At the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, we believe that stories are everything. Now we are putting that principle into podcast form with the launch of Retriever Tales. We are speaking with members of the UMBC community about their stories: what brought them to UMBC, what it means to them to be here, and what hopes they have for the UMBC community. Each month, we’ll be releasing new episodes on this page.
2021-2022
July
Jodi Kelber-Kaye, Associate Director of the Honors College, shares how UMBC’s collaborative culture has empowered her over the last two decades. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Tess McRae ’22, Senior Intern for Civic Design and Engagement with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, tells the story of experiences that have instilled her with a sense of agency. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Tirzah Khan ’21, former ConnectionCorps Intern with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, describes the lessons she has learned by embracing her role and impact in shaping the UMBC community. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
2020-2021
June
Brittini Brown, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, explains the values that have been at the heart of her UMBC experience. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Dinah Winnick, Director of Communications and Content Strategy with the Office of Institutional Advancement, shares her reflections on the evolution of UMBC’s unique culture. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Mehrshad Devin ’22, President of the Student Government Association, tells the story of how being involved in planning UMBC’s response to COVID-19 deepened his appreciation for collective decision-making. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Tyler Fultz, Coordinator of Quarantine and Isolation Housing with Residential Life, explains how their supportive UMBC colleagues have helped them develop a restorative mindset to build community and address conflict. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
May
Rees Draminski ’22, Senator with the Student Government Association, explains what he has learned about engagement and impact during his time at UMBC. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Charis Lawson ’20, former Civic Literacy Intern with the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, reflects on her journey of finding community at UMBC after being homeschooled. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Poulomi Banerjee ’16, M.P.P. ’21, Acting Assistant Director of Annual Giving, recounts her transformation from disconnected first year UMBC student to enthusiastic alumna. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Lia Purpura, UMBC’s Writer in Residence, shares her thoughts on artmaking as a way of connecting with community on campus and beyond. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
April
Meghan Lynch ’18, M.P.P. ’21, Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, shares what she has learned as a UMBC student about building collective power. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Candace Dodson-Reed ’96, UMBC’s Chief of Staff, reflects on her journey from being an introverted undergrad to becoming one of the university’s senior leaders. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Kate Drabinski, Ph.D., a faculty member in Gender, and Women’s, + Sexuality Studies, recounts how people in the UMBC community supported her after her cancer diagnosis. Click here for a transcript of the episode.
Rehman Liaqat ’23, Finance Board Representative with the Student Government Association, discusses an experience from his first week of classes that shaped his understanding of what it means to be a Retriever. Click here for a transcript of the episode.