All right, everyone, let’s meet Aarsh, he’s a junior biology major on a pre-med track, but he’s also taking full advantage of UMBC’s amazing location, right between Baltimore and Washington, from entertainment to internships, sports and the entire Baltimore College down network at his fingertips, Aarsh has the inside scoop on everything the area has to offer. Aarsh, please take it away,
– Thanks for the introduction Alex. Growing up in India, I was always fascinated by Hollywood and especially the schools I saw on this big screen. I always had this dream of attending an American institute and experiencing the culture over there. In the fall of 2019, my dream came true. UMBC is nestled perfectly in the heart of the East Coast with a number of transportation options at our fingertip. We’re within a short distance of major cities, such as New York, Philadelphia and even the capital, Washington, DC. This makes it for a perfect spot for me. I have friends living in New York and I visit them every chance I get because it’s so easy to go to. I also love to visit DC and take photos with my friends there. In fact, I did a 25 year wedding anniversary photo shoot there during the Cherry Blossom Festival. As an international student, having the ability and the accessibility to visit such iconic places literally makes for a dream come true. In addition to such amazing places around UMBC, we are also in the center of a growing health economy, which provides plenty of opportunities for employment and internships. We are in the ideal location surrounded by some of the world’s biggest research institutes, which provides a great opportunity for many of our students here. Our region is perfect for fans of art, culture and sports and numerous other fun and fulfilling activities, not to mention a ton of other college students. UMBC really brings the world to you. No matter where you come from or what major you choose, or even if you come here as undecided, you’ll always find a home away from home here at UMBC. That’s it from me, take it away, Alex.
– Wow, thanks, Aarsh for showing us around the neighborhood. It’s amazing how many opportunities are within such easy reach of UMBC’s campuses in Baltimore and outside of DC. It’s hard to decide what to do first, best of luck explaining it all Aarsh, very well done, take care.
Now we are off to the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, aka, the Pub to meet Katelyn, a sophomore dance and political science major and a Linehan artist scholar. Some folks think of UMBC as a science and tech school, but Katelyn is ready to tell you and show you all about UMBC’s community of creatives. Katelyn, you are on.
– Thanks, Alex, I’ve been dancing since I was two years old. I’ve explored the world of concert, competitive and theatrical dance. So the choice to be a dance major was an easy one. Once I found UMBC’s dance program, I immediately knew that I belonged in this welcoming community of artists. The arts are truly appreciated at UMBC, which is why I found the program was such a good fit for me. Something that really drew me in was the Dance Cube, which is a huge window wall studio that looks out over the campus. Being able to work in such a technologically advanced space with a spectacular view makes it so easy to find inspiration in your work. And artist in other disciplines, such as visual arts, theater and music can find just as many technologically advanced spaces in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building and beyond. I have been extremely fortunate to be a Linehan artist scholar at UMBC, which allows me to pursue my dance major on scholarship. And although UMBC is typically known as a tech school, it might surprise you to find out how well respected UMBC is in the arts community. Not to mention the arts program here at UMBC isn’t just a program but it’s a family. With cutting edge facilities, scholarship opportunities and wonderful professors, the UMBC arts program will give you an experience you won’t forget. While I’m only a sophomore at UMBC, I have already gained so much experience working professionally as a dancer and an artist and I cannot wait to see what the future may hold. Take it away, Alex.
– Wow, imagine being on those stages, thank you Katelyn for showing us around some of UMBC’s beautiful spaces for performance and creativity. It’s truly inspiring to hear about your work and see your art, excellent job, Katelyn, take care.
Okay, next up we have Colby, a junior financial economics and computer science double major, who also happens to have some serious school spirit. Colby is gonna tell us about what it means to be a Retriever, why True Grit is the best mascot ever and gets you truly hyped about black and gold. Colby, it’s all yours.
– Thanks, Alex. Back a couple years ago, when I was deciding where to go to college, I really wanted to find a university that not only had great academics, but also had a welcoming community that really took pride in where they went to school, I found that at UMBC. I think a major part of why we as Retrievers feel so connected and proud of our university is because of the experiences and traditions we all get to be a part of. And nowhere is this sense of connection greater than at our basketball games. I mean, sitting in the stands with my friends is just so much fun, what can I say? Whatever level of happiness I may be feeling at that moment is just taking to an absolute nother level when the Down & Dirty Dog Dance starts to play, they bring so much energy to every single game. You’ll even see our mascot, True Grit, dancing around trying to get people excited. He’s one of the best mascots around and honestly, the games would not be the same without him. Speaking of basketball though, 2018, what an amazing year for UMBC. We as the 16th seed beat the number the one seed, UVA. I mean, that was completely unheard of and everybody was talking about this. We’re talking CNN, Fox, ESPN, you name it, UMBC was on it. Though a lot of the headlines sounded different, they all shared one word in particular and that word was history, we made history. UMBC’s given me a lot, it’s given me a great education, I mean, it’s called an honors university for a reason, it’s given me experiences that I will never ever forget and it’s given me connections that I will have long, long after I’ve graduated. I guess what I’m really trying to say here is that if you choose UMBC, you will not regret it at all. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Colby, you truly bleed black and gold. I can see why Retriever Nation has such a faithful following and why it’s so fun to be part of the fandom at UMBC. Now that’s a team to roof for. Cheers Colby and Go Dogs.
Next up is Courtney, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major who also is a standout on the softball field. This allstar is gonna share her story of how she found a place that values her talents, both in the classroom and on the field and offers the support to balance it all. It’s all yours, Courtney.
– Thanks, Alex, hi everyone, growing up I had the dream to play Division I softball while attending a school that let me focus on my academics. As soon as I visited UMBC, I knew it was the place for me. UMBC has given me the opportunity to study what I want while playing the game I love. In my two full seasons here, we won two America East Conference Championships making two appearances in the NCAA tournament. Our school is known for many other sports, including volleyball, two time reigning conference champions, swimming and diving and of course our basketball team, not only do we excel on the field, but our school helps us excel in the classroom. Over the years, many athletes including myself have been awarded elite 18 awards, academic, all district, and all Americans, conference scholar athletes for their respective sports and overall, conference all academic teams, as well as the National Athlete Honor Society. This couldn’t happen without the support staff, including coaches, our trainers, advisors and athletic director and company who work so hard to make UMBC the best environment to be successful on and off the field. They truly want us to be the student and student athletes. Not only does the staff support us, but so do our fellow athletes. We try to attend as many supporting events as possible to support each and appreciate it when other students cheer us on as well. When committing here, it was extremely important to follow my intellectual interest while also playing softball. I found great success because of UMBC’s supportive student athlete atmosphere. And with that, I recommend UMBC to any athlete who doesn’t wanna sacrifice their academics just to play the sport that they love at a high level. That’s my UMBC story, back to you, Alex.
– Courtney, you are truly a superstar. I’m so glad you found such a supportive community where you can explore your athletic talents and your long term academic goals. It’s awesome to know so many people are cheering you on in the stands, bravo, Courtney.
Let’s head over to the res halls to meet Gabby, a senior computer science and game development major who is also a resident assistant in one of UMBC’s living, learning communities. Gabby is gonna tell us all about how some of her best experiences have come from these close-knit communities. Gabby, we can’t wait to hear all about it.
– Thanks, Alex. Ever since I was a kid, I loved playing video games on various gaming consoles and devices with my friends. I couldn’t stand not interacting with people and I always felt a need to keep learning. To this day these things have stayed with me, especially computers, learning and people. Not so surprisingly, I’m now pursuing these passions at UMBC. I am an RA or residential assistant for the Honors College Living Learning Community where I also spent my first year. Living learning communities or LLCs are places or floors in our housing communities where students can live with a more specific group of people with similar interests. UMBC’s LLCs are focused on topics such as humanities, STEM and women in technology to name a few. The best part of his experience was living with like-minded people who are from all sorts of walks of life and have different ideas and values. We are forever united through the Honors College and as very academically focused students. Today, I live with more first year honor students and I get to help facilitate and form my own connections with them and help them adjust a college life. UMBC offers all sorts of opportunities to live on campus and get to know people with similar interests and really flourish in your completely different living environment. Getting to live with other people and participate in extremely fun events and bonding moments together really makes applying to LLCs worth it and creates friendships that last throughout your entire college career and beyond. I really learned that who you end up living with makes a huge impact in your life. I found friends in this LLC who understand me and help me grow as a person. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– That was awesome, Gabby. It feels like there’s really something for everyone at UMBC especially when it’s so easy to find like-minded people to hang out with after class, talk about lifelong memories and friends, not to mention plenty of late night snacks. Great job Gabby.
Next up is Giuliana, a junior computer science and theater major and also a tutor in the Writing Center. Now, Giuliana is super smart and curious. So they’re gonna tell us all about the amazing academic support system UMBC provides every single student. Don’t be surprised if Giuliana gets you excited about studying, you’ve been warned.
– Thanks, Alex, hello, everyone. Academics have always been a significant part of my life, but growing up as an autistic kid in a military family, I never really had the most consistent education. So when I started applying to colleges, I made sure to prioritize academic support and student disability services. Even from the first semester of my freshman year, it was clear to me that UMBC prioritizes its students. From math and science tutoring to peer led study groups, it’s never a challenge to find help for my more difficult courses, whether I need one-on-one assistance or just have a quick question on a homework problem. UMBC’s Academic Success Center always has what I need and the support doesn’t stop with technical courses either. UMBC has an amazing Writing Center, that’s actually where I work. We help students at all stages in the writing process, whether you need assistance with brainstorming or just one another pair of eyes to look over your final draft, we’ve got your back. And all the UMBC’s tutoring services are offered both in person and online. And it’s not just the tutoring staff who are amazing. I’ve yet to meet a professor who isn’t willing to sit down with me and help me out. One of my former professors is even acting as my faculty mentor for a research project I’m working on. When I started at UMBC, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep up with the work. I didn’t know if I’d be ready to make that shift to college level material. I thought I’d be left all on my own to sink or swim, but looking back, I know I couldn’t have been further from the truth. UMBC is above all a community that cares and is willing to put in the time and effort to make sure that every student has the chance to soar. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Giuliana, what an amazing story. Not only are you taking advantage of incredible resources like the Academic Success Center, but you’re also helping other students succeed. What a rockstar, well done, take care.
Now we’re gonna welcome Hannah who earned her undergraduate degree from UMBC and is now pursuing her masters in community leadership. With all that time spent as a Retriever, it’s no surprise that Hannah knows this place inside and out. And so she’s gonna share how best to take advantage of every experience, Hannah you’re up.
– Thanks, Alex. When I first came to UMBC I had no leadership experience whatsoever. Although I felt like I possessed the skills to be a leader in high school, I wasn’t pushed to achieve my full potential. That wasn’t the case at UMBC, after taking my first leadership position in the Persian Student Association, I met from all different areas of study. This led me to join Greek Life, to study abroad and to play club soccer. Working with Refugee Youth Project in Baltimore was the most fulfilling part of my college career. Through these activities, I was introduced to the Student Government Association and from there, my passion to make change motivated me to run for treasure and I won. This is where my connection to campus really exploded. I could walk into any classroom and know at least one person, whether that be student, faculty, or staff member. I expanded my network and had an incredible time doing so. I leveraged these connections my senior year to earn a part-time job as Program Assistant for Financial Literacy and Education. After graduation, I was offered a full-time position for financial literacy at UMBC. Using tuition remission, I’m able to complete my master’s degree in community leadership while staying connected to and serving the community that introduced me to my best friends and fostered an environment for my best memories. As my graduate studies come to an end, I will carry on a spirit of curiosity while pushing myself outside of my comfort zone as I continue my career in public service as a clinical psychologist, back to you, Alex.
– Amazing job, Hannah. It’s clear to see why you love being a Retriever so much. Thanks for giving us a peak at so many unique student clubs and orgs and inspiring everyone to get involved and explore every angle at UMBC, cheers.
Next up is Kara who loved her undergrad experience so much she’s now back for her PhD in language, literacy and culture. Kara was pretty much born a Retriever. Most of her family went here. So she’s got a special perspective on why students are such an important part of UMBC history. Take it away, Kara.
– Thanks, Alex. My name is Kara Seidel and I come from a whole family of retrievers. Not only did both of my parents go here, but my brother went here and works here. You may know him as the Twitter guy from UMBC’s historic run in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. After graduating as valedictorian of my class, I went on to do my masters at another institution while working full-time. Now I’m UMBack as my family called it. I’m currently doing my PhD and it’s easy to see why people come back like I did and why I missed it. Students have quite literally shaped UMBC’s history from the design of campus and how our pathways are literally paved based on where students walked to intellectually and how students dedicate and foster spaces for collaboration and democracy. We now have a Center for Democracy and Student Life created by UMBC staff who are also alum. The center engages students from all major colleges on campus. And it all started from ask from a classroom discussion. After doing my master somewhere else, I realized an even more profound level of appreciation for the student-centered culture at UMBC. Though I started my doctorate during the pandemic, there were still numerous ways for students to collaborate and stay involved. A fellow student and I formed a Graduate Student Success Committee for the Graduates Student Association, dedicated to student wellbeing. As a campus community, we center student voice in a way that empowers co-creation from students all the way up through administrators. And that’s one of the many reasons why I love it here, back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Kara, that’s true Retriever spirit. I loved hearing about your journey and how cool is it that students have literally designed elements of UMBC over the years, that is just amazing. Best of luck with studies Kara, well done.
Next up we’re heading to the labs in UMBC’s spectacular new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building to meet Lauren, a senior biology major. She’s here to share a story about the mentorship she’s received as a student researcher and how that special faculty relationship has pushed her beyond what she thought she was capable of. It’s all yours, Lauren.
– Hey, thanks, Alex. For the longest time, I wasn’t sure where I was headed on my career path, I loved biology but I didn’t know what my options were or what my degree could let me pursue. I wasn’t aware of how many doors I could open for myself. It wasn’t until my second year here at UMBC when I started to discover my interests. I joined a research lab and got to know the professor I was working for Dr. Tamara Mendelson. She became a mentor for me and has been a strong influence and sense of encouragement while I’ve discovered my major’s possibilities. She has made me feel welcome in her lab at all times by introducing me to her colleagues and she continues to encourage me to apply to a number of different biology internships. In my most recent internship, I studied agricultural weed evolution presented my research, and now I’m on track to have my work published in a scientific paper, which is something I never could have imagined possible in my undergraduate experience. The professors and staff here at UMBC are all about mentorship, hands on research and helping their students to be the best that they can. To sum it all up, if you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t stress, here at UMBC research and career building is grounded and caring and encouraging student mentor relationships. With a little help you’ll discover your passion. Good luck you guys and back to you, Alex.
– What an amazing story, it was so cool to get a peek into what undergraduate research looks like at UMBC and to know how mentors can really make the difference. I love that you found your passion through that experience, Lauren, great job, take care.
Next up, we have Logan, an athlete and a senior mechanical engineering major. She spent the last two summers learning how to be a flight test engineer with the Navy. How cool is that? Logan’s gonna tell us all about it and how UMBC helped her find the opportunity in the first place. Logan, it is all yours.
– Thanks, Alex, hey, y’all. Growing up I knew I wanted to be an engineer and played Division I college softball. Going through recruiting process, many schools turned me away because of my difficult major. UMBC was one of the only schools that allowed me to do engineering and play Division I college softball. UMBC encourages exploration of all types and learning that gives students valuable experience beyond the classroom. Our Career Center and Striver Center, help students find great opportunities for service learning and internships. The past two summers I’ve had the opportunity to intern as a flight test engineer for F-18s at NAVAIR in Potomac River, Maryland. I’ve assisted in writing test plans, conducting flight tests and I’ve presented results to a group of Naval test pilots and engineers. This experience was amazing and I planned to return NAVAIR to learn more. Another great thing about UMBC is that you have so many job opportunities all around you. The campus is close to Baltimore, Washington and even Philadelphia and New York. And because of our partnerships with so many great companies, students have easy access to unique opportunities to learn their fields. Our students complete amazing experiential learning experiences all across the country, putting what they’ve learned in class to work and internships, service learning programs, site specific research, and more. I’ve seen my self mature and develop into an intelligent and confident young woman and I’m so excited to see where my future leads me as an engineer. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Logan, what an amazing experience. It seems like UMBC’s Career Center and Striver Center are both really great at helping students find experiences where they can learn while doing. You’ve clearly got an amazing career ahead of you, Logan. Thank you and take care.