Collegiate Success Institute
CSI Student Staff
April Berardi
Major: Modern Language and Linguistics
Minor: Psychology
Sophomore
aberard1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Montgomery Blair High school
Why I decided to attend UMBC:
I decided towards the end of my senior year in high school. I wanted a school that was fairly local and affordable. I chose UMBC because it offered the major I was interested. Also I wanted to continue with the languages I had taken in the past and UMBC offered both Arabic and Japanese. This school has a moderately small campus which I liked and a diverse student body.
How I heard about CSI:
In high school, when a new school year began, my first quarter grades were always lower than the rest of the year. This was because I needed an adjusted period. My mom was the one that told me about CSI and I thought it would help me a lot to get a head start on meeting people and getting to know the campus.
Why I wanted to be a Peer Mentor:
I attended CSI last summer and loved it. I wanted to help others with the same experience.
Most interesting thing:
I joined the Student Event Board spring semester of 2013. I get to go to all the events for free and even get to meet the performers. At his comedy show, I got Kenan Thompson’s autograph.
Favorite part of CSI:
My favorite part was making a group of friends who still hang out and keep in touch. Meeting people was one of the things I worried about most with coming to college and CSI helped with that. Also, the trips were pretty awesome. We went to Six Flags, Baltimore Aquarium, and on service trips.
Recommend:
Absolutely! If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have come back as a Peer Mentor. You get to know the campus, make friends, and get a class out of the way so you come in fall semester with a few credits.
Fun Facts:
- I turned 18 on 11/11/11
- I have three adorable dogs (Vinnie, Rocko, and Bella)
- I have an obsession with hair accessories
- And I LOVE sushi
For more Information, Please Contact:
Laila Shishineh
Program Coordinator
Administration Bldg. Rm. 905
lailas@umbc.edu | (410) 455-3737