Returning Women Spotlight: Sylvia Bikos

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:00:54 -0400

The Women's Center exists to assist all women in achieving their full potential in education, career, and personal life through academic and intellectual growth, professional development, and personal empowerment. One of the ways we work to achieve this mission is in our support services and programs for Returning Women (undergraduate students over the age of 25). The Women's Center supports these students through a peer mentoring program, targeted events and forums, and scholarship opportunities. If you’re interested in learning more about the Returning Women’s meetings or scholarships, contact us at womens.center@umbc.edu.

Who are you?

I am a transfer student studying Social Work with a Psychology minor. I am a mother to my 9 year old son and I work at the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Community College of Baltimore County Essex Campus. I was a stay home mother before I decided to go back to college. I like to dance, read and watch documentaries -- PBS/WETA is my favorite TV station. I like to travel and I try and visit a new state/country every year with my son.

What benefits have you experienced as part of the Women's Center's Returning Women Students programming?

It is not easy as a first year student at UMBC. But being part of Women’s Center, I have been able to transition better than I had thought. Everyone has been helpful and this has reduced my stress level as a new transfer student. The scholarship awarded has helped me tremendously, financially and emotionally as I do not have to worry about my finances. Meeting other members who have the same struggles as me has made me realize that I am not alone and this has helped me fit in.

What do you wish traditional students knew about being a non-traditional student?

We may have used a different path but we are striving for the same goals—to succeed and have a better life, economically. I may come to class with untidy hair or mismatched shoes, but this could be because I was up all night with a sick child and at the same time trying to finish my school work. I am not always untidy.

What do you wish professors and the university knew about being a non-traditional student?

I would like them to know that when I miss a class or I am late for class it is not because I choose to. Sometimes I am late for class as I had to pick and drop my son home from school before running to class or when I miss a class my son is home sick and needs my attention. Another example could be a supervisor wants me to stay longer at work despite knowing I have another commitment: being in class. Being a single parent has its challenges but I have a passion to learn from you.

What is one piece of advice you would offer to new non-traditional students at UMBC?

Get involved as much as you can with the organizations and clubs. Don’t be nervous to ask for help from your professors and students who have been at UMBC longer. Relax a bit and do not be nervous to participate in class just because 97% of students are traditional students, we learn better from participating in class.