Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a five-day immersive learning experience for UMBC undergraduate and graduate students to explore the systemic and human dimensions of complex social issues in Baltimore. Participants will spend much of the week in Baltimore City connecting with local leaders, policymakers, organizations, and community members, to gain a nuanced understanding of the resources and challenges related to their topic areas. The program supports students in linking their knowledge and interests to local contexts, and in identifying pathways for long-term community engagement.

This year's ASB program will take place from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2026. Participants spend much of the week in small groups, each co-led by UMBC students trained by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, exploring a specific topic in depth. 

This year's focus areas are:

• Housing Equity and Access
• Justice in Psychiatric Care
• Fostering LGBT+ Belonging in Schools

Complete the ASB 2026 application by December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Accepted and waitlisted applicants will be notified via email in late January.

ASB is hosted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. More information is available on the the Center for Democracy and Civic Life website.

ASB is open for full participation by all undergraduate and graduate students regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

By: Nate Walton

Photo Credit: Brittany Wichtendahl

In the field of public relations, flexibility and fast thinking are crucial. These traits, along with an educational foundation, can lead to a fulfilling and influential profession, as demonstrated by Brittany Wichtendahl, a public relations specialist with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Baltimore. In this interview, Wichtendahl discussed how her time at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) prepared her for her career, gave an inside look at her role overseeing media relations for a significant humanitarian nonprofit, and listed the essential abilities that have enabled her to succeed.

Her function is "never typical," according to Wichtendahl, which highlights how dynamic public relations work is. Although she frequently begins her mornings by utilizing monitoring software to review media coverage and checking overnight emails from colleagues around the world, what happens next varies greatly. In addition to creating campaign materials, interview scheduling, and media training sessions for spokespeople, she also writes talking points and oversees press visuals. Given this unpredictability, a professional needs to be well-organized and media-savvy but also understand narrative storytelling, particularly in light of CRS's international humanitarian work.

Wichtendahl struggles with the constant tempo of the news cycle and the intricacy of internal and external interactions, just like many others in the field. She does point out, though, that the most fruitful creative breakthroughs frequently result from these very difficulties."Working within [constraints] forces you to be creative," she explains. "That's when you have to look at the situation from multiple perspectives to find the right solution for the right outlet." The excitement of seeing a CRS spokesperson featured in The New York Times or on the BBC highlights the observable results of her team's strategic efforts, especially in times of crisis when higher visibility is directly linked to more donations and, eventually, saved lives.

Although the core of her present work is campaign strategy and rapid-response communication, Wichtendahl attributes her success to UMBC for providing the foundational elements. Above all, she highlighted the importance of a course that she didn't originally enjoy: technical writing. One of her main strengths in her current position is her ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, including journalists, funders, and internal stakeholders. Beyond the course of study, however, Wichtendahl attributes her path to the individuals at UMBC, particularly her teachers.

Wichtendahl emphasizes UMBC's instructors and groups as essential tools outside of the classroom. She urges students to use career-services links, attend department activities, and look for mentorship. These connections were more than simply academic for her; they led to career networks and internships that are still very beneficial today.

Her relationship with Professor Paul Eagle turned out to be crucial. She remembers, "He connected me with a summer job for my current organization". During her last semester, that opportunity evolved into part-time work, and following graduation, she received an offer for full-time employment. It's a prime illustration of how mentoring and networking can have life-altering effects.

Wichtendahl offers practical and passionate guidance to students considering a career in public relations. She encourages them to develop a ravenous taste for news, stating that media literacy is essential to both identifying and creating a compelling story. Rejection is a natural part of the process, she also reminds newcomers. She makes the point that a lack of reaction does not imply failure because journalists have too much on their plates. Rather, you must persevere—public relations thrives on tenacity and building relationships over time. Her remarks highlight a crucial reality in the field: public relations is about more than just spreading information; it's also about establishing relationships, being persistent, and having a thorough awareness of your audience.

Wichtendahl is currently in the forefront of international media engagement because of her work at CRS. She is crucial in making sure the organization's objective is clearly understood, whether that is through interview preparation or emergency communications coordination during emergencies like the Myanmar earthquake. The journey from UMBC student to a media leader in international rescue efforts emphasizes the importance of communication studies in the actual world and the indispensable worth of a solid mentor, a demanding academic program, and perseverance.

Wichtendahl's tale serves as both a model and a source of encouragement for present students who aspire to pursue jobs that combine impact and communication.

By: Nicholas Remy
Photo Credit: Isabella Fasolo

No college journey looks the same between two people, and this Alumni was no exception. Keegan Leffler graduated from UMBC in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelors in Media Communication Studies and a minor in Sociology. Keegan is originally from Wilton New York where he grew up with his Parents Mark and Julie, his Brother Quinn, and his sister Olivia. This was not the first University that Keegan originally attended, coming from Herkimer County Community College where Keegan was a back to back regional junior college champion as a pitcher on their baseball team! 

After his two years at Herkimer Keegan was able to graduate with his Associates in Science, and from there he was on his search for a four year university he could finish his schooling at. Luckily enough UMBC came calling. Keegan spent three more years at UMBC as a Media Communications major as well as a key player for the UMBC baseball team. Keegan came into school eerily similar to a lot of college athletes, ready to play their sport and a bit less ready to figure their future after college. WIth Keegan he was no different, with the exception of the fact that he was extremely classroom driven. 

Through his three years at UMBC Keegan was able to accomplish a 3.4 GPA graduating with honors, all while being an important piece of the baseball program. Over his career at UMBC as a baseball player Keegan pitched in 42 games amassing 92 career innings pitched with 10 career starts and 5 career saves. "Playing baseball at UMBC was easily one of the best decisions I made in my college career, I can easily say that some of my favorite memories in life came from my years with that team". Although professional baseball was not in the cards for Keegan, he wasn't ready to step away from the game yet. 

Following his graduation from UMBC Keegan was able to secure a coaching position with his former school at Herkimer County Community College as their Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, as well as being a Technical Assistant to the academic support staff for the student athletes at Herkimer. In this position Keegan had the task of finding potential student athletes for the baseball program as well as Overlook Herkimer's students using the flag system to assist student athletes to graduate on time and reach milestones in their educational journeys. "I was still unsure where I wanted to go with my professional career after graduation, when the opportunity came about where I could help those exact same student athletes figure out what they wanted to do I had to take it". Spending two years at Herkimer was all the time Keegan needed to figure out his next path in life. 

Deciding to take a chance in life Keegan took a step away from baseball and took a step toward the mortgage and financial career fields by joining Launch Financial Group. Keegan has recently started with Launch back in August 2024. His official title with this financial group is Disclosure Desk Manager, where he takes care of a lot of things for the company. Giving his flowers to UMBC, Keegan attributes his career path change to UMBC and the MCS degree for the flexibility it allowed him in the professional fields. "UMBC and the MCS degree really gave me a great base where I could expand on knowledge in many different fields!". Because of the flexibility Keegan has found his next passion outside of baseball which was not something he thought could be possible. 

Since his start with Launch Financial Keegan has really found his footing. "My passion and knowledge is in the mortgage industry, where I sell investment loans for properties. The company I work for is called Launch Financial Group, in Upstate NY Currently, I am our disclosure desk manager. Along with being a manager I also am a Loan Processor and a Loan Officer. The cool thing about my position is that I can take a loan from start to finish myself!". Although it's only been 10 months since starting his new position, Keegan is ready to step up to the plate for more. "This is just the beginning for me here at Launch and the beginning of my career as a Loan Officer, and I can't wait to see what the future holds!". Everyday is an exciting day at work for Keegan which is something most people can't say, and because of UMBC he now can.