The ASPIRE Leadership Academy, starting in September 2025, is designed to cultivate our future leaders by equipping aspiring individuals with essential professional competencies and interpersonal skills needed to effectively lead.

ASPIRE is open to all non-supervisory employees past their probationary period who are eager to take the first step on their leadership journey. We are specifically looking for employees who demonstrate:

• High potential for leadership - Individuals who show initiative, a willingness to learn, and an eagerness to take on new challenges.)

• A commitment to growth -  Those who are actively seeking opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers as faculty and staff

• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills -  Employees who excel in group settings and contribute positively to collective goals.

Program Details and Time Commitment

ASPIRE is a semester-long, cohort-based experience delivered through a mix of engaging in-person instruction and team coaching. It's an intensive program, and a participant's commitment is key to a rich experience. Important information on the time commitment required:

• Class hours: Five 3 hours sessions, every 3 weeks, September through December

• Estimated hours outside of class: Up to 2 in between sessions, for individual and group project work. The program will include a group capstone project that will be case-study based - additional details can be found in the overview.

• Attendance at all sessions is required. Missing more than one session will result in the inability to graduate from the current ASPIRE Leadership Academy. Participants can complete missing sessions in future ASPIRE cohorts and graduate upon completion.

Click here to view more details and application deadlines. 

For additional information and questions, please contact: 

•  Melody Wright, Learning & Development Manager - melodyw@umbc.edu

•  Monique Conelius, OD Consultant - mconeli1@umbc.edu

The new generative AI systems are creating significant disruption in many career areas, including software engineering and computer programming related fields. Many people are concerned that their roles may soon be obsolete. 

According to Dr. Mohammad Samarah, graduate program director of UMBC’s Master’s in Software Engineering program, human professionals are needed more than ever to continue leading humanity forward in these areas.

In this Q&A session, Dr. Samarah shares his insights on the evolving role of software engineers in the age of AI, offering a clear picture of why this field remains both critical and future-forward. Read his comments on the issues and see a video here.

Meet Your Business Services Team

We’re excited to introduce the dedicated Business Services team who support UMBC’s Accounts Payable operations. This group works diligently behind the scenes to ensure the financial engine of our campus keeps running smoothly.

Together, they are responsible for:

• Issuing outgoing payments through PAW

• Preparing and transmitting daily accounting documentation to the State of Maryland

• Distributing incoming invoices to the appropriate departments

• Processing wire transfers requiring state authorization

• Managing interagency payments, also known as R*Stars

Their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy help ensure our vendors are paid on time, our financial records stay in order, and our campus operations continue without disruption.

Now, let’s meet the team:

Linda Rothfus, Manager, Business Services & AP

LSrothfus@umbc.edu

Linda has been a cornerstone of UMBC’s Business Services since 2004. Starting as an Assistant Manager, she quickly demonstrated exceptional leadership and was promoted to Manager in 2006. Known for her positive attitude and nurturing approach, Linda is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every team member can grow and thrive. She prioritizes professional development and encourages continuous learning to keep the team skilled and motivated.

Originally from Lancaster, PA, Linda treasures her family time and enjoys visiting her hometown regularly. She especially values the moments spent with her two grandsons, who inspire her both personally and professionally.

Crystal Hux, Business Services Specialist
crystalh@umbc.edu

Crystal joined the Business Services team on January 2, 2024, and quickly became a go-to expert in the wire transfer and payment request process. Her deep understanding of these complex procedures helps keep UMBC’s financial operations running smoothly. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Crystal plays a key role in training and mentoring the team, supporting ongoing professional development to ensure everyone stays current with evolving practices.

Outside of work, Crystal is a passionate Dungeons & Dragons player and a talented visual artist who brings creativity into everything she does.

Lauren Earnest, Business Services Specialist
laurene2@umbc.edu

Lauren joined the Business Services team in October 2024, bringing with her over five years of prior experience in Accounts Payable. At UMBC, she serves as a key point of contact between departments and Business Services, helping to ensure that incoming invoices are routed accurately and processed efficiently. Her responsiveness and clear communication help keep things moving behind the scenes.

Outside of work, Lauren is an animal lover who adores her dog, Sadie. On weekends, you can often find her bartending—a hobby she enjoys for both the creativity and connection it brings.

Jalen Perkins, Business Services Specialist
jalenp1@umbc.edu

Jalen joined the Business Services team in August 2022 and brings a strong skill set in Excel and PAW. A proud UMBC alum from the Class of 2022, Jalen focuses primarily on vendor outreach—building relationships with major partners to ensure compliance and timely payments. His clear communication and attention to detail make him a vital part of the team’s success.

In his free time, Jalen enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with his beloved cat, Apolo.

Please join us in recognizing the incredible work this team does to keep things running smoothly across our campus. If you have questions related to payments, invoices, or vendor communication—this is the team to know!

Claire McDonald

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: Gerontology

Year: 2nd year Ph.D. Student

What will you be doing in this internship?
I am conducting qualitative research regarding graduate student engagement with the career center.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I'm looking forward to interviewing graduate students and hearing the variety of perspectives that they have to offer.

Any fun summer plans?
Participating in the Enoch Pratt Free Library's summer reading program! I already got my free t-shirt :)

Isabella Rendor

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: Information Systems + Certifications in MCS + UX

Year: Sophomore

What will you be doing in this internship?
I will be creating content for all social media platforms pertaining to the UMBC Career Center's podcast titled UMBC Careers Unleashed!

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I'm most excited to be part of a working team that will provide me time to strengthen my interpersonal skills and teach me new technical skills! I also simply enjoy meeting new people, so all in all I can't wait to meet the team.

Any fun summer plans?
I'm learning web development and graphic design in my free time to develop a portfolio! I'm also dipping back into producing music all while occasionally going out with friends!

Manogna Rayasam

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: Data Science

Year: 2nd year

What will you be doing in this internship?
As a Tableau-certified data science graduate student with a focus on data visualization, I will be working on transforming UMBC’s Career Outcomes data into insightful and actionable dashboards. My responsibilities include designing interactive dashboards, cleaning and validating datasets for consistency and accuracy, and assisting in the migration of historical reports. I will also collaborate with the Career Center team to identify key insights and metrics that support informed decision-making across campus. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to apply my technical skills in a real-world setting and contribute to meaningful institutional reporting.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I’m looking forward to sharpening my Tableau and data analysis skills while working with a collaborative team. I'm especially excited about contributing to projects that have a real impact on student success and learning how data can drive strategy and improvement in higher education settings.

Any fun summer plans?
This summer, I plan to explore new hiking trails nearby, try out a few new vegetarian recipes, and maybe even squeeze in a short trip if time allows. I'm also hoping to catch up on a few personal projects and books I’ve been meaning to read.

Swetha Sree Madan Mohan

Pronouns: She/Her

Major: M.S. Engineering Management

Year: Class of 2026

What will you be doing in this internship?
In this internship, I’ll be helping out with the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the MTIP program running smoothly - things like managing intern and company info, promoting internships on LinkedIn, leading orientation sessions, and helping plan events. I’ll also be working on some cool projects to improve how the program operates and reaches students.

What are you looking forward to the most from this internship?
I’m really looking forward to getting hands-on experience with data tools and communications, and learning how programs like MTIP support students and employers. I’m also excited to connect with new people, be part of networking and hiring events, and contribute to something that helps students like me land great opportunities!

Any fun summer plans?
Along with starting this exciting internship, I am hoping to explore more places this summer along with some weekend hikes, local food spots and definitely chill time by the harbor. And finally of course some time relaxing with friends and along with some painting and crafts.

Also check out our
SECOND ROUND of featured interns.