Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
When I first started at UMBC, I was in the Pre-Physical Therapy program and hadn’t yet decided on a major. As I immersed myself in different subjects and explored several majors and minors—including Psychology and Public Health—I realized that my interests spanned multiple disciplines and that my true passion was in pursuing Speech Therapy rather than Physical Therapy. During my sophomore year, while taking BIOL 142, Dr. Freeland, the INDS director, introduced our class to the Individualized Study program. At the time, I was majoring in Psychology with minors in Biology and Linguistics, trying to “design” a degree that would allow me to study Communication Sciences and Disorders without transferring schools. After meeting with Ms. Sauter, I quickly confirmed that the INDS program was the perfect fit. This program has allowed me to combine my interests in psychology, allied health, child development, communication studies, and patient-centered care while pursuing my goal of becoming a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. Through INDS, I’ve had the opportunity to refine my research skills, strengthen my writing and public speaking abilities, and develop my professionalism—all with the support of a tight-knit, encouraging faculty community.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I plan to pursue graduate school to earn my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I’m confident that my INDS degree will set me apart as a candidate because it reflects the intentional and interdisciplinary approach I’ve taken towards receiving my education. By designing a program that integrates the fields of Psychology, Linguistics, Biology, and Public Health, I’ve been able to develop a strong foundation that aligns with my career goals. My INDS degree is not just a reflection of my academic interests—it’s evidence of how I’ve taken ownership of my learning journey, demonstrating initiative and commitment to pursuing Speech-Language Pathology in a unique and meaningful way.
Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?
Throughout my time at UMBC, I’ve been actively involved in various organizations and experiences that have enriched my academic and personal growth. I am a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, where I held both an Executive Board position as Membership Recruitment Chair and an Executive Council position in Public Relations for a year. These leadership roles allowed me to develop strong organizational, communication, and team management skills. In addition to my involvement in Greek life, I began conducting research during my junior year with Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner, assisting with data collection for a collaboration between the Baltimore Infants and Toddlers Program (BITP) and the Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CASH) Campaign. Our research findings have been presented at conferences across the country, and we are currently working on publishing a journal article. Beyond campus, I work as an assistant teacher at a preschool, where I gain hands-on experience in child development, and as a technician at Verbal Beginnings, where I am working toward my Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification. These experiences have not only strengthened my academic foundation but also deepened my passion for working with children and pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology.
Katie has been Accepted into the University of Delaware’s Speech-Language Pathology Master's Program! Congrats Katie
For more information on Katie's INDS journey please click here:
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
I graduated high school knowing that I wanted to combine my interests in architecture and meteorology, as well as my academic skills in engineering-related sciences, to major in something similar to architectural engineering. I had no plans on moving out of state, so when I came for freshman orientation at UMBC, I met with Dr. Kenneth Baron to discuss my aspirations, and he advised me to major in INDS to craft my own degree that would incorporate all of these disciplines as none of the existing majors encapsulated my interests fully. It was so interesting to hear that was possible, and I am fortunate to this day to have had that opportunity at UMBC.
Since that day, the INDS department has supported me and helped guide me to refine my degree to include not only architecture, meteorology, and engineering, but also the crucial component of social science, which helps address how to meet communities’ needs when making structures, and the community itself, more resilient. I strongly feel my current comprehensive understanding of the field was only possible because I was able to take an interdisciplinary path through different departments’ courses. The overall experience contributed to my confidence and passion in this field, so I am always excited to talk to others about both my degree and the INDS program overall.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
I originally sought to immediately obtain a Master of Architecture in graduate school, but am now instead planning on working at a location that will assist in paying for graduate school as I want to utilize that degree to assist with licensure and other future career opportunities. In the long term, I aspire to work for either a state or federal agency, such as FEMA, and provide a perspective that better incorporates communities’ needs when preparing them for natural disasters, and especially assisting after disasters, by making the structures and community more resilient.
EXTRACURRICULAR
For more information on Yeva-Kristina's INDS journey please click here:
Indicate any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
I chose to major in INDS because I knew that it would give me the opportunity to learn and study all of my interests while preparing for a degree based on physical therapy. It allowed me to take courses based on children ( as a pediatric physical therapist), fulfill my prerequisite courses for DPT school, and to take some business courses in case I ever want to switch to the business side of physical therapy or run my own practice someday.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I will be attending a Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Marymount University in the fall. I see myself using this degree to remember that physical therapy isn't just about physical needs but mental, social and spiritual needs as well. I plan to utilize this mindset with my patients as a DPT and even during my clinicals (in the DPT program) as I prepare to become a DPT.
EXTRACURRICULAR
For more information on Mia's INDS journey please click here: