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’re talking with Chella Passante, who manages our Phonathon call center.

Name: Chella Passante

Job Title: Program Center Manager, Phonathon

Focus Area: Fundraising for different departments here on campus

Years at UMBC: I’ve been here since October, so almost a year.

Where are you from? Originally I was born in New York, but I grew up in [a small town called] Talent, Oregon.

What do you love the most about UMBC? I really love the diversity [and] how everyone embraces it here. There’s always events going on, and we’re really diverse here in the call center as well. I’ve learned a lot about many different cultures, different foods, different religions, and I really love it.

What’s your favorite thing about your job? Getting to work with students…just being able to have them ask me certain questions, and trying to guide them or give them good advice. I’ve been there. I’ve been a senior in college, stressing, and [I try] to give them tips and support to help them be successful and move on to better things.

Who do you admire the most and why? I admire my mom the most, because she was always able to get everything accomplished, regardless of what was put in front of her. I definitely strive to be like her.

What is the best book you’ve read recently? I re-read The Kite Runner about three weeks ago…I haven’t read it since high school, and I forgot how well-written that book was and how many emotions it can bring out of you.

Check out more Q&A’s with our advancement staff here!

Our UMBC Phonathon student callers are a vital part of our organization. We recently asked a few of our graduating seniors–who are now some of our newest alumni–to tell us what they loved most about UMBC and where they’re going next!

 “I have grown to appreciate UMBC because of its small size. Here at UMBC I have made many personal and professional connections that I attribute to the close-knit community.” ~Bernadette Amihere ’15

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“There are some awesome professors at this university who educate like it’s their passion, not their job.” ~Dan Armstrong

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“I hope to find a great-paying job that I enjoy doing and that involves solving environmental issues.” ~Kara Lopez

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“I plan on going to graduate school to obtain a Masters in Public Health and a focus on Epidemiology.” ~Jessica Aname

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 Shannon, class of 2016.

Shannon is from Montgomery County, MD, and is working toward a degree in political science with a minor in psychology. We sat down with Shannon to get to know her a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC?

A: I chose UMBC because I believe it is an academically strong campus. Also, when I visited for the first time I automatically fell in love with the campus and believed that I could really see myself being a part of the UMBC community.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: Outside of class I take advantage of many activities UMBC has to offer. One thing offered is volunteering opportunities such as BARCS. BARCS is an animal shelter located in Baltimore and I try to visit as much as I can on Sundays. I really enjoy being able to get away from schoolwork and being able to relax by walking/playing with dogs. I also enjoy the fact that I am helping bettering an animal’s life.

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

A: What I like best about being a student caller is talking with alumni and listening to their experiences here at UMBC. A lot has changed since some alumni have graduated and updating them on how much our campus has improved makes me proud to go to school here.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: Hopefully, I plan to continue on to law school and become a lawyer.

Q: What do you enjoy most now that you’re here?

A: I very much enjoy our school spirit and sense of community. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming and I feel right at home here.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!

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 Shannon, class of 2016.

Shannon is from Montgomery County, MD, and is working toward a degree in political science with a minor in psychology. We sat down with Shannon to get to know her a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC?

A: I chose UMBC because I believe it is an academically strong campus. Also, when I visited for the first time I automatically fell in love with the campus and believed that I could really see myself being a part of the UMBC community.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: Outside of class I take advantage of many activities UMBC has to offer. One thing offered is volunteering opportunities such as BARCS. BARCS is an animal shelter located in Baltimore and I try to visit as much as I can on Sundays. I really enjoy being able to get away from schoolwork and being able to relax by walking/playing with dogs. I also enjoy the fact that I am helping bettering an animal’s life.

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

A: What I like best about being a student caller is talking with alumni and listening to their experiences here at UMBC. A lot has changed since some alumni have graduated and updating them on how much our campus has improved makes me proud to go to school here.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: Hopefully, I plan to continue on to law school and become a lawyer.

Q: What do you enjoy most now that you’re here?

A: I very much enjoy our school spirit and sense of community. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming and I feel right at home here.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!

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!

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!

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 Logan Wern, the Phonathon Coordinator.

Name: Logan Wern
Job Title: Phonathon Coordinator
Focus Area: I manage our call center, where current students are employed to call alumni, update their records and fundraise for UMBC.
Years at UMBC: About 1.5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: North Canton, Ohio. O-H!

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: The unique culture — learning is cool. Being “nerdy” is cool. I love that.

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

A: The students! I am lucky to work with students every day. Their enthusiasm for learning and life in general always inspires me.

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

A: Just look around. I haven’t been here long, but I know how much UMBC has grown and improved over the years. This wouldn’t be possible without support from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, the community, and friends of the university.

Q: What is a recent book you’ve read?

A: Gone Girl. Bizarre, but good.

Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?

A: Couples figure skating. I took ballet lessons for many years, so there are some similarities. Couples skating is mesmerizing — the way two people move so seamlessly and gracefully.

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: My parents. They have been happily married for 27 years, which is amazing in itself. Individually, I admire my mom for her selflessness and my dad for his wisdom. I look up to them a lot.

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 Logan Wern, the Phonathon Coordinator.

Name: Logan Wern
Job Title: Phonathon Coordinator
Focus Area: I manage our call center, where current students are employed to call alumni, update their records and fundraise for UMBC.
Years at UMBC: About 1.5

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: North Canton, Ohio. O-H!

Q: What do you love most about UMBC?

A: The unique culture — learning is cool. Being “nerdy” is cool. I love that.

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

A: The students! I am lucky to work with students every day. Their enthusiasm for learning and life in general always inspires me.

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

A: Just look around. I haven’t been here long, but I know how much UMBC has grown and improved over the years. This wouldn’t be possible without support from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, the community, and friends of the university.

Q: What is a recent book you’ve read?

A: Gone Girl. Bizarre, but good.

Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?

A: Couples figure skating. I took ballet lessons for many years, so there are some similarities. Couples skating is mesmerizing — the way two people move so seamlessly and gracefully.

Q: Who do you admire and why?

A: My parents. They have been happily married for 27 years, which is amazing in itself. Individually, I admire my mom for her selflessness and my dad for his wisdom. I look up to them a lot.

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 Tauqir, class of 2016.

Tauqir is from Owings Mills, MD and is working toward his degree in biology and Psychology. We sat down with Tauqir to get to know him a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC? What do you enjoy most now that you’re here?

A: [UMBC] had a wonderful pre-med program and I particularly love the diversity on campus.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: When I’m not calling at UMBC Phonathon, I enjoy playing badminton, reading, socializing with friends, and spending time with my family.

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

A: I love being able to talk to a wide variety of alumni and hearing about their experience at UMBC. It is also very interesting to hear about how the campus has changed throughout the years.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I plan on going to medical school, focusing on neuroscience and ultimately practicing neurosurgery. Eventually I want to study autism in children and how the brain is affected.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!

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 Tauqir, class of 2016.

Tauqir is from Owings Mills, MD and is working toward his degree in biology and Psychology. We sat down with Tauqir to get to know him a little better and here’s what we learned:

Q: Why did you choose to come to UMBC? What do you enjoy most now that you’re here?

A: [UMBC] had a wonderful pre-med program and I particularly love the diversity on campus.

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of class?

A: When I’m not calling at UMBC Phonathon, I enjoy playing badminton, reading, socializing with friends, and spending time with my family.

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

A: I love being able to talk to a wide variety of alumni and hearing about their experience at UMBC. It is also very interesting to hear about how the campus has changed throughout the years.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I plan on going to medical school, focusing on neuroscience and ultimately practicing neurosurgery. Eventually I want to study autism in children and how the brain is affected.

Learn more about the UMBC Phonathon!