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Real People Profiles: Hannah Schmitz

We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Hannah Schmitz

Hometown: 
Conshohocken, Pa


Q: How long have you been at UMBC?


A: 
Since January 2014- I moved to Baltimore from Philadelphia 2 days before I started.


Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Applied Learning Program Coordinator in the Shriver Center

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: Coordinate Public Service Scholars programs for students across Maryland/Enhance applied learning at UMBC.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: Most aspects of my job don't have me directly interacting with UMBC students so I love any opportunity to really connect with students on campus (teaching an IHU, Leadershape Cluster Facilitator, etc.)

I also love that I get to cultivate relationships with so many people off campus (state government officials, nonprofit professionals, staff at other institutions in Maryland) as well as on campus (UMBC students, faculty, and staff). I'm a people person and meeting so many passionate people and learning about all the amazing work going on in Baltimore and all of Maryland has been a great way to develop my sense of community in a new city/state.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: 
Building real, authentic relationships is the key to professional and personal success. Take the time to get to know people. Everyone you meet, regardless of how minor or fleeting the interaction, has value, deserves respect, and can teach you something. Oh, and always send thank you notes!


Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?

A: 
The work that is taking place all over UMBC, and specifically in the Shriver Center is having a tremendous impact in the greater Baltimore area, and it's exciting to be a part of. I recently caught up with Public Service Scholars Alumni dating back to 1987. Listening to the positive work they are doing in Maryland, the US, and internationally is inspiring, especially when they attribute their success to their participation in the programs. My first class of participants just graduated from college and already they are landing jobs and pursuing passions that are creating positive social change. Playing a small role in "launching the next generation of change agents" has been extremely satisfying.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Traveling, Benjamin Franklin, football (EAGLES!), social justice, farmers' markets, the beach, the people in my life!

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 I saw the posting for this job I got really excited about the position and did some research on UMBC. I was working at Drexel University at the time and saw that Dr. Hrabowski was to be the convocation speaker the next day. I got to hear him speak and was blown away. I spent that whole night working on my application, and here I am!

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.

Posted: February 29, 2016, 4:03 PM