Save these 2014 dates: May 3 (Celebration Cookout), August 16 (Summer Success Institute)

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my last semester :(

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

A: I'm a Senator in the Student Government Association and a proud member of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars and the Honors College.

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

A: I work to improving campus and empower others to lead (with sass).

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

A: I really truly enjoy working with groups of dedicated people to get students what they need to be content and engaged during their college years and beyond. I love watching people fill out their voter registration forms almost as much as I love having conversations about where the best pizza is in Arbutus or Catonsville. Being able to represent UMBC in different facets is really rewarding and exciting.

I also really enjoy having conversations with people who think differently than I do. The great thing about UMBC is that we are a diverse campus, not only in terms of where we are from or what we look like, but in how we think. The best thing about UMBC is having the ability to learn something new from someone different every day.

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

A: The most important thing I've learned at UMBC is to have an open mind and take chances. I've spent much of my life being afraid of introducing myself to new people. When I came to college, I forced myself to be the person that I've always wanted to be. That meant saying hello to people, joining clubs, and participating in discussions. I went from not raising my hand in class, to giving a speech for 400 people in the UC Ballroom. I'm proud of the changes I've made, and the partnerships that have helped me do so.

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

A: The Atlanta Braves, coffee, wedding cake shows, sleeping, Aaron Sorkin, stuffed animals, reading, and knitting.

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: I've had a lot of really great opportunities at UMBC and worked on a lot of great projects, but my favorite was planning and hosting the Election Night Extravaganza in 2012 to celebrate the presidential election. I get really excited about democracy and government, and this was the perfect moment to encapsulate my UMBC experience. The Commons was packed with good people, good conversations, fun games, and pizza. I'm really proud of the work that we did so that everyone could enjoy themselves, and I'll always remember where I was the first time I learned the results of my vote. It was a great experience.

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.