Name: Gunner Sudol

Pronouns: Any/All

Title: Coordinator for Desk Services, Residential Life

Years in Student Affairs: 5

UMBC alum: I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees at UMBC in biological sciences with a focus in neuroscience. 

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?
Most might be able to assume from my title that I do a lot with customer service and addressing concerns, but I am also responsible for co chairing our recruitment committee which markets, hires, and onboards a massive student staff team to support the department of Residential Life. One of my favorite new projects this year has been the amount of assessment I have been conducting throughout our process sourcing feedback and reviewing our processes' accessibility to make it as effective as possible in preparing and selecting excellent students to join our teams.  

What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here?
An important thing I learned in my time at UMBC is that change is a constant. Every year I think ‘This will be the year that I will be able to copy and paste what I did last year!’ And every year I’m wrong! I’m not mad about it. New things happen and strange developments beyond my control keep me on my toes and drive me to improve every time and refine processes as much as I can. 

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work? 
One of the things I enjoy most is cosplay! For those that don’t know what it is, basically I never grew out of playing dress up. I love it because there are so many artistic skills needed for the hobby. I have learned how to sew, paint, do make up, hair style, 3D print and so much more all for one hobby. I get to flex my creativity and craftiness in a variety of ways and get to look cool at the end of it. 

UMBC staff, students, and alumni shared their expertise and contributed to national conversations on civic learning at several conferences in March. 

American Association for State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project Summit (Chicago, March 15-16)

Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff Dr. David Hoffman, director; Tess McRae ‘22, assistant director for connective learning; Ann Tropea, assistant director for engaged media; and Arisbeth Valencia, undergraduate student and SGA senator, participated in this annual summit. Dr. Hoffman spoke at the opening plenary session about the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Theory of Change, a set of guiding ideas for the American Democracy Project for which he was the lead author. 

UMBC alumnae Romy Hübler '09, M.A. '11, Ph.D. '15, director, Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Towson University, and and Markya Reed '18, M.A.'23, assistant director of operations, Center for Social Concern, Johns Hopkins University, also spoke during the opening session. 

In addition, along with Dr. Timothy Eatman, professor of urban education and dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community at Rutgers University-Newark, and Dr. Justin Vaughn, professor and director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership, Coastal Carolina University, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Hübler co-led a design lab focused on building connections necessary to create and sustain a thriving democracy across professional roles, institutions, and communities.

Dr. Hoffman serves as a member of the ADP Steering Committee and Tess McRae is UMBC’s campus liaison.

Compact26 (Chicago, March 15-17)

In addition to Dr. Hoffman, McRae, Tropea, and Valencia, Matt Hoffman, director of the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Pluralism; Eric Ford, executive director of public service programs, Shriver Center; and Uday Sharad Joshi, TRHT community arts specialist, Shriver Center, participated. Matt Hoffman co-led a session called “Promoting Pluralism Practices in Higher Education” with colleagues from Interfaith America/AASCU’s Pluralism Cohort. The panel was organized by Cassie Meyer, director of campus partnerships for Interfaith America. Hoffman shared about the work that he has been doing with Dr. Jasmine Lee in the Division of Institutional Equity and Dr. Renique Kersh to promote civic pluralism on campus at UMBC.

Valencia wrote a reflection on her participation in the ADP Summit and Compact26 on LinkedIn.

SNF Ithaca Leadership Summit (Newark, DE, March 19)

Dr. Hoffman participated in this gathering of about 40 academic leaders to address “Advancing Constructive Engagement through Civil Discourse.”

The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) was proudly represented at NASPA's 2026 Annual Conference in Kansas City, where a dynamic group of professionals contributed to national conversations on belonging, leadership, and student success.

Attendees included staff from across the division. Together, they engaged in professional development, networking, and knowledge-sharing with colleagues from across the country.

VPSA

• Ebony Brown, Executive Coordinator

• Briana Lawson, Director of Staff Culture and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

• Dr. Rae Chresfield, Director of Health and Wellbeing

Residential Life

• DiAvanti Bedford, Assistant Director for Residential Education for Conduct & Care

• Ka'Lynn Ruth, Graduate Assistant, Residential Experience

Student Belonging

• Jennifer Artis, Director of Student Life and Success for Graduate, Adult Learners, and Commuters 

• Mitchell Everett, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Life

• Griselda Flores, Director, Essential Needs and Connections

• Angelina Jenkins, Assistant Director, The Mosaic Center

• Serena Studivant, Assistant Director, Commuter Student Success

Student Engagement

• Tori Ciorra, Assistant Director, Student Organizations

• Jen Ewing Fox, Assistant Director, Leadership and Governance

• Lesa Goodhue, Special Assistant to the Dean of Students

DoSA's presence was especially impactful through several conference presentations. Highlights included sessions on impostor syndrome and graduate student wellbeing, commuter and adult learner belonging, supervision best practices, professional development for frontline staff, and identity-based experiences in higher education. These presentations reflected the division's strong commitment to advancing inclusive excellence and supporting diverse student populations.

Studivant showcased the Commuter Connections initiative through two poster presentations, further elevating the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for commuter students. Her work was recognized nationally with a NASPA Excellence Award, highlighting DoSA's leadership in advancing commuter student success and belonging.

NASPA 2026 provided an opportunity for DoSA staff to both learn from and contribute to the field of student affairs. The conference experience reinforced the institution's ongoing dedication to fostering belonging, innovation, and student-centered practices.

DoSA continues to lead with purpose, amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and shaping the future of higher education.

Name: Shakira Davidson

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Title: Executive Administrative Assistant

Years in Student Affairs/at UMBC: 2 years

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?

Something people may not realize is how much I enjoy organizing and improving our shared space. While it's not formally in my job description, I've taken the initiative on projects within the VPSA suite, even something as small as reorganizing supply closets so materials are easier to find. I find it rewarding to create systems that make our space more functional, and I also enjoy contributing to our office culture through small touches like theme days that bring a little extra positivity to the office.

What is one of the most important things you've learned during your time here?

You know how they say it's not what you know, but who you know? That is truly what I'm learning during my time here at UMBC. It's the value of the relationships you build. There is a genuine culture of support here; everyone wants to help! Many are always willing to share resources, offer guidance, or connect you with the right person. That collaboration and encouragement I've received has made a meaningful difference, both professionally and personally.

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work? 

Outside of work, I love exploring new experiences and creative hobbies. Whether it's traveling, trying new restaurants, baking (and sometimes bringing treats into the office to share), or starting a diamond painting project, I enjoy finding ways to stay curious and challenge myself. I've also recently been into watching Colombian dramas on Netflix and, admittedly, can get lost in playing The Sims from time to time.

Angelina Jenkins, assistant director, The Mosaic Center, along with Priya Bhayana, project manager, UMBC Global Asias Initiative, will present at the Association for Asian American Studies Annual Conference in April. 

Jenkins and Bhayana's roundtable presentation, "Cultivating Connections: Asian American Studies & Student Affairs at AANAPISIs," will bring together perspectives from two different professional orientations at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) from across the country: 1) Faculty and program staff in Asian/Pacific American Studies and 2) Student Affairs professionals supporting AAPI students and university communities. It will explore the challenges and potential for collaborations between these two professional spheres and approaches. Viewed from the lens of both cultivating critical consciousness as well as fostering student belonging and mattering, this roundtable will explore the natural synergies and points of tension between the academic and student affairs approaches to student growth and support. 

Presenters will represent a diversity of perspectives, including a range of academic disciplines, student affairs roles, institutional size and structure, and geographies. Participating institutions are UMBC, Brooklyn College, University of Hawaii Mānoa, Northeastern University, and San Diego State University.

A conversation between Dr. David Hoffman, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life and Amanda Taylor, assistant vice president of civic and global engagement for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), was featured in the American Democracy Project February 2026 "ADP Connect" newsletter. 

In this conversation, "American Democracy Project's Theory of Change," Drs. Hoffman and Taylor discuss the ideas that shaped "Higher Education's Role in Enacting a Thriving Democracy: Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Theory of Change," a 2018 document that has been a touchstone for the American Democracy Project. Dr. Hoffman wrote the Theory of Change, which highlights innovations and examples from UMBC, in collaboration with leaders from three national higher education networks. Hoffman and Taylor also discuss the next steps for practitioners working to advance civic learning and democratic engagement at their own institutions.

Dr. Hoffman shared that he is excited to see renewed enthusiasm for the Theory of Change, discussions of which will take place at the American Democracy Project Summit on March 15-16 in Chicago. "The Theory of Change addresses how people can build thriving, inclusive communities even in a time of widespread polarization. It invites all of us in higher education to approach civic engagement as a set of empowering practices useful in everyday settings like schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. I love that lessons we are learning at UMBC have inspired higher education leaders across the U.S."

In February, Matt Hoffman, director, Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism, was elected to serve as Membership Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education (ACSLHE). He was first elected to the ACSLHE Board of Directors in 2024.

"I am happy for Matt to be elected into this position," said Dr. Doug Garrard, interim assistant vice president and dean of students. "It is reflective of the standing Matt has with his colleagues, his knowledge and experience, and his passion for the work that he does, both on our campus and in the broader community."

As someone committed to holistic wellbeing, Hoffman feels called to support and inspire college students—from all traditions and backgrounds—as they navigate faith, the demands of school, discern vocation and explore questions of identity and belonging. Overseeing the Gathering Space—a space utilized by 400+ weekly visitors and 30+ religious and belief orgs—he has prioritized programs that lift up spirituality, invite spaces for education and collaboration, and highlight intersectional identities and interfaith work, centering radical love and belonging and energetic pluralism. 

"ACSLHE has been a home away from home for me during my time at UMBC. It has been a joy to connect with, learn from, and build relationships with colleagues from across the country who share a similar passion for this work," said Hoffman. "It is also critical for me that we lift up and model how to support religious and spiritual diversity at a public institution to other campuses across the country, an area that is so central to UMBC's own value of inclusive excellence." 

ACSLHE supports higher education chaplains and nurtures religious and spiritual life  professionals through scholarship, education, and collaboration. The organization's goal is to be the leading authority on religious and spiritual life in higher education. ACSLHE's diverse membership, numbering almost 450 individuals from a plethora of religious traditions, serve the needs of undergraduates, graduate and professional students, faculty, staff,  administrators, and local communities at diverse institutions. They facilitate multi-faith understanding, dialogue, and engagement within higher education and beyond to address the pressing issues facing our campuses and the broader society.  

Five Student Affairs Operations and Facilities student staff members received the inaugural Yachi Madaan Employee Excellence Award. It will be presented each semester to those student staff that excel in their area and go above and beyond to provide excellent service, teamwork, and leadership. 

The award is named for Yachi, a dedicated teammate and campus leader who passed away unexpectedly in 2025. 

The fall 2025 award winners are: 

• Trisha Sirsat (Campus Information Center)

• Sai Varshit Nandamuri (Gameroom)

• Siddhesh Sunil Dumbre (Maintenance)

• Andrew Lawson (Facilities)

• Anna Kim (Facilities student manager) 

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.