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: Michelle Seu
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Major: Biology & Interdisciplinary Studies ("Human Aesthetics")
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is the first semester of my fourth year at UMBC
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: It is tempting for me to look back on the past few years and zero in on all the things I could have done differently or even better, but I have learned to not be so hard on myself. I have done many things that I definitely would not have engaged in prior to college, including singing at the ICCAs, conducting scientific research, and running in an SGA election. Through these experiences, many of which were honestly very demanding at the time, I feel that I have become a much stronger, more resilient person.
Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?
A: Last semester, I started volunteering at the Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) through the Shriver Center. I signed up to be a volunteer in the cat units, where my central duty was “socializing” cats. To my pleasant surprise, this volunteer position entailed a lot of petting and playing with the shelter cats, many of which had been surrendered by their owners, found as strays in the streets of Baltimore, or previously neglected by a hoarder. Through my work, I was able to help a lot of the cats become more comfortable around people, and I realized that I actually really like cats (I had always considered myself a fervent “dog person” prior to volunteering here). I am really excited to volunteer here again during the Fall 2015 semester!
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: The first time I ever visited UMBC was in 8th grade (2008) for Maryland History Day. I was there with two other guys presenting research on the Cuban Missile Crisis. I vividly recall drinking coffee in the Commons after the presentation and thinking to myself, “I suppose I could picture myself drinking coffee here as a college student...”
Of course, as fate would have it, I have found myself drinking coffee in the Commons a lot these past few years. And I still love studying history.
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Major: Biology & Interdisciplinary Studies ("Human Aesthetics")
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is the first semester of my fourth year at UMBC
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Currently, I am the Art Editor for Bartleby Creative Arts Journal, Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) Volunteer through the Shriver Center, B-Ethical Bioethics Debate Committee judge, and a University Health Services Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) member.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Student, Leader, Artist, and Motivator.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I have had to be really proactive in shaping the trajectory of my undergraduate career at UMBC, and while that definitely seemed like a chore to my freshman year self, I think it has really allowed me to make the most of my college experience. As a student, I have enjoyed taking a wide variety of classes, and I have never felt uncomfortable seeking out and getting to know many of my professors and advisors. As a leader, I have had the privilege of meeting and mobilizing many different types of people through a lot of the student organizations I sought out and joined as a freshman. As an artist, I have found many unique ways through which I could express myself on campus (ex. the “Super Art Fight” event during Art Week 2014, which was really fun). And overall, I feel that I have been able to act as a motivator for other students to make the most of the academic, extra-curricular, and recreational resources available on the UMBC campus.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: It is tempting for me to look back on the past few years and zero in on all the things I could have done differently or even better, but I have learned to not be so hard on myself. I have done many things that I definitely would not have engaged in prior to college, including singing at the ICCAs, conducting scientific research, and running in an SGA election. Through these experiences, many of which were honestly very demanding at the time, I feel that I have become a much stronger, more resilient person.
Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?
A: Last semester, I started volunteering at the Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) through the Shriver Center. I signed up to be a volunteer in the cat units, where my central duty was “socializing” cats. To my pleasant surprise, this volunteer position entailed a lot of petting and playing with the shelter cats, many of which had been surrendered by their owners, found as strays in the streets of Baltimore, or previously neglected by a hoarder. Through my work, I was able to help a lot of the cats become more comfortable around people, and I realized that I actually really like cats (I had always considered myself a fervent “dog person” prior to volunteering here). I am really excited to volunteer here again during the Fall 2015 semester!
A: Art museums, iced black coffee, perfume, R&B, rap, anime, my dog Bruno (Pomeranian), and French fries.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
Of course, as fate would have it, I have found myself drinking coffee in the Commons a lot these past few years. And I still love studying history.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from UMBC Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
Previous post: Real People Profiles: Danielle Pettigrew
