The Samson, Rosetta A., and Sadie Feldman Award

Kara J. Seidel

Kara, a senior at UMBC, is a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar and a student in UMBC’s Honors College.  She is majoring in psychology with a minor in American studies.  This is her sixth semester volunteering with the Shriver Center’s SUCCESS Program, where she currently teaches a course on Networking and Self-Advocacy four days a week.  As a Social Justice Chairperson with UMBC Hillel, Kara has helped organize multicultural events.  She has also organized Psi Chi members for a Multiple Sclerosis Walk; organized food drives through the RAC for Ellicott City flood victims; and participated in an interfaith geopolitical education program with UMBC, Goucher, and Towson students in Israel.  Upon graduation, Kara plans to pursue a doctorate in developmental psychology and has stated in her essay that, “ Working with SUCCESS has not only helped me develop my leadership and problem-solving skills, but also my interpersonal skills and tolerance of others…the students are supposed to learn from me, but it is I who has learned from them.  While working to positively impact their futures, they have effectively and meaningfully impacted mine.”

 

Samuel I. Rosenberg Fund Award

Genevieve L. DeRose

Genevieve is a sophomore at UMBC, majoring in both psychology and social work with a minor in Spanish.  She is also a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar.  Genevieve completed a public service-focused internship with Frederick Mental Health Association, a non-profit dedicated to building an emotionally healthy community.  She currently volunteers with Crisis Text Line, providing crisis intervention and support to texters via SMS messaging, 2 – 4 times a week for varied hours each shift.  Additionally, Genevieve serves as a coordinator for the Choice Program’s College Night, where she integrates educational activities into exposure to college and assists in the development of positive social skills through recreation and mentorship. She continues to serve as vice president for Students Helping Honduras, raising funds for service trips to Honduras, attending and leading executive board meetings, and recruiting new members.  In her essay, Genevieve wrote that it was her internship with Frederick Mental Health Association that encouraged her to pursue a certificate in workplace psychology, to volunteer with Crisis Text Line, and further her work with the Choice Program’s College Night.  “My experience with MHA was an invaluable one that not only touched me personally, but helped to clarify my future goals and provide me with multiple opportunities to stay engaged.”