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: Alex Lee
Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is my 3rd semester here at UMBC.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: I am a member of the Leadership Development Team in SGA, a STRiVER, Representative of Taiwanese Student Association, STRiVE 2012-2013 coach, and Tour Guide of the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Friend, Listener, and Brother. I love helping people in any way possible.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: The great thing about UMBC is that it is so diverse. Not is it only diverse in ethnicity, culture and religion, but it is also diverse in unique personalities, backgrounds and experiences.
Being a Tour Guide at UMBC gives me the opportunity to engage with other potential students and their parents from all different walks of life. These students are different in their own ways, coming to these tours with their own perspectives on what college really is. It is a great feeling when at the beginning of a tour students may be against or not sure if they like UMBC, but by the end of the tour both the students and parents are in love with the school. Its such a great feeling knowing that you made a difference in changing the minds of these students in coming to UMBC. Knowing that I am able to make a difference on campus as well as meeting new people, learning new things and having fun while doing it is the best feeling ever.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: I think the most memorable as well as life changing experience for me at UMBC has to be going to STRiVE. STRiVE in a nutshell is a Winter Leadership retreat where the participants hone leadership skills, develop campus and social change projects, build community and have a lot fun. The activities will keep you engaged, and you'll emerge feeling confident, inspired and connected. STRiVE was an amazing experience because not only did I meet some amazing people who I truly can call my friends, but I have grown in so many ways.
Before STRiVE and even before college, I was a shyer more reserved type of person. I was anxious to voice my opinion let alone going out of my comfort zone. It seemed like I had reached an epiphany moment in my life during and after STRiVE. I became so much more motivated to get involved, my confidence in every aspect had increased ten fold, along with my better refined social skills. Not only had I changed for the better as a person, but I was doing actual things on campus where it made a big difference. I started to join clubs/student organizations on campus, and even holding executive positions in them. I met so many new people and really started to enjoy college.
I think STRiVE was a great experience and a great segway to help people find themselves. It gave people a chance to grow, and use that growth to help others develop their life skills. STRiVE was the gateway for me to loving UMBC even more.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Learning new things, trying new things, constructive criticism and BUNNIES
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: UMBC squirrels are infamous. They are so cute and entertaining to watch, one time I was walking to class and I saw a squirrel holding an entire muffin just nibbling on it.
I spent a lot of my time in the SGA Office and the Student Organization Space. Its a great place to just hang out, eat and do work. The 7th floor of the library is nice, especially when its empty and they have the big round tables up. There is so much to UMBC, and its so hard to name a few of the countless exciting and interesting things about UMBC. I'm just glad to be part of this great community.
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.
