I’m 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.
Hometown: I was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. I also feel a home connection to Vero Beach, FL; New Orleans, LA; Boston, MA; Madison, WI; and now - Baltimore (and no, I did not grow up in the military).
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: One year
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Staff Psychologist and Outreach Coordinator at University Counseling Services (UCS).
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Answer 1: I facilitate well-being. Answer 2: I help make lemonade when life has given you lemons
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I love that I get to have meaningful conversations with students every day. There is tremendous power in being able to tell one’s story (one of the many things I love about the process of counseling). I love being in a position to help students tell their personal stories in a manner that confers dignity and helps students learn how to become the person they hope to become.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: “Behold the turtle. It only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.”
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Hobbies. I love ‘em – and I love starting new hobbies. Currently I’m really into roasting my own coffee, duckpin bowling, and running. I think the next hobby I’ll pick up is going to be learning how to make a podcast. Someday I think it would be neat to explore creative with ways to promote well-being and mental health in downloadable/audio format. If anyone has ideas for how to learn this, I’m all ears.
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: Did you know that you can find Moxie in the Yum Shoppe?
