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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.”
Dr. Jeff Cullen, director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, has been selected as a Faculty Fellow for the 2025 Donald D. Gehring Academy, Senior Conduct Officers track. The Gehring Academy will be held July 13-17 in Detroit, MI.
An alumnus of the Gehring Foundations track in 1998 and the Senior Conduct Officer track in 2012, Dr. Cullen has served as the director of Student Conduct and Community Standards for 15 years. He also co-founded the restorative practices program at UMBC. Prior to that, Dr. Cullen was the chief conduct officer at Virginia Tech. His dissertation examined pathways to deconstruct white racial privilege within his own graduate program.
The Gehring Academy is named for Dr. Don Gehring, who founded the professional association now known as the Association for Student Conduct Administration. The Academy is a cohort-based immersion experience where senior conduct officers from across the country will gather for four days of networking and a professional development deep-dive. Attendance at one of the Gehring Academy tracks is how many conduct professionals get their start in the field.
“Congratulations to Dr. Cullen on being selected as a Faculty Fellow for the 2025 Gehring Academy,” said Fritzie Charne Merriweather, associate vice president for administration and chief of staff in the Division of Student Affairs. “Jeff's leadership in Student Conduct and Community Standards, along with his work in restorative practices, has had a lasting impact at UMBC. This well-deserved recognition reflects his dedication to student development and the field as a whole.”
