In her 7th year at UMBC, Lee is excited about her new role as the Acting Director of Student Life. Having worked in higher education for almost 15 years, Lee is passionate about working with college students and committed to creating vibrant learning environments. Her experience at Randolph-Macon Woman's College as a student and an Admissions Counselor led her to the world of Student Affairs. Lee earned her Master's degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and is currently pursing a doctorate in College Student Personnel at the University of Maryland, College Park. This is going to be another great year for student life at UMBC!

Nick grew up just outside of New York City. He got his BA in Psychology from Hamilton College in upstate New York and spent his junior year abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Nick moved to Austin, Texas in 1994 and received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin (UT) in 2000. During his graduate program he worked in a variety of areas at UT, including the Dean of Students office, the Counseling and Mental Health Center, the International Office and the Texas Union. Nick has also worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme. After his Ph.D. he taught English in Japan for a year, worked at the International Office at Georgetown University in Washington DC and then returned to UT to work as a student leadership advisor. Nick joined UMBC's Office of Student Life in July of 2006. Nick likes to play sports (volleyball, soccer, basketball, etc), watch sports (e.g. college football and basketball) and likes to travel and meet people from different cultures. Feel free to stop by the 3rd floor of the Commons and say hi!

Lisa has worked in the areas of multicultural affairs, diversity awareness, training and program development for over 12 years. She is originally from "Richmond, VA by way of Chicago, IL", spending over half her life in both areas. In July 2006, she joined the Office of Student Life as the Assistant Director of Cultural and Religious Diversity Initiatives. Lisa is responsible for leading the programs, services, and staff of the Mosaic and Interfaith centers and collaborating with UMBC students, faculty and staff on campus-wide diversity program development, training, and curriculum infusion. Lisa holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Richmond. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Gathering, an Interfaith Community within Baltimore, MD. She also volunteers as a mentor for My Sister's Circle, Inc. a Baltimore based academic and cultural enrichment mentoring program for inner city, fifth grade and middle school girls. In addition to her love for and commitment to diversity, cultural competence and social justice work, Lisa loves reading, dancing, traveling, movies/theatre, and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to getting to know you, so please come by Commons 336 for a chat anytime!

As the advisor to the Student Events Board, Jen spends a great deal of time immersed in all the fun stuff that UMBC has to offer! She comes to us from her undergraduate experience at Heidelberg College and her graduate work at The University of Charleston. As a graduate student, Jen worked as an intern in the Student Life Office and was a Residential Hall Director. She started off her career at UMBC with The Commons and moved over to Student Life for a chance to work directly with the student programming board. In addition to her work with SEB, Jen has a hand in a variety of the major events that happen on campus. In her free time, she enjoys playing with friends and family, working in the yard, writing, and any activity that happens at the beach!

As the new full time Coordinator for Greek Life, Corin Gioia is extremely excited to join the Office of Student Life staff!! She recently graduated with a Master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Indiana University. Corin has been committed to Greek Life ever since joining Kappa Alpha Theta at her undergraduate institution, University of Maryland, College Park. She continued her love for working with fraternities and sororities at Adelphi University in New York before she attended graduate school. Corin is passionate about all Greek life has to offer, especially the founding values and opportunities for leadership. She enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, learning/teaching leadership and meeting new people (especially students)! So come visit Corin on the 2nd floor!

David's passion is helping students discover their power and potential as self-governing citizens, agents of change and people who can make a difference in others' lives. As an undergraduate at UCLA, David got involved in student government, serving as the student member of the University of California Board of Regents and as Student Body President. He went on to earn a master's degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and a law degree from the Harvard Law School. After two years practicing law at a big Los Angeles firm David decided to leave the "billable hours" behind and launch a new career in leadership development and community building. Prior to joining UMBC in 2003, David served as Vice President of the nonprofit Consensus Organizing Institute and founder/President of the nonprofit Create the Commonwealth. A native of Southern California who moved to the Baltimore area in 2003, David never saw a snowfall until he was 21 years old and still finds cold weather strange and exciting! Stop by his office on The Commons' 2nd floor to talk about baseball, politics, the pros and cons of going to law school and how to change the world.

While growing up in Michigan and pursuing her graduate degree in Ohio, Erica recognized the value in a college experience rich in both academic and co-curricular experiences. She completed her undergraduate studies in Accounting and Management at Saginaw Valley State University, where she was involved in Greek life, student government, and leadership programs. Upon graduation she worked as an auditor at a regional accounting firm. Missing the college atmosphere and wanting to make a difference in the lives of those around her, she returned to school to follow her passion of working with students. She completed her M.S. in College Student Personnel at Miami University of Ohio in May. While at Miami, she worked in Residence Life, Student Activities & Leadership, and Fraternity & Sorority Life. During her spare time, Erica enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with friends & family, and learning new things. Erica is excited to be joining the UMBC family and is dedicated to helping students learn and develop into engaged citizens prepared to change the world!

Cara Okopny is new to the field of student affairs, but certainly not to the university environment. Cara has spent the last three years as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she taught courses on diversity, mass media, and poverty/social justice. Cara holds an MA in Women’s Studies from the University of South Florida, and a BA in Liberal Studies from Grand Valley State University. Cara is passionate about social justice and is dedicated to teaching and learning about difference. In addition to working with the Mosaic Center and Interfaith Center, Cara is pursuing a PhD in UMBC’s Language, Literacy and Culture (LLC) program. In her spare time, Cara enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and being outdoors whenever possible. Stop by the Mosaic Center to introduce yourself to Cara, and add your voice to the conversation.

From the rural town of Tappahannock, Virginia to the deep blue seas of the Southwest Pacific Jordanna has always valued an opportunity to serve. As a graduate of James Madison University, she obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Sociology and teacher certification in Early Childhood Education in 2003. On October 5, 2003 Jordanna set sail with the deepened desire to serve in joining the US Peace Corps. She was a volunteer in the nation of Vanuatu, focusing on teacher training at the primary school level as well as youth development within the village of Mota Lava. In returning to The States at the end of 2006, Jordanna was accepted into the Shriver Peaceworker Program, and is working toward her Master's in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) with an aim to graduate in the fall of 2009. She is very excited to be a part of the service and volunteerism culture promoted so widely on the campus of UMBC and looks forward to connecting with students and their desires to serve!

Adam joins the Student Events Board as the Graduate Coordinator for Major Events and Programs. He graduated from UMBC in 2004 with a B.A. in English/Professional Writing. During his undergraduate years, Adam worked as an Events Coordinator and Student Advocate for UMBC’s Off Campus and Transfer Student Services. Following his undergraduate experience, Adam spent one additional year as a Graduate Assistant for Off Campus and Transfer Student Services and two years working as a technical writer for both a staffing company and for a clinical research organization. Currently, Adam is pursuing his M.F.A. degree in Writing and Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore. In his free time, he enjoys writing songs, listening to music, and performing around town with his alt-country/Americana rock band.

Sheryl is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She began her career in Higher Education after attending Temple University. In addition to Temple University School of Law she has held several positions at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Sheryl began her career at UMBC in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation where as Office Supervisor she discovered her love for interacting with undergraduate students. She loves taking long relaxing rides in the country with her husband and spending time with family and friends.

Jerilyn was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She currently resides in Ellicott City, MD. Jerilyn began her clerical career at Social Security Administration. During her 15 year tenure, she advanced to various secretarial positions; finally advancing into management. In addition, she volunteered for 8 years as the Youth Coordinator for the youth ministry at her local church. Her primary responsibility was to plan and implement all activities for youth between the ages of 12- 20 yrs. In that position she discovered the importance of mentoring young people. Working as Administrative Assistant for the Office of Student Life enables her to utilize her clerical skills in an environment that has a positive impact in the lives of youth. In her spare time Jerilyn loves to read, write, travel and spend time with her family and friends. Be sure to stop by sometimes and say hello when you are on the 3rd floor.