Meet Debbie Bright INDS Spring 2026 Graduate Highlight Series

Debbie- B.A. INDS 

Why did you choose INDS? 
My interests have often been varied, my passions often fickle. An INDS major allowed me to explore many of the rabbit holes in which I'd found myself over the years.

List any UMBC faculty or staff you would like to highlight:
What are your plans for after graduation and how do you see yourself using your INDS degree?
After graduation, I plan to continue in my staff role at UMBC and use my newly acquired credentials to align my title and compensation with the higher-level work I am currently doing.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?

Congrats Debbie!
]]> Debbie- B.A. INDS  Why did you choose INDS?  My interests have often been varied, my passions often fickle. An INDS major allowed me to explore many of the rabbit holes in which I'd found... https://inds.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/157547/guest@my.umbc.edu/80ad1c30a270d4dc63bf710e8aeb01b6/api/pixel grads inds mdst spring2026 Individualized Study https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/inds https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/original.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/large.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/medium.png?1749573645 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/small.png?1749573645 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxsmall.png?1749573645 Individualized Study https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/xxlarge.jpg?1773929842 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/xlarge.jpg?1773929842 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/large.jpg?1773929842 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/medium.jpg?1773929842 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/small.jpg?1773929842 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/xsmall.jpg?1773929842 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/157/547/70cb4b2c61a2666bfd7c56bf036fe074/xxsmall.jpg?1773929842 Debbie standing in the hallway with a black top smiling into the camera 15 8 true Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:43:53 -0400 Meet Samantha Drummond INDS Fall 2025 Graduate Highlight Series

Samantha- B.A. INDS 

Minors, Certificates, and/or Honors 
  • Minor in Information Systems 
Why did you choose INDS? 
To design my own major that aligned with my interests.

List any UMBC faculty or staff you would like to highlight:


What are your plans for after graduation and how do you see yourself using your INDS degree?
To advance in my career, and possibly go to graduate school.
Samantha and Professor Arenas Gomez at the Major Event at UMBC
Achievements: 

Congrats Samantha!
]]> Samantha- B.A. INDS  Minors, Certificates, and/or Honors  Minor in Information Systems  Why did you choose INDS?  To design my own major that aligned with my interests. List any UMBC... https://inds.umbc.edu/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/155132/guest@my.umbc.edu/bfb3d1d486f1c088d37c5a30864e0c0e/api/pixel fall2025 grads Individualized Study https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/inds https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/original.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/large.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/medium.png?1749573645 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/small.png?1749573645 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxsmall.png?1749573645 Individualized Study https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/xxlarge.jpg?1765214249 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/xlarge.jpg?1765214249 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/large.jpg?1765214249 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/medium.jpg?1765214249 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/small.jpg?1765214249 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/xsmall.jpg?1765214249 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/155/132/8a00d00eb0d98039472e997500500a6c/xxsmall.jpg?1765214249 Professional Headshot photo of Samantha Drummond 7 1 true Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:50:36 -0500 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:26:16 -0500 Meet Luke O'Neill INDS Fall 2024 Graduate Highlight Series

B.A.: A Social Science Approach to Sports Injuries and Recovery


Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records

  • N/A

Degree Mentors:

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I was set on both wanting to study sports medicine and go to UMBC. I met with an advisor and heard I might be able to do that in INDS.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduating, I will start my Master’s degree in Sports Nutrition. My INDS degree has prepared me for graduate school and beyond my giving me a foundation in research, critical thinking, and a tailored knowledge base I could not get in a traditional program.

EXTRACURRICULAR

  • Vice President of Men’s Club Volleyball
  • URCAD 2024 Presenter | Fueling Diversity: Understanding Student-athletes’ Dietary Habits
  • Athletic Trainer (Intern), UMBC Sports Medicine

For more information on Luke's INDS journey please click here:

]]> B.A.: A Social Science Approach to Sports Injuries and Recovery Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records N/A Degree Mentors: Dr. Sarah... https://inds.umbc.edu/meet-luke-oneill/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/146307/guest@my.umbc.edu/e2f694f67f5516081e66235b7b5b46a6/api/pixel fall2024grad grads graduatehighlightseries Individualized Study https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/inds https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/original.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/large.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/medium.png?1749573645 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/small.png?1749573645 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxsmall.png?1749573645 Individualized Study https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/xxlarge.jpg?1734375920 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/xlarge.jpg?1734375920 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/large.jpg?1734375920 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/medium.jpg?1734375920 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/small.jpg?1734375920 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/xsmall.jpg?1734375920 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/146/307/2ebac5d7198b52ca3a020764d80cfb8b/xxsmall.jpg?1734375920 0 0 true Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:07:43 -0500 Meet Shanika Freeman INDS Fall 2024 Graduate Highlight Series

B.A.: Recidivism and Policy in Urban Communities

Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records

  • Minor: Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Degree Mentors

  • Dr. Laszlo Korossy, Political Science 
  • Carrie Sauter, Individualized Study

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose INDS because it allows me to combine my interests in sociology, urban studies, and policy in a way that feels cohesive and focused. The program’s flexibility has been crucial in helping me explore these fields while addressing complex topics like mass incarceration, recidivism, and crime.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a Fulbright grant to research recidivism and reentry among women in Norway or pursue my Master’s in criminology, where I can continue to focus on prison systems, recidivism, and reentry processes. The fields of recidivism and reentry are inherently interdisciplinary, often requiring a deep understanding of sociology, criminal justice, public policy, and geographical information systems (GIS), among other disciplines. Through my INDS degree, I’ve gained the skills and  to navigate these fields to address real-world issues.

EXTRACURRICULAR

For more information on Shanika's INDS journey please click here:

]]> B.A.: Recidivism and Policy in Urban Communities Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records Minor: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Degree... https://inds.umbc.edu/meet-shanika-freeman/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/145591/guest@my.umbc.edu/2cb156eba50ceae788606fe7979de226/api/pixel fall2024grad grads graduatehighlightseries Individualized Study https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/inds https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/original.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xlarge.png?1749573645 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/large.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/medium.png?1749573645 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/small.png?1749573645 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xsmall.png?1749573645 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/208/71578eb02269555f8596fc8e5f50261b/xxsmall.png?1749573645 Individualized Study https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/xxlarge.jpg?1731514677 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/xlarge.jpg?1731514677 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/large.jpg?1731514677 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/medium.jpg?1731514677 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/small.jpg?1731514677 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/xsmall.jpg?1731514677 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/145/591/0a72388b0596ed10659ffd28bae2197e/xxsmall.jpg?1731514677 0 0 true Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:48:36 -0500