Hometown: Bowie, MD
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: I have attended UMBC for 6 semesters.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: I am the Coordinator for Leadership Development in SGA. I am also a second year RA, a student assistant at the office of undergraduate admissions, a STRiVE’r, and also a part of Health Leads.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I #EMPOWER and encourage students to find their inner greatness.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: What I enjoy most about my roles on campus is being able to interact with so many people from various walks of life. I have been able to learn about other cultures, different perspectives, and interesting (random) facts! I find it a blessing to be in a culture where diversity is fully accepted and promoted.
I also enjoy the inspiration from other students and faculty. Being apart of SGA and Residential Life, I am fortunate to interact with a multitude of students. Through these interactions, I have been able to see the courageous and noble acts of so many students. What makes UMBC different from other universities is that we have students who do not only seek to excel in their academics, but also want to better their environment. Constantly being around this environment has inspired me to become more involved and active in shaping my environment.
Overall, I truly enjoy working with people who are not like myself and also come from different backgrounds. It truly has shaped the person I am...though I will still always love Beyonce!
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: The most important thing I have learned is broken down into 2 thoughts.
For one, I have learned that everything happens for a reason. I MEAN EVERYTHING! In college, we seek for internal greatness through sports, social activities, and academics and when we don't achieve that, it is seen as a failure. But I have come to the realization that it is not a failure, but just another stone laid for this everlasting journey called, life! Everything that happens not only prepares us for the future, but sometimes open doors which may have never been opened. I have learned to also understand that there is a greater motion occurring, rather than thinking of that singular event.
Second, my college experience (especially at UMBC) has taught me to "keep on trucking" on this road called life. It is important to take each day at a time, while being retrospective of all actions. Taking time out of our busy schedules to enjoy life, and the people in it. It is so easy to lose ourselves in the busyness of our college career, but I learned that all this will fade and the only thing that will last is our memories and experience. So from that, I continually seek to enjoy life, the people in it, the hardships and also the triumphs.
I always say, "we're in college, so lets enjoy this!" It's all about schoolin' life!
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Seeking God, IKEA, Kanye West's music, Love, Friendship, French Fries, Swimming, Beyonce, Inner Peace, Obama, Chipotle, My WONDERFUL Mother...and of course UMBC!
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: The majority of my UMBC stories wouldn't be funny via technology. Just know that I have endured too many awkward situations for my own liking! The best place on campus is on top of the physics building on the patio, the Public Policy lobby, the outdoor pool (only during the summer), and the fifth floor of the Library.
BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.