Real People Profiles: Kelly Rund

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:40:00 -0400
real-people-profiles

We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Kelly Rund

Hometown: Hampstead, MD

Major: Psychology, B.S. & Pre-Physical Therapy Program

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my fifth semester at UMBC.

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Outside of school-related positions, I work for Residential Life as a desk staffer in Patapsco Hall and I hold two positions in my sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma. In Phi Sig, I am our Sisterhood Chair and I am a member of our Standards Board. I am also a member of the PHA (Panhellenic Association) Standards Board, representing Phi Sigma Sigma. Relating to my major, I am a research assistant in the Human Operant Laboratory studying behavioral psychology.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?

A: Sister, friend, student, and "that girl that works at Patapsco front desk".

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I really love being a desk staffer and seeing the residents in my building outside of the Patapsco lobby; its really nice to see people in the dining hall and have them say hi because "you're that girl that works at my front desk!". Not only that, but being a desk staffer really lets you connect with residents and sometimes make a noticeable difference in people. I enjoy being the first person people see when they walk into the building, giving them someone to talk to when they've had a rough day, and just getting to know them better as they get acquainted with UMBC and being a college student.

I also like walking through The Commons during free hour on Wednesdays and seeing Greek Life taking over the tables under the flags. Its such an incredible feeling to know that you're apart of a great organization that is part of an even better community. Being in a sorority has shaped my entire college experience into what I believe, is the best it could be thus far.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: The most important thing I have learned in college is not to let your four years here at UMBC go by wasted. My freshman year, I joined three organizations my first semester, and a fourth second semester. I made lifelong friends (through FYC & Phi Sigma Sigma), learned some really amazing things about UMBC (through (seb), SGA, & FYC), and learned that I could really make a difference on this campus. By getting myself involved on campus, I believed I was really making the most of my freshman year- and I was. Two years later, I am still joining more organizations, encouraging other people to join the wonderful orgs I am a part of, and loving every minute of it. I have four semesters left here and I'm already dreading the day I have to leave this university for the real world. Everyone says it flies by so quickly, and each semester I am learning more and more how right they are.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: The Ravens, acoustic music, the stars in Carroll County, giraffes, pumpkin spice lattes, mashed potatoes, my Yorkie-Poo puppy, the Orioles, Florence + the Machine, and paddle-boarding.

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: One of my favorite spots on campus is in the library; the second floor has so many tables tucked behind the book stacks that are really great to use when you want to get a lot of studying done in the library! (Mostly because if you tell someone you're back there, they won't be able to find you).

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.