The Key, December 2022 Edition

‘You can push yourself to new limits’

2022 UMES winter graduates reflect on trials, tribulations, and successes

There was a combined feeling of joy, sadness, relief, and accomplishment as 187 students officially confirmed their degrees as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore held its winter commencement exercises at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

The event returned to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic start time of 10 a.m., following two previous commencements that started at 12 p.m.

Among the students receiving their undergraduate, post-graduate and doctoral degrees was Briana Palmore (not pictured), a chemistry major from Hackensack, N.J., who garnered a 3.5 grade point average. Palmore delivered the student commentary which focused on reaching new accomplishments after obtaining their respective degrees.

Joining Palmore in the procession of newly minted graduates was Genesis Levy, a rehabilitation psychology major from Bowie, Md. Levy, who had several members of her family attend UMES, including her mother, said she always felt at home on campus.

“With the familiarity I felt coming here as a legacy student I knew (UMES) would definitely benefit me in the long run,” she said. “I was very familiar with the faculty and staff as well as the people who knew my mother that were working with me to ensure that I was taken care of.”

Levy’s departure from the institution won’t be too long as she’ll be attending UMES again for graduate school.

Briahna Willis’ path to UMES began in Little Rock, Ark., when she began playing golf at the age of three years old, but admittedly didn’t find her passion for the sport until much later.

Since the decision to pursue golf heading into her freshman year of high school, it led to Willis becoming a pro golf management major and becoming a three-time scholar athlete, two-time coach’s award winner, and 2020 team MVP for the UMES women’s golf team.

Something Willis attributed to her success was a change

in her outlook on life and looking at things from a more positive perspective.

“When I was able to change my outlook, it really let me know how grateful I was to be in a place that molded me to become who I am,” Willis added. “There’s something special about UMES that really transformed and shifted people I know. I’ve heard a lot of people’s testimonies indicating the same thing. My life won’t be the same and I love this school because it has created growth in my life.”

Stacey Carver Jr., a biology major from Randallstown, Md., arrived to Princess Anne as a transfer student following two years at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

While it was a change for Carver, there was familiarity as he had attended an internship through UMES’ geoscience summer program before starting college.

During his final two years, Carver joined the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, which focuses on STEM workforce needs. He also became a LSAMP research intern as well as a goat caretaker for UMES’ pre-vet club.

Arjun Dixit of Salisbury, Md. was in rarified air as he was the recipient of two graduate degrees as he earned a master’s in both cybersecurity engineering technology and food and agricultural science.

The journey for Dixit was one of perseverance as he noted times of difficulty trying to balance classwork while working a full-time job.

Dixit said upon reflecting on the accomplishment, it still leaves him awestruck.

“I honestly never thought I would manage all of that, but I sit back now and think how crazy all these semesters have been in the past three years,” he said. “It made me realize that my limits are way, way beyond what I used to consider and at the end of the day, it’s all in my mind. You can push yourself to new limits.”

Hawk pursues career in public service

Student commentary speaker recognizes importance of networking and helping others

Briana Palmore addressed the student body and attendees as the student commentary speaker during the winter commencement ceremony Dec. 16. The Hackensack, N.J. native has a record of being devoted to service to others that will serve her well in her career path of public service. She has served in support positions of the Student Government Association as a freshman and sophomore. After earning her bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a minor in criminal justice, Palmore hopes to pursue a career with Maryland State Police.

“I always wanted to work in law enforcement. I chose the science route. I want to start out in the field to gain experience and hopefully progress to the federal government,” Palmore said.

During her speech at graduation, Briana took some time to recognize fallen hawks Aleksandria Padgett (’21)

and Jason Louis (’21) with a moment of silence.

“Alex was a dear friend of mine and was always there whenever I needed her. She had such an amazing personality and was never afraid to speak her mind, whether you liked what she had to say or not. Jason and I had both crossed the same semester of Fall 2020. Whenever I saw Jason, he was always ready to have a good time. He did not let his cancer set him back from living his life to the fullest. Homecoming did not feel the same without you both, but you both were still there in spirit making sure we all enjoyed ourselves,” Palmore said.

She also discussed the importance of networking stating “My fellow hawks, I ask that you utilize the relationships you created here at UMES to network. Networking is not just about going to places to see what people can

do for you. It is about how can I help you help me. I challenge each of you to raise the bar for yourself, raise the bar for your friends and raise your expectations for your own life. Stop living in the past and focus on the person you are going to continue to be once you walk across this stage.”

During her time at UMES, she was involved in student activities and organizations including Campus Activities Board, Student Government Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Haus of Legacy, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., and Ambiance Dance Company.

UMES felt like home away from home once I stepped foot on campus,” Palmore said about her UMES experience. “ It built me into the woman I am today. UMES is what you make it. It’s all about growth.”

Photo: Joey Gardner

‘We’re essentially the trailblazers’

First cohort of Physician Assistants graduate

When Jamison Trower began looking at his post-graduate options, he found himself in a situation that was a mix of familiarity and foreignness.

As a 2018 University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduate who played on the baseball team and majored in biology, Trower was deliberating what to do next. After mulling over his future, he got wind that UMES was in the process of establishing a physician assistant program, leading to his application submission.

Following the application cycle, Trower was one of several students who were accepted into the first cohort of the program. That first cohort walked across the stage during the Dec. 16 commencement ceremony.

“(The program) intrigued me mainly because it felt really comfortable to come back here and to be part of the first cohort,” he said. “We’re essentially the trailblazers of the program for years to come.”

The program received Accreditation-Provisional status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, or ARC-PA, in 2020.

Accreditation-Provisional status is granted when a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appears to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to

demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class of students.

Many of the members of this first grouping of PA students came from a variety of backgrounds, including some with years of experience working in the field of medicine already.

Hillary Winkler began considering attending PA school after working as a mental health therapist in the Baltimore City Public School system and not seeing it as a long-term career choice.

Winkler, 31, said that the draw of UMES being an HBCU was also appealing to her as well.

“The fact it was also an HBCU (called to me) because I went to (University of Maryland) in my undergrad and being a part of an HBCU is definitely something that, looking back, I wish I did in my undergrad studies. So, I am so glad that I got to experience being at an HBCU.”

Jennifer Keithly, who worked in and out of the healthcare field in a number of roles for 13 years, said that her experience allowed her to figure out what role suited her best.

“I’ve lived all over the country, but I’ve spent a lot of my life here in Salisbury,” she said. “So, I already knew about UMES. I also know the area, and I know they’re in need of healthcare workers.”

Some of the challenges the new cohort faced included managing workloads, trying to manage work-life balance, and for some, being away from family, not to mention the COVID pandemic as they were beginning their studies.

“It was definitely more downs than highs, especially the clinical year studying nonstop all day every day,” said PA student Marian Marrero, a Tampa, FL native. Marrero, who is a military wife, had to spend more than a year away from her husband, who is stationed in Dover. “There were a lot of insecurities, anxiety, depression that happened, but there were students who were going through the same (experience), and we were able to rely on each other and I think that helped with this challenging moment.”

But with the completion of the PA program, the students knew that all the long hours of studying paid off once they walked across the stage.

Winkler said, for her, it is a sense of pride in not only completing the program but also accomplishing the feat at UMES.

“It’s just been a great experience thus far and I feel like I have learned all the skills that I need to and I feel really prepared going into life as a future physician assistant,” she said. “I’m (also) really proud of being a future UMES alumn(us).”

Physician Assistant graduates received their white coats during a ceremony with Dr. Anderson Dec. 15.

Man the Shore Summit

The UMES Department of Education’s third annual Man the Shore Summit on Dec. 8 featured a panel discussion addressing promising practices to support boys and men of color in education, recruitment and retention of men of color in education as well as the academic, social, and emotional needs of young men in schools. “The goal is to increase the number of boys of color graduating high school, going to college and entering the education profession,” said Dr. Richard Warren Jr., the Richard F. Hazel Professor of Education, about the Men of Color in Education program.

Soaring Above and Beyond on Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday Nov. 29, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore surpassed its goal of $20,000. Many donations were a part of the engraved Legacy Brick campaign in which bricks were purchased to be engraved and placed at the entrance of the new Pharmacy and Health Professions building. “Our Hawk nation truly helped us to “Soar Above and Beyond” by contributing during Giving Tuesday. We are grateful for all who participated,” said University Relations Vice President David Balcom.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/HAWK4LIFE1886

contact the Division of University Relations at 410-651-8371

Dr. Richard Warren Jr. (center in maroon suit) with panelists prior to the event.

Panelists discussed the importance of retention and the need to improve retention for men in education.

“High School Teacher University” students being recognized for completion of a dual enrollment course in teacher preparation.

UMES student has directorial debut with “It Was Worth the Weight”

Senior Brittany Hall has accomplished her directorial debut after presenting her theater production “It Was Worth the Weight” at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Dec. 1 through Dec. 3 in the Ella Fitzgerald Center for Performing Arts. Hall wrote and produced a play about her father Mike Hall who is a five-time world champion in powerlifting and known as the “World’s Strongest Drug Free Man.” He is also the Director of the Health and Wellness Center on campus.

“This is a story about man vs. himself, man vs. God and man vs. society. It’s also a story about mental health and the power of the mind and where that can carry you,” Hall said about her production.

Hall began writing the play during summer 2021 and put on the production with the help of a cast and crew of students and her friends. Nearly 1,000 people attended the production.

“I felt overwhelmed because everyone might not see your vision. Overall, I was relieved and proud. It was worth the wait, time, hard work and patience,” Hall said about this experience.

“This process has built my confidence in my skills,” Hall said about the accomplishment of bringing her play to fruition.

“I’ve learned how to communicate with people, and work with people. It lined me up to be attentive and trust people. Trusting your team is a huge part of greatness,” Hall said about what she gained from this production process.

The message she wants people to take away from the play is “believe in yourself and you are not alone even when you feel like it sometimes.”

Majoring in English, Hall’s goal is to have a career as a screenwriter and film director.

Brittany Hall and her father Mike Hall

The cast and crew of “It Was Worth the Weight” in the Ella Fitzgerald Center for Performing Arts.

WINTER COMMENCEMENT

Student athlete Jaylin Nelson earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science.

(L-R) Autumn Smith (biology), Tyanna Roberts (biology), and Sophia Chacon (biochemistry) posed for a photo to celebrate during commencement.

Noah Agwu, a track and field athlete, earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

Luca Imperiale (left) and Nicole Reyes earned their bachelor’s degrees in construction technology management.

COMMENCEMENT 2022

Akiyah Smith, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Smith’s mother, a 2001 alumna was pregnant with Akiyah when she was a student at UMES.

Members of the Simmons and Elliott families were present to celebrate Jocelyn’s achievement of earning her Ph.D. making her a 3-time graduate of UMES.

Clarence Young, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Demajia Jones posed for a photo to celebrate earning her bachelor’s degree in biology.

Briahna Willis is now a graduate of UMES’ Professional Golf Management program.

My Time at Merck & Co.

By Faith Osinaga

Since the start of the graduate student journey, it was heavily emphasized the difference between academia and industry and this theory remained in the back of my mind throughout my early student years. During my second year, I had the opportunity to attend a national conference in the field of pharmaceutical science. I was surrounded by scientists from government, industry, academia, and other fields. As I took the opportunity to network with scientists, more comments were made to address the differences between academia and industry. Specifically, after one encounter, I was highly encouraged to apply for an industry internship or Co-op to obtain my personal opinion. It became a goal to apply for internships in my latter years as a graduate student.

In April 2022, I moved to New Jersey to start my Co-op position at Merck & Co. Merck is a larger biopharmaceutical company that provides innovative and cutting-edge science to improve the lives of patients within the area of oncology, infectious diseases, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases, immunology, and neuroscience. I joined the Mass Spectrometry and Biophysics department, a diverse team of scientists with a myriad of scientific backgrounds, such as protein biochemistry, enzymology, in-vitro pharmacology, biophysics, mass spectrometry target identification, proteomics, and high thorough screening. The team was large and contributed specifically to early drug discovery. I worked directly with a senior scientist and senior manager with a background in protein biochemistry. Together, we explored detergent-free solubilization techniques for membrane proteins. We characterized and researched novel biochemical strategies to develop membrane protein reconstitution in nanoparticles to progress biochemical and biophysical analyses that are employed for early drug discovery. I was able to use premier laboratory instruments and shadowed brilliant scientists working on assay development for early drug discovery. We examined protein/protein and ligand/protein interactions using surface plasmon resonance, mass spectrometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry—common biophysical and biochemical techniques. We also employed

protein expression and purification to explore different constructs for membrane protein reconstituted nanoparticles.

During my sixmonth term, I was able to attend seminars, present my scientific project internally, network with different departments, visit one of Merck’s largest sites in Pennsylvania, and many other opportunities.

At the end of my term, I learned much more than the difference between academia and industry such as internal collaborations, data outcome, flexibility, and scientific responsibilities. I was able to determine my preferred area of scientific research, the importance of effective communication, and personal career development to be a contributing and effective scientist.

I am grateful to my advisory committee and pharmaceutical science department for their continuing support and guidance during my graduate student journey.

Faith earned her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences Dec. 16 during the UMES Winter Commencement ceremony. She is now employed as a senior scientist at Merck & Co.

Faith participated in a workshop for career development and learned about the scientific innovation contributed by the scientists at Merck & Co.

On behalf of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, I offer my sincere congratulations to the graduating class of fall 2022. I also would like to thank the faculty, staff, and families of our students for their support and dedication to student success. The past few years have been challenging for our graduate students, many of whom were managing their personal lives with time in the labs, writing research papers, and preparing for theses and dissertation defenses. The pandemic has not been kind to higher education; however, I have personally watched our graduate students’ grit and determination to reach their goals. Many have stayed in the labs late at night, often in silos due to restrictions, because they believe in the work that they are doing and the impact their research will have nationally and globally.

We have much to be proud of as you will see in the topics that our students have studied and successfully presented. This fall class has 55 students who are completing their degrees, with 44 Masters’ students, including our first graduating cohort of Physician Assistant Studies students and 11 Doctoral students. I look forward to seeing our students in their caps and gowns as they cross the stage and begin their new careers in their respective disciplines.

Congratulations again to the graduates of our graduate programs. The entire School of Graduate Studies and Research is very proud of you.

Dr. LaKeisha Harris, Ph.D.

Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research

Message from the Dean Research at UMES

A Hawk a decade in the making

Elliott earns her Ph.D. becoming a three-time UMES graduate

Dr. Jocelyn Elliott is a shining example of the greatness that departs from the halls of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore during commencement season.

After a decade on this campus, she became a three-time graduate of this historically Black institution after walking across the stage and being hooded for her Ph.D. in food and agricultural sciences Dec. 16.

Although originally interested in pre-vet studies when she arrived as a freshman in 2012, she earned her bachelor’s degree in general agriculture and her master’s degree in food and agricultural sciences. “I love animals but I have worked with goats, cows, and chickens,” she said about her farm experience at UMES.

“I was just the person in the background and went to being the voice of graduate students, getting married, having a newborn. Being at UMES taught me how to multitask and be successful,” Elliott said about the impact of her UMES experience.

“It taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to doing, don’t sell yourself short and to be a good example for my daughter. It was hard, there were tears.”

The 28-year-old served as the Graduate Student President of the Student Government Association. In this role, she was involved in the increase of graduate student stipends, printing assistance for graduate students, and improving the experience inside and outside of the classroom for graduate students.

Her educational journey wasn’t without challenges as she gave birth to her daughter in spring 2020 and she survived a car accident in 2021, which resulted her being diagnosed with occipital neuralgia (severe migraine from pinched nerve in the neck and herniated disc in her lower back) for which she continues physical therapy and wears a back brace.

There was good along the way as she met her husband, Javier Elliott as a sophomore and they married in 2020.

“I learned to be resilient, the importance of hard work and dedication, and to be passionate about the ecosystem, the pesticides used on our foods and to find a better and safer way to produce food for the growing population,” Elliott said about her experience and studies at UMES.

Elliott earned her Ph.D. studying food science by concentration on plant science (corn earworm and sweet corn plant). She studied effects of specific bacteria on the corn earworm to keep it from destroying the sweet corn plant so it can grow.

She gave advice for those considering UMES for their educational pursuits saying ”UMES has the right tools for everyone. Keep your options open because everything may not turn out as you planned. Always believe in yourself. Take this experience and your classes seriously.”

The Long Island, N.Y. native’s goal is to pursue more research in her field as there is more she wants to do. Elliott is the youngest of three children, she has two older brothers.

Administrator and Coach join HAWK ATHLETICS

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Alisha Tucker as Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Women’s Administrator and Tiana Jones as head men’s and women’s golf coach.

Tucker joins the Hawk Athletics staff after recently serving as Deputy Athletics Director/Student Services at Campbell University, while Jones comes to Princess Anne after working as a PGA Director of Instruction at Topgolf Cleveland for nearly three years.

Prior to Campbell University, Tucker spent 15 years as Associate A.D. for Compliance and Student Health at Norfolk State University.

Bringing over two decades of professional experience from the Power 5 and FCS level, Tucker will oversee compliance, student-athlete support, athletic training, as well as lead the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and serve as the Senior Women’s Administrator. As Deputy A.D., she will also be instrumental in assisting A.D. Owens with the overall daily operations of the athletics department.

“It is an honor to be selected as the Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Hawks have tremendous history and tradition. With the opportunity to work alongside the dynamic and innovative leadership of President Heidi M. Anderson and Director of Athletics Tara A. Owens, I believe we can build UMES into a perennial championship program,” Tucker said. “As the university continues to experience a period of growth and unprecedented success, we are going to represent the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with pride and integrity.”

Tucker began her career in athletics administration at Michigan State, and had stops at Villanova, Richmond and Marshall before moving to NSU. She joined the NSU staff in 2006 as the Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance before

creating the student services area in 2010. She oversaw student services within athletics through 2019 before assuming additional duties including helping guide the Spartans through COVID protocols prior to her departure.

“Alisha is a proven, experienced, and respected leader in college athletics,” UMES Director of Athletics Tara A. Owens said. “We’re excited to have her join the Hawk family.”

Jones was the seventh Black woman to obtain a class “A” membership with the PGA of America after attending the PGA Golf Management School at UMES, winning five PGA WORKS Championships in the process. Jones comes to Princess Anne after working as a PGA Director of Instruction at Topgolf Cleveland for nearly three years.

“I’m really excited to return to my alma mater,” Jones said. “I hope to reinforce the values of diversity and inclusion around the programs, while working hard to bring some championships home to UMES. I fully believe this program can be ranked among the best at the Division I level, and that will be our ultimate goal as we move forward.”

Bringing prior experience as a member of the PGM School and as a PGA instructor, Owens said she has full confidence in Jones’s ability to turn the program into a winner.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Tiana Jones to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Coach Jones is an experienced PGA Professional with a proven track record of success in the sport of golf,” Owens said. “I look forward to seeing Coach Jones develop our student-athletes into champions on the course, in the classroom, and in the community.”

Alisha Tucker

Tiana Jones

Wishing You and Yours a Joyous Healthy

&

Key / December 2022

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).

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