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The Big Question
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THE BIG QUESTION
What’s the smallest change people can make to have the biggest positive impact on society?
KATHY BEST
DIRECTOR OF THE HOWARD CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, PHILIP MERRILL COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM
People can take one minute to determine whether the source of news they’re reading is trustworthy before sharing it. That investment of a moment will strengthen our democracy.
BETHANY HENDERSON
LECTURER, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
Vote. In every election in which you’re eligible. Bring your kids (from infancy on) into the voting booth with you. And encourage your friends, family, neighbors, etc., to do the same.
OLIVER SCHLAKE
CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION, ROBERT H. SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Create a Plan B for your life—one you build while your Plan A is in place and working fine. Next time things don’t work out as expected (pandemic, downturn, etc.) you have something to go for without shifting things around in panic mode.
ARJAV R. SHAH
ADJUNCT LECTURER, COLLEGE OF INFORMATION STUDIES
Understanding that nothing is the end of the world, patience is key, and controlling your emotions will help your success.
HEDWIG TEGLASI
PROFESSOR OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
When we listen to others, it is natural to judge what they are saying from our own perspective. Imagine if we could set aside our assumptions for a bit to seek clarification about why and how each of us has arrived at our respective opinions.
GREGG VANDERHEIDEN
PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE TRACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, COLLEGE OF INFORMATION STUDIES
A comment to a young person, or a simple act, that inspires them to a career of service—that inspires others.
SELVON WALDRON
LECTURER, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
Life in our region is hyperproductive and the pace is nonstop, even during an ongoing health pandemic. The nonprofit sector and education institutions have seen high turnover and extreme rates of staff burnout. The human cost and impact to student learning/community development of this is enormous. The toll on the sector’s employees of color is even greater due to lack of equity. So, balance is the change we must make.
Share your answer and see more faculty responses at terp.umd.edu/BigQ14. Suggest a future question at terpfeedback.umd.edu.
