Every May, Honors College graduating students vote for the Faculty Fellow of the Year who best embodies the ideals of the Honors College in their teaching of a seminar. This year’s recipient is David Hoffman, Ph.D. ‘13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. In addition to being memorialized on the plaque in the Honors College seminar room, Dr. Hoffman will speak at the Honors College Medallion Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21. 

Dr. Hoffman began teaching in the Honors College in fall 2017, when the first of two courses he co-designed debuted. Talking Democracy (HONR 200), helps students become critically aware of the interplay among communication styles and techniques, democratic values, and the civic health of communities. Students reflect on their own values, hopes, experiences, and approaches to communication, and build skills that can help them initiate and enact positive social change. Dr. Hoffman designed and initially taught this course with former Student Affairs colleague Craig Berger, and refined it with subsequent co-instructors Dr. Romy Hubler ’09, M.A. ’11, Ph.D. ’15, (former Center associate director), Dr. Simon Stacey, Honors College director, and Tess McRae ‘22, coordinator for civic design.

The other course, Be Your Best Self in Real Life (HONR 300), debuted in spring 2019. The course investigates how institutions regulate our lives, and helps students build skills at recognizing, challenging, and changing institutional norms that can prevent people from thriving together. Dr. Hoffman designed and initially taught this course with Dr. Hübler and Dr. Stacey, and refined it with subsequent co-instructors Dr. Stacey and Tess McRae.

When asked what he might share with Honors College students at the May ceremony, he offered these thoughts: “One of the Civic Life Maxims that guides the Center for Democracy and Civic Life's work is ‘We Build the World We Know.’ What we mean is: If you are going to change the world for the better, it is important to have had some experience of a better world, even in a very local setting, to spark your imagination and guide your choices. Students graduating from UMBC undoubtedly have had some experiences in the last few years that fit this description: spaces and activities in which they have felt that they truly mattered and belonged, bonded with people with different identities and backgrounds by sharing stories, and benefited from being immersed in a culture that embraces their potential wholeheartedly. Think about what those experiences have been for you. We don't always recognize experiences of happiness, liberation, and connection as core aspects of the learning you do in college. But if you nurture the memory of them, those experiences can be the seeds of all the contributions you will make to every community of which you will ever be a part.”

Amery Thompson, assistant director for transfer student success, was the subject of the lead article in Middlesex College President Mark McCormick’s 2024 report: “A successful transferee is now in charge of transfer student success.”

Amery graduated in 2014 from Middlesex, a public community college in Edison, New Jersey, before transferring to Montclair State University for his bachelor’s degree, then going on to receive a master’s in higher education administration from William Paterson University.

He came to UMBC in 2019 as a community director and joined OCSS in 2022. Amery says, “I have lived the transfer student experience, wrote my thesis on the transfer student experience, and was always involved in the transfer student experience when this opportunity came. I also realized this was the job for me when I had to give a presentation on the transfer student experience and how I would support it. In that moment, everything kind of clicked."

Congratulations to Cathy Myers, program administrative specialist in Student Conduct and Community Standards, who completed the Building Bridges Across Maryland Administrative Support Program!

The Building Bridges Program for administrative support staff fosters professional/leadership development, collaboration, and idea sharing between select employees at McDaniel College, Maryland University of Integrative Health, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Towson University, the University of Baltimore, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and UMBC. Up to five individuals from each university are nominated by vice presidents, vice provosts, and deans to participate each fall.

Myers participated in a graduation ceremony for all program participants on April 11 at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

On April 19, the Alpha Psi Chapter of Tau Sigma National Honors Society had the honor of inducting 40 members, the largest induction in UMBC history!

With determination and dedication, these transfer students not only navigated the complexities of transitioning to a new academic environment but also excelled, achieving a remarkable 3.5 GPA. The induction was a testament to their resilience and commitment to academic excellence. Each inductee's journey is unique, yet they shared a common thread of perseverance and a thirst for knowledge.

Please join OCSS in congratulating all of the inductees of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Tau Sigma! 

The Career Center is getting ready for a groundbreaking expansion of their Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP), thanks to a visionary $700,000 budget boost from Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly.

This substantial funding increase will fuel the program's growth, empowering a growing number of employers to tap into its proven effectiveness in workforce development.

Since its inception, MTIP has been a game-changer, providing financial assistance to technology-based businesses statewide, facilitating the hiring of over 1,000 interns at 200+ companies and government agencies.

With a base budget of $365,000 already in place, this infusion of funds elevates MTIP to a $1 million a year regional workforce initiative. This new funding will allow the Career Center to increase matching funds to employers and support more than 300 students across the state each year.

Read a Maryland Matters commentary on MTIP by Career Center Director Christine Routzahn and Program Director for Workforce Initiatives Jennifer Spender Heilman.

UMBC's Career Month was a great success, with over 1,300 students exploring diverse career pathways and strengthening their professional skills. Through workshops, industry fairs, employer visits, and more, students actively engaged in shaping their futures. The four Industry Fairs, covering Technology & Engineering, Creative Careers, Sciences, and Humanities & Social Sciences, offered insights into various fields.

Additionally, students embarked on informative “On the Roads” trips to Center Stage, JHU Applied Physics Lab, and Constellation. Career Paths for Graduate Students provided a special networking dinner with employers tailored to specialized career paths for those pursuing advanced degrees.

The UMBC Suits You Clothing Closet was a signature event, where nearly 500 students accessed free professional attire.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our DoSA colleagues and partners whose support ensured the success of these events!

On May 8 - 9, 2024, we call upon Retrievers everywhere to join us for Black & Gold Rush, 36 Hours of Giving, by making a gift of any size to support any area that means the most to you. UMBC’s goal this year is 1,000 donors, and every donation helps provide students with the tools they need to become leaders and to reach their full potential. We want every student to thrive at UMBC and as alumni.

One way you can support student success is through the Stay Black and Gold Emergency Fund. Your gift will help provide short-term financial assistance (tuition and fees) for current UMBC students who find it difficult or impossible to continue their education due to an emergency or sudden unforeseen circumstances. 

What can we do in 36 hours? Contribute to #UMBC #BlackAndGoldRush and see what’s possible when we work together. Thank you!