The Thanksgiving leftovers have dwindled away and many of us have put a significant dent in our holiday shopping lists, having bustled through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Three years ago, Giving Tuesday was established to encourage us to to break away from the consumerism and chaos that has swallowed up our holiday season and return to a spirit of giving.

This year, there are a number of great causes to consider at UMBC for Giving Tuesday. Your commitment truly is a gift that will keep on giving, and our communities will benefit from the great work of the students this spring.

Support UMBC Students on #GivingTuesday!

Here in the Office of Institutional Advancement, we are always working hard to support the university and connect our donors with causes they care most about. We would like to introduce our donors — to whom we are so grateful — to the people who help make those things happen. Today, we’ll be hearing from Allison Jones, the Associate Director of Corporate Relations.

Name: Allison Jones
Job Title: Associate Director of Corporate Relations
Focus Area: I cultivate holistic and high-value relationships between UMBC and corporations.
Years at UMBC: 5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: Towaco, NJ

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: A strong work ethic is vital to a successful workplace and nearly everyone I encounter at UMBC produces top notch work, not just the bare minimum. I really appreciate this quality in my colleagues.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

A: No one day is the same. Every corporate partnership evolves differently, so I have to constantly be thinking about unique and customized opportunities to engage my donors, all of whom have different goals and needs.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?

A: UMBC is doing amazing things: cutting-edge research, growing a pipeline of talented students who will be among the next generation of our country’s leaders and piloting innovative educational initiatives. The only way we can continue to do this critical work is through the support of our generous donors.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Well, I am from NJ, so I would have to say pizza. Of course, I am from NJ, so I am extremely picky about my pizza.

Q: When you were a child, what/who did you aspire to be?

A: I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to line up my dolls and give them a daily lesson. I can’t wait until I can start helping my kids with their homework.

Here in the Office of Institutional Advancement, we are always working hard to support the university and connect our donors with causes they care most about. We would like to introduce our donors — to whom we are so grateful — to the people who help make those things happen. Today, we’ll be hearing from Allison Jones, the Associate Director of Corporate Relations.

Name: Allison Jones
Job Title: Associate Director of Corporate Relations
Focus Area: I cultivate holistic and high-value relationships between UMBC and corporations.
Years at UMBC: 5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: Towaco, NJ

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: A strong work ethic is vital to a successful workplace and nearly everyone I encounter at UMBC produces top notch work, not just the bare minimum. I really appreciate this quality in my colleagues.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

A: No one day is the same. Every corporate partnership evolves differently, so I have to constantly be thinking about unique and customized opportunities to engage my donors, all of whom have different goals and needs.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support UMBC?

A: UMBC is doing amazing things: cutting-edge research, growing a pipeline of talented students who will be among the next generation of our country’s leaders and piloting innovative educational initiatives. The only way we can continue to do this critical work is through the support of our generous donors.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Well, I am from NJ, so I would have to say pizza. Of course, I am from NJ, so I am extremely picky about my pizza.

Q: When you were a child, what/who did you aspire to be?

A: I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to line up my dolls and give them a daily lesson. I can’t wait until I can start helping my kids with their homework.

At UMBC, we’re busy celebrating the men’s soccer team and their America East Championship win over Hartford. This sets the Retrievers on the road to the NCAA tournament–their fourth tournament bid in five years.

The team is truly a “Fan Favorite” and Retriever Fever is catching across campus, from the dedicated supporters of Lot 17 to faculty and staff. In fact, The Baltimore Sun  reported that at the end of the America East Championship game, “UMBC fans and students stormed the field and celebrated with the players at midfield.”

The men’s soccer team is in Wake Forest today for the first round of the NCAA tournament–along with a bus full of dedicated supporters–in hopes of continuing their winning streak.

Do you have Retriever Fever? Support the team on the road to victory!

At UMBC, we’re busy celebrating the men’s soccer team and their America East Championship win over Hartford. This sets the Retrievers on the road to the NCAA tournament–their fourth tournament bid in five years.

The team is truly a “Fan Favorite” and Retriever Fever is catching across campus, from the dedicated supporters of Lot 17 to faculty and staff. In fact, The Baltimore Sun  reported that at the end of the America East Championship game, “UMBC fans and students stormed the field and celebrated with the players at midfield.”

The men’s soccer team is in Wake Forest today for the first round of the NCAA tournament–along with a bus full of dedicated supporters–in hopes of continuing their winning streak.

Do you have Retriever Fever? Support the team on the road to victory!

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Ariana Seidman ‘17, music performance, who is an Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship and Linehan Artist Scholarship recipient. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who is a child or grandchild of a UMBC graduate, with great community involvement.

Name: Ariana Seidman
Major: Music Performance (Vocal Emphasis)
Extra Curricular Activities: UMBC Stilettos and Musical Theater Club
Scholarships received: Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship and Linehan Artist Scholar

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
I liked the warm and welcoming music department and the benefits of the Linehan Artists Scholars program. Additionally, my father and older sister attended UMBC and had great experiences.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
I have been amazed by the students at UMBC and the friendships I have made. I love the diversity of the student population and the sense of community throughout the university.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
I have loved being a part of the Stilettos (UMBC’s all-female a cappella group). The a cappella environment is very friendly at UMBC and all the groups are very supportive of each other. I look forward to leading the Stilettos as music director this year.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
It is very important to me to receive scholarship support. After graduation I hope to continue my education in graduate school, so support now can help me to go further later.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I was very proud to be elected Music Director of the Stilettos. It is a position with a lot of responsibility and I’m flattered that the members trust me to do the job.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
I would thank them repeatedly for supporting my education and allowing me to continue to study what I love both now and in the future.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to continue on to graduate school to study music therapy, speech therapy/pathology, or vocal pedagogy.

Support UMBC’s scholarships today!

Every so often, we highlight the importance of student scholarships by introducing you to the very students they help to succeed. Today, we’re featuring Ariana Seidman ‘17, music performance, who is an Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship and Linehan Artist Scholarship recipient. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who is a child or grandchild of a UMBC graduate, with great community involvement.

Name: Ariana Seidman
Major: Music Performance (Vocal Emphasis)
Extra Curricular Activities: UMBC Stilettos and Musical Theater Club
Scholarships received: Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship and Linehan Artist Scholar

Q: Why did you decide to attend UMBC?
I liked the warm and welcoming music department and the benefits of the Linehan Artists Scholars program. Additionally, my father and older sister attended UMBC and had great experiences.

Q: What’s been the most amazing discovery you’ve made so far as a student here?
I have been amazed by the students at UMBC and the friendships I have made. I love the diversity of the student population and the sense of community throughout the university.

Q: Tell us about a class or club that has really opened your mind.
I have loved being a part of the Stilettos (UMBC’s all-female a cappella group). The a cappella environment is very friendly at UMBC and all the groups are very supportive of each other. I look forward to leading the Stilettos as music director this year.

Q: How important is it to you as a student to get scholarship support?
It is very important to me to receive scholarship support. After graduation I hope to continue my education in graduate school, so support now can help me to go further later.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at UMBC?
I was very proud to be elected Music Director of the Stilettos. It is a position with a lot of responsibility and I’m flattered that the members trust me to do the job.

Q: What would you say to the people who provided your scholarship?
I would thank them repeatedly for supporting my education and allowing me to continue to study what I love both now and in the future.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to continue on to graduate school to study music therapy, speech therapy/pathology, or vocal pedagogy.

Support UMBC’s scholarships today!

UMBC students understand the importance of charitable engagement and giving back: they know that making a difference in the lives of others is what makes the world go around. That’s why we’re celebrating our students and our community on National Philanthropy Day. This special day is a unique opportunity to acknowledge the importance of giving, volunteering, and charitable engagement to our society and our world.

So, in honor of National Philanthropy Day, UMBC is proud to highlight three student initiatives that are lending a helping hand:

Making connections, building friendship.

Students will spend the week at the ARC of Carroll County, where they’ll get to know and offer support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more and support this project.

Examining the stigma, lending a hand.

Students will make a difference right here in Baltimore as they learn about the experiences and challenges of homelessness and reflect on approaches to addressing the issue through public policy and community action. Learn more and support this project.

Clowning around to change lives.

UMBC students explore alternative healthcare and interact with patients to bring laughter, joy, and creativity as an integral part of the healing process. Learn more and support the project.

 Celebrate National Philanthropy Day and support a student project! 

UMBC students understand the importance of charitable engagement and giving back: they know that making a difference in the lives of others is what makes the world go around. That’s why we’re celebrating our students and our community on National Philanthropy Day. This special day is a unique opportunity to acknowledge the importance of giving, volunteering, and charitable engagement to our society and our world.

So, in honor of National Philanthropy Day, UMBC is proud to highlight three student initiatives that are lending a helping hand:

Making connections, building friendship.

Students will spend the week at the ARC of Carroll County, where they’ll get to know and offer support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more and support this project.

Examining the stigma, lending a hand.

Students will make a difference right here in Baltimore as they learn about the experiences and challenges of homelessness and reflect on approaches to addressing the issue through public policy and community action. Learn more and support this project.

Clowning around to change lives.

UMBC students explore alternative healthcare and interact with patients to bring laughter, joy, and creativity as an integral part of the healing process. Learn more and support the project.

 Celebrate National Philanthropy Day and support a student project! 

Once a month, we’ll profile one of the amazing Phonathon students working in UMBC’s call center. This week, say hello to student caller Callan, class of 2016.

Callan is from Mount Airy, MD, and is working toward her degree in media and communications. We sat down with Callan to get to know her a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC?

I was initially attracted to UMBC because of the size of the campus and the academic reputation.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

I love going to concerts, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Q: What do you like best about being a student caller?

I love being able to get advice from alumni. It’s nice being able to talk to young alumni because I can relate to them, but it’s also really interesting to talk to alumni who graduated years ago because they have so many years of experience. Not only that, but I like hearing about how much UMBC has changed.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

As of now I think I would like to be an event planner, but I am hoping to participate in a few more internships before I graduate to explore other possibilities.

Q: What do you enjoy most about UMBC?

I love the class sizes and the dedication of professors. I have had nothing but positive experiences in my classes, especially those for my major. I like how much attention professors are willing and able to give to me due to the small class sizes. It’s also great to feel like the majority of my classmates are just as interested and excited to be here as I am.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!