Commuter Connections Wins Silver 2026 NASPA Excellence Award

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:20:14 -0500
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Commuter Connections has been selected as the Silver Award Winner in the NASPA 2026 Excellence Awards within the Commuter, Off-Campus, Military-Connected, Non-Traditional, and Related Programs category.

Dedicated to creating inclusive, engaging experiences that help commuter students feel at home at UMBC, Commuter Connections offers over 60 events and programs during the academic year, created to build a strong sense of connection and community. These events and programs are helping students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to thrive – academically, personally, and as part of the UMBC experience and beyond.

Commuter Connections' Good Morning Commuters program, founded in 1988, averages 155 students weekly. It includes a buffet-style breakfast, resource information from campus partners, and the opportunity for students to meet and make friends. The program has been expanded to include a Good Afternoon Commuters event.

In addition to Good Morning Commuters, Commuter Connections offer a variety of engaging programs designed to build community and enhance the commuter student experience. These include Commuter Hangouts, themed pop-up events that provide opportunities for commuters to connect; off-campus trips, which allow commuter students to build community while exploring new experiences throughout Baltimore; and the annual Spring Commuter Week, a celebration featuring daily events that uplift and highlight the commuter experience.

Commuter Week 2026 will take place Saturday, February 28 through Thursday, March 5.

Led by Assistant Director of Commuter Student Success Serena Studivant, Commuter Connections also benefits from the work of graduate and commuter assistants who receive professional development experience by helping to plan, develop, and execute programming.

"Serena is deeply deserving of this award for the way she leads through collaboration," said Jennifer Artis, director of Student Life and Success for Graduate, Adult Learners, and Commuters. "Her impact extends far beyond her department; she consistently builds meaningful partnerships across campus and shows up for students with care, intention, and excellence. Serena is truly a rockstar whose work strengthens our entire UMBC community."

NASPA Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. The awards cover twelve categories crucial to the success of students.

Studivant will share a poster presentation on the Commuter Connections program at the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference in Kansas City, MS.