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Stacey Abrams Ignites UMES
New York Times best-selling author and voting rights activist
New York Times best-selling author and voting rights activist
New York Times best-selling author and voting rights activist Stacey Stacey Stacey
Abrams Abrams Abrams electrified students, faculty, staff and community members electrified students, faculty, staff and community members electrified students, faculty, staff and community members with her commentary during her visit to the University of Maryland with her commentary during her visit to the University of Maryland with her commentary during her visit to the University of Maryland
Eastern Shore in April Abrams visited UMES as part of UMES President
Eastern Shore in April Abrams visited UMES as part of UMES President
Eastern Shore in April Abrams visited UMES as part of UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson Dr. Heidi M. Anderson Dr. Heidi M. Anderson’ s Presidential Lecture Series ’ s Presidential Lecture Series. ’ s Presidential Lecture Series
“A piece of the event that stuck with me was when she told us the “A piece of the event that stuck with me was when she told us the “A piece of the event that stuck with me was when she told us the statistics of the last presidential election,” said statistics of the last presidential election,” said statistics of the last presidential election,” said Jada Brown Jada Brown Jada Brown , a UMES , a UMES , a UMES sophomore and Delmarva Public Media student reporter “Over 90 sophomore and Delmarva Public Media student reporter “Over 90 sophomore and Delmarva Public Media student reporter “Over 90 million young adults decided to not participate, which led us to this million young adults decided to not participate, which led us to this million young adults decided to not participate, which led us to this political climate we are facing now She let us know that we do have the political climate we are facing now. She let us know that we do have the political climate we are facing now She let us know that we do have the power to change that ” power to change that ” power to change that ”
In a call to action from Abrams, students were encouraged to take charge In a call to action from Abrams, students were encouraged to take charge In a call to action from Abrams, students were encouraged to take charge of the world around them by taking a moment to disengage from the of the world around them by taking a moment to disengage from the of the world around them by taking a moment to disengage from the digital world digital world digital world
“They are targeting not just your generation, but your demographic,” said “They are targeting not just your generation, but your demographic,” said “They are targeting not just your generation, but your demographic,” said Abrams “The misinformation and disinformation targeted at young people of Abrams “The misinformation and disinformation targeted at young people of Abrams “The misinformation and disinformation targeted at young people of color is extraordinary because they are so intentional about shrinking your color is extraordinary because they are so intentional about shrinking your color is extraordinary because they are so intentional about shrinking your attention span, by undermining your self-esteem The weapon you have is attention span, by undermining your self-esteem The weapon you have is attention span, by undermining your self-esteem The weapon you have is decision making You can decide not to watch The world will not explode decision making You can decide not to watch The world will not explode decision making You can decide not to watch The world will not explode while you ’ re not on your phone ” while you ’ re not on your phone ” while you ’ re not on your phone ”
Known for achieving positive results, during Abrams 10-years as a state
Known for achieving positive results, during Abrams 10-years as a state
Known for achieving positive results, during Abrams 10-years as a state lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, she became the first lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, she became the first lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, she became the first woman to serve as the House Minority leader from 2011 until 2017 That woman to serve as the House Minority leader from 2011 until 2017 That woman to serve as the House Minority leader from 2011 until 2017 That was followed by becoming the first woman ever to earn a Democratic was followed by becoming the first woman ever to earn a Democratic was followed by becoming the first woman ever to earn a Democratic nomination for governor in the United States and coming within 1 4 percent nomination for governor in the United States and coming within 1 4 percent nomination for governor in the United States and coming within 1 4 percent of votes to beating her Republican opponent in the 2017 Georgia of votes to beating her Republican opponent in the 2017 Georgia of votes to beating her Republican opponent in the 2017 Georgia gubernatorial race gubernatorial race gubernatorial race (continued on page 2) (continued on page 2) (continued on page 2)
Stacey Abrams Ignites UMES
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Abrams turned that influence into powerwhen her efforts to get out the vote during the 2020 U S Presidential election resulted in turning the historically conservative Georgia from red to blue, cementing the presidency forJoe Biden If not forAbrams' grassroots organizing and voter registration drives, which increased election rolls by more than 500,000 new voters in 2021, Rev Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff would not have become the first Democrats elected to the U S Senate in more than a decade
“Activities like this are an opportunity for our university to learn what it is we can do to help the next generation, so the future looks a little brighter,” said senior Keith Ceruti II, an aerospace engineering major
Abrams shared her “10 Steps to Freedom & Power” campaign, which she said is meant to mobilize the resistance, recognition and reversal of the rise of authoritarianism.
Dr. Miriam Purnell, chair of the Pharmacy Practice & Administration department at UMES, said those concepts help unlock better understanding of the power of the vote.
“One thing the speaker said that I took away and want students to remember is that voting is not magic, it’s math, so when we show up, we make a difference and not just in national elections, but local elections, too,” said Purnell
UMES Welcomes First Foreign Exchange Students
For the first time in its history, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is hosting a group of foreign exchange students. The students are from the University of Lorraine (UL) in France As part of an agreement with UMES, each school can host up to five students per semester, peryear
“Having the partnership between UMES and the University of Lorraine demonstrates the international reach of our academic programs, ” said Dr. Derrek Dunn, dean of the School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences,Technology, and Tourism Management. “Allowing our students to study abroad offers them a learning experience that is essential in our institutional mission of creating global citizens”
Last year, recent UMES graduate Jalen Gourrierwas the first to participate in the program by spending a semester in France. For spring semester 2026, UMES is hosting four French students – juniors Yanis Choucha, Elliott Wagner, Flavy Seminara; and sophomore Nathan Millot The four students are accounting, finance, and marketing majors
As part of the program, the French students pay their tuition fees at the University of Lorraine while only paying auxiliary fees at UMES
“We wanted to bring down those barriers to bring them here,” said Phillip Broussard, director of Global Opportunities at UMES’ Center for Foreign Language Instruction & International Education “Without that kind of MOU, we would likely go another 100 years without having exchange students on campus. ”
While excited for the opportunity, Millot said he had his share of concerns about studying in America “You might find people who are very racist or rude, from some of the situations we ’ ve heard about,” he said.
Fortunately, those early perceptions did not match reality for Millot and his fellow UL classmates
“[UMES] feels like a little city with a big family atmosphere,” he said “Everyone knows each other and everyone has been kind and welcoming”
Finding fellow French speakers has helped Millot said students from Cameroon and Senegal speak similar French, but Creole is harder for him to understand
“It’s like a remix of French, where I can understand about one or two words,” he said
UMES’ 100 Women in Heels March Focused on Empowerment, Recognition
More than 100 women – students, alumni, faculty, and staff –participated in the 100 Women in Heels march to symbolize women ’ s strength and to uplift each other. Participants each donned professional attire and heels to walk from the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts to the Student Services Center during the March 26 event.
“When I think of heels, I think of empowerment, being able to push through the pain, and how pressure creates diamonds,” said Masarrah McDade, a junior marketing majorwho came up with the idea for the march with fellow student Madison Abdus-Sabur
Chief of Staff andVice President of Presidential Strategy Latoya Jenkins said the impact of the event was a testament to the engagement of students such as McDade and Abdus-Sabur
“Our student leaders truly have a voice here on campus, ” Jenkins said “Being able to see them lead in the classroom and advocate for student needs out of it showcases what can be done when they collaborate with campus partners and the administration.”
Senior Sydney Rutledge-Smith was among the students who attended and participated in the march
“A lot of women on this campus are making history just being part of an HBCU campus, ” said Rutledge-Smith, a digital media studies major “We have so many women doing amazing things here, and I wanted to be part of this movement as a woman who has found her place and is growing into womanhood.”
Spring
Commencement Is May 15
State Senator Cory McCray Will Deliver Keynote
The Honorable Cory McCray of the Maryland State Senate will address the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 2026 graduating class during the spring commencement ceremony on May 15 at 10 a.m. in Hytche Arena on the University campus
“The UMES community is honored to have the Honorable Cory McCray as commencement speaker for our graduates entering the world,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson “He is proof that hard work, perseverance, and education pay off Sen McCray is a great example as he continues to advocate for the future of ouryouth.”
McCray, the former acting chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, is no stranger to HBCUs such as UMES He, along with his wife Demetria, established a scholarship fund for aspiring educators at Baltimore’s Coppin State University
As a young man growing up in Baltimore, McCray credits education through apprenticeship as the foundation of his career as a professional electrician He went on to earn an Associate of Science Degree from Baltimore City Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from National College Those early experiences are what the state senator said continue to shape his commitment to workforce development, education and economic mobility for constituents in his district and across the state of Maryland
UMESstudentsMasarrahMcDadeandMadisonAbdus-Saburat the100WomeninHeelsmarchtheyorganized
Provost Introduces Assistant Chair Program
New Program Provides More Leadership Opportunities for Faculty
For the 2025-26 academic year, UMES Provost andVice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Rondall Allen introduced a new Assistant Chair Program geared at developing a pipeline of capable leaders able to address the evolving needs of academic departments at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore The program ’ s first cohort began in October 2025 and runs through Aug 21
“The program is a unique one, especially among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to help develop the next generation of leaders,” Allen said “This is also a great opportunity to help department chairs get the support they need in helping implementing departmental initiatives”
Allen said the impetus of the program was inspired by his six years as the dean of the School of Pharmacy & Health Professions (2015-2021), where he had challenges filling a department chairvacancy
The 16 members of the inaugural cohort were handpicked to serve as assistant chairs by their respective departments for one to two years, at the chair’s discretion Each member in the program also received a stipend and a course release for the Spring 2026 semester
Some possible responsibilities for the new assistant chairs have included: policy revisions, department-related event planning, student degree audits, and accreditation support
Dr. Amy Hagenrater, Department of English, Languages & Media Studies (ELMS) faculty member, was selected to be part of this first assistant chair program cohort
“I’m touched to be considered for this,” Hagenrater said “In our department, we pioneer creative areas in our discipline, and beyond that, in outreach in the University, and that’s the innovation we want to continue to provide”
JoelTomlinson, assistant chair in the Department of Computer Science and EngineeringTechnology, said he enlisted in the program to gain managerial experience
“This has definitely been eye-opening,” he said “Being able to see some of the daily ins and outs and increased insight into departmental operations has given me a different perspective”
Allen said the program, along with the previously introduced Faculty Fellows program, is beneficial to the University when it comes to strategic planning
“It’s a component of faculty retention and leadership development, and I think it’s helpful,” Allen said “It allows experienced faculty to get a chance to see opportunities to develop their skills and learn more about the institution from a leadership perspective”
Assistant Chair Program Inaugural Cohort Members
2nd Annual Hawk Con Is Creative Success
UMES’ Department of Fine Arts hosted its second annual Hawk Con event in March. Proceeds from the event went toward scholarships for students in the sequential arts program More than 500 people attended the event
“Hawk Con is a great way to showcase loca craftspeople, UMES students and the progr provide at UMES,” said Brad Hudson, the in Fine Arts Department and event creator “W promote the quality of our art program, whic programs in the state, and one that rivals m institutions and private art schools”
The event featured open floorvendors, an a attendees to purchase products, panel disc contest sponsored by the Ocean City Comi zone featuring guided workshops, activities
“This an experience that is great for the stu displaying for the first time in the departme never been to a convention, and for the com Hudson said “To be able to get this exposu back doorstep is an exciting opportunity.”
Wic Win Spe UM
PhotosbyReillyButler
UMESTriviaTeam Wins $6,000 Grant at Honda National Tournament
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore earned a $6,000 institutional grant after competing at the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament inTorrance, California April 11-14
“I’m very proud of the way our team played, especially with so many of them being new to this experience,” said Earl Holland Jr., one of the team’s coaches and UMES public relations director “The lessons they learned this year will truly pay dividends in the future”
This year ’ s UMES team that traveled to California included captain and junior biochemistry/pre-med major Jasmine McKinnie ofTampa, Fla ; junior agribusiness major Essence Coley of Bowie, Md ; sophomore pre-vet major Trinity Wright of Upper Marlboro, Md; and freshman aviation science major Jovahn Lewis Jr., of Sterling,Va Jossie Gates, a computer science major from St. Louis, Mo., was also part of the varsity team that qualified for nationals, but was unable to attend
UMES was one of 32 HBCUs that participated in the championship, and the only HBCU from Maryland involved in the tournament In this year ’ s tournament, UMES competed in Round Robin play againstTuskegee University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and Langston University
In addition to Holland, a former UMES HCASC player from 2001-2005, the team is coached by volunteer assistant Mark DeMorra, who attended UMES from 2004-07 before completing his degree in physics in 2008 and was a player on the team during that time DeMorra currently serves as a statewide STEM specialist at the University of Maryland
Since it began competing in the event in the 1989-90 academic year, UMES has earned a cumulative $151,000 in grants, including earning $6,000 grants in each of the past two years
McKinnie, who was last year ’ s juniorvarsity captain, noted that the chemistry between the team in and out of practice has also been a factor in this year ’ s success
“What makes this team stand apart from other HCASC teams we ’ ve had is that we are genuinely very good friends,” she said. “We work very well together, and there’s this kind of understanding where it feels very much like a family”
Added Holland: “Since we started working with this group in the fall, we saw the potential in this team and what they could be.These students are competitive, selfless, and have shown that they can rise to the occasion when called upon ”
For more information about the UMES Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Program, go to wwwcp.umes.edu/hcasc
For more information about the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, visit www.hcasc.com
UMESvarsityquizbowlteammemberswithcoachEarlHollandJr (center)
New Associate Dean Joins Veterinary Medicine Program
Dougherty Appointed to Lead Clinical Programs and Outreach
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s School ofVeterinary Medicine (UMES SVM) has announced the appointment of Dr. Christina ‘Tina’ Dougherty as associate dean for Clinical Programs and Outreach Dougherty began her new role in February 2026 and will oversee all aspects of the clinical year program for the developing veterinary program
Dr Christina‘Tina’Dougherty
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Tina Dougherty as associate dean for Clinical Programs and Outreach at UMES School ofVeterinary Medicine,” said Dean Stanley Robertson “Her extensive experience in distributed veterinary clinical education, corporate and private veterinary practice, and industry engagement brings tremendous depth to our program ”
Dougherty joins the growing leadership team under Robertson as the school continues to build momentum toward its anticipated opening, pending approval from the AmericanVeterinary Medical Association
“I am honored to join UMES at such a transformative time in the development of the School ofVeterinary Medicine,” Dougherty said “Building innovative clinical programs and strong community partnerships is essential to preparing practice-ready veterinarians I look forward to collaborating with faculty, students, and our clinical partners to create meaningful educational experiences and expand access to high-quality veterinary care ”
Dougherty brings four decades of experience in veterinary medicine, including expertise in exotic animal care and extensive work in clinical practice, academia, and industry She has served as a faculty member at the Lincoln Memorial University College ofVeterinary Medicine and was on staff at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
In addition to her academic background, Dougherty previously served as recruiting and professional relations director forVCA Animal Hospitals (formerlyVeterinary Centers of America) from 2017 to 2019 She also spent more than a decade with Zoetis (formerly PzerAnimal Health), where she held multiple leadership roles, including strategic projects lead, companion animal veterinary manager, and seniorveterinarian She currently serves as the delegate from the state of Pennsylvania the AVMA House of Delegates
SHEROYouth Conference
Encourages Girls to Find Their “Superpower”
Girls Aged 6-18 Participated in 3-Day Empowerment Event on UMES Campus
Themed “You Glow Girl,” the 6th Annual Shero Youth Conference took place April 10–12 in the Student Services Center on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus The three-day event focused on celebrating each girls’ glow that “ superpower ” formed by purpose, confidence, and positive self-talk
“Don’t let your inside voice destroy your outside shine,” said event organizer Quiana Tilghman, UMES director of Student Outreach & Leadership Development “When it comes to our young people, we want to inspire, empower and encourage them to fly.”
Tilghman said “fly” stands for First Love Yourself
More than 150 elementary, middle and high school girls ages 6 to 18 attended this year ’ s Shero conference, as well as approximately 80 parents.The event was free to participants, and highlights included:
Friday: Shero Nite Out karaoke, games, giveaways, movies
Saturday: Shero Retreat Glow & Grow brunch, empowering workshops and activities for both students and parents
Sunday: Beyond the Lights Glow Formal dancing, DJ, selfie station
More than 200 volunteers, including UMES students and staffers, showed up also to ensure the event’s success
“The past three years attending the SHEROYouth Conference with my daughter has been such a meaningful experience for both of us, ” said Julia Guerrero De La Cruz, UMES executive administrative assistant “Each year, I’ve watched her grow more confident and truly come into her own after being inspired by the powerful speakers and positive environment”
Guerrero De La Cruz’s daughter agreed
“I have so much fun every year, ” said 13-year-old Liliana Granados “My favorite part was when I sang with the Muses I look up to them and hope to be in that a cappella group when I come to UMES”
“This event gives Liliana the chance to connect with peers, build relationships, and be surrounded by strong, uplifting influences that reinforce self-worth, confidence, and the importance of becoming an educated woman, ” Guerrero De La Cruz said
73rd Honors Convocation Recognizes Students’ Achievements
More than 1, 000 students honored at this year’s annual event
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore held its 73rd Honors Convocation at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts on April 2, recognizing the academic accomplishments of students
The event highlighted more than 1,000 students – including first-year students, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates – who received dean’s list (3 5 GPA or higher), departmental distinction (3 7 GPA or higher), departmental honors, and “Awards of Excellence” from their respective schools during the spring and fall of 2025
“Your consistency in your academics is a true mark of excellence,” UMES President Heidi M. Anderson said “Excellence produces more than outcomes and results It shapes your character We encourage you to continue to safeguard your character and embrace challenges with the same focus and purpose that you have already demonstrated”
The event’s keynote speaker, 2020 UMES graduate Dr. Yasmine Roye, is a research scientist at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Research Institute During her speech, Roye discussed the importance of being the author of your own journey
“You’ve got to tell your own story Don’t let anyone write it for you, ” she said “When it’s all said and done, I want you to remember the nitty-gritty details of all your hard work You have truly earned it and no one can take that away from you ”
Each of the four undergraduate schools recognized top students as Awards of Excellence winners: junior Gilbert Pinkett (School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology andTourism Management), senior Destiny Emuze (School of Pharmacy & Health Professions), senior Kayla Wilkerson (School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts), and junior Sarah Rawlinson (School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences)
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The quartet of students were selected based on criteria such as demonstrated leadership abilities; outstanding academic performance; effective communication skills with fellow students and faculty; the potential for continued scholarly work; and evidence of overcoming physical or personal obstacles to earn a degree
Pinkett, a mechanical engineering major, said he was “left speechless” by the honor
“There are times when a lot of the things you do behind the scenes can sometimes go unrecognized,” he said “But when that moment comes that you finally get recognized, it shows that you have to be patient and wait ”
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