We are proud to announce Staying in the Loop, a new post series from the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) that seeks to create connections between alumni, faculty, staff, and other supporters of UMBC and CBLA. Click here for more information about CBLA.
Name: A. Jay Nwachu
Major: Psychology
Grad year: 2003
Q: What do/did you enjoy most about being a part of the UMBC community?
The academically empowering environment as well as the diversity of the student body provided an opportunity for personal, academic and professional growth.
Q: UMBC is approaching its 50th anniversary (2016) and certainly the campus has come a long way – from a small commuter school to the nation’s #1 “up-and-coming” university – in such a relatively short period of time. What, in your opinion, makes UMBC so unique/special? What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC?
UMBC is rather unique given its rapid growth, not necessarily in numbers, but in its ability to compete with the nation’s best institutions in such a short period of time. My most memorable experience, out of many great experiences, was having the opportunity to partner with 2 of my best friends today to address the potential gaps in services that would result when the university administration decided to shut down the Office of Multicultural Affairs which served as an informal home for many on and off campus students. We were able to work with the administration to keep the office open but change its focus to serve the growing diversity at the university with more structured programming. The office remained open and was renamed the Office of Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives and has since been renamed to The Mosaic Center.
Q: If you could meet one person in the world who would it be and why?
Not anyone in particular. I believe that those that I cross paths with at any given space and time can contribute to my life in some capacity. I would rather live life with the anticipation of who next I can share my life with versus wishing to meet a particular person.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?
You can’t make everyone happy, just focus on making God happy.
Q: What is one book you think everyone should read?
This is a tough question……
Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?
Airplanes….the ability to travel.
Tags: A. Jay Nwachu, CBLA, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives, Psychology, travel, UMBC50
