All posts by: UMBC News Staff

Round-Up: UMBC in the News, 7/25

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community.

Read more great news here!

Roy Meyers, Political Science, on MarylandReporter.com

In an op-ed published July 24 on MarylandReporter.com, Political Science Professor Roy Meyers writes about a proposed bill that would allow U.S. corporations to avoid taxes when they repatriate profits that are now booked overseas, if they purchase bonds that would be used to build infrastructure.

Roy Meyers (UMBC)

In his column, Meyers writes that the bill deserves scrutiny, noting: “[the bill] would create the American Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and capitalize it with up to $50 billion. That money would be used to finance infrastructure projects that pass benefit-cost tests.”

He adds, “the projects would be expected to pay the AIF back, meaning that the infrastructure projects most likely to be financed through the AIF would be those where it would easy to charge tolls. The AIF is thus somewhat duplicative of the existing Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program, and like various proposals to create an ‘infrastructure bank.’ Assuming that the bank would spend $10 billion a year for five years, it would add a small amount of funding for federal investment.”

To read Meyer’s full column on MarylandReporter.com, click here.

Leslie Morgan, Sociology and Anthropology, in The Baltimore Beacon

An article published in the August 2014 edition of The Baltimore Beacon newspaper examines the struggles and challenges caregivers can face while caring for elderly family members. The article covers topics ranging from finding support and treatment for caregivers’ own health to caregiver stress and benefits.

Leslie Morgan

Leslie Morgan, professor of sociology and co-director of the UMBC/UMB Ph.D. program in gerontology, was interviewed for the article and said the subject of caregiver stress has been a focus of research for almost three decades.

“This is a time when you and your loved can be together and get closer,” Morgan said, “when hopefully, you’ll have the time to say things you might not otherwise have said, and to show your affection for each other.”

You can read the complete article titled, “Ups and downs of caregiving,” by clicking here.

Nicole King, American Studies, in City Paper

Nicole King, an associate professor of American studies, recently published an essay as part of an ongoing series in the “City Folk” section of City Paper profiling UMBC graduate student Chanan Delivuk. King met Delivuk through her work in the Filbert Street Community Garden in Curtis Bay earlier this year.

Delivuk is a community gardener and artist who uses new media to explore everyday stories in her art practice. The profile describes Delivuk growing up in the Curtis Bay neighborhood and how it provided a strong sense of place for her as she left town to go to college and eventually graduate school. King writes about Delivuk developing an interest in art while in college and her planned trip to Croatia this summer to further explore her Croatian heritage.

The compelling profile ends with a powerful quote from Delivuk as she is describing her home of Curtis Bay: “I will always live here because I love it so much,” she says. “I want to walk out on a busy street, with sirens going off, and people walking, and a lot going on. There’s something about this city that’s so unique.”

To read King’s full article in City Paper titled, “Conservation Artist: Chanan Delivuk has deep roots in Curtis Bay,” click here.

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, Op-Ed in The Baltimore Sun

Tom SchallerIn his latest column in The Baltimore Sun, Political Science Professor Thomas Schaller writes about American small businesses competing against multinational corporations. In his column titled, “A fairer (small) business environment,” Schaller argues that small businesses face a competitive disadvantage because they are “politically overmatched against multinational corporate giants.”

He adds, “the Democrats’ strong union ties tend to complicate their relationship with business generally, even if the party is increasingly dependent upon corporate campaign donations. And if the Democrats might be described as a partially-owned subsidiary of corporate America, consider the Republicans a wholly-owned franchise.”

To read the full article published July 22 in The Baltimore Sun, click here.

Paul Smith, Chemistry, in The Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun reported on the Mid-Atlantic Nanonscience Education Hub internship program, which allows students from the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology internships at UMBC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Morgan State University and the Fab Lab in Catonsville.

Paul Smith, associate professor of chemistry, coordinates the internship program, which offers students exposure to a four-year institution, research experience and improved job prospects. “Part of our mission as a state institution is to promote education and to provide opportunities for students for better employment,” he said. “Certainly we also have an obligation as a Maryland state institution to do anything we can to help improve the economy if we can.”

Several CCBC students who are participating in the program will attend UMBC in the fall.

Click here to read the article in The Baltimore Sun and here to find out more about the program.

Victoria Lentz ’15, Cybersecurity, Wins HP Scholarship

Earlier this year HP and the Scholarship for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS) selected Victoria Lentz ’15, cybersecurity, and 10 other female cybersecurity students from across the U.S. to receive scholarships.

Lentz was in the first “cohort” of students to be accepted into UMBC’s Cyber Scholars Program, which began in Fall 2013. The program prides itself on influencing minorities and women to become involved in the cyber security and computing industries. With particular interests in malware and digital forensics, Lentz plans to work in the cybersecurity industry after finishing her undergraduate education to gain experience before returning to school for a Master’s degree.

Meet our Newest Alums: Tang, Leiter-Mason, Shah

UMBC is always full of hard-working people who aspire to do great things, and the class of 2014 is no exception. Today, we wanted to share with you what some of our recent graduates are planning to do with their Retriever education.

While enrolled in UMBC for her undergraduate career, Tang2014-7203_mod
Ke “Coco” Tang, B.A. political science, history, and visual arts, a National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Scholarship and Undergraduate Research Award recipient, completed a documentary in Jordan and traveled to the Philippines for disaster relief. The native of Shenyang, China, plans to continue her community outreach by doing medical missions in Sierra Leone, returning to Jordan through her Fulbright Scholarship, and completing a year of government service to fulfill her Boren Scholarship.

During her undergraduate careeLeiter-Mason2014-7130_modr, Caitlyn Leiter-Mason, B.A. political science and gender and women’s studies, received the Circle of Excellence Scholarship at the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women Awards Ceremony and represented UMBC on the University System of Maryland Student Council.

She also completed an internship for the state legislature and completed research in Tunisia. Now, Leiter-Mason works as the Reelection Campaign
Manager for County Councilman Tom Quirk.

Shah2014-7133_modKabish Shah, B.S. mechanical engineering, B.A. mathematics, a native of Nepal, transferred from CCBC to UMBC. Within one year as a Retriever, he had earned an internship with Whiting-Turner Contracting Company working on the new Performing Arts and Humanities building, where they were so impressed with his work that the contracting company offered him a full-time job after graduation. Along with his new job, Shah will also be teaching robotics to local middle school students
through NASA’s Engineering Exploration Training
(NeXT), where he has taught previously.

Read more about the amazing accomplishments of our class of 2014!

UMBC Students Bike Across U.S. to Support Young Adults Affected by Cancer

Seven UMBC students are participating in the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults’ 4k for Cancer. Emily Ewing ’16, health administration policy, Eric Knapp, Tyler Stocksdale ’14, computer engineering, Harshini Chinnasamy ’14, biological sciences, Chris Moskal ’14, political science and global studies, Ashley Arnold ’15, mathematics, and Jessica King ’15, undergraduate studies, set out from Baltimore on June 1 and will ride their bicycles 4,000 miles across the country in 70 days to support, educate and connect young adults affected by cancer.

During their journey, the students will volunteer at hospitals and care facilities. Stocksdale spoke to The Gaston Gazette about their journey, saying, “You really have to take care of your body on the ride.”

Click here to read the article and here to follow their progress.

Fetching Discounts for our Dawgs: Retriever Athletic Center

indoorPool

Feeling a little out of shape? Catch yourself panting after climbing up the stairs? Look no further than your alma mater to get you back on track!

The Retriever Athletic Center, otherwise known as the RAC, has everything a retriever needs to get in shape. Our great facilities, such as a cardio balcony, a newly renovated weight room, an indoor track, three full-sized basketball courts, and two pools — an outdoor, 50 meter, Olympic-sized pool, and an indoor 8-lane pool — will leave you drooling. If you find yourself wanting to chase after some tennis balls, there are five available tennis courts fit for any Retriever open until 9:45 p.m. daily. Simply call ahead to reserve a court.

Fellow dawgs can purchase a year-round membership for $250, or opt for 6-month, 3-month, or 1-month memberships at a discounted rate. All memberships include full access to all RAC facilities. Lockers and locker rooms are available to RAC members, as well as passes for those who wish to bring a friend. If you aren’t sure if you’d like to commit to a membership, just drop by and request a tour!

Fill out your membership form today!

Pres. Hrabowski Discusses ACE Fellows Program in “Diverse”

A recent article about the American Council on Higher Education (ACE) Fellows Program in the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education quotes President Hrabowski. The ACE Fellows Program seeks to prepare college leaders for senior-level positions in higher education. The program has been successful in increasing the number of minority and women presidents in colleges and universities.

Dr. Hrabowski has participated in the program as a mentor, training administrators like Dr. Jack Thomas, who is now president of Western Illinois University. Dr. Hrabowski praised the mission of the program, calling it “one of those rare opportunities in American higher education that focuses on experiences that can broaden a future leader.”

Click here to read the article.

UMBC Again Named a “Great College to Work For”

To: The UMBC Community
From: President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous

For the fifth consecutive year, The Chronicle of Higher Education has named UMBC one of the best academic workplaces in the nation. UMBC is among just 92 colleges included in the Chronicle’s full list of “Great Colleges to Work For” and is the only four-year public university on the “honor roll” recognized as exceptional in almost every category.

Each year, the Chronicle asks faculty and staff across the country to rate their workplaces on a host of factors. The assessment also includes an analysis of demographic data, benefits, and workplace policies at each participating college. The Chronicle’s 2014 results are based on responses from over 43,500 people at nearly 300 public and private institutions nationwide, including UMBC.

This year, UMBC received high ratings in 11 recognition categories:

  • Collaborative Governance
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Confidence in Senior Leadership
  • Diversity
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Professional/ Career-Development Programs
  • Respect and Appreciation
  • Supervisor or Department-Chair Relationship
  • Teaching Environment
  • Tenure Clarity and Process
  • Work/Life Balance

This recognition affirms what we all know: UMBC is a community that truly cares about people. Each day, our faculty, staff, and students demonstrate that excellence and inclusiveness go hand in hand.

Thank you for all you do for the UMBC community.

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