Alethea Venida often heard stories about the good old days at UMBC from her father, days when the school was small in actual size but big in terms of its capacity to change and grow. She chose to attend UMBC when she saw that growth potential for herself and embraced the opportunity to be an Alumni Legacy Scholar. "It's very dynamic," she says of the campus today. "In the years I've been at UMBC, I've really seen it change and my dad always saw the potential for that to happen."

As a part of UMBC's dynamic and growing academic environment, Venida is able to pursue her diverse passions: science, literature and service. "I've done a lot of service in the past and it's a great feeling to do something for somebody," says Venida. "Being a doctor is a role I'd really like to play, affecting people throughout their lives by maintaining their health."

As a Biological Sciences major, Venida receives the training she will need to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. Her double major in English has improved her writing and communication skills, which she acknowledges are vital in life. Through the Shriver Center she's honed her love of service, participating in outreach programs for children, all while embracing the diverse culture of UMBC. "I feel like I'm doing my part for the community, and UMBC has allowed me to do that."

Did You Know?
English faculty are among the most productive researchers at UMBC. Among the faculty are winners of Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Fulbright Fellowships as well as recipients of the American Studies Network Prize, the James Thurber Prize for Comic Fiction, and Baltimore Magazine's Best of the Web award.