Truman Scholarship Information Session (9/24)

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships ($30,000) for graduate study to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service. Approximately 55 awards are made nationally each year, with one award given per state and certain territories. In 2014, 24 awardees were students at public universities.

The Truman Scholarship is a prestigious award for which juniors with a record of public service and demonstrated interest in government and politics compete. The Foundation defines public service as employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or education organizations, public and private schools, and public-service orientated nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment. Most Truman Scholars seek law degrees or master’s and doctoral degrees in public administration, public policy, public health, international relations, government, economics, social services, education, urban planning, conservation and environmental protection.  However, all majors are eligible. For example, some Scholars have pursued medical, physical science or even business degrees – but these Scholars were able to clearly demonstrate how these degrees would further their careers in public service.

In an effort to increase UMBC’s applicant pool, Tara Yglesias, Deputy Executive Director of the Foundation, will speak with students and faculty on Wednesday, September 24, at 12 noon in room 107 of the Physics Building. 

Please bring this opportunity to the attention of those students who might be eligible to compete this year and of those who might be interested in the future.  If they cannot make the presentation on September 24, they should contact UMBC’s faculty representative, Art Johnson, at ajohnson@umbc.edu or 5-2195. Students should have a strong GPA of at least 3.7.  To apply, students must be nominated by their institution and complete an application, including a policy brief. Dr. Johnson and others will work with each nominee throughout the application process.

The UMBC deadline for expressing interest in applying is October 20 but students are encouraged to speak with Dr. Johnson before then. UMBC applicants must complete their applications no later than January 28, 2015.

Those faculty who are interested in learning more about this competition and UMBC’s application process are encouraged to contact Dr. Johnson and/or attend the presentation on September 24.

Most people may not think of Aging as an important topic to study but it is a HUGE part of societal demographics and trends. If you're an Aging Studies major looking for an opportunity to enhance your academic career, then you should consider UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH!!!

There's nothing like getting an chance to ask questions you've always wondered about and dig for answers. Research in this field could open up doors for travel, grants, internships, and more!!

You can take on a project and make it your own, fostering relationships and gaining professional development skills while you're at it! Not to mention, it would look great on your resume.       

If you're interested, check out the link provided for more information! OR Come out to one of the Undergraduate Research Workshops to learn more about getting started! ( P.S. : There's one this week on Friday, September 5, during free hour (12 p.m.) in Engineering 023)

Here in the Office of Alumni Relations, we spend a lot of time telling stories about and talking with our wonderfully supportive alums. However, we’ve decided to turn the tables and take time to get to know the people behind the scenes – the advancement and alumni relations staff members who are hard at work on behalf of our alumni. Today we’ll be hearing from Caroline Baker, the Assistant Vice President for Careers and Corporate Partnerships.

Name: Caroline Baker
Job Title: Assistant Vice President for Careers and Corporate Partnerships
Focus Area: I raise money for student support and academic programs and oversee the Career Services Center at UMBC.
Years at UMBC: Almost 9 years

Q: Where are you from originally?
Baltimore, MD. I grew up in Pikesville, MD.

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?
I love the people and the fact that faculty and students appreciate the work that we do to help them be successful. And I love the fact that people hold doors open for each other on this campus.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
Creating win-win relationships for the University. It feels really good when our partners are happy to give us resources, and our faculty and students are happy to be receiving the resources.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?
Our President says “Education transforms lives,” and as a public university we have a very special role to play in helping people be successful and productive citizens.

Q: When you were a child, what/who did you aspire to be?
I have documentation to prove that when I was a young girl I aspired to be the first female president.

Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you pick?
One of my favorite places in the world is Venice, where I can eat some of the most of amazing food. Italian food is unbelievable.

Q: What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Playing with my puppy, who is 10 months old. She is already an expert in water retrieval.

Here in the Office of Alumni Relations, we spend a lot of time telling stories about and talking with our wonderfully supportive alums. However, we’ve decided to turn the tables and take time to get to know the people behind the scenes – the advancement and alumni relations staff members who are hard at work on behalf of our alumni. Today we’ll be hearing from Caroline Baker, the Assistant Vice President for Careers and Corporate Partnerships.

Name: Caroline Baker
Job Title: Assistant Vice President for Careers and Corporate Partnerships
Focus Area: I raise money for student support and academic programs and oversee the Career Services Center at UMBC.
Years at UMBC: Almost 9 years

Q: Where are you from originally?
Baltimore, MD. I grew up in Pikesville, MD.

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?
I love the people and the fact that faculty and students appreciate the work that we do to help them be successful. And I love the fact that people hold doors open for each other on this campus.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
Creating win-win relationships for the University. It feels really good when our partners are happy to give us resources, and our faculty and students are happy to be receiving the resources.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?
Our President says “Education transforms lives,” and as a public university we have a very special role to play in helping people be successful and productive citizens.

Q: When you were a child, what/who did you aspire to be?
I have documentation to prove that when I was a young girl I aspired to be the first female president.

Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you pick?
One of my favorite places in the world is Venice, where I can eat some of the most of amazing food. Italian food is unbelievable.

Q: What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Playing with my puppy, who is 10 months old. She is already an expert in water retrieval.