Graduate, 2007, Political Science

"During the Summers of 2003 and 2004, I served as a student teacher at the Breakthrough Collaborative in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The Breakthrough Collaborative seeks to give at risk students a head start on the upcoming school year by providing them with instruction and mentoring from college students during the summer.  During my time at Breakthrough, I served as an Environmental Science and American Government teacher to seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students.  I am sure during my time there I learned more from the students than I was able to teach them. 

During my freshman year at UMBC, I volunteered for the Choice Tutorial Program.  I served as a mentor and tutor for children ages seven to seventeen.  This was a rewarding experience because I was able to connect with a group of children whom I shared some similarities and some differences.  Due to my experience at Choice, someday I would like to open a non-profit organization of my own.

During the Summer of 2005, I joined an elite group of college sophomores and juniors from around the country at the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at Northwestern University.  During my time there I used United States Census data to analyze trends in residential patterns in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area from 1980 to 2000.  I learned a great deal about research techniques and statistical analysis.  The program culminated with the presentation of a formal research paper entitled, "Trends in Residential Segregation in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area." 

In my senior year at UMBC, I interned with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management.  At DBM, I worked primarily with the Department's legislative liaison, helping keep track of bills in the Maryland General Assembly and working on research projects.  I also attend committee hearings and was able to see the legislative process in action.

At UMBC, I served on the Judicial Board and am a member of the Black Student Union and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars program has encouraged me to be a leader on UMBC's campus.  Since entering UMBC the program has provided activities, information, and support cultivating and encouraging campus leadership."