Our PROMISE family includes alumni who are now professors who have insight and wisdom to share regarding the unrest that we are seeing in Baltimore. We connected with three of them this morning. They are former PROMISE Peer Mentors, and once they became professors, they served as PROMISE Summer Success Institute (SSI) “Mentors-in-Residence.” They are pleased to share information with our audience.

They are:

• Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead, Associate Professor (newly tenured), Department of Communication, Loyola University Maryland, formerly from PROMISE at UMBC
• Dr. Christopher Whitt, Associate Professor, Political Science Department, Augustana University, formerly from PROMISE at the University of Maryland College Park
• Dr. John T. Bullock, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Towson University, formerly from PROMISE at the University of Maryland College Park

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Dr. Christopher Whitt is from Baltimore, and his activism has carried into his new home in Illinois where he is now a tenured professor of Political Science. Dr. Whitt is regularly interviewed about issues of equality and access. His research and teaching cover race, wealth, and inequity in American Politics. Dr. Whitt describes his work as follows: “My scholarly research continues to provide varied takes on inequality along line of race, ethnicity, gender and social class in American politics, government, and society and even in higher education.” Dr. Whitt regularly returns to the PROMISE SSI to share the experience of being a professor at a liberal arts college. He is a strong proponent of making sure that people of color know that they have options when considering an academic career, and that they should take time to investigate smaller colleges such as Augustana that encourage growth of diverse perspectives and a diverse representation of professors. Dr. Whitt is also known for being a regular speaker at the Southern Regional Education Board’s Institute for Teaching and Mentoring. At the SREB conferences in Atlanta, Tampa, and Virginia, you will often see him recruiting new faculty at Augustana’s table. In 2014, he was accompanied by the president of the university as a sign of the university’s commitment to diversifying the faculty.

Dr. Whitt’s words this morning in response to media outlets that disagree with his stance: “I refuse to deny my love and empathy for my people and for #‎Baltimore.”  He also had strong words for media outlets that are covering the issue: “Don’t put all that effort into discussing destruction of property and no effort into discussing the pain, frustration, degradation, and marginalization at the root of much of this. If you are going to get near the pool, don’t be afraid to get wet, get all the way in.”

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Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead has been on the front lines of what is now known as the “Baltimore Uprising.”  She has been a guest on Morgan State University – Radio Station, WEAA, 88.9FM talking about Freddie Gray (the young man from Baltimore who died while in police custody), and she has been active in the peaceful protests. Many of her reports have been “from the line,” and she has provided “on the ground” perspectives of the situation. Dr. Whitehead is the author of several books, and has directed documentaries. She was an award-winning history teacher in Maryland prior to completing her PhD at UMBC. She now speaks all over the country, including The White House, and has been known by the moniker “#GriotOnTheGo. Dr. Whitehead gives the PROMISE call to action at the annual Summer Success Institutes (SSI), during the “PhD Roll Call” where all of the current PhDs stand around the room and encircle and encourage those who are on their way. Dr. Whitehead recently received tenure from Loyola University. As a wife and mother of sons, Dr. Whitehead is a vehement supporter of the rights of those in the Black community. Her latest book is, “Letters to My Black Sons: Raising Boys in a Post-Racial America.”

This afternoon, Dr. Whitehead was featured on NPR radio, WYPR to talk about “The Media’s Coverage of Freddie Gray.” “We build over our ruins,” she said. “We have an opportunity now.”  

#BlackLivesMatter is one of her daily messages. More about Dr. Whitehead on Amazon.

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Dr. John T. Bullock teaches “Urban Politics and Metropolitan Studies” at Towson University, and is deeply committed to Baltimore. He has served on boards and committees such as the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, the Empowerment Academy, and the Park Heights Community Health Alliance. As a student at College Park, John participated in the PROMISE Dissertation House, and as a professor, he was a key speaker on the social science panel for the 2014 PROMISE SSI. Dr. Bullock’s talk:” PROMISE Community, Social Science Parallels,”  discusses community sustainabilty and equity in the following words: ” Sustainability is the ability “to meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of the future to meet its needs.Intergenerational equity means acting in a way so that the next generations are inheriting a healthy economy, environment, and society.”

In the “Race, Class, and Power” section of Dr. Bullock’s PROMISE SSI talk, he says, “People who are disadvantaged by the status quo often lack the capital to be heard and are thus unable to make their demands known.”

Dr. Bullock’s comments about Baltimore have been covered over the last few days by NPR radio and The Baltimore Sun. He has also been participating in “on the ground efforts” with brothers from his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and was featured on CBS News, WJZ, Channel 13.

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  “I have a high level of empathy for the people who are in pain in that city. There’s a lot of people there who are the have-nots who are lacking hope, who are lacking opportunity and they have not many ways to express themselves,” said Whitt.  “I definitely feel a high level of frustration that it takes violence and destruction for real discussions to happen about the plight of the people in those communities.  In no way am I condoning what they did, it’s about the root of the issue that so many people feel helpless, feel hopeless, they feel left behind and left out and that should really be the focus of the nation.” “We definitely have to change our priorities in this country to care more about lives and to care about the futures of young people versus buildings that can be repaired and rebuilt,” said Whitt.  “I’m not saying there’s any excuse for violence but there’s definitely an explanation for violence and there definitely should be empathy for people over things.” -Chris Whitt, covered by KWQC-NEWS, TV6 “Augustana professor from Baltimore calling for empathy.”    

Today has been one for reflection and redemption. Proud to see so many of my friends and neighbors working to heal our city. — John Bullock (@docbullock) April 28, 2015

“We know that we don’t have all of the answers, but also, part of the solution is us working together on the ground.” – John Bullock, interviewed by CBS Baltimore, WJZ, Channel 13.

#BlackLivesMatter I just gotta say it once a day…try doing it –just say it everyday until you believe it and then you live it. — Kaye Wise Whitehead (@kayewhitehead) April 29, 2015

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Everything that you see written has been shared with permission. Thank you for reading, for thinking, for caring, and for acting. We know that you, our students, staff, and alumni, have been involved in clean-ups, teaching moments, discussions, activities within houses of worship, and service.

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Excerpts from the message “Challenging Times,” from UMBC’s President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, and Dr. Philip Rouse, Provost, who is also the PI of the PROMISE AGEP (“Challenging Times,” April 28, 2015):

Freddie Gray’s family has suffered a tragic personal loss, and we send them our sincere condolences. This event stands as a reminder of systemic issues of social injustice and inequality. These difficult times mark an opportunity to engage in honest conversations about these issues.

We recognize that one of the greatest strengths of our nation is the right of citizens to protest. As you each consider your personal response to the events unfolding in Baltimore, we ask that you act safely and responsibly.

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You are invited to use the comment section here to share, post thoughts, information, and ways that people can help.

Our students are in schools within several institutions within the University System of Maryland. Some go to school in, are from, or serve in the areas that have been hardest hit by the unrest. In the spirit of community, we know that our graduate students, staff, and alumni have been working to share in the clean up, offer support, and serve others. The sense of community extends outside of the walls of the institution. As we learn more, we will share information, as we stand strong with Baltimore.

UPDATE, 4/29/15: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO SEVERAL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE BALTIMORE CURFEW WHICH NECESSITATES A CHANGE OF SCHEDULE. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR A VISIT TO FROSTBURG IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 

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PROMISE will be joining Frostburg State University for their undergraduate symposium, on Friday, May 1, 2015. If you are interested in joining us, please send email to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject “Frostburg.” We will leave UMBC’s campus around 7AM on that Friday morning, and will return Friday night around  9 PM.

PROMISE participants will have opportunities to mentor undergraduates during the day. There will be a PROMISE talk at 3PM that afternoon. Frostburg is one of the schools that is part of our University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP.

Here is the information that was shared by Frostburg’s graduate dean, Vickie Mazer:

Calling all STEM Students (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

Is Graduate School In Your Future?

Begin your Planning Now

Dr. Renetta Tull

Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development & Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Maryland Baltimore County

“Preparing for Graduate School”

May 1   3:00 to 4:00

It can never be too soon to begin preparing your next step toward your career path. Dr. Tull’s presentation will focus on how students in the STEM fields should prepare to improve admission and funding opportunities for graduate school.  

Dr. Tull is the Founding Director of PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), a program of the National Science Foundation. This program is intended to increase significantly the number of domestic students receiving doctoral degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special emphasis on those population groups underrepresented in these fields (i.e., African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders). In addition, AGEP is particularly interested in increasing the number of minorities who will enter the professoriate in these disciplines.

UPDATE: 4/30/15: This event will still take place on Saturday, 5/2. Please feel free to come out and take a brief break from your activities and join us from 1-4. We will celebrate graduates at 3. Given the current state of unrest, we also know that people are interested in knowing about opportunities to help in Baltimore. Informal sharing of information will be welcomed.

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Saturday, May 2, 2015: PROMISE AGEP Family and Friends Celebration of Graduates Cookout

You are invited to come, bring your friends, family, and anyone who supports your journey through graduate school. This event is free. Graduate students from all schools within the University System of Maryland (USM) are invited!

Here is a list, if your school is listed, you are invited! http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/

Alumni, faculty, and staff are invited.

Friends and family members of students who have participated in PROMISE are invited. 

If you are from another school, e.g., Howard, Hopkins, GW, and have come to a PROMISE event in the past such as SSI, you are also invited to participate.

Please register below.

Register for the PROMISE Friends and Family Cookout and Celebration of Graduates:

If you are graduating from a USM institution with an M.S. or Ph.D., please send an email to promisestaff@gmail.com with your name, school, department, and degree, by 9AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, so that we can recognize you at the event.

Location:
High Ridge Park Pavilion
10100 Superior Avenue
Laurel, MD 20723

Directions:
PDF | Google Maps

Park Phone:

410-313-4700

This event provides food, fun, connections, and networking. Please plan to attend.

–
Piyush Waradpande
Graduate Assistant

Yarazeth Medina
Program Assistant

Introducing new updates to the GradSense Website

As part of the “Enhancing Student Financial Education” Best Practice project, CGS project staff have been working to enhance the GradSense website by responding to suggestions made by graduate students on site visits to 15 research partner universities. We want to draw your attention to the newly created Budget Calculator in the new Cost of Living section. This tool is designed with students in mind and allows them to view possible budgeting scenarios. Students enter their available funds, monthly and one-time expenses, and then receive an output of where they stand financially along with helpful budgeting advice. The addition of this tool will help graduate and undergraduate students make wise financial decisions that will support their long term academic and professional career goals.

Financial Literacy Seminar – Wed, April 22, 2015

This week, we also have a Financial Literacy Seminar coming up. The seminar would be advice for graduate students on “Managing student debt & building resources for your future“. Don’t forget to RSVP! Here are the event details: Date: April 22, 2015 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Venue: UMBC Commons 331 Speakers: Shanna Smith AVP Branch Manager, Catonsville Branch, PNC Leslie McSweeney Campus Relations Manager, PNC.

RSVP HERE on MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/events/29319

If you do not have a UMBC ID, you may RSVP in the comment section below, with your name, school, and department, and we will add you to the list.

If you are unable to attend in person, we have set up a live webcast.

Here are the links: YouTube: http://youtu.be/k3cyjUbLBcY GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/events/c4p0jfeu4ufjkuh4bolvg3g879o

Feel free to return to this site and watch from here.

— Piyush Waradpande Graduate Assistant, PROMISE AGEP

YOU ARE INVITED! Communicating Climate 2015

April 20, 2015, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University Center Ballroom

Celebrating 20 Years of JCET Climate Research

Climate affects all residents of the Earth but we all have different perspectives and ways of talking about it.

The UMBC Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology and the UMBC Sustainability Working Group invite the campus community to a symposium focused on communicating the results of scientific climate investigations.  A panel of noted climate researchers will contribute their knowledge of Earth’s climate a discussion prompted by questions from the broader UMBC audience.  This Communicating Climate symposium also celebrates the integration of art and science with renowned musician and composer Kenji Williams who will perform the multi-media presentation,  “Beautiful Earth.”

Agenda

12:30 PM Registration & Poster Setup

1:00 PM UMBC Speaker Welcoming Remarks

1:30 PM Climate Panel: Moderator: Joe Witte, NASA/GSFC Climate Communicator

Panelists:

• Dr. Terri Adams-Fuller (Howard Univ.)
• Dr. Antonia Gambacorta (STC)
• Dr. Thorsten Markus (NASA GSFC)
• Dr. Steve Platnick (NASA GSFC)

3:00 PM UMBC Sustainability Working Group

3:30 PM Kenji Williams:    “Beautiful Earth”

He will perform LIVE! See his TEDx talk here:

5:00 PM Posters & Reception

6:00 PM Dr. Belay Demoz, JCET Director Closing Remarks

UMBC

A N   H O N O R S   U N I V E R S I T Y   I N  M A R Y L A N D

You can now purchase a copy on Amazon. The book features PROMISE SSI programs from 2003-2013!

Purchase here: http://www.amazon.com/Promise-AGEP-Professional-Development-Workshops/dp/1503321770/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428803526&sr=1-1

Please RSVP on MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/31161

Students who are not from UMBC, and are coming from other schools within the University System of Maryland, may RSVP by placing your name, school, and department into the comment section below.

UMBC participates in the national effort to connect graduate students with options for careers through the Council of Graduate Schools’ effort, Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers. 

REF:  Council of Graduate Schools and Educational Testing Service. (2012). Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers. Report from the Commission on Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

WEBSITE with the report and additional resources: http://www.pathwaysreport.org/

Confirmed organizations as of 4/4/15

• National Security Agency
• The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratories
• District of Columbia Public Schools
• Aflac
• SABREE, Inc.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• Senaissance software
• The Hilltop Institute
• Creative Staffing International
• Social Security Administration
• City of Baltimore – Bureau of Budget and Management Research (BBMR)
• Basis, Inc.
• US NAVY
• US Secret Service
• Northrop Grumman
• National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to meet Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse. Dr. Volkow is coming to UMBC as the Spring 2015 Distinguished Speaker for the ADVANCE program at UMBC. UMBC ADVANCE reached out to PROMISE and worked with Dr. Volkow to create a special session specifically geared to connect with graduate students. Dr. Volkow’s research is on addiction and the brain, but she is also interested in sharing about her role as a woman leader in STEM. Dr. Volkow grew up in Mexico and has been studying addiction since she was a teenager. She has published more than 580 articles, and 90 book chapters and other papers!

Come and meet this phenomenal leader!

• Monday, April 13, 2015
• Special Session for graduate students and postdocs: 1:00 – 2:00 PM, UMBC Campus, University Center, Room 310 (Light refreshments will be served.)
  • UMBC RSVP here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/31746
  • Grad students who have participated in PROMISE, but are not at UMBC, RSVP with your name and school in the comment section below.
• Afternoon Research Lecture: 4:30-5:30 PM, AOK Library Gallery (All invited, reception to follow), http://my.umbc.edu/groups/advance/news/50784

NIDA’s website describes Dr. Volkow’s work as follows:

Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects and addictive properties of abusable drugs. Her studies have documented changes in the dopamine system affecting, among others, the functions of frontal brain regions involved with motivation, drive, and pleasure in addiction. She has also made important contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD, and aging. (REF: http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/directors-page)

See Dr. Volkow’s talk from TEDMED:

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The PROMISE AGEP would like to express gratitude to UMBC ADVANCE for specifically developing a session with Dr. Volkow for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We express sincere thanks to Dr. Autumn Reed (Program Coordinator for Diversity Initiatives, Office of the Provost, UMBC)  for strengthening the ADVANCE-AGEP connection through this structured and coordinated event with Dr. Volkow. 

• ABOUT ADVANCE: National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE)
• ABOUT ADVANCE at UMBC: http://advance.umbc.edu/
• ABOUT the ADVANCE Hispanic Women in STEM Project with UMBC & Puerto Rico: https://hispanicstemwomen.wordpress.com/

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Dr. Volkow’s image and biographical information are reprinted with permission from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Press Office. 

The 2015 PROMISE Summer Success Institute (SSI) will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. This conference (business attire) provides professional development for new/incoming graduate students, continuing graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, early-career professors, and professionals in the region. This is an annual event that has been in existence since 2003. All PROMISE alumni are welcome to return! Professionals in the area are welcome to attend to be part of this networking, professional development, and community building event. The 2015 SSI will be held at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, in Hanover, MD. See more about our SSI History: https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/promise/the-promise-summer-success-institute-ssi/

Stay tuned to this website. It will be regularly updated with information.