The link to submit nominations for awards is here! (https://forms.gle/bbeygJuLUfJVbqT4A). Nominations are due Monday 4/14!
Recognizing Extraordinary Champions for Queer Students!
Award Quantity: 1
Who’s Eligible? Faculty, staff, or campus affiliates/partners
Who Decides? Only students! You nominate, you vote, you choose the winner!
Why This Award Matters: This is the award that celebrates a true champion—someone who has consistently gone above and beyond to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for queer students at UMBC. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or everyday kindness, this person has made a lasting impact on our community. This is a lifetime award, meaning once you win, you’re forever a legend!
How to Nominate: In 3-4 sentences, share how this individual has positively impacted the queer student community. Tell us a story, share a memory, or highlight a moment when they made a difference.
Honoring Those Who Leave a Timeless Impact!
Award Quantity: Up to 2 (if available—1 undergraduate & 1 graduate) or 1 if awarded to a non-student
Who’s Eligible? Graduating students or faculty, staff, alumni, or campus partners
Why This Award Matters: Some people don’t just show up—they transform the world around them. The Legacy Award honors those who have made an unforgettable, lasting impact on the UMBC queer community. Whether they are a graduating student or a dedicated faculty, staff, alum, or campus partner, this award celebrates their commitment to radical love, belonging, and inclusive excellence. Their contributions have shaped UMBC’s queer community in priceless ways, and this award ensures their legacy is never forgotten.
How to Nominate: In 5-6 sentences, tell us about this person’s extraordinary impact on UMBC’s queer community. Share a story, a moment, or a memory that captures their dedication. What have they done to make a difference? How have they created a culture of inclusion and belonging? Please also list any previous Lavender Awards they’ve won.
Recognizing Rising Stars at UMBC!
Award Quantity: Up to 2 (if available—1 undergraduate & 1 graduate)
Who’s Eligible?
1st & 2nd year traditional undergraduates
1st-year transfer students
1st-year master’s students
1st & 2nd year PhD students
Why This Award Matters: Some students hit the ground running, and we see you! The New Grit Award honors students who, despite being new to UMBC, have already made a positive, lasting impact. Whether through leadership, involvement, or simply bringing energy and passion to campus life, these students are setting the stage for an incredible journey ahead.
Celebrating Those Who Stand Up and Speak Out
Award Quantity: Up to 2 (if available—1 undergraduate & 1 graduate)
Who’s Eligible? Students who embody the university’s core values of inclusive excellence and social justice
Why this Award Matters: This award recognizes those who don’t just talk about change but actively "take up the mantle"—following in the footsteps of UMBC faculty and staff who champion activism and mutual aid in Baltimore and beyond.
At the heart of this award is the belief that every act of activism matters:
All activism is needed—from grassroots organizing to global advocacy.
Small activism is activism—because even the smallest actions create waves of change.
Radical self-care is activism—sustaining yourself is part of sustaining the movement.
This award honors students who boldly stand up, speak out, and take action in any form of activism—whether through mutual aid, hyperlocal initiatives, or national and global movements. Students who have collaborated with faculty or staff in their advocacy efforts are welcome to be nominated, but no formal affiliation is required.
Honoring Those Who Make UMBC a Home for All
Award Quantity: Up to 2 (if available—1 undergraduate & 1 graduate)
Who’s Eligible? Students who embody the spirit of radical love and belonging
Why This Award Matters: Some students don’t just participate in the UMBC community—they transform it. The Radical Love & Belonging Award recognizes students who create spaces of safety, inclusion, and belonging everywhere they go. These individuals see, hear, and uplift those around them, making UMBC a place where everyone feels valued. They don’t just talk about inclusion—they live it through compassion, empowerment, and radical love.
Celebrating Students Who Elevate Queer Voices & Issues!
Award Quantity: Up to 2 (if available—1 undergraduate & 1 graduate)
Who’s Eligible? Students whose work centers queer people in some way
What Qualifies? Any effort from the past calendar year that increases queer visibility, advocacy, or well-being on or off-campus!
Why This Award Matters: Some students don’t just support the queer community—they amplify it. The Amplifier Award honors students who are actively raising awareness, advocating for queer issues, and creating meaningful change. Whether through research, leadership, activism, creative projects, or service, these students push boundaries, spark conversations, and make UMBC and beyond a better place for queer people.
Know someone making waves for the queer community? Nominate them and help us amplify their impact!
These awards are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.
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Name: Donna Poleski
Pronouns: She/her
Title: Program Management Specialist
Years in Student Affairs/UMBC: 1.5
What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?
In my position in the Career Center I am a jack of all trades. I deal with budgets, supply ordering, celebration planning, supporting staff with events and everything and anything in between! And I love it, I am a “helper” by nature and each day is something new.
What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here?
I have learned to prioritize myself and my family. Prior to coming to UMBC I worked in private companies where you did as much as you possibly could, went home exhausted and came back the next day with just as much work as the day before with not much appreciation from management. I never seemed to have any time off and even if I did, there was no one to cover my work. UMBC has given me the gift of spending time with my family, friends and myself. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
Antwan Clinton (he/him/his) joined Student Affairs in October 2024 as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Facility Operations, Auxiliary, and Business Services. He oversees Residential Life, The Commons, and Center for Well-Being facilities, as well as auxiliary services and the Student Affairs Business Services Center. What is one of his CliftonStrengths? Check out the interview!
What spaces/places on campus or in Baltimore are becoming your favorite?
My office is in The Commons, and I really love the vibe and being at the center of the student experience on campus. It's like people watching at the airport and being able to interact with people from all walks of life.
What are some of your hobbies/activities outside of work?
I love cars, motorcycles, and sports. These days I'm too busy to enjoy them as much as I used to, but I'm still looking forward to getting back to them.
Share a fun fact about yourself.
"I Don't Do Messy." I'm not talking about being unorganized; rather, no drama please. #Idontdomessy. I also enjoy good conversation over a meal or drink, so feel free to hit me up.
Anything else you would like to share?
One of my CliftonStrengths is Belief. I'm a person of faith and have strong core values. I'm affectionately known as the "General" and have a very strong protective instinct, so when I say "I got your back" I'm serious!
UMBC’s Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) is rich with scholar-practitioners, and in March a group of them traveled to New Orleans for the annual NASPA conference. Many of them presented their work and dedicated their time and talents by serving on committees. UMBC’s DoSA staff contributions not only enriched the quality of the conference but also enhanced the overall experience for the more than 6,000 attendees from across the U.S., reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the NASPA community and showcasing UMBC's achievements and involvement with leading student affairs conferences.
DoSA staff representing UMBC included: Dr. Renique Kersh, vice president; Dr. James DeVita, assistant vice president for academic partnerships and high-impact experiences; Jennifer Artis, senior director, Student Belonging; Candace Doane, acting senior director, Student Engagement; Dr. Griselda Flores, director of Retriever Essentials Needs and Connections; Lesa Goodhue, acting associate director, Student Engagement; Matt Hoffman, director of the Center for Religion, Spirituality, & Pluralism; Angelina Jenkins, assistant director, The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity; Ka’Lynn Ruth, community director, Residential Life; Serena Studivant, assistant director, Commuter Connections; Amery Thompson, director, Student Affairs Success Initiatives; and Ladonna Wyatt, community director, Residential Life.
Dr. Renique Kersh served on the panel, “Beyond Mentorship: An Update on One Year of Transformative Coaching.” The panel focused on the initial outcomes, lessons learned, and best practices from integrating coaching as a tool for leadership development and talent retention across multiple campuses. Dr. Kersh and fellow presenters Dr. Jose-Luis Riera, vice president for student life and interim chief diversity officer at the University of Delaware, and Dr. Adam Cebulski, CEO and founder of transform.forward. shared insights on the importance of leveraging executive coaching when building a leadership team. Dr. Kersh discussed how the strength of the executive leadership is critical to ensuring our ability to scaffold support and develop leaders at every level of the organization.
The discussion was a follow up from the 2024 NASPA conference panel, "Beyond Mentorship: The Transformative Role of Coaching.” During that event, Drs. Kersh, Riera, and Cebulski used case studies and insights to declassify myths about coaching and its role as a potent, innovative tool for staff empowerment and growth and team dynamics, while also sharing how to budget for coaching, manage challenges, and measure for success.
Artis and Dr. Flores’ presentation, "Navigating the Madness: Embracing Change in Higher Education," showcased their extensive expertise and deep insights into the complexities of the higher education landscape. Their presentation highlighted the critical need for leaders in student affairs to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving educational environment. The interactive session delved into effective strategies for not just managing change, but actively embracing it within higher education contexts. Drawing from a wealth of practical insights and real-world case studies, they equipped attendees with actionable tools designed to build resilience, foster innovation, and support growth during times of organizational transition. By the conclusion of their session, participants left feeling empowered and well-prepared with the skills necessary to navigate uncertainty and to drive continued success in their roles.
Artis served on the NASPA Annual Conference Engagement & Volunteers committee and the Student Affairs Series Committee, while Dr. Flores served on the First-Time Attendees Subcommittee.
Jenkins contributed to the Asian Pacific Islanders Promoting Education eXcellence (APPEX) Summit and co-led the session, “Transformative Beginnings: Reimagining Sorority and Fraternity Life New Member Education Through a Social Justice Lens,” alongside Huong Truong, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, College Park. Their leadership, commitment, and insights helped participants reframe how student affairs professionals can approach identity, inclusion, and leadership within student organizations.
Jenkins served as Asian Pacific Islanders Promoting Educational eXcellence pre-conference coordinator with the NASPA Asian Pacific Islanders Knowledge Community (APIKC) and is the 2025-27 research and scholarship coordinator for the APIKC Leadership Team.
Studivant served on the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services Knowledge Community at the March conference. Looking ahead, she will present at the 2025 NASPA Student Success Conference in Denver this June. Her session, “Building Bridges of Belonging: Empowering Success for Commuters and Transfers,” co-presented with Thompson, will highlight innovative ways to support students often overlooked in campus belonging strategies. She will also serve on the 2026 NASPA Engagement and Volunteer Committee for the annual conference.
DoSA is proud of the continued leadership and commitment to equity, student success, and leadership development demonstrated by our colleagues!
Dr. Rae Chresfield, assistant vice president for health and wellbeing, and Zach Runge, coordinator for leadership and governance, presented at the April 4 University System of Maryland (USM) Conference, “Beyond Barriers: Access, Equity, and Student Success.” Held at UMBC, the symposium brought together USM stakeholders and campus teams to examine equity and its impact on student outcomes and to identify or further explore effective strategies and best practices that foster an environment where all students can thrive. The program included an exploration of data and demographic trends; concurrent sessions centered around student outcomes, student populations/groups, and student services/resources; institutional and cross-institutional team time; and a student panel.
Dr. Chresfield gave two presentations. “Training Faculty and Staff to Report Student Behavior Objectively in a CARE Report” focused on how accurate and objective reporting of student behavior is essential for effectively addressing concerns through the CARE and/or BIT systems. Faculty and staff learned how to distinguish between objective and subjective language when submitting CARE reports. The session provided practical tools for identifying objective, factual observations and avoiding subjective interpretations. “By training faculty and staff to report behaviors objectively, we can ensure that all students receive the appropriate support and intervention, without the risk of bias influencing the process,” Dr Chresfield shared.
“Empowering Non-Clinical Staff to Support Student Success” explored the vital role of non-clinical staff in managing clinical conversations to improve student access to mental health support. “Non-clinical staff—often the first point of contact—are critical in bridging the gap between students and counselors,” said Dr. Chresfield. “However, psychological jargon can create confusion regarding what constitutes a formal diagnosis and what reflects temporary discomfort, complicating these initial interactions.” The session addressed how non-clinical staff can be trained to distinguish between these nuances and respond appropriately, ensuring that students receive timely and effective care. Dr. Chresfield added that empowering non-clinical staff to navigate these conversations confidently allows institutions to reduce barriers to care, enhance access, and promote equity in support services.
Runge’s presentation, “Creating a Recovery-Friendly Campus,” focused on how faculty and staff can support students who are in recovery from or impacted by substance use disorder (SUDs). He shared insightful facts and figures as well as various ways to incorporate allyship into our work, whether it be in the classroom or other spaces where we interact with students. “Given the increasing amount of fatal substance overdoses and the party culture often associated with college life, it is imperative that higher education professionals know how to support recovery efforts,” Runge said. “By consciously considering how we engage with this student population, higher education professionals can work to create recovery-friendly campuses that not only dismantle the stigma associated with SUDs but also promote inclusivity.”
