UMBC's Student Social Work Association Receives Award for Outstanding Student Organization

The Office of Student and Academic Services (SAS) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) celebrated more than 170 outstanding student leaders at USG during the second annual Student Leadership Luncheon on April 25th. Student leadership was celebrated across five categories: orientation leaders, student ambassadors, Guided Study Sessions (GSS) leaders, writing fellows, and student clubs & organizations.

Students were recognized for their continued and exceptional service to fellow students on the USG campus, and the community at large, during the 2011 - 2012 academic year. Forty of the 170 student leaders were involved in more than one role.

During the luncheon, Dr. Stewart Edelstein addressed the audience of more than 100 student leaders, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the important role that the leadership experience plays in student lives at USG. He highlighted the concept of “servant leadership”, a philosophy that focuses on serving others through leadership.

Prof. Judy Streeter, program director for the Hotel and Restaurant Management program with UMES, was recognized with an award for outstanding support of USG student leaders, honoring her many efforts in creating leadership opportunities for her students on campus as well as with various community partners.

In each of the five leadership categories, one individual student or student group received an award for outstanding service:

Merab Okeyo, a graduating senior with the University of Baltimore, School of Nursing, received the award for the outstanding GSS leader of the academic year 2011-2012. GSS leaders are seniors or 2nd semester juniors who facilitate guided study sessions every week for pre-selected courses. Having been successful in the class themselves, these leaders create a collaborative learning environment and stress not just what to learn, but how to learn it. Merab has served as a GSS leader since her 2nd junior year for three different courses in the nursing curriculum and has stepped in whenever needed to assist another student with any nursing related questions.

Charles Bolton, a graduating senior with the Biological Sciences program, University of Maryland, College Park, was selected as the outstanding student ambassador. Student ambassadors represent their home institution and USG at recruiting events such as open houses, give tours to campus visitors and prospective students, and serve as the face of USG on various other occasions. Among the 20 ambassadors, Charles stood out because of his high level of professionalism, his flexibility, and his superb communication skills.

Nicole “Niki” Brush, a graduating senior with the Psychology program, UMBC, received the award for the outstanding writing fellow. Writing fellows are trained undergraduate peer writing tutors who work with students in discipline specific, writing-intensive courses and provide feedback on the structure and content of paper drafts. Niki has been a member of the planning group for a collaborative project with Montgomery College that focused on understanding the transition experience of transfer students in the area of writing in the disciplines since summer 2011. She has recruited many of her peers as writing fellows for the program in addition to being a fellow herself.

Carla Gott, a graduating senior with the Social Work program, UMBC, was selected as the outstanding orientation leader for the 2011-2012 academic year. Orientation leaders play an important role in supporting new students at USG in their transition to the new environment. Carla has always been willing to help out, has welcomed new students with great energy, and has encouraged them to get involved on campus. She is also a member of the Student Event Board and the Social Work Student Association and has been a writing fellow for two different writing-intensive classes at USG.

The Social Work Student Association (SWSA), UMBC, was selected as the outstanding student club & organization of the year out of 29 active students club and organization at USG. SWSA aims to promote interest in social work and social issues and has organized numerous service opportunities to benefit local communities, social work students, and the USG community.

In addition, all eight voting members of the USG Student Council were recognized for their tireless and continued work on behalf of all students at USG. The Student Council serves as a student advocacy and advisory group and identifies and engages in activities that enhance the student experience and are supportive of the USG community at large.

The celebration was catered by students in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).