UMUC hosted a historic two-hour debate on U.S.–Iran policy at UMUC’s Shady Grove location on October 26, 2010, between Ambassador Bruce Laingen—the ranking U.S. diplomat held hostage for 444 days during the Iran hostage crisis in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and Ken Timmerman—best-selling author, analyst and president of the Foundation for Democracy in Iran. The debate offered students a remarkable opportunity to interact with two thought leaders with unique and competing perspectives on one of today’s most pressing issues of national security, diplomacy, and international relations.
Throughout the debate, Laingen voiced stinging criticisms of the current theocratic regime, but argued for traditional diplomacy as a means of resolving the growing instability in the region and the threat it poses to world peace; Timmerman, in turn, questioned the very legitimacy of the current regime and argued in favor of forceful intervention aimed at isolating and destroying it, while at the same time maintaining cordial relations with the Iranian people.
The debate was held at UMUC’s Shady Grove location as part of a 3-credit course on counterterrorism—a component of UMUC’s undergraduate political science curriculum—and moderated by UMUC adjunct professor Judith Vandegriff, a nationally recognized cybersecurity policy specialist.
UMUC’s political science program periodically hosts events like the historic debate between Amb. Laingen and Mr. Timmerman. For more information, or to receive advance notice of coming events, e-mail polysci@umuc.edu.
‘Beyond the Labels,’ Part 2 – Views on Diversity from Dr. Susan C. Aldridge
Monday, March 21, 2011
Following is the second in the series, UMUC Voices, wherein members of the UMUC community share their views on diversity and what they have gained through working with others with different customs, ideologies, and perspectives.
What makes UMUC a good place for all individuals to work and learn alongside one another?
Unlike many of its sister institutions, UMUC has never had to implement special quotas or targeted recruiting initiatives to achieve greater diversity. In fact, as an open access institution, committed to serving all qualified applicants, UMUC has always reflected a veritable United Nations of languages, lifestyles, and cultural traditions.
More than half of our students are women, and nearly half are members of minority groups. We continue to enroll more African American undergraduates than any other four-year Maryland institution, and almost twice the number of African American graduate degree candidates in all of Maryland's historically black colleges and universities. UMUC also accounts for 39 percent of the Latino/Hispanic and 28 percent of the Asian/Pacific Islander graduate students currently enrolled in all of the state's public universities combined.
In addition, by using the latest technologies to connect what is certainly a far-reaching academic enterprise, we are providing students, faculty, and staff alike with a unique opportunity to work and learn beyond borders and across cultures, from wherever they call home.
How do you envision the diversity of UMUC strengthening the university in the future?
We have heard time and again that to compete successfully, our graduates must know how to think globally, while acting locally to meet the obvious challenges of an increasingly multi-national, multi-cultural workplace. Let me explain.
In this day and age, it's not hard to imagine an American business executive being asked to run the Argentine manufacturing facility of a Japanese firm. To be effective, she will need to understand and appreciate the cultural attributes and perspectives of both her organization and her employees, which are, of course, worlds apart. So by attending an exceedingly diverse business school such as ours here at UMUC, with ample opportunities to learn with, as well as from others with radically different customs, ideologies, and attitudes, she will emerge well prepared to hit the ground running. That's why I can't help but believe that UMUC will always be an academic force to reckon with in the global higher education market because of its broad diversity.
How is the importance of diversity and inclusion reflected in your team?
I am deeply committed to ensuring that UMUC's faculty and staff truly reflect not only the university's exceedingly diverse student body, but also the global community it serves. And in setting the stage, I have chosen senior leaders, who not only bring many different talents and perspectives to the table, but who also value and promote an institutional culture of fair and equal employment, as well as open and honest debate. What's more, given that they manage multicultural teams of their own, in four divisions around the world, they have also been hired for their ability to interact thoughtfully and effectively with people of all lifestyles and experiences. And in keeping with this university's laser focus on diversity as one of its seven core values, Dr. Blair Hayes, UMUC's Director of Diversity Initiatives, is an important member of my cabinet.
Share your experiences with different perspectives, backgrounds, cultures and what diversity means to you.
Learn more about UMUC's Diversity Initiatives, UMUC's President, Dr. Susan C. Aldridge or view part 1, ‘Beyond the Labels’-UMUC President Dr. Susan C. Aldridge Shares Her Views on Diversity.
What makes UMUC a good place for all individuals to work and learn alongside one another?
Unlike many of its sister institutions, UMUC has never had to implement special quotas or targeted recruiting initiatives to achieve greater diversity. In fact, as an open access institution, committed to serving all qualified applicants, UMUC has always reflected a veritable United Nations of languages, lifestyles, and cultural traditions.
More than half of our students are women, and nearly half are members of minority groups. We continue to enroll more African American undergraduates than any other four-year Maryland institution, and almost twice the number of African American graduate degree candidates in all of Maryland's historically black colleges and universities. UMUC also accounts for 39 percent of the Latino/Hispanic and 28 percent of the Asian/Pacific Islander graduate students currently enrolled in all of the state's public universities combined.
In addition, by using the latest technologies to connect what is certainly a far-reaching academic enterprise, we are providing students, faculty, and staff alike with a unique opportunity to work and learn beyond borders and across cultures, from wherever they call home.
How do you envision the diversity of UMUC strengthening the university in the future?
We have heard time and again that to compete successfully, our graduates must know how to think globally, while acting locally to meet the obvious challenges of an increasingly multi-national, multi-cultural workplace. Let me explain.
In this day and age, it's not hard to imagine an American business executive being asked to run the Argentine manufacturing facility of a Japanese firm. To be effective, she will need to understand and appreciate the cultural attributes and perspectives of both her organization and her employees, which are, of course, worlds apart. So by attending an exceedingly diverse business school such as ours here at UMUC, with ample opportunities to learn with, as well as from others with radically different customs, ideologies, and attitudes, she will emerge well prepared to hit the ground running. That's why I can't help but believe that UMUC will always be an academic force to reckon with in the global higher education market because of its broad diversity.
How is the importance of diversity and inclusion reflected in your team?
I am deeply committed to ensuring that UMUC's faculty and staff truly reflect not only the university's exceedingly diverse student body, but also the global community it serves. And in setting the stage, I have chosen senior leaders, who not only bring many different talents and perspectives to the table, but who also value and promote an institutional culture of fair and equal employment, as well as open and honest debate. What's more, given that they manage multicultural teams of their own, in four divisions around the world, they have also been hired for their ability to interact thoughtfully and effectively with people of all lifestyles and experiences. And in keeping with this university's laser focus on diversity as one of its seven core values, Dr. Blair Hayes, UMUC's Director of Diversity Initiatives, is an important member of my cabinet.
Share your experiences with different perspectives, backgrounds, cultures and what diversity means to you.
Learn more about UMUC's Diversity Initiatives, UMUC's President, Dr. Susan C. Aldridge or view part 1, ‘Beyond the Labels’-UMUC President Dr. Susan C. Aldridge Shares Her Views on Diversity.
Three Quick Tips to Aid Your Enrollment Process From my Experience as a Student
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Preparing yourself to enroll/apply to a university degree program can be a frustrating process, particularly for transfer students or students returning to school after a hiatus. In my experience, I have found that the following quick and simple tips can help make the process less complicated:
Contact a UMUC advisor today to learn more. UMUC has advisors for all types of students including, but not limited to transfer students, current undergraduate and graduate students, military students, and international students. Leave a comment or join us on our Facebook page and let us know if you have any questions.
1) Familiarize yourself with higher education terminology and understand the differences among terms.
Some key terms to know include: Bachelors of Science (B.S.), Bachelors of Arts (B.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate of Applied Art (A.A.A.), baccalaureate degree, undergraduate degree, graduate degree. A simple Google search of higher education terms can define these and more. One key difference is that associate programs such as the A.A.A. /A.A.S. degrees do not transfer to a four-year degree program; however, students can have individual credits evaluated by the transfer institution.
2) Meet with an advisor for your program.
Whether you are a student at a community college, or a four-year institution, meeting with your program advisor is crucial to your success before and during the enrollment process. Advisors can provide you with pertinent program information on transfer requirements, course planning, financial aid, university resources, and more, which could help you avoid wasting time and money on unnecessary courses and prevent a delay in completing your desired program.
3) Do your research and ask questions.
Some students assume that meeting with an advisor will transform their collegiate and professional careers. Yet, while advisors are trained to provide answers to many general and specific questions, they are neither fortunetellers, nor fairy godmothers. Students who do their own research prior to an advising session are able to get answers to more specific and personalized questions. And don't be afraid to ask questions because an advisor can quickly find an answer or point of contact if they don't immediately know an answer.
Contact a UMUC advisor today to learn more. UMUC has advisors for all types of students including, but not limited to transfer students, current undergraduate and graduate students, military students, and international students. Leave a comment or join us on our Facebook page and let us know if you have any questions.
Understanding How African-Americans Changed the Course of the Civil War
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
As the University recognizes African-American Heritage Month each February, the theme of this year's celebration was "African-Americans during the Civil War." Over 100 students, faculty, staff, and alumni attended two lectures in UMUC's Largo Auditorium, to tell the story of the over 200,000 African-American soldiers that served during the Civil War and learn more about how African-Americans played a unique role during this part of American history. The lectures explained how then slaves changed the course of history and influenced the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation as well as the manner in which the war was fought.
On February 18, 2011 Hari Jones presented a lecture entitled, "The Glorious March to Liberty: African Americans in the Civil War." Hari Jones is the assistant director and curator of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation and Museum, based in Washington, DC. On February 23, 2011 Dr. Roger Davidson, UMUC adjunct faculty member, presented a lecture entitled, "African Americans, Civil War, and the Struggle for Freedom in the Chesapeake." Both of these lectures took place in UMUC's Largo Auditorium and attracted over 100 individuals from all areas of the University who gathered to learn and network with one another.
Learn more about UMUC's Office of Diversity Initiatives and our year-round heritage month series.
Please share with us how you recognize African-American Heritage month, what you may have learned this year or from either lecture.
On February 18, 2011 Hari Jones presented a lecture entitled, "The Glorious March to Liberty: African Americans in the Civil War." Hari Jones is the assistant director and curator of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation and Museum, based in Washington, DC. On February 23, 2011 Dr. Roger Davidson, UMUC adjunct faculty member, presented a lecture entitled, "African Americans, Civil War, and the Struggle for Freedom in the Chesapeake." Both of these lectures took place in UMUC's Largo Auditorium and attracted over 100 individuals from all areas of the University who gathered to learn and network with one another.
Learn more about UMUC's Office of Diversity Initiatives and our year-round heritage month series.
Please share with us how you recognize African-American Heritage month, what you may have learned this year or from either lecture.
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