today. She and I touched base weekly, sometimes just to catch up, and her guidance fundamentally changed my college experience. I owe her so much.

Q: Can you tell us more about your work as an author?

A: The work I do as a writer cuts across race, gender, and the economy, with an eye toward making the workplace a fairer place. In 2022, I published a critically acclaimed collection, The Black Agenda, which was the first trade publication to exclusively feature Black scholars and experts across economics, education, health, climate, criminal justice, and technology. In September 2025, I published The Double Tax, which explores why it’s so expensive to be a woman in America and how the individual costs women of color face become societal costs later on. You’ve probably heard of the pink tax—that additional price women pay to exist in the same world as men. Now meet the double tax, the compounded cost of racism and sexism, or the pink tax and then some. 

I am currently hosting events across the country and hope you’ll join me! If interested, RSVP by visiting my website: annagifty.com!

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

A: UMBC is a small school, but finding community is still the best way to make your time on campus count. I talk a little bit about my time at UMBC in my new book, The Double Tax, namely, how when I first arrived, I was so lost in the sea of ambition and among the students who seemed to have it all together. I think finding community on campus via clubs, organizations, and academic affiliations made this school feel more like home and ultimately became the driver of the success I am experiencing today.

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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.

This is a reminder to please complete CITI's Research Security Training (Combined Course) if you have not already done so by 10/1/2025. This training is required by multiple federal grant funding agencies and is especially important for key personnel who are on existing awards.    CITI estimates this training to take around 1 hour to complete. 

Please follow the steps below to add the course to your account:

Step 1: Log into your CITI account via UMBC's single sign on.
Step 2: At the top of the Welcome page, select My Courses.
Step 3: Under Institutional Courses, select View Courses.
Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of your Course Page and select Add a Course.
Step 5: Scroll down the Curriculum Page to Question 12 and select Research Security Training (Combined Course). 
Step 6: Hit Submit. Your new course will now appear on your Course Page.

Troubleshooting Tips:

Per CITI's Support Center, if you experience any issues, such as getting stuck on a slide within the module, try navigating back 1–3 slides and then proceed forward again. This allows the stuck slide to fully load any content or sections that may have been skipped. The issue often occurs when users click through slides too quickly or use the playback bar to fast-forward, which can disrupt the module's progress.

For the best performance, please use one of the following supported browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari.  Please do not switch between browsers prior to completing this training. 

If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to reach out to ORPC at researchintegrity@umbc.edu.

Welcome Begins at the Door

Reporting to the Audience Development & Production Coordinator, the Stage Manager is the primary point of contact for artists at all Subscription and Discovery Series concerts. No two performances are alike; therefore, the Stage Manager must have professionalism, poise and a knowledge of production protocol. The ability to read sheet music is a plus.

Here at UMBC, we know a thing or two about Retrievers—and this month, we're honoring some of the hardest-working ones around.

Guide dogs are more than companions; they are highly trained service animal partners who provide independence, safety, and confidence to individuals who are visually challenged. Their dedication and loyalty empower their handlers to navigate the world with courage and freedom. Fun Fact: Labradors, golden retrievers, German shepherds, and labrador/golden crosses are among the most common guide dog breeds, chosen for their intelligence, size, and calm temperament.

This September, we send a round of Retriever pride to all the guide dogs who make a difference every single day. Thank you for your service, dedication, and love.

Do you know the difference between the different types of working dogs? Check out this helpful guide that explains the differences between guide dogs, service animals, and emotional support animals!

The Student Conduct and Community Standards department conducts full and formal judicial review hearings for students who request them. A student might request a board hearing if they are charged with something serious, for which the termination of their housing contract or disciplinary suspension/dismissal is a likely outcome. They might also request a hearing if they are refuting the charges and believe they are not responsible for the alleged misconduct.

Our Code of Student Conduct specifies that judicial boards are composed of between 2-4 students and one faculty or staff member. If you have been in a hearing before, you know that our board members are well-trained, thoughtful, and rigorous in their questioning. This is a chance to foster the accountability-taking and ethical decision-making capacity of our students and also to get a "good student affairs experience." Here are the hearing dates and times (all virtual except for one) that I have lined up thus far for the Fall Semester of 2025 (please consider volunteering for the early dates, which are typically the hardest to fill):

• Tuesday, September 23, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Appellate Board)

• Friday, September 26, 1:00-6:00 p.m. (in person)

• Tuesday, October 7, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Appellate Board)

• Friday, October 17, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

• Friday, October 24, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

• Friday, October 31, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 4, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Appellate Board)

• Friday, November 7, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

• Friday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, December 2, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Appellate Board)

• Friday, December 5, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

• Friday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 17 (Study Day), 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.