Real People Profiles: David Hoffman
I've posted almost 200 Real People Profiles from UMBC students, faculty, staff and alumni. But until now, I've never posted my own. Here it is.
Name: David Hoffman
GRATUITOUS BONUS CHILDHOOD PHOTO:
BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is my tenth year.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Assistant Director of Student Life for Civic Agency.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Encourage you to change the world; organize BreakingGround; teach; write this blog.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I work with amazing students, faculty, staff, alumni and off-campus partners on projects that truly matter, and which we care about deeply. Unlike any job I've ever had before, I get to be the real me--honest and authentic, not just playing a role--nearly 100% of the time. I'm thoroughly challenged and well supported. I have opportunities to use my memories of the most challenging experiences of my past as resources to help others overcome their own challenges. I feel like I've found my home. And to top it all off, we're all together in this magical community at an incredible time in UMBC's history, when there is so much on which to build, yet the work remains unfinished, so that all of us can still be pioneers. I love being here with you.
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Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
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Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: The most important thing I learned in college was to appreciate and work with people who came from backgrounds and had life experiences very different from my own. Before I started college, I unknowingly made two false assumptions: that the circumstances of my childhood were basically the same as everybody else's (what did I have to compare them to?), and that most of the learning I would do in college would occur in classrooms. I was fortunate to go to school in a very diverse setting (UCLA), and made the great decision to get involved on campus. As a result, I spent a lot of time building relationships across difference and navigating complex situations. Those life experiences changed everything for me. Working with people unlike me helped me discover and develop aspects of my own identity: my values, my sense of justice. Navigating complex situations helped me develop vital skills. To this day, I continue to draw lessons from those precious experiences.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: UMBC, BreakingGround, SGA, STRiVE, the Language, Literacy & Culture doctoral program, civic engagement, marriage equality, fantasy baseball, seasons, the 25-hour day ("fall back") when Daylight Savings Time ends, my friends and family.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: When the campus was first built in the 1960s, the administrative leaders decided to wait to lay sidewalks. They watched how people walked between the buildings, and then put down the sidewalks over the footpaths. What that means to me is that this is, and always has been, a community we all create together.
GRATUITOUS BONUS CHILDHOOD PHOTO:
BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.
It's final exam time, so instead of a traditional Bonus Video Question, I leave you with the soothing sight of Bucky and Penny hanging out together in my backyard. Keep calm, and carry on!
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
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Posted: December 9, 2012, 4:26 PM