Public Policy alumna Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury (Ph.D. '07) has been named among top women in non-profit leadership by Women We Admire. 

She received UMBC's Outstanding Alumnus/na in the Social and Behavioral Sciences in October 2013.

From the article:

"Sherece West is the President & CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, a private foundation that seeks to disrupt the systems that block Arkansans who are striving to get out of poverty. They are in relentless pursuit of educational, economic, social, ethnic, and racial equity. West is a leading 21st-century voice on the eradication of global poverty. From her early beginnings impacting policy as a lobbyist in NYC, to leading programs at some of the most prestigious foundations in the Southeastern United States, West has been unwavering in her quest to increase prosperity amongst marginalized groups and end poverty in her lifetime. West currently serves as the President and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in Little Rock, Arkansas where she has led the organization through reinvention and tremendous growth over the last decade.

Known for her leadership in the areas of community development, public policy, and disaster recovery, West is a transformational leader who is unafraid to ask the tough questions that challenge conventional thinking, action, and funding around impoverished communities. West graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Ph.D. in public policy, from the University of Michigan Institute of Public Policy Studies with a master’s in public policy, and from Bowie State University with an undergraduate in public administration."

Dr. Michael brings a volume of experience to his service as Vice President of the State Board. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Sherman Family Foundation, which provides grants to non-profit organizations to promote education and opportunities for young people in Baltimore focusing on early childhood and K12 education.

Dr. Michael began his career as a middle school math teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. Previously, Dr. Michael served as the Director of Baltimore School Partnerships at UMBC with the Sherman Scholars Program where he cultivated a pipeline of STEM educators and oversaw several signature partnership programs with Baltimore City schools including the UMBC-Lakeland partnership. As a high school student in 2005-06, he served as the student member of the State Board.

Dr. Michael received his Ph.D. from the UMBC School of Public Policy, and currently resides in Baltimore City with his wife, Leslie, and their three children. This will be the first term that Dr. Michael will serve as Vice President of the State Board."