Real People Profiles: Ganesh Mysore We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Ganesh Mysore

Hometown: Clarksville, MD

Major: B.S. in Chemical Engineering and B.A. in Political Science

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: I have been at UMBC since Fall 2011.

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: I am currently serving as the Student Government Association Coordinator for Prove It!

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: I work with other students to make UMBC a better place.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: The best part of my work on campus is my interaction with other students. I love hearing about their ideas to take ownership of UMBC to make it a better community. I enjoy helping students engage in projects that they care about, becoming leaders in their own right.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: The most important thing I've learned at UMBC is that it is most fulfilling to do things with authenticity. Most people see this idea by the fact that we are a population of students who are delighted by our collective nerdiness. UMBC has taught me to seek out the things that I care about and work towards those goals regardless of external pressures to put my efforts elsewhere.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Cheesy action movies!

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: I like how Academic Row has three levels. From the highest level (near the PAHB), you can actually see all the way down to the Quad. Other interesting parts of campus in that vicinity include the amphitheaters behind the Admin and Fine Arts buildings. They are quiet places to go at night.

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.
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UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but where is it, and why? Let us know by email at CoCreateUMBC@umbc.edu. Bonus points for sending a photo of yourself with the treasure/oddity by email, or to the Co-Create UMBC Facebook page, or on Twitter (#PicUMBC). The prize for being the first to identify the location of the treasure/oddity correctly (and specifically): You'll be celebrated in the next PicUMBC post.

PicUMBC #3, Revisited:



Several people, including Jay Hong, Verna Van and Sam Spehr, recognized this as part of the patio behind (and mostly above) the Meyerhoff Hall lecture hall:



Valerie Parks, Ganesh Mysore, Meghan Carpenter and Melissa Hom (the photographer) earned bonus points by sending a photo:



But the winners are Lisa Dang and John Malloy, who were first with the correct response. That makes them the first two-time PicUMBC winners!




Congratulations to Lisa and John. Who's next?

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.  ]]> by David Hoffman and Craig Berger UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but where is it, and why? Let us know by email at... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/picumbc-4-color-code.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41251/guest@my.umbc.edu/cfdb6f084ad1a088f7acbda9a02c01fe/api/pixel picumbc Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 11 0 false Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:18:00 -0500 Real People Profiles: Breana Echols We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Breana Echols

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Major: Political Science


Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my second semester at UMBC.

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Member of SGA and (seb) committee, and Communications Director of the Resident Student Association.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: I try to improve student engagement and student life on campus.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I mostly enjoy the variety of new people that I am constantly meeting as I participated in different activities with the organizations that I am involved in.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: Though I often love getting involved in many activities I was at first afraid that as a freshman I wouldn't have many opportunities to become so active. At UMBC I have learned to just go for it and be more confident in my skills.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Pinterest.

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: One of my favorite spots on campus is actually a study lounge in Erickson where I can see all of Erickson field while getting some peace and quiet to study.

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.
]]> We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/real-people-profiles-breana-echols.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41211/guest@my.umbc.edu/418726a699d152065b1fb2358cebae6b/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 54 10 true Mon, 10 Feb 2014 18:56:00 -0500 Best Course at UMBC by Craig Berger

As the student shared their thought regarding the day's assigned reading, I looked to the left, watching the professor begin to smile and nod. "Your point is discerning. It makes me think about..." the professor continued, spontaneously using the student's contribution to frame a question for the class, aimed at moving the discussion forward.

As a sophomore in college, I remember feeling surprised after attending the first few classes in this course (American Political Thought). Questions began to form in my head: Why doesn't the professor use the chalkboard? Why are we all sitting in a square, including the professor? Why isn't the professor looking at his notes? How does the professor know that we are going to say the things we need to say so that we know the stuff we're supposed to know? And why does he want us to call him "Bruce" instead of "Professor Smith"?

As the course went on, though, my experience answered these questions. I realized I was paying more attention not only because I was actually learning about the course content and understanding the reading material, but also because I felt more engaged; as the weeks passed, I was realizing that anything could happen in any given class session--it was up to us. The spontaneity of the discussion led me to read and listen better. And it also made me respect Bruce that much more. While I first wondered if he relied so much on student discussion because he didn't know the material that well himself, I recognized at the end of the course that he was able to center his course on student participation because he knew the content so well.

When I think about the style of the course, my engagement in it, and what I learned, I believe it is the best course I experienced. I also recognize that I probably have this opinion because of my own strengths and skills. As someone who enjoys thinking about big questions, reflecting, reading, and writing, it's not surprising to me that I valued this experience so much. 

If you're a UMBC student now, what's the best course you've taken here? What made it so great? And if you're not a student at UMBC, what's the best class you've experienced, and why? Leave a comment below.

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.

 ]]> by Craig Berger As the student shared their thought regarding the day's assigned reading, I looked to the left, watching the professor begin to smile and nod. "Your point is discerning. It makes... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/best-course-at-umbc.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41171/guest@my.umbc.edu/160f055058c4c742bd3806b9f063007e/api/pixel craigs-personal-stories thought-experiments Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 41 28 true Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:25:00 -0500 PicUMBC #3: On What Does This Light Shine? by David Hoffman and Craig Berger


UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but where is it?

Instead of replying with a comment here (we finally got wise and turned off the comments so this will remain a mystery), send us an email at CoCreateUMBC@umbc.edu. Bonus points for sending a photo of yourself with the treasure/oddity by email, or to the Co-Create UMBC Facebook page, or on Twitter (#PicUMBC). The prize for being the first to identify the location of the treasure/oddity correctly (and specifically): You'll be celebrated in the next PicUMBC post.

PicUMBC #2, Revisited:


As Caroline Zellhofer told us in record time, this is a detail from a poster in the AOK Library leisure reading room. The poster depicts Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And the creature in the jar? That's Mr. Hyde, corked up for the moment.



Congratulations to Caroline. Who's next?

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.  ]]> by David Hoffman and Craig Berger UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but where is it? Instead of replying with a comment here (we... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/picumbc-3-on-what-does-this-light-shine.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41160/guest@my.umbc.edu/29ec5fe0f0706e181035fdd59ee63f60/api/pixel picumbc Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 16 0 false Sat, 08 Feb 2014 18:29:00 -0500 Run for SGA 2014-2015: Application Open NOW by Craig Berger

In 6 weeks, the UMBC Student Government Association's (SGA's) Election Board will have collected a list of names who made the decision to run for office in UMBC's nationally-recognized SGA. Will your name be on that list?

The process begins now.

Each spring (in 2014, Monday, April 21--Wednesday, April 23), the undergraduate student body at UMBC elects students to 20 positions.  You choose 11 Senators, 5 Finance Board Representatives, a Vice President for Student Organizations, a Treasurer, an Executive Vice President, and a President.  Each of these positions within SGA presents a terrific opportunity to make a difference on campus and beyond.  Please know that no experience is mandatory to apply for a position--participants receive training and guidance as they identify campus problems, bring members of our campus community together, and improve the quality of life of all UMBC undergraduates.

Starting now, the Election Board is launching this website to provide you with as much information as possible on the process of running for a position within SGA. In order to run for office, you must complete a candidate application with some basic information about who you are and why you want to run.  All applications will be due before Spring Break, on Friday, March 14th at 5:00 p.m.

After Spring Break, all eligible candidates will receive more information via e-mail regarding next steps, including campaigning. In addition to containing a candidate application, the site has information about the structure of SGA, available positions, eligibility requirements, and more.  The Election Board plans to update the site with posts about information sessions, deadlines, and other resources.

I first ran for a student government position in 4th Grade and have always been associated with it, no matter where I have been in my educational journey.  What I like about UMBC's SGA is its unique emphasis on using community members' gifts, energy, and relationships to create a platform for both amazing, community-changing successes and useful failures.  It takes courage to make yourself vulnerable and to put your name and ideas in front of your peers, but I see so many students who take that risk and never look back, exploring a passion, finding a friendship, and identifying a sense of agency they never knew existed. At the very least, SGA will make you see and think about things differently.

So check out the application, and if you have questions, contact me at berger@umbc.edu.  I’ve been advising UMBC’s SGA for two and a half years, and each day I become more and more inspired by all that committed, courageous students can learn and accomplish together.


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.

 ]]> by Craig Berger In 6 weeks, the UMBC Student Government Association's (SGA's) Election Board will have collected a list of names who made the decision to run for office in UMBC's... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/run-for-sga-2014-2015-application-open.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41080/guest@my.umbc.edu/764b5d3b140dd4f1c4e3d80fadc1781f/api/pixel sga-election Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 33 2 true Thu, 06 Feb 2014 10:51:00 -0500 Thu, 06 Feb 2014 10:51:00 -0500 Real People Profiles: Nathan Incognito We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.


Name: Nathan Incognito

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Major: Biological Sciences

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my sophomore year at UMBC

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: I am a resident assistant in Harbor Hall (HH!), 2014 STRiVER, RSA Representative, Ultimate athlete, SGA member (aren't we all?!), Rebuilding Manhood grad, and social activist.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: Advocate
Friend
Ally
Student
RA
Athlete
Artist
Dhall lover

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I LOVE interacting with the different cultures here! The blend of peoples and backgrounds really keeps me attracted to the community. Initiatives from Student Life, the Mosaic Center, Women's center, and student orgs bring together so many talented and unique individuals. Being involved and enthusiastic on campus has afforded me the opportunity to meet a lot of really cool people!

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: Work hard, keep your head up, and branch out! Hard work starts from within and can build on the bonds you form with your peers and mentors. Keep your cool cap off- you'll have a lot more fun!

Don't be afraid to smile and say hi to someone. You can really brighten their day!

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Smiling, sharing stories, eating at True Grit's, frolicking in the Commons, singing, laughing, and spending time with friends.

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: I once shook Freeman's hand and it was magical...
The rock garden is really peaceful and I recommend writing in the journal!
Dr. Sokolove is my hero
HH


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.
]]> We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/real-people-profiles-nathan-incognito.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/41012/guest@my.umbc.edu/3e7676c2a6b8ba01199a9c5af4bd587d/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 75 11 true Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:45:00 -0500 PicUMBC #2: What's in the Glass? by David Hoffman and Craig Berger


UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but what is it, where is it located, and what's in that glass? Tell us in a comment. Bonus points for posting your own creative photo of yourself with the treasure/oddity to the Co-Create UMBC Facebook page or on Twitter (#PicUMBC). The prize for being the first to identify the location of the treasure/oddity correctly (and specifically): You'll be celebrated in the next PicUMBC post, just like the people who correctly identified PicUMBC #1 ...

PicUMBC #1, Revisited:


As Lisa Dang and John Malloy discovered, this person is located on the wall of The Commons' food court, on a sign for "Charlie's Seafood Market," and is carrying a fish:


Congratulations to our first PicUMBC champions. Who's next?

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter. 

 ]]> by David Hoffman and Craig Berger UMBC is full of treasures and oddities hidden in plain view. One of them is pictured above--but what is it, where is it located, and what's in that glass?... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/picumbc-2.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/40971/guest@my.umbc.edu/6be1d7e01608c60c9ffbf6231fdc03a1/api/pixel picumbc Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 17 3 true Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:11:00 -0500 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:11:00 -0500 True Story by David Hoffman

There was a time years ago, in high school and college, when I felt awkward, repulsive and worthless. I had a hard time talking to strangers because I imagined that they must resent me for taking up their time and space, and for the shame of being seen with me. The harshness with which I judged myself was not particularly rational, but so what? It was how I felt, and felt, and felt.

I did well in my classes and got elected to a couple of leadership positions, and those achievements became the basis for the story I started to tell myself to make myself less miserable. The achievements were just performances, but I began to imagine that they embodied my hidden worth. I maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, and each exam became a test of the new story I was telling myself, on which everything now hinged. 

I think a lot of us experience some version of what I did back then, albeit unconsciously. We tell ourselves stories that tie our worth to our performances, and then feel like imposters, vulnerable to being exposed if a performance slips. I think a lot of self-destructive or otherwise inexplicable behavior comes from that kind of thinking: Sticking with a major we don’t like in order to hold on to an image of ourselves as an achiever or a dutiful son or daughter; bullying others in order to cling to a sense of ourselves as strong and respected. When I was working in nonprofit organizations before coming to UMBC, I met some people who clung so hard to visions of themselves as altruistic heroes that they were not open to questioning the effectiveness or impact of their efforts. In state and national elections, many people seem to cast their votes for the candidates who affirm the stories they are already telling themselves about their own identities and worth, and feel unreasoning hatred toward the candidates who call those stories into question.

There is another way to live: With authenticity, humility and openness, and a bedrock understanding that our intrinsic worth does not depend on meeting our marks in some grandiose performance. But how can one achieve that kind of perspective? I can’t say I know for certain or for everyone, but what made all the difference for me, as I became more whole and real over the years, and grew to be less afraid, were environments in which I could lower my guard and be myself: vulnerable and incomplete, and yet powerful and valuable, all at the same time. It happened in the context of close friendships; during vacations and other timeouts from my everyday circumstances; and in the context of collaborative projects in which my contributions blended with others, each input necessary but insufficient on its own, in which the whole exceeded the sum of the parts.

A part of what I find so wonderful and compelling about UMBC is that we seem to do well at creating environments in which it’s possible to be real: to write a new story of self that isn’t just about performances. One of the many places that happens is at STRiVE, the week-long student leadership retreat hosted by Student Life and SGA. At the latest STRiVE, over the winter break, 61 people who had mostly been strangers to each other rapidly created a community in which the participants and coaches alike could explore their talents, discover shared passions, and give and receive honest feedback. I love that at UMBC we define leadership partly as the skill and commitment to co-create just that kind of community.

Where are you finding the thread of your own real story at UMBC? Let’s keep helping each other discover and experience our value beyond performances, by sharing and co-creating spaces that set us free.

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.  ]]> by David Hoffman There was a time years ago, in high school and college, when I felt awkward, repulsive and worthless. I had a hard time talking to strangers because I imagined that they must... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2014/02/true-story.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/40897/guest@my.umbc.edu/d2e449f4334f97d3d18bf08c4a65e231/api/pixel campus-culture davids-personal-stories leadership-education self-worth strive Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 59 7 true Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:50:00 -0500 Scenes from Involvement Fest (PHOTOS) by David Hoffman

This semester's Involvement Fest (1/29, The Commons) had a Baltimore theme: Crab chips, Berger cookies, Orioles and Ravens. On a frosty day, The Commons was packed with organizations and students wanting to join them.

These photos were taken for Student Life by Blair Connoly and Dina Trembisky.















































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. 




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