9-10am Wisdom Institute Session
10am-11am Morning Poster Session I
10am-3pm Video Game Exhibits
9am-12pm 1st Concurrent Oral Presentations
11am-12pm Morning Poster Session II
12-1pm Keynote Speaker Dr. Randi Williams
1:00-2:00pm Afternoon Poster Session I
2:00- 2:30pm Multidimensional Mural (Ballroom)
2:30-3:30pm Afternoon Poster Session II
1-4pm 2nd Concurrent Oral Presentations
Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
When pursuing a second area of concentration for my social work major, I found there was so much I was interested in that did not fit cleanly into one other major. Classes from education, sociology, psychology, American studies, and public affairs all interested me. INDS provided me an opportunity to explore my passions of social justice, child development, and education from a variety of perspectives through building my own degree plan and pulling from many different disciplines.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Masters of Social Work (MSW) with a child and family or early childhood mental health concentration with the goal of becoming licensed clinical social work. I would love to work within a school or early learning center to make a difference for both the children I am working with and their families, as well as the larger community. The wide scope of knowledge I have gained from my INDS degree will help me approach large social issues from multiple perspectives and be able to contribute to change from both micro and macro levels.
Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?
Getting involved at UMBC has expanded my experiences so much, allowing me to try new things and meet all sorts of amazing people!
Ada was the 2024 recipient of the Zainab Damji Memorial Scholarship. Congrats Ada!
For More information on Ada's INDS journey please click here:
Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
When I first started at UMBC, I was in the Pre-Physical Therapy program and hadn’t yet decided on a major. As I immersed myself in different subjects and explored several majors and minors—including Psychology and Public Health—I realized that my interests spanned multiple disciplines and that my true passion was in pursuing Speech Therapy rather than Physical Therapy. During my sophomore year, while taking BIOL 142, Dr. Freeland, the INDS director, introduced our class to the Individualized Study program. At the time, I was majoring in Psychology with minors in Biology and Linguistics, trying to “design” a degree that would allow me to study Communication Sciences and Disorders without transferring schools. After meeting with Ms. Sauter, I quickly confirmed that the INDS program was the perfect fit. This program has allowed me to combine my interests in psychology, allied health, child development, communication studies, and patient-centered care while pursuing my goal of becoming a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. Through INDS, I’ve had the opportunity to refine my research skills, strengthen my writing and public speaking abilities, and develop my professionalism—all with the support of a tight-knit, encouraging faculty community.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I plan to pursue graduate school to earn my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I’m confident that my INDS degree will set me apart as a candidate because it reflects the intentional and interdisciplinary approach I’ve taken towards receiving my education. By designing a program that integrates the fields of Psychology, Linguistics, Biology, and Public Health, I’ve been able to develop a strong foundation that aligns with my career goals. My INDS degree is not just a reflection of my academic interests—it’s evidence of how I’ve taken ownership of my learning journey, demonstrating initiative and commitment to pursuing Speech-Language Pathology in a unique and meaningful way.
Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?
Throughout my time at UMBC, I’ve been actively involved in various organizations and experiences that have enriched my academic and personal growth. I am a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, where I held both an Executive Board position as Membership Recruitment Chair and an Executive Council position in Public Relations for a year. These leadership roles allowed me to develop strong organizational, communication, and team management skills. In addition to my involvement in Greek life, I began conducting research during my junior year with Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner, assisting with data collection for a collaboration between the Baltimore Infants and Toddlers Program (BITP) and the Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CASH) Campaign. Our research findings have been presented at conferences across the country, and we are currently working on publishing a journal article. Beyond campus, I work as an assistant teacher at a preschool, where I gain hands-on experience in child development, and as a technician at Verbal Beginnings, where I am working toward my Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification. These experiences have not only strengthened my academic foundation but also deepened my passion for working with children and pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology.
Katie has been Accepted into the University of Delaware’s Speech-Language Pathology Master's Program! Congrats Katie
For more information on Katie's INDS journey please click here:
Apply now for INDS scholarships at Scholarship Retriever. The Deadline is June 1, 2025.
Bolton Family Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to INDS majors with:
Zainab Damji Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to INDS majors who has:
The theme of Black & Gold Rush 2025 is “Generosity in Action.” Please join us March 5 – 6 by making a gift of any size to help fund students. Watch your generosity change lives!
With your Generosity in Action the INDS team are able to provide students with INDS Awards to attend events and conferences related to their degree, career, and educational path. We are also able to plan events and assist students in their research.
The following are more specific opportunities to support our students:
The Bolton Family Scholarship:
Awarded to students with an approved degree plan involving
significant quantitative skills (preference given to students with course
concentrations in mathematics or science)
The Cathy Hiebler '98 and Chip Hiebler Scholarship:
A need-based scholarship for students who are facing a financial hardship or challenge that may prevent them from completing their degree
The Zainab Damji Memorial Scholarship:
Students who wishes to pursue a career in some form of education (this
could include after school programs, adult learning, citizens science, etc.),
and who has demonstrated leadership and service to an identified
community.
Check out our website to learn more about our program, our students, and our alumni.
Please consider gifting to INDS! Thank you for all the support!
The INDS Team