“I’m not alone in the struggles…or alone in my successes.”

Damarius Johnson ’19, Africana studies, is also a first-generation college student as well as a transfer student from the Community College of Baltimore County. Finding close-knit communities within UMBC has been the key to success. “UMBC has supportive communities that have helped me see college graduation as feasible,” he shares, “and then allowed me to go through the ups and downs that happen as a college student.”

“The McNair Scholars Program has been instrumental as far as focusing my attention on what I’d be pursuing after graduation,” says Johnson. That attention has paid off—he’ll begin a Ph.D. in history at the Ohio State University this fall.

The Transfer Engagement and Achievement Mentoring (TEAM) Program has connected Johnson with mentors and peers who have had experiences he can relate to, such as being the first in their family to attend college, transitioning from community college to a four-year school like UMBC, or experiencing college as a young black man, he says.

Johnson shares, “Having that support has been really helpful in knowing that I’m not alone in the struggles that I have, or alone in my successes. These are people I celebrate with, too.”

Several mentors have helped Johnson through his UMBC journey, and determining his next steps, including Michael Hunt, assistant director of the McNair Scholars Program; Gloria Chuku, professor and chair of the Africana studies department; and James Hamilton, an academic advisor in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He started at UMBC not knowing what he might do afterward. But now, Johnson says, “I’m most excited about my transition from being an undergraduate to being a scholar in history. I’m excited for what that journey will be like, and to be learning in a new environment.”

“Hopefully it’s the beginning of something good for my family,” says Johnson, who has younger siblings. “I’m really happy to be able to honor them by getting to this point, because they’ve done a lot to support me.”

“[My] parents came here to give me a better life, and I’m living it.”

Ashley Batista ’19, biological sciences, is the first member of her family to graduate from college. Her parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic in search of new opportunities, and Batista was determined to make the most of her college experience. She chose to attend UMBC after hearing a woman of color speak at a UMBC event about the opportunities she was able to access as a UMBC alumna.

“I felt like she represented me,” Batista says. “I just felt really empowered, and I enjoyed how rigorous the coursework would be here. I thought it would challenge me but also prepare me well for whatever I choose to do after.”

Ashley Batista ’19, biological sciences, presents her first research poster at SURF 2018. Fernando Vonhoff (left) is her research mentor. Photo courtesy Ashley Batista.

Once on campus, Batista was particularly excited to hear about the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation summer research fellowship—a program that supports students in historically underrepresented groups in STEM. But because she didn’t have a faculty mentor or research project lined up, she put the application aside. That was until Peter DeCrescenzo, project coordinator in the Office of Academic Opportunity Programs, reached out to encourage her to apply, offering to help connect her with a mentor.

That summer, Batista started working on Alzheimer’s research with biology professor Fernando Vonhoff, and it’s changed her life.

Being in the lab “opened a lot of doors for me to network and to figure out opportunities and programs I could be involved in after graduation,” she shares. She notes that the research itself “was really gratifying. It changed my whole perspective and my goals.” A reproductive health-focused Alternative Spring Break also helped Batista identify her path forward toward an obstetrics or pediatrics career.

On top of her research experience, Batista began organizing multicultural learning events for the UMBC community as a sister in the Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. That work “helped me understand and teach others about different perspectives, and create an environment where people can be open to discussion, respectful, and nonjudgmental,” she shares. “ I think that’s something that I can transfer wherever I go.”

She adds that her sorority sisters have been a huge source of support during her time at UMBC.

Batista says that while it adds challenges, being a first-generation college student has been motivating. “Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remember that my parents came here to give me a better life, and I’m living it,” she says. “It motivates me to keep going and make them proud—and to make myself proud, because I know it will be rewarding in the end.”

Ashley Batista ’19 (standing, second from right) and sorority sisters from across the East Coast volunteer at the non-profit Share Baby. Photo courtesy Ashley Batista.

Going home over the summer? Working a low-paying or unpaid internship and worried how you’ll pay for groceries? Just interested in a free bag of nonperishable food?

Retriever Essentials has an abundance of food available, and we want you to come shopping in our pantry!

Stop by during exam week and hand pack your own bag for the summer. Come once, twice, or as many times as you need. We want to make sure you’re well taken care of during the break.

Are you going to be on campus during the summer for classes? Fear not! Our normal Food Zones will be open and stocked full of bags to be picked up at your convenience.

Email retrieveressentials@umbc.edu or call 410-455-2765 to set up your shopping appointment, 8:30am-5pm Monday-Friday from May 15 - May 24. 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a second semester Freshman who is pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering. I am a very quiet person by nature, but tend to become more comfortable as I am conversating with someone. I'm one of 4 children, and I also have a twin brother that attends Towson University.  Most of my free time is spent listening to music or researching fashion. I also currently own an online clothing shop on Instagram. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I commute so its harder to stay involved with campus life while trying to keep up my grades. I attend Black Student Union meetings on Mondays. I'm also in the process of applying for Resident Assistant and Mechanical Assistant to develop a more crucial role within the community of UMBC.

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

I was enrolled in English 100 in the summer session before my first semester. Our first assignment was a personal essay reflecting on past experiences that impacted my thinking about writing. I put a lot of energy into this essay, and I felt like the assignment revealed skills in writing that I didn't realize I had. Fortunately, Professor MacDougall noticed and suggested that I help in the Writing Center. I accepted the job mainly because I already enjoyed assisting my classmates with their assignments. It felt like a good fit for me that I could have never imagined.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite aspect of tutoring is watching a student grow within a session. Students often times come in with an unclear understanding of the assignment before the session. My job is to serve as a catalyst for the student to think about the assignment in different ways than before. When that lightbulb in their mind goes off, the student often times takes control and has a greater sense of direction. Hopefully after leaving the student now has more confidence and a different attitude about writing.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

I think tutoring is a great opportunity to have a conversation about your own thoughts within an assignment. The Writing Center encompasses people from completely different walks of life. Our diversity in lifestyle usually correlates to a difference in thought processes, values, etc. A conversation with a writing tutor can give perspective into ideas that the student didn't consider before hand. 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

Although it is completely acceptable to book an appointment without any written work, I would suggest the student have at least ideas about the assignment. This helps the writing tutor gauge the direction the student is thinking about. If we can see your initial brainstorming, we'll be better equipped to help steer your ideas into creating the foundation of the assignment.

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I work on 5-6:30 on Mondays and 10-1 on Tuesdays. Make sure to stop in any time we'd love to help!

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello! My name is Celeste Chung and I am a second semester senior pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology. I am on the pre-pharmacy track and actually just accepted admissions to the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy for the class of 2023! I hope to go into clinical pharmaceuticals and specialize in pediatrics. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I spent my whole sophomore year as a Learning Assistant for CHEM 351 and continued as an SI pass leader for Summer 2018, Fall 2018, and now Spring 2019! This past year, I was also the President of Phi Sigma Sigma. 

How and why did you get involved in beinga SI PASS Leader?

After being a learning assistant for a year, I realized how much I love teaching other students, especially in Organic Chemistry. Although being an asset in the classroom was rewarding and fun, I felt like I could give better assistance to students in an active learning setting. SI PASS sessions create a comfortable environment for students to work through problems, ask questions, and even teach each other. 

What is your favorite thing about being a SI PASS Leader?

The most rewarding part about being an SI PASS leader is the feedback I received from students after an exam or after the semester was over. I loved hearing that my techniques and explanations helped others understand fairly complex concepts. Last semester, I had a group of students that felt that they really benefited from my sessions and continued to attend every session of the semester!

Why should students utilize SI PASS?

Students should take advantage of SI PASS because it is an environment where students are encouraged to talk through concepts of difficulty. It isn't a learning setting where I stand up and lecture the concepts. Instead, students practice problems that challenge them to understand material conceptually and be able to replicate that material to all types of problems. It also gives students a chance to teach other students what they know and bounce ideas off of each other. 

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a SI PASS session? 

SI PASS sessions aren't lectures, so students should come prepared with knowledge about the material taught in their lectures by the professor. SI PASS gives students an opportunity to practice problems to build off the knowledge learned in lectures. 

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

For anyone taking CHEM 351 this semester, my sessions are every Tuesdays and Thursday's from 4:00-4:50 PM in Sherman 150!