"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." - Buddha

You are a miracle.  When is the last time someone told you that?  I mean before today, obviously.  Well, you are.  And before you stop reading for fear that I am about to spend 1,000 or so words proselytizing, I am not.  I'm not trying to lure you into a religion or tap into your spirituality or open your third eye.  The basis for this is factual.  It's science.  Of the millions of possible chromosome pairings (8,324,608 to be exact) and over 67 trillion possible genetic combinations from just one couple (shoutout to the google for the stats), the fact that everything came together just right, at just the right time to make you, well, you, is nothing short of miraculous.  Whether you are religious or spiritual, agnostic or atheist, it is hard to deny the scientific uniqueness that is your genetic makeup.  Take a moment to bask in that. Celebrate it.

"Seeing a miracle will inspire you, but knowing you are a miracle will change you." - Deborah Brodie

"Many people are alive but don't touch the miracle of being alive." - Thich Nhat Hanh

"When you don't know your true value, you see the world through the lens of how you don't measure up." - Cicely Tyson

Some of you have been told that you hit the genetic lottery.  While others may not be happy with your genes.  You may even have some beef with your chromosomes.  It may be that your particular genetic code has made your life more problematic than it could have been.   Or you may be convincing yourself that you aren't living up to the genetic legacy of your ancestors. Either way, I feel you.  As challenging as it has been, you are still here.  Not only that, you are doing you, whatever that looks like.  As long as you are not doing yourself harm, keep doing it.  Challenge prompts change.  That reads trite and maybe I am oversimplifying it, I recognize that.  But am I though...?  We want you to get to your greatness, wherever that is, whatever that looks like; the best you that you can be until you can be an even better you.  The process of improving doesn't stop even amid uncertainty about the destination, you can keep going, one choice at a time, one act at a time, one step at a time along the path of your uniquely miraculous journey.

"It's okay if your personal definition is in a constant state of flux as you navigate the world." - Janet Mock

"Don't sell yourself short. You will meet people along the way who will be lining up to place limits on you. You don't need to beat them to the punch." - Leslie Odom Jr.

"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." - Helen Keller

What you may not see is that each and every one of you are setting a precedent.  Whether you are the first generation to do what you're doing or the fifth, there is power in that precedent, for you and for others.

Precedentshows possibility.

Possibilityunlocks potential.

Potentialfuels performance.

Performancesets precedent.

Embrace being the precedent for those you know, and for those you may never even meet.  We can't wait to see you walking in your purpose and shining a light for others to follow.  Believe that you have everything you need within you to get there because you do.

"Never let anyone - any person or any force - dampen, dim or diminish your light." - John Lewis

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

"Don't count the days, make the days count." - Muhammad Ali

What are we asking you to do?

1.     Finish STRONG! The semester is almost over, but it isn't over yet.  Play through the whistle, run through the tape (or insert your own metaphor here) to set yourself up to start strong in the spring.

2.     Be extraordinary.  Even if it is in one tiny facet of one particular context, do it.  Once you know you can be extraordinary at something, you can be extraordinary at anything.

3.     Stop and smell the proverbial roses. No matter what is happening, it is not too much.  You can get through it. When the anxiety mounts and the fear creeps in, start with the thing so simple that your body does it all on its own, take a long deep breath.  And then find something that brings you joy and appreciate it.

4.     Take care of YOU.  The world has reopened, but that doesn't mean it feels or is safe.  As you move, take care of your whole self in real and tangible ways.  If you need help, get help.  If you need help finding help, just say something, we are here for you.

5.     Take care of your business.  You are here to get your degree.  Life requires balance for sure but keep the main thing the main thing.  You have persevered through the pandemic, campus closure, zoom, all of it.  Keep that same energy and get this done.  The world needs to see the brilliance you have to offer.

Now go be great!

Cords are available for First-Gen Students to pick up  December 12th to 20th at both Main Campus and USG.  

USG 

Contact: Sandra Crespin-Melgar (sandrac1@umbc.edu) 

“Voting is not only our right—it is our power.” – Loung Ung

I cannot wait for Tuesday to get here.  While I always look forward to voting, that is not why I’m excited. I’m excited because it will mean the end of the ads.  I don’t care what side they’re for, I am so ready to not see them, even if it is only until the next election cycle.  I’d imagine many of you are too.  To be clear though, I did say vote first. 

“My generation, we really have to step up to the plate and vote. Tweeting is great - people say, ‘Oh, I don't want this or that' but at the end of the day, tweeting isn't a ballot. Just saying that you don't like someone on Twitter is not going to turn a state blue or red. You have to vote.” – Zendaya

"You wouldn't let your grandparents pick your playlist. Why would you let them pick your representative who's going to determine your future?" – Barack Obama

Democracy itself is on the ballot.  Both sides believe that for very different reasons and they are highly motivated to bring their respective visions for America to fruition.  News flash, all elections are critical, especially when you are a student from a marginalized background in a world that does not seem to see the beauty in diversity or in you.  This is especially challenging to wrap your head around when it is your first time voting.  There is no frame of reference to draw from about the criticality of this election if you’ve never participated in any elections before this one.  What matters to me is that YOU VOTE! 

“I don’t care what responsibilities you have today, there’s no greater responsibility than being in control of your future and your future starts now! We don’t have time, no procrastinating, don’t let the discouragement take you off course, that’s not how my people or my generation will go down…this is the loudest way to make your voice heard!” Rihanna

"We are not helpless. The fire is still burning. Please go out and vote this November. Too many people have died and sacrificed so much for us to have our voice, we have to use it. Get in formation. Use our voices to do something great for our children." – Beyoncé

“I’m too busy…” no you’re not.  

“I just don’t have time…” yes you do. 

"There’s still COVID..." So? You go plenty of places. There's a safe way to vote, find it and do it.

“I don’t really care about all that, I have other things to worry about…” I get it BUT elections have consequences, and it will impact you eventually, it will.  

“I don’t know who to vote for…” or “I don’t know how to do it...” or “I don’t know what the issues are…” Here you go... 

Who and What are on my ballot – Ballotpedia

Know Your Rights - ACLU

What to do if Your Ballot is Challenged - Yahoo

App

https://readyset.vote/

Sites

https://www.vote.org/

https://www.vote411.org/

https://www.rockthevote.org/

Want equality, or security, or liberty, or opportunity, or community… VOTE!

Want to speak for people who come from where you come from with no voice here… VOTE!

Want to elect candidates whose values match yours and whose ideas move you... VOTE!

Angry about someone else telling you or anyone what to do with their body, VOTE!

Exhausted, fed up, stressed out, or burned up by what the “other” side is doing, VOTE!

Excited, disappointed, in your feelings, or fired up by what “your” side is doing, VOTE!

Don’t have a side, VOTE! Don’t want a side, VOTE!

Already voted, great, tell your people to go vote.

It is YOUR RIGHT, bought and paid for in blood, sweat, and tears, exercise it as you see fit. 

Just VOTE.

"There are real reasons why people are disenfranchised. I think the easiest and most beneficial [thing] to a lot of people in power to believe is that, “Oh, people are lazy and they don't care, and they're complacent.” But there are all kinds of genuine obstacles that have been intentionally placed to keep people from participating in democracy and mattering in democracy. Sure, when you look at your life and you feel like nothing about our government or the way the system is working is positively impacting your life, of course you're going to feel disenchanted and cynical about those institutions. That's only natural and human." America Ferrera

"Here’s the problem: while some folks are frustrated and tuned out and staying home on election day, trust me other folks are showing up. Democracy continues with or without you." – Michelle Obama

"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." – Thomas Jefferson

What are we asking you to do?

VOTE!

“Most people think, great God will come from the sky

Take away everything, and make everybody feel high

But if you know what life is worth, you would look for yours on earth

And now you see the light, you stand up for your right

Get up, stand up, Stand up for your right

Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight”

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Get up Stand Up

Now go be great!

Any views or opinions expressed in this missive are solely the author’s and do not represent that of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County or any programs, departments, or partners affiliated with UMBC. While I make every effort to ensure that the information I am sharing is accurate, I welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.

“You must be the person you have never had the courage to be. Gradually, you will discover that you are that person, but until you can see this clearly, you must pretend and invent.”― Paulo Coelho

There is an adage, “fake it ‘til you make it.”  It is widely considered a colloquialism of an Aristotle quote “Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a particular way.”  It seems like good advice.  So much so that there is a cottage industry of inspirational posters and memes that align with it.  If you can dream it, you can be it. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. As a man thinketh… and all that.  They’re not wrong.  It is almost impossible to do or become something that you can’t even imagine.  However, imagining, like faking, isn’t enough by itself.  There is still the small matter of doing. When you’re still trying to sort out how to do what you need to, it can be a challenge to figure out how to do what you want to or what you’re supposed to.  Some of you are faking it right now.  You’re faking doing well in your classes or at work.  You’re faking feeling ok. You’re faking bravery.  You’re faking not being overwhelmed by the world you find yourself trying to navigate. You’ve mastered plastering on that smile that doesn’t quite reach your eyes and muttering some version of I’m ok whenever you’re asked.  I get it.  I have done it too.  Sometimes I still do.  Anyone that knows me knows that my response to any version of how am I doing is almost always living the dream.  And I am. Even if it is not as dreamy as other people’s seem to be, or even what someone else would consider a dream.  My rationale is simple, my life, my dream, period. I am where I’m supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to do.  If or when I decide the dream is doing something else, then it will be time to do just that. Jenifer Lewis said something in a recent interview for her new book. “If someone is not willing to die for you, why would you ever live for them?  Find your own way.” I am always open to feedback, even critical feedback on improving my dream from people genuinely trying to help me be better.  Everyone else can miss me with their “advice.”

“What is important is to believe in something so strongly that you’re never discouraged.” – Salma Hayek

“One of the greatest things you have in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You’re the one who’ll decide what you want to be. Respect yourself and respect the integrity of others as well. The greatest thing you have is your self-image, a positive opinion of yourself. You must never let anyone take it from you.” – Jaime Escalante

“Life's journey - it unfolds for you as you are ready for it.” RuPaul

So now that we’ve cleared that up, now what.  You’re midway through the semester and it is either going great, going alright, or sucking.  There are some shades in between those three, but they about sum it up.  If it is going great, great.  Keep it up.  If it is just going alright, that’s ok.  Let’s figure out how to change things up to finish strong.  If it sucks, believe it or not, that is ok too.  All that means is you need support not now but right now. What you’re doing has not been working, sometimes despite your best efforts. Doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It just means you need some help finding a different approach.  Seek the help and be open to the support that is offered.  It is also important to note that it is all contextual. Things could be going great in one aspect and completely sucking in another. That, beloved, is life.  It is never perfect, but we are each perfectly suited for it.  No matter which category you find yourself feeling, you can make it.  It will take work, it will take discipline, it will take energy that you may not feel like you have to give.  That’s fine, reset, reenergize, reengage.  You can make it to… well that is up to you.  Do me a favor though, don’t make the dream getting one yard (it is football season lol). Make the dream the end zone then strive to get there whether all at once or one yard at a time.  You can fake it for now, just not forever.  Keep working on you to become the you of your dreams.

“I believe in destiny. But I also believe that you can’t just sit back and let destiny happen. A lot of times, an opportunity might fall into your lap, but you have to be ready for that opportunity. You can’t sit there waiting on it. A lot of times you are going to have to get out there and make it happen.” — Spike Lee 

“Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez

“Discipline is not a dirty word. There is far more freedom and opportunity for creativity and success in enjoying discipline. Years ago, someone I very much respect told me the reason they were successful is that they embraced doing what other people resent or are reluctant to do.” — Janice Bryant Howroyd 

What are we asking you to do?

1.     Know that fantasy is always fantastic. Don’t use other people’s highlight reels or apparent successes as your benchmark for making it.  Celebrate them, don’t envy them, and keep doing you.

2.     Your struggles may not be your fault, but they are your responsibility. Identify external barriers and find ways over, around, or through them.  If you need help getting past them, we’re here.

3.     Change it up. If one approach isn’t working, try another.

4.     Celebrate your accomplishments. When you hit a goal no matter how small, make the time to celebrate. You’ve earned it. Then get back to work.

5.     Grow your goals. As you approach one goal, set another. Keep giving yourself things to strive for.

6.     Take care of YOU.  The world has reopened, but that doesn’t mean it feels or is safe.  As you move, take care of your whole self in real and tangible ways.  If you need help, get help.  If you need help finding help, just say something, we are here for you.

7.     Take care of your business.  You are here to get your degree.  Life requires balance for sure but keep the main thing the main thing.  You have persevered through pandemic, campus closure, zoom, all of it.  Keep that same energy and get this done.  The world needs to see the brilliance you have to offer.

Now go be great!

Greetings McNair Family & Supporters, 

With great joy, I announce the exciting news that we, THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY (UMBC), have been selected to receive funding under the RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM! That's right, UMBC McNair is officially grant-funded through the Department of Education for 2022-2027!

I want to thank our staff team (Corris, Antoinette, and Ray), who often worked off the clock to assist in writing the grant proposal. This grant submission was a team effort, and I am grateful to each of them for their contributions! Just as importantly, we thank you, our scholars, Friends of McNair,  alums, mentors, and Community of Supporters, because your lived experiences and unwavering contributions provided the framework for our funded grant proposal.  

Receiving this news at the start of our 30th-anniversary celebration is highly moving. When I received the news, I immediately called the past directors, Corris Davis and Cynthia Hill, because I know we stand on their shoulders.  Let me share with you some highlights of our scholars' achievements. Of our 331 UMBC McNair grads:

• 143 have Master's Degrees
• 58 have a doctorate
• 32 of those are research-based doctorates

This is only the surface of the story!

The work does not stop here! For the past two years, we have been working on expanding our program and our support of First Gen students across campus. We are still looking for partnership opportunities and additional funding to bolster the admirable goals of our scholars. For example, our staff salaries (director and coordinator) are fully funded through the grant. Thus, we have

budget constraints in assisting our scholars and Friends of McNair (those being recruited to the program). Our annual conference helps to bring in additional funds, but it is not a consistent profit-generating effort. 

I don't want us to be in the position where, for whatever reason, the federal government decides not to fund our program, and then The UMBC McNair Scholar Program ceases to exist. Thus, our McNair Advisory Council [LINK] will be exploring ways to seek support for institutionalizing McNair at UMBC. If you have suggestions or resources that can help with this endeavor, please reach out to us. 

Whenever I meet with a scholar or one of our Friends of McNair, I know that my living is not in vain and that McNair is indeed a worthy cause! Under my leadership, the UMBC McNair program seeks to dismantle systems that limit our scholars' opportunities to thrive while achieving their goals. I write this message to all us as a call to celebrate and rise to the challenge to continue seeking ways to create and maintain a community of inclusive excellence and opportunities for all our students from historically excluded populations! 

The songwriter said best: "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."  Your living is not in vain!  Thank you for being an integral part of the success of the UMBC McNair Scholars Program!

 #TRIOWORKS

Peace & Blessings, 

Michael A. Hunt, Program Director

UMBC McNair Scholars Program

Cords are available for First-Gen Students to pick up between May 3 and May 20th from the following locations:

Tuesday, May 3rd, 10th, and 17th: Math/Psych 007 (Office of Academic Opportunity Programs), 9 am  - 4 pm.  

Wednesday, May 18th, 1 - 3 pm: Sports Zone in the Commons

Friday, May 6th, 13th, and 20th: LSAMP Lounge (ILSB 237), 12 noon - 4 pm