Real People Profiles: Greg Simmons
I’m 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: Greg Simmons

Hometown: Born in Southington, CT, and have lived in Baltimore City for almost 20 years.

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: Since 1993

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

A: Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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

A: Connect people and companies to the rich creative and intellectual resources of the university. 

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

A: I really love learning about the work of faculty, staff and students, and introducing people to UMBC through those stories.  The really exciting moments come when those stories help inspire people and organizations to invest in the work of UMBC.  

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

A: UMBC has helped me understand what it takes to be an active member of a vibrant community--to be involved, to build relationships across the organization, to pay attention to details, and to be passionate about the work and the people who do it.  

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

A:  The SGA's Prove It! program.

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: Whenever possible, I take the walkway bridge to meetings at bwtech@UMBC.  The little bit of exercise is great, and walking through the woods and past the ponds is a great way to catch my breath and get ready for my next meeting.  
]]> I’m 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... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/real-people-profiles-greg-simmons.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4632/guest@my.umbc.edu/d3c0e3363970db84fd6cdc3b0bc4598e/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 12 0 true Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:48:00 -0500 Real People Profiles: Heather Kopf
I’m 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: Heather Kopf

Hometown: Mount Airy, Maryland

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my 10th and final semester at UMBC! I'm both scared and ridiculously excited.

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

A: The really cheesy and generally awesome Assistant to the President in the SGA, I'm the Vice President of Recruitment for our Panhellenic Association and member of my sorority (which shall remain nameless until the end of February... shhh, it's a secret!)

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

A: Helpful, enthusiastic and thoroughly hectic energized recruiter (didya get where that came from?) My alternate: Helping UMBC students find their home and niche at UMBC.

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

A:  Oh my gosh, I love it all. Truly. And that sounds ridiculous, but I love these positions when it's fun and I love it when it's hard, because it provides a challenge for me, and I love challenges. I am such a people person, so I love getting to know so many people through these positions. I meet so many new girls who I think would be wonderful additions to our Greek community to expand our academics, community service, and leadership capabilities. Being our VP of Recruitment this year, I've been able to extend their invitations to them for Greek membership and seeing the looks on their faces when they receive these makes the hard work and stress worth it. It has been one thing I've found at UMBC that makes me totally and completely happy inside. I live to please, it's what I do. I also get to meet so many other students working with the SGA and love getting to hear how passionate they are about changing some injustices of our community. One of my favorite things is getting to see others grow in their roles. Being here for five years, I've gotten to see students come in as freshman, take on these opportunities and really flourish and grow into these amazing people, it's really exciting. And I love looking at things the SGA has done, that I've been blessed to be apart of and saying, "Wow, look, WE DID THAT! We made that happen!" All the positions I've had since my freshman year have really made me grow into the person I am today. I really enjoyed learning about myself, what I do well and what I don't, and finding new tools to use when I'm out in the real world. My friend Catie told me she has probably learned more from being a leader than in some of the classes she takes, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree with her.

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

A: I've learned A LOT being in college and I want to break this down by year, bear with me:

Freshman Year: Don't be afraid to speak up. I started out as a First Year Ambassador to our SGA Senate as a freshman and was generally very quiet (for those who know me, you know this seems impossible, but I was). But starting out in this role taught me to trust my instincts and speak up, because if you don't then who will?

Sophomore Year: Get involved and don't be afraid to try new things! I rushed my sorority the fall of this year and I never even considered Greek Life as an option for my college career. It has definitely been a growing experience and something I will cherish for the rest of my life, it was one of my best decisions in college!

Junior Year: Know your limits, don't try and take on the world. If you know me, you know I try to do about 10,000 things at once, I love to take on EVERYTHING I can muster. I just really like to be busy! But during this year I came under some hardships and learned that I really needed to step back from everything and take care of myself and my academics for a while. It was hard to do, hard to withdrawal a bit from the world, but it was something I needed to do in order for me to move forward. Another big learning experience.

Senior Year: Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and you come first so take care of YOURSELF. I can be very stubborn and feel that I can conquer anything (Junior year ring a bell?). But this year was very hard for me personally, mentally, physically, and socially. I realized I can't do everything on my own, and that is OK. I thought by asking for help that would make me seem weak and incompetent, but what I learned was that it just made me human. This was definitely a year I took to really learn about myself and try and better myself.

SUPER SENIOR Year: Make the most out of every experience and never give up! My very last year (at least my mother hopes so!) and I want it to be the most memorable one! I've learned that most experiences are what you make of it, so if you make it the best that you can, it will be positive, and visa versa. While keeping all of the above in mind, I've gotten back into being super involved and have learned my limits, learned my strengths, and have vowed to make this last semester my very best. It's my last chance, I can't slack now, not when I've worked so hard to get here!

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

A:  Coffee... lists... crafty things... old movies... friends and family: my support system... without it, I would NOT be standing right now.

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:  Honestly, I could probably write a book about my life at UMBC. Half the stuff that happened, you just could not make up, but that is what has made it interesting and I'll always remember my time here at UMBC. 

Memories, hmmm... One birthday, my roommate and sorority sister filled our ENTIRE room with balloons, it was SO funny to come back to, there were balloons EVERYWHERE in our building for days! When the tragedy at Virginia Tech occurred, the whole UMBC community gathered and brought this amazing support to each other and the VT community. That day, the power went out at UMBC and no one really knew what was going on except for hear-say. But hearing the stories from other students and friends was something I will never forget. And well, lets not get me started on the snow storm last February... while it SUCKED because I broke my ankle and didn't get a chance to get to urgent care for a week and a half, some of those in SGA and I built this snow castle in the courtyard of Walker Building 2... mail boxes we used to build the bricks of snow remained in my apartment for weeks!

A place not many people remember (or were at UMBC for) was the Hillcrest building. I thought it was the coolest building and had SO much history. Of course, it had many tall tales to go along with it and embellishing those stories just made the thought of the building more fun. I remember freshman year, my friends and I walked up and sat in front of it after midnight breakfast and I offered up my orange juice to whatever ghost may still be lurking in the building. Reports were that it was haunted but I never got to investigate before they tore it down! (Yeah, I'm one of THOSE nerds) I was extremely sad to see the building go, especially because it housed SO much of our UMBC history and thought it deserved to be preserved. But I feel lucky to have experienced the building while it was here and be able to be a part of its history, even for that short amount of time.

Another place I love is the hill that overlooks the athletic field. My friend William showed it to me one day and it has remained one of my favorite places to go and just sit and think... and of course do silly photo-shoots with my friends. I also love the SGA office. I've had SO many fun experiences and moments in there that make me laugh every time I think of them!

All in all, my experience at UMBC has been an adventure! And as cliche as it sounds, it has definitely been a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. But like I said, they have given me life lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and for that I am very grateful.

(Apologies for "War and Peace")
]]> I’m 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... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/real-people-profiles-heather-kopf.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4602/guest@my.umbc.edu/5b09c172a988f1359a8a87df78fc0c91/api/pixel real-people-profiles Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 42 8 true Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:00:00 -0500 While You Were Away
Here's a brief update on a few UMBC-related happenings since mid-December:

]]> Here's a brief update on a few UMBC-related happenings since mid-December: UMBC’s chess team placed second among 28 teams competing in the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship in... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/while-you-were-away.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4588/guest@my.umbc.edu/5382721d79851c551f12815477c0117c/api/pixel Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 18 5 true Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:06:00 -0500 Inauguration Day
The little town in southern North Carolina featured a small collection of chain hotels, the usual fast food joints and an industrial plant that had contaminated the groundwater with its waste.  I woke up in an anonymous room in one of those hotels.  I put on a suit and tie, and had to fight the sense that they were just a costume meant to create the illusion that I was a grown-up.  Then I headed out to the plant.

This was my first solo out-of-town trip as an attorney.  The plant’s corporate owner—a major defense contractor—was suing its insurance companies for coverage of costs relating to the poisoned water.  And I was now one of the defense contractor’s hired guns.  The more senior attorneys back at the firm in Los Angeles had tasked me with finding documents that might be relevant to the lawsuit.

Months earlier, in a more optimistic phase of my life between the California Bar Exam and my first day of work at the firm, I had volunteered with the Clinton-Gore campaign in Washington, DC.  My little piece of the action had involved gathering information about local issues to prepare the candidates and their representatives in advance of campaign trips.  It was a trivial contribution in the context of a national election, but I had felt like I was at the center of everything that mattered.  On election night, when Bill Clinton had stepped onto a stage in Little Rock to speak to his supporters, I had been completely swept up in the moment and felt truly alive.

Now, on a cold day in January, I walked from office to office and across the shop floor, asking what was in the filing cabinets and taking notes.  I felt uncomfortable and ambivalent, trapped in someone else’s life while the world passed me by.  And because this was Presidential inauguration day, I wanted nothing more than to be standing on the Mall in DC or watching television in the company of friends.  But I had my responsibilities, and at the moment they involved interviewing middle managers and their assistants, and trying to block out the gentle country tunes being piped into every room at the plant.

Suddenly, in the middle of an interview, the soft sounds in the background changed.  Familiar words were forming, almost inaudible over the hum of fluorescent lights and machines: “ . . . do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute . . .”  I realized suddenly that those country tunes must have been coming over the radio, and the station had cut to the inauguration ceremony!  It was almost exactly noon, 18 years ago today.

I interrupted the person who was telling me about the contents of her filing cabinets.  “Hey,” I said, “I think that’s the inauguration!”  She stared at me blankly.  “Oh, you mean the political thing?,” she said.  “I heard that was today.” 

I paused a few seconds before responding, wanting to hear more of those powerful words from the new President, the President I had helped to elect.  Maybe I could even catch his inaugural address.  Maybe my interviewee would want to pause for a few moments to listen with me . . . but no.  She looked at me impatiently, expectantly.  I sighed and returned to my questions.  Eventually the radio switched back to its regular programming, and the background was filled once again with soft, rhythmic noise.

(Note: For more on my experience as a lawyer, go here).
]]> The little town in southern North Carolina featured a small collection of chain hotels, the usual fast food joints and an industrial plant that had contaminated the groundwater with its waste.  I... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/inauguration-day.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4501/guest@my.umbc.edu/6fbd4f87c63f8905e60ad7c981dbdeb2/api/pixel personal-stories Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 11 5 true Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:17:00 -0500 UMBC’s Winter 2011 Dissertation House: “Nothing is... Full Title: UMBC’s Winter 2011 Dissertation House: “Nothing is Utterly Hopeless.”

The day began late due to ice-encased cars, slippery roads, and a delayed opening. However, the graduate students at UMBC are hard at work and they are putting in the time and effort needed to work on their dissertations.  This morning, students posted and shared their goals and objectives for the week and began to chip away at their respective projects. Dr. Wendy Carter, the Dissertation Coach for the campus, reviewed the goals with the students to make sure that they were measurable and reasonable for the 4-day period of the workshop.

After lunch, Dr. Robert Deluty (Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Presidential Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology, and published poet) gave a talk on working with committees and advisors that was filled with both wisdom and humor.  Dr. Deluty’s message of support for all of the graduate students at UMBC was that often, “nothing is utterly hopeless.” He provided some words and phrases that students can use when talking with their advisors and seeking advice from mentors. He also told students to be sure to seek multiple sources of encouragement and support because a solution can often be found with help of others, whether they be peers, faculty, or administrators.  The afternoon mini-lecture series ended with a great story by newly minted Ph.D., Dr. Adrienne Starks, an alum of the Dissertation House. Dr. Starks discussed her journey and some of the solutions that she used, including resources for an editor and a spa to de-stress!  She has shared them on the Dissertation House’s “Winter Challenge” section of the blog: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2011-challenge/

Read more about Dr. Deluty: http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2010/09/real-people-profiles-robert-h-deluty.html

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wpgAoprz8g

Join us online. You can participate in the Winter Online Challenge regardless of your department, school, state, or country!

Good luck to all who are working on their dissertations.


Filed under: Dissertation House, UMBC, Winter 2011 DH Tagged: Dissertation, Education, Graduate School, Robert Deluty, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Winter DH, Woodloch Spa ]]> Full Title: UMBC’s Winter 2011 Dissertation House: “Nothing is Utterly Hopeless.” The day began late due to ice-encased cars, slippery roads, and a delayed opening. However, the graduate students... http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/umbcs-winter-2011-dissertation-house-nothing-is-utterly-hopeless/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4479/guest@my.umbc.edu/c46496930afa526f383cf2dc76564940/api/pixel dissertation dissertation-house robert-deluty umbc winter-2011-dh winter-dh woodloch-spa Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students 0 0 false Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:04:24 -0500 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:04:24 -0500 The Social Animal I think this piece by David Brooks in The New Yorker is a little choppy, maybe because it's a boiled-down version of a forthcoming book.  But it contains some useful ideas for people with major life decisions ahead (i.e., all of us, but especially young adults).  Brooks surveys developments in neuroscience to build a thesis about how people achieve happiness and success.  Here's how he frames a fundamental dilemma facing young people from relatively privileged backgrounds:
"They live in a society that prizes the development of career skills but is inarticulate when it comes to the things that matter most. The young achievers are tutored in every soccer technique and calculus problem, but when it comes to their most important decisions—whom to marry and whom to befriend, what to love and what to despise—they are on their own. Nor, for all their striving, do they understand the qualities that lead to the highest achievement. Intelligence, academic performance, and prestigious schools don’t correlate well with fulfillment, or even with outstanding accomplishment. The traits that do make a difference are poorly understood, and can’t be taught in a classroom, no matter what the tuition: the ability to understand and inspire people; to read situations and discern the underlying patterns; to build trusting relationships; to recognize and correct one’s shortcomings; to imagine alternate futures. In short, these achievers have a sense that they are shallower than they need to be." 
It's a longish article, but worth checking out.
]]> I think this piece by David Brooks in The New Yorker is a little choppy, maybe because it's a boiled-down version of a forthcoming book.  But it contains some useful ideas for people with major... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/social-animal.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4469/guest@my.umbc.edu/a8274c8109518b9ff8b6a6888eee5479/api/pixel community success Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 12 11 true Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:06:00 -0500 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:06:00 -0500 Delayed Opening at UMBC Today, Dissertation House... Full Title: Delayed Opening at UMBC Today, Dissertation House Begins at 10AM

Due to weather and UMBC’s delayed opening, today’s Dissertation House will begin at 10AM. Campus will open at 10AM today, January 18, 2011.  The DH schedule will be revised accordingly. We’ll look forward to seeing you there. Students joining us online for the Winter Challenge are welcome to begin at anytime! http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2011-challenge/


Filed under: Dissertation House, UMBC Tagged: Delayed Opening, Dissertation, Schedule Change, UMBC, Weather ]]> Full Title: Delayed Opening at UMBC Today, Dissertation House Begins at 10AM Due to weather and UMBC’s delayed opening, today’s Dissertation House will begin at 10AM. Campus will open at 10AM... http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/delayed-opening-at-umbc-today-dissertation-house-begins-at-10am/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4468/guest@my.umbc.edu/6b5a6c866ee585dfe86b8ff047e42156/api/pixel dissertation-house Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students 0 0 false Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:15:09 -0500 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:15:09 -0500 Four Days to Synergy The buses rolled into the Skycroft Conference Center at around 11:15 last Monday morning.  43 UMBC students, most of whom did not know each other before boarding, walked hesitantly down the steps to retrieve their bags.  Once they had claimed beds in bare cabins, they made their way quietly across the parking lot to a conference room with stackable chairs arranged in an oval, and stared at each other awkwardly.  So began STRiVE 2011.

At 10:00 last Thursday evening, in the same conference room, the scene had changed completely.  Most of the retreat-goers and several STRiVE coaches were deeply engaged in a giddy game of “Monkey in the Middle,” joyfully flinging a plastic ball around the hall, music blasting in the background.  Everywhere there was laughter and applause as the participants unselfconsciously poked fun at themselves and encouraged each other in their goofiness and glee.  It was a moment of pure harmony, a shared peak experience in which everyone was exactly where they wanted to be, with people they trusted implicitly.  Of all the amazing STRiVE moments from the past week, that is the one I am certain I will never forget: an eternal instant in which our collective sense of belonging and community was pure and perfect.

The STRiVE curriculum focuses on personal development, group dynamics and social transformation.  The content is designed to help participants develop skills, insights and plans that position them for success as leaders and agents of change.  But the content is just a fraction of the STRiVE experience.  What matters more is that participants and coaches (students and staff from UMBC) share their stories, values and hopes.  They step out of role, drop pretenses, encourage each other to be real and take risks together.  In the end, what makes the STRiVE experience so special is what emerges spontaneously from those interactions: deep mutual appreciation, life-changing breakthroughs, crazy energy, and a sense that anything in the word is possible.  Though the structure has remained essentially the same, no two STRiVE retreats have been alike, because the participants have made each one their very own.  Aside from a multitude of unique conversations, this year featured sledding without sleds, the baby shark Dougie, the green glass door, no-hands four square, freezing marshmallows, a chorus of Journey tunes, Apples to Apples at mealtime, and an awkward phone call to sing “I’m a Little Teapot” to my mother.

The deep magic of STRiVE is that it produces these spontaneous transformations intentionally and reliably.  Four days from strangers to friends.  Four days from isolated parts to a whole greater than their sum.  Four days to authenticity, belonging, and the will to change the world.  I wonder whether we’re always just four intense days away from that sense and spirit in all of our communities.

]]> The buses rolled into the Skycroft Conference Center at around 11:15 last Monday morning.  43 UMBC students, most of whom did not know each other before boarding, walked hesitantly down the steps... http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/01/four-days-to-synergy.html https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4434/guest@my.umbc.edu/3ae79ee263d39ec3a90f6de255494f52/api/pixel leadership-education strive Co-Create UMBC https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 19 7 true Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:52:00 -0500 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:52:00 -0500 Advice for Preparing and Delivering Graduate Level... Full Title: Advice for Preparing and Delivering Graduate Level Presentations by Barrett Whitener @PROMISE Symposium, Jan. 21, 2011Dear Graduate Students, We have a wonderful history of providing training for students who are going to be presenting research for conferences, proposals, and defenses. Please join us on Friday, 1/21 for famous Voice-over Artist and Vocal Trainer Barrett Whitener’s critiques and advice for graduate level presentations. Whitener, known for his voice on Random House [...] ]]> Full Title: Advice for Preparing and Delivering Graduate Level Presentations by Barrett Whitener @PROMISE Symposium, Jan. 21, 2011Dear Graduate Students, We have a wonderful history of providing... http://promisesuccessseminars.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/advice-for-graduate-level-presentations-by-barrett-whitener-promise-symposium-jan-21-2011/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4410/guest@my.umbc.edu/500fb978e2282f721bd4317efaa7f5b3/api/pixel agep barrett-whitener grad-students gradstudents presentations promise promise-marylands-agep public-speaking resarch-symposium seminars speaking-about-science umb umbc umbc-grad-school umcp university-of-maryland-college-park vocal-trainer workshops Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students 5 0 false Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:31:50 -0500 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:31:50 -0500 Winter Dissertation House at UMBC is coming in 2 weeks!

Happy New Year and welcome back.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to make significant progress on your dissertation then this blog is for you. Dr. Carter believes “a good dissertation is a done dissertation.”  No more excuses; make a plan to finish your dissertation.  Although writing your dissertation can be a lonely process it does not have to be–you are not alone.

We are hosting in-person Winter Dissertation House at  UMBC starting January 18-21, 2011.  We invite you to join us online by taking part in our Winter 2011 online challenge.  We strongly encourage you to participate by daily posting your goals and receiving feedback.



Filed under: Dissertation House ]]> Happy New Year and welcome back. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to make significant progress on your dissertation then this blog is for you. Dr. Carter believes “a good dissertation... http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/winter-2011-on-line-challenge/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/4245/guest@my.umbc.edu/ae0a319d40b7ca1d2a5a8dce07b810d0/api/pixel dissertation-house Grad Student & Postdoc Development https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/original.jpg?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xlarge.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/large.png?1695134616 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/medium.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/small.png?1695134616 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xsmall.png?1695134616 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/066/fd3771a0ce0803416cfb6a914448d0d0/xxsmall.png?1695134616 PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students 0 0 false Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:53:01 -0500