The Key, April 2023 Edition

‘A labor of love’

New Pharmacy & Health Professions building christened with ribbon cutting

It was a celebration for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as the much-anticipated opening of its new School of Pharmacy and Health Professions building became official April 28.

The facility, constructed on the continually expanding east side of the campus, was christened by President Heidi M. Anderson, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPHP) staff and faculty, University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman, and Board of Regents chairperson Linda Gooden, and numerous state officials with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This (project) has been a labor of love for me and my colleagues, for the past five years,” Anderson, UMES’s 16th president, said as she addressed attendees. “This phase one building will enhance the capacity of UMES to teach and deliver critical health services, but it is also an important new resource for the community as we – together – address rural health disparities and determine how to best deliver services to our community.”

Construction of the $90 million, 125,000-square-foot building began in late 2019 following the announcement of a $10 million allocation by the Maryland General Assembly in April.

The opening of the facility is the next step in concentrating the university’s nine health programs and six academic departments — kinesiology, physical therapy, physician assistant, rehabilitation services, pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmacy practice & administration — in one location.

In all, UMES has the most health professions programs among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationally.

Anderson said that as a pharmacist, the new facility holds “special meaning” to her, while also helping advance the goal of helping UMES students prepare to address the most pressing health issues of the day, especially for rural communities like the Eastern Shore.

Many of the students in SPHP programs are actively involved with faculty and community initiatives to improve the health and

well-being of citizens, including collaborations with the Somerset County Health Department, TidalHealth and other community organizations.

“These cutting-edge facilities will give our students the opportunity to soar above and beyond toward anything they want to accomplish in the future,” said Dr. T. Sean Vasaitis, the acting dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

Phase one of the complex features a state-of-the-art facility containing classrooms, offices, research laboratories, a community and hospital pharmacy practice space, and simulation laboratories.

Phase two of the project, which will follow after funds are secured and will ultimately complete the planned complex, will house a proposed School of Veterinary Medicine as well as simulation laboratories, classrooms, and collaborative spaces for several other health professions programs.

The complex will not only help steer the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions toward fulfilling its mission of preparing healthcare professionals and advocates to lead change in the field through interprofessional education, research, and service on the local, state, national and global levels, but also continue to help move towards more interdisciplinary interaction.

“It is critical as it will bring all of our other health professions programs together to foster the kind of synergies that are necessary to deliver 21st-century health care,” Anderson said.

Volleyball teammates among 2023 Awards of Excellence recipients

70th annual honors convocation recognizes 605 undergraduates

Hard work both inside and outside of the classroom received recognition during the 70th honors convocation at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for Performing Arts April 6.

Yeganeh Mansourian (School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences), Romina Vacca (School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts), Derionah Abner (School of Pharmacy & Health Professions), and Tranita Barnett (School of Business & Technology) were named Awards of Excellence winner for their respective schools based on their track record in both academics and leadership on and off campus.

The convocation, celebrating 605 undergraduate students from the four undergraduate schools, recognizes their academic achievements.

The four award recipients had no prior knowledge they were chosen for the recognition.

Mansourian, a senior biology/pre-med major, tutors biology, chemistry, and math. She is also a member of the Richard A. Henson Honors Program and Honors Vanguard.

“I was shocked. I was surprised, and so excited,” Mansourian said. “I was kind of expecting it, because I had worked so hard to achieve this award and I am so happy.”

Mansourian wasn’t sure there was a definitive accomplishment that played a role in her receiving the award.

“I did so many things because I enjoyed them,” she said. “I helped my classmates in their classes when they were struggling, not just for tutoring or for the financial part, but to just help people in need and my peers, because that’s all that matters in life.”

Vacca, a junior psychology major from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who plays on the volleyball team was one of two teammates who received the honor.

“I think it was just putting the work in and getting things done that you need to, she said.

Vacca said sharing the stage with her teammate Abner shows that student-athletes are able to uphold both ends of their respective roles.

“We work hard on and off the court, and I’m very proud of my teammates, and they are really deserving of it,” Vacca said.

Abner, a senior rehabilita-

tion psychology major from Orlando, FL, was complimentary of the selection committee.

“I was surprised definitely, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude and thanks because I wouldn’t be in this position without my professors and glory to God to keep me disciplined in my studies,” she said.

Prior to coming to UMES, Abner attended Daytona State College for two years. Her move to Princess Anne was two-fold.

“The (psychology) program for rehabilitation was one of the best in the state of Maryland, let alone the whole nation,” she said. “And also, the opportunity to play volleyball. I’m a student-athlete, so having that sports scholarship definitely pushed me to come here.”

Barnett, a senior hospitality management major who interned at the Frederick Douglass Library last summer to aid efforts in digitizing the special collections and archives, was at a loss for words.

“I’m very honored that I was picked out of my whole school and my department,” she said. “I knew that I had a job to do when I got here and it was getting my degree, being a campus leader, and giving back

Keynote speaker Akiima Price, a 1996 UMES alumna, and a nationally respected thought leader at the intersection of environmental issues and social justice discussed her journey, which included her beginnings in Washington, D.C., to Princess Anne, and the importance of helping others in their respective communities.

“The person who loves their ideal community will destroy their community, while those who love those around them will build community,” she said.

As she closed her speech, Price reflected on the growth of the campus since her days as a student nearly 30 years ago and sees the school’s potential.

“UMES is growing, prospering, and bigger, and better,” she said.

(L-R) President Heidi M. Anderson, Alumna and Keynote Speaker Akiima Price (’96), and Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs Rondall Allen

Photo: Keaira Hilliard

(L-R) Derionah Abner (School of Pharmacy & Health Professions), Tranita Barnett (School of Business & Technology), Yeganeh Mansourian (School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences), and Romina Vacca (School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts) were named Awards of Excellence winners.

‘That is how you measure impact’

UMES receives $425,000 in NASA grants for STEM summer program funding

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore was the recipient of $425,000 in NASA grants aimed toward serving historically underserved and underrepresented high school students in STEM. In all, NASA gave $3 million in grants to seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities and one predominantly black institution.

The funding - $85,000 annually for five years - will be utilized for UMES’ HAWKS Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Precollege Summer Institute (PSI), a two-week residential program that will feature learning activities that are aligned to NASA’s themes of space exploration, aeronautics, and earth science.

“As we all know, the demographic has changed in this country, so NASA has realized that for several years,” said Dr. Joseph Arumala, professor of technology at UMES. “This is an attempt to diversify the workforce in NASA. So, really this program is mainly geared towards females and underrepresented students.”

This year’s program will run from July 16 to July 28 and will be open to 15 students in grades nine through 12 that have an interest in STEM fields.

During the summer program, students will participate in a number of learning and hands-on activities ranging from wind tunnel design and testing, robotics activities, a virtual reality laboratory as well as tours of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility where they will have a chance to interact with NASA scientists and engineers who will also act as mentors and advisors to the students.

Program participants will also interact with and visit scientists and engineers at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

“This project gives students an opportunity to experience what it’s like to live on a college campus, attend classes, and build relationships with professors and like-minded peers,” said Torry Johnson, NASA MUREP project manager said in a statement. “What makes this program special is that it’s tied to NASA research. Students will be participating in engineering design challenges and research related to NASA missions with support from NASA subject matter experts.”

In addition to the mentoring provided by NASA staff, the selected applicants will receive college and SAT preparatory courses in classes such as English and mathematics as well as career development activities from UMES faculty and staff.

Dr. Ibibia Dabipi, a professor in the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences, said giving students the experience of living on a college campus will be an impactful one.

“The fact that the program is designed distinctly to bring students on campus is to advance their ability to understand how [college] is going to be different from high school,” he added. “They’ll be finding a routine and enhancing their understanding of their fields of choice while also making them understand the simple fact that, from that point on, responsibility is on them. We want to optimize their ability to succeed in college.”

With the potential of having 75 different students participating in the PSI over the next five years, not only will the program prepare them for pursuing STEM-centered majors but it will allow them to become ambassadors and mentors in their own right.

“What we want to do is advance those students whether they attend UMES or not,” Dabipi said. “They should be in a STEM field somewhere that educates them to advance because that is how you measure impact.”

2023 Education Job Fair

On March 30, the 2023 Education Job Fair was hosted by University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University in UMES’ Student Services Center. A variety of school districts were present to provide employment information and interviews. Among the school districts present was Charles County Public Schools, which was represented by Dr. Marvin L. Jones Jr. (’92), a Hawk and the current Chief of Schools, and Nikial Majors, Chief of Human Resources for Charles County Public Schools.

Dr. Joseph Arumala

Dr. Ibibia Dabipi

The Tuskegee Airmen: Legends of a Different Kind

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Engineering and Aviation Sciences Complex (EASC) is host to “The Tuskegee Airmen: Legends of a Different Kind” exhibit. The exhibit honors and displays the contributions of the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces known as the Tuskegee Airmen. “The Tuskegee Airmen: Legends of a Different Kind” was spearheaded by Brigadier General Walter Jones (’74), a UMES Board of Visitors member, and Derrek Mayes. The exhibit is sponsored by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, UMES AFROTC Alumni, Lt Col Dr. Algner E. A. Broach and Mrs. Broach, and the Still Family Archival Collection with support from the Julia A. Purnell Museum and Sgt. Charles King Collection. The exhibit features images, items, and audiovisual content. Visit the exhibit in the atrium of the EASC through May 19, 2023.

The artwork titled “Guardian Angels” by Todd Price is signed by Tuskegee Airmen.

U.S. Air Force images of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Photos: United States Air Force, Todd Price (Artwork: Guardian Angels)

The exhibit includes the late Brig. Gen. Charles McGee who visited the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Veteran’s Day in 2019.

Uniform of Lt Col Dr. Algner E. A. Broach.

CIEE Study Abroad Awards

Eight University of Maryland Eastern Shore students were awarded the Council on Institutional Educational Exchange (CIEE) Frederick Douglass Global Scholars Grant. These awards will assist Fallon Orcurto, Nyles Burton, Jonathan Brooks, Tracy Ewli-Kwakutse, Aalayia Otis, Caleb Clark, Alexandria Camp, and Ta’nyah Washington (not pictured) with their study abroad programs in summer 2023, fall 2023, or summer 2024. Some students are considering study abroad programs in Spain, China, and Japan. Congratulations Hawks!

Co-founder of The Frozen Farmer visits UMES

Katey Evans, Co-Founder of The Frozen Farmer, visited the University of Maryland Eastern Shore April 4 as the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s “Startup to Success Speaker.” Evans advised students to “never stop learning” and “always ask questions,” two things that served her well in business. She discussed the importance of networking and connecting with individuals with similar goals. In regard to marketing for business, she says it is most important to “know your audience.”

To fight food waste, Evans runs her woman-owned family business of making ice cream and frozen dairy dessert products “from fruit that’s beautiful on the inside” which comes from her family’s farm. Beginning in 2015, Evans and her product were featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Her company’s products are now available nationally in Kroger, Walmart, Giant, Stop & Shop, Baker’s, and City Market. Evans is the wife of a business owner and farmer. They have four daughters all under the age of 10 years old.

Business owner encourages student entrepreneurs to “never stop learning”

(L-R) Dr. Moses Kairo, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Dr. Pamela Allison, Endowed Chair of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Katey Evans, Co-Founder of The Frozen Farmer; and David Balcom, Vice President of University Relations.

NYLES BURTON

FALLON ORCURTO

JONATHAN BROOKS

CALEB CLARK

AALAYIA OTIS

ALEXANDRIA CAMP

TRACY EWLI-KWAKUTSE

Freshman Computer Science Upper Marlboro, Md.

Junior Aviation Science (Pilot) Bowie, Md.

Freshman Biochemistry Clarendon, Jamaica

Sophomore English Education Adelphi, Md.

Freshman

Human Ecology (Fashion Merch.) Denim Springs, La.

Sophomore Biochemistry Waldorf, Md.

Sophomore Human Ecology (Fashion Merch.) Accra, Ghana

UMES’ School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Ribbon Cutting

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Complex. The structure is the first phase of what leadership envisions as a health and professions complex to accommodate the university’s health programs, improve the human condition, and meet the needs of existing health disparities, especially in rural communities.

Photos: Tahja Cropper and Todd Dudek

The ribbon cutting for UMES’ School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Complex was attended by elected officials, University System of Maryland officials, and the campus community on April 28.

(L-R) Maryland House of Delegates Speaker System of Maryland Board of Regents Chairperson Linda Gooden, UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, and University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Jay Perman.

Delmarva Veteran Builders was a general trades contractor for the structure. Daniel Mills (left), Vice President of Delmarva Veteran Builders, and University Relations Vice President David Balcom

Graduate Pharmaceutical Sciences students celebrated the structure that houses their program of study and labs.

After commencement exercises on May 19, where Jordan Evans will earn her bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management (HTM) from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Evans will be bound for the Sunshine State where she secured an 18-month salaried position in Walt Disney’s Ventures and Expeditions in Orlando. Her new job stems from her summer 2022 internship with Disney Vacation Club. She earned her summer internship by being selected as one of 12 interns out of 1,000 applicants.

“I was nervous and anxious about my internship but I loved it,” Evans said.

“This experience has been amazing. It went by so quickly,” Evans said about her UMES experience. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. It taught me what I want out of my education and in life.”

During her time as a UMES student, the Baltimore, Md. native worked as a Hawk Mentor in the Center for Access and Academic Success and she worked as a student note taker in the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance. She was a member of Eta Sigma Delta (HTM honors society) and the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. She also served as Vice President of Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO).

“It helped to meet new people because initially, I was shy and focused on my classes and schedule.”

She credits UMES’ Center for Entrepreneurship and In-

Hawk secured hospitality and tourism position with the Walt Disney Company

novation (CEI) with leading her to focus on her entrepreneurship goals. Evans, whose father is also a UMES graduate, hopes to pursue a graduate degree in business and marketing and would like to become a chief executive officer or chief financial officer of a hospitality and tourism company.

Evans recommendation for anyone considering UMES for their educational endeavors is “Try to connect with different people because you never know what those connections can bring.” She says her time at UMES taught her to “Keep moving forward, hard work will pay off and to take the leap of faith.”

Dr. Katherine Quinn and Dr. Linda Forristal, both associate professors in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, were named by Evans as individuals who were influential in her UMES experience.

“Dr. Quinn was supportive and helped ignite my passion for math,” Evans said.

“She was influential in showing us how to present ourselves and in public speaking within the hospitality and tourism industry,” Evans said about Forristal.

Evans receives her certificate of completion during her Disney Vacation Club internship at Disney World, “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Chapter President Logan Dillon and Vice President Jordan Evans at the 2022 annual CEO Global Conference in Chicago.

Spring 2023 Research Symposium

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore welcomed graduate and undergraduate students to share their research on April 20 during the annual Research Symposium held in the Engineering and Aviation Sciences Complex. The event featured a three-minute thesis competition among presentations.

(L-R) students Brian Goodwyn and Anuradha Punchihewage-Don work on setting up poster presentations ahead of the graduate research symposium.

(L-R) Undergraduate student Isaac Omodia, Dr. Tracy Bell, and undergraduate student Destiny Parker

Members of the UMES Physical Therapy Program convene for lunch ahead of the poster presentations.

(L-R) Dr. Willie Brown, Vice Provost for Institutional Planning & Quality, and Dr. Lakeisha Harris, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

(L-R): Physical Therapy student Sloan Dolan, Dr. Dennis Klima, Physical Therapy students Nyan Htat and Pete Grasso

(Back Row: L-R) Organizational Leadership professor Dr. Prince Attoh and Organizational Leadership Doctoral program student Jean Goblinger; (Front Row: L-R) Interim Program Director Dr. Tao Gong and Organizational Leadership Doctoral program student Roger Williams

(L-R) Angela Young, administrative assistant and Designated School Official, and Andrea Taylor, Academic Advisor for CAAS.

(L-R): Physical Therapy students Evan Eibner, Elizabeth Johnson, Julius Fuller, and Mallorie Parsons discuss their upcoming poster presentation

The winners of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) from left to right: undergraduate Isaac Omodia, doctoral students Priscilla Kini, Jocelyn Martin, and Tahirah Johnson

Moving

When Todd Nock enrolled at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2008, little did he know his experience would lead to him making history some 15 years later.

It was here where the Pocomoke City, Md. native first learned the meaning of serving others, community involvement, and the importance of leadership.

“UMES was the first real place I actually served in different organizations,” he said. “Prior to that, I just went through high school, did my thing, did a little singing, and stuff like that.”

“(At UMES), I was on the business student advisory board, I was in the drama society, the gospel choir, I did Hawk Radio. All of those things showed me what leadership really is, and because of that, I’m able to use those things in my current role.”

That current role is now becoming the first Black mayor of Pocomoke City. Nock, who ran unopposed, was officially sworn in on April 11, at Pocomoke City Hall and will serve a four-year term.

Nock’s ascension to the role of Pocomoke City’s chief executive was the next step in a journey that started in 2015, when he became a member of the city’s board of elections supervisors, followed by being elected to the Pocomoke City Council in 2018.

Something Nock attributed to his success was his grassroots work by canvassing Pocomoke residents about the issues concerning them.

“I have this saying and I say it all the time and people don’t know what it really means, but people always say “Knock the vote,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what race I’m running in, or what race we’re running in, but we knock on everyone’s door, we get everyone’s input, we get everyone’s opinion, and that’s the same thing I even tried to do going into this office without an opponent. Knocking on the doors, meeting with citizens, and talking about their needs.”

Nock, who received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2020, said it was during his time as a stu-

dent in the Department of Business, Management, and Accounting that he also established long-lasting relationships in addition to his interest in politics.

“Having an awesome professor like Dr. Nicole Hollywood who really pushed me; and of course, Dr. Leesa Thomas-Banks always pushing us in our business law classes … they all opened up my eyes and I’ve realized I made a great decision here to study business administration,” Nock said. “I have a family over at the business department even though I’ve been gone for a very long time.”

Nock, who described the experience of becoming mayor as “more than I ever expected,” said the best piece of advice he can give to anyone aiming for a goal or challenge is not to compromise themselves.

“Stay true to yourself and stay true to the people that you represent; remember where you came from,” he said. “If you came from the hood, remember you came from the hood. If you came from the wrong side of the tracks, remember you came from the wrong side of the tracks. If you came from the right side of the tracks, remember that.

“Never forget the people whose shoulders you’ve stood on to get where you are, because they’re the same shoulders you’ll have to lean on when you get weak. They are the same people who will continue to hold you up.”

onward and upward

UMES graduate Todd Nock makes history as first black mayor of Pocomoke City

Todd Nock (center) takes the oath office during the swearing in ceremony as the first Black mayor of Pocomoke City, Md.

(L-R) Professors Dr. Bryant Mitchell, Dr. Nicole Hollywood and Dr. Kathleen Brown were present to support their former student during the momentous occasion.

2023 HBCU All-Star MVP Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. reflects on time at UMES

Two years before he would lift the MVP trophy at the HBCU All Star Game in Houston, Texas, Nathaniel Pollard Jr. was weighing his options.

After completing two years at Eastern Arizona Community College, the Richmond, Virginia native aimed a transfer to a Division I institution. In the end, it was the University of Maryland Eastern Shore that came out on top.

“It was an easy decision for me,” Pollard said. “Coach [Jason] Crafton definitely wanted more than basketball for me, it was a different type of energy as far as the discussions that we had.”

Pollard knew right away that his choice was the right one for him. When he arrived in 2020, he knew he had landed where he belonged in that moment.

After majoring in General Studies at Eastern Arizona, Pollard began studying Sociology at UMES. He graduated in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree after helping the Hawk men’s basketball team to 11 wins in the 2021-22 season, just one year after the team did not compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowing he had another year of eligibility, Pollard began to pursue a long-time goal in his graduate season.

“I had wanted to study business from the start,” Pollard said. “I knew I was coming back [for another year], so I knew it was my chance to go for business now.”

Pollard has spent this academic year completing the first year of his business degree, which he plans to continue pursuing beyond UMES.

Pollard also serves in the Student Government Association, both in the academic committee and as Mr. Maroon and Grey, a position held by a student-athlete that represents the

BY NICK LEWIS

athletic department to the campus community.

“I get the honor to represent athletics, and I know that I made a mark on that position,” Pollard said. “I’m glad to have experienced that.”

Pollard has been an essential player for the Hawks in his two seasons at UMES, joining forces with several transfers into the program to help rocket the team to its best win percentage and just the fourth winning season in 50 years. He was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Second Team and was invited to compete in the 2023 HBCU All-Star Game alongside the NCAA Final Four in Houston, Texas.

The graduate forward was named the MVP of the star-studded affair, scoring 10 points and collecting 13 rebounds in the win for his side.

With his time among the Hawks coming to a close, Pollard says he will look back fondly on his time in the nest.

“Since I stepped foot on this campus, my life has changed,” Pollard said. “I gained my relationship with God and gained so many close friendships right off the bat.”

“The teachers and students here are friendly, easy to get along with and they all want the best for you,” Pollard said. “And the opportunities, I’ve had so many opportunities since I got here that I’ve never had before, such as the SGA position.”

If given the opportunity, Pollard would recommend anyone to experience the feeling of family that you get from attending a HBCU.

“Be a part of something that hasn’t been done before,” Pollard said. “It’s a family type of environment that you won’t catch anywhere else.”

Spring 2023 Commencement Speaker Retool Your School

Speaker Adrienne Jones of the Maryland House of Delegates, 10th Legislative District, will be the commencement speaker for the May 19th ceremony at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Jones was elected by the full House of Delegates to serve as the first African-American and the first woman Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in history. She served on the House Appropriations Committee, and was Chair of the Capital Budget and Education, and Economic Development Subcommittees. Jones has been a delegate since 1997.

Congratulations Hawks! The University of Maryland

Eastern Shore placed ninth in top 10 of Home Depot’s 2023 Retool Your School competition earning $40,000 for campus improvement. Thank you for your support and voting.

(L-R) Christy Johnson, Amber Taylor (both of UMES

Greater Atlanta alumni Chapter), President Teonna Wallop (UMES National Alumni association), and Dr. Kadeem Turnbull (UMES Director of Alumni Relations & Special Events).

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Inquiries regarding the application of Federal laws and non-discrimination policies to University programs and activities may be referred to the Office of Equity & Compliance/Title IX Coordinator by telephone (410) 651-7848 or e-mail (titleix@umes.edu).

Submissions to The KEY are preferred via email. All copy is subject to editing. The Key is written according to the Associated Press stylebook.

Photo: Associated Press

Photo: Teonna Wallop