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Learn more about Katie's story and find out what our students are doing. |
Straight from the Students
Jakana Thomas
Learning to be a Leader
Without a doubt I can say that I have made UMBC my own. The moment I stepped foot on-campus, I fell in love with UMBC and what the university offers to its students: strong academics and a breeding ground for discovering who you are.
By getting involved through the Office of Student Life, I was in the first group of students to participate in Alternative Spring Break, helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It helped me discover that my true passion lies in helping others. Along with 24 other college students, I helped to rebuild homes, plant trees and provide volunteer support to local service agencies.
So many people from different backgrounds came together because of the tragedy in Orleans that I wonder why can’t we come together and unite before tragedy occurs? I now feel charged with this mission. I want to bridge this gap between society and individuals. Through my involvement in international affairs and in campus activities at UMBC, I have started to bridge that gap.
Jakana is a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on international global studies. Jakana plans to pursue a Ph.D. at Penn State, teach political science at a research institution, publish papers and work as a foreign policy analyst for a think-tank or government agency.
See what our Class of 2007 and other alumni are up to.
