Despite the unusual weather, there was a great turnout for Leadership Panel this past Wednesday, February 26th.  For those who could not attend, additional information is posted below. 

SALAR KHALEGHZADEGAN, RESEARCHER, BRADY UROLOGICAL INSTITUTE & SIDNEY KIMMEL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, CLASS #2 LEADERSHAPER, 2012-13 FRANCE & MERRICK FELLOW, & UMBC ALUM (CLASS OF ‘13)

 It was after his freshman year that Salar realized he wanted to get involved.  Salar described several leadership roles he had while at UMBC, notably Health Leads, Baltimore Collegetown Network’s Class #2 LeaderShaper and Class #3 On-Site Coordinator.  He described true leadership as knowing and admitting when you've made a mistake.  It is highly beneficial to take the time to work with your group to get their suggestions about how to improve the next time.

 As a past participant in with Summer Urological Research Experience (SURE), Salar recommends this summer internship -http://urology.jhu.edu/research/sure.php.  The application is due March 3rd (SOON!).  Per Salar, the website is pretty informative, the online application easy to complete.  He welcomes any questions at skhaleg1@umbc.edu.

 POULOMI BANERJEE, STRiVER (2013 WINTER PARTICIPANT, 2014 SUMMER COACH)

Poulimi shared "my adviser, Jen Dress, always tells us that when we started in our positions, none of us were technically qualified. It's the experience we got by being in the leadership positions that strengthened our leadership skills and made us qualified. I think that if there's a leadership opportunity, big or small, students should take that opportunity regardless of their experience and skills so that they can gain leadership skills. The great thing about STRiVE is that students learn about how and where they can find those opportunities and make the most out of them."  Poulomi also emphasized that one should not underestimate what they can contribute.  She described that she did not expect she would serve in a leadership role until later in her UMBC career.  She looks forward to her ASB experience with the Gesundheit Institute, eager to connect with and cheer up children who are working through major health challenges.

With great excitement, Poulimi encouraged members to consider STRiVE, which traditionally has been held over Winter Session.   The first Summer Leadership Session will be held May 27th-31st.  Applications will open on Monday, March 3rd at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/lc

Poulimi is happy to answer any questions at sb52379@umbc.edu.

 EMMA GREGER, FELLOW, 2013-14 FRANCE & MERRICK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Emma shared how influential her Honors College Team Leader Sunaina Khandewal was when Emma was a freshman in the Honors College Forum.  With Sunaina's encouragement, Emma volunteered at Education Based Latino Outreach (EBLO), where Sunaina was the Service-Learning Intern through The Shriver Center.  When Sunaina graduated, Emma became the EBLO Intern.

Emma shared how much she loved being a WOOLIE during Welcome Week.  It was in this leadership role that she experienced the importance of being flexible and thinking quickly on your feet when things don't go as you initially planned.  “Plan B” can be an excellent experience for all of those involved.

As a Scholar her junior year and now as a Fellow, Emma values the network and opportunities for collaboration gained through the France & Merrick Scholarship Program.  Emma is currently applying to the Peace Corps while finishing her last semester as an undergraduate.  Emma welcomes any questions at egreg1@umbc.edu.

Applications for 2014-15 are due by April 1st.  Please see the attachment for application requirements.  

JULICIA COLEMAN, CHOICE JOBS FELLOW, THE CHOICE PROGRAM  Important support systems got Julicia to where she is today.  Julicia provides that to youth through The Choice Jobs Program, placing youth in vocational settings to promote employment readiness.  She described the benefits and challenges in working with youth at the Flying Fruit Fantasy Shake stands at Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor.  There is so much to learn about the food industry (managing a business, safe handling of food, etc.).  Additionally, figuring out a balance between mentor and supervisor can be challenging, especially considering that many of the youth are used to people talking at them.  Julicia recently was promoted as Service Coordinator to lead the team of Fellows in the Prince George’s County, where the program just expanded.  

For more info on the Choice Jobs’ Paid Summer Internship, review the position description below. ACT SOON as interviews have already begun! The majority of the full-time AmeriCorps Fellowship positions (stipend, benefits, an Educational Award) are open in late spring/early summer.  You can begin the interview process now!  For more info on The Choice Program, go to www.choiceprograms.org

KRISTEN GUY, PROGRAM MANAGER, BALTIMORE COLLEGETOWN NETWORK’S LEADERSHAPE PROGRAM Kristen became a LeaderShaper when she was an undergraduate at Towson University.  A number of leadership roles followed, to include LeaderShape On-site Coordinator and SGA President.  Her leadership skills were constantly being put to the test.  Kristen highly recommends the book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” by Patrick Lencioni.  Playing to group members’ strengths are critical in having a cohesive team.  Contact Kristen with any questions at kguy@baltimorecollegetown.org.

Baltimore Collegetown Class #5 LeaderShape - deadline March 13th -http://www.baltimorecollegetown.org/resources/leadershape/about-the-program/

HANNAH SCHMITZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, THE SHRIVER CENTER’S SUMMER PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIPS (GOVERNOR’S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, WALTER SONDHEIM, JR. MARYLAND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, & MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 The newest member of The Shriver Center, Hannah’s experience runs deep in leadership in the field of higher education (to include West Chester University and Drexel University).  In her role, Hannah liaises with these unique public service internship programs to ensure that state-wide participants will have meaningful experiences.  Hannah recently attended a hearing at the Maryland State House of Delegates with several UMBC students who testified to promote the expansion of the Walter Sondheim Jr. Public Service Summer Internship Program to become a year-long experience (for more info, go to http://my.umbc.edu/groups/shriver/news/41765). When working on teams, it is important to meet your colleagues where they are.   Hannah emphasized that being a leader means knowing when to lead and when to follow.

Shriver Center Paid Summer Public Service Internship Programs - varied deadlines, close soon! - http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/students/the-scholars-programs/