Reflections on STRiVE 2025: Learning to Lead for Public Purpose

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:44:59 -0500

STRiVE 2025 took place from Monday, January 13 - Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD. 47 UMBC undergraduate students spent five days strengthening their talents, learning to live by their values, and exploring how to deepen UMBC’s culture of mattering and belonging. The program positioned them to be co-creators of a UMBC community in which everyone can thrive.

“STRiVE created a community of leaders that taught and uplifted each other. I left this program a better person and leader because of the people I met.” — Ellie Davidson (junior, math)

“I learned that stories are everything, and people want to matter and belong, but most importantly civic life is everywhere. We see, we experience, and we thrive for change. Not just change that honors our values and perspectives but honors the values and perspectives of others.” — Djina Awungnija (first-year, biochemistry and molecular biology)

STRiVE 2025 was facilitated by a team of coaches led by Tess McRae ’22 (Center for Democracy and Civic Life):

Angelina Jenkins, M.A. (The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity)

David Hoffman ’13, Ph.D. (Center for Democracy and Civic Life)

Jasmine Lee, Ph.D. (Division of Institutional Equity)

Jeff Cullen, Ph.D. (Student Conduct and Community Standards)

Mary Rose Khamfong (senior, psychology)

Maya Hunn (senior, public health)

Nikita Lobo (sophomore, computer science)

Sebastian Zamora (sophomore, financial economics and English)

Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff members Carly Shearer (sophomore, computer science) and Trentqual Rhone, M.A. supported STRiVE as site coordinators.

“I was nervous before joining STRiVE, but there really is no reason to be nervous. STRiVE fosters a very welcome community and I truly loved every second.” — Davida Wiredu (first-year, political science and English)

“STRiVE helped me feel like I belong at UMBC and that I can make an impact, here and in the wider community!” — Connor White (junior, geography and environmental studies)

During STRiVE, guests from UMBC visited Skycroft to meet with groups of participants exploring specific issues affecting members of the UMBC community. The guests ("stakeholders") helped participants consider how they could contribute to addressing those issues in the semester(s) ahead. The stakeholders were:

Ciara Christian, M.A. ’18, Ph.D. ’22 (Center for Social Justice Dialogue)

Darcie Adams ’23 (The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being)

Griselda Flores, Ph.D. (Retriever Essential Needs and Connections)

John Fox, Ph.D. (Division of Student Affairs)

Katie Bowen, LCSW-C (Retriever Integrated Health)

Matt Hoffman, M.Div (The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being)

Ricky Blissett ’11, Ph.D. (Center for Democracy and Civic Life)

Ciara Christian and Ricky Blissett visited STRiVE 2025 at other points during the week to co-facilitate sessions with some of the STRiVE 2025 coaches. James DeVita, Ph.D. (Division of Student Affairs) visited STRiVE to share some inspiration with the participants.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who served as coaches, stakeholders, and guests, as well as to Kelly Birch, Lan Le ’21, and the entire commonvision staff team for their flexibility, patience, and incredible support with the behind-the-scenes preparation for STRiVE.

STRiVE is hosted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life with support from the Student Government Association and PNC Bank. Since 2009, over 900 UMBC students have participated in the program and have gone on to make meaningful change on campus and beyond.

Applications for STRiVE 2026 will open in October 2025. Fill out our Program Interest Form to be among the first notified when we release the application.

“This experience has reinforced my commitment to leading with empathy and integrity. Whether in academic, professional, or community settings, I now feel more equipped to approach challenges thoughtfully and drive positive change with purpose.” — Roza Zareidoodeji (sophomore, biological sciences)

(Read more about Roza's STRiVE experience in her reflection “Leading with Purpose: My Journey Through STRiVE.”)

“This was without a doubt the best experience of my life. I came in scared of being hated and judged, but came out with so much support. This is so much more than just a retreat, this is the start of a community.” — Taylor Laumann (junior, business technology administration)

“At STRiVE, you learn how individuals connect to create a narrative of love, a true community.” — Yael Chookrun (first-year, computer science)