Rocky Gap

The Rocky Gap Retreat was definitely an eye-opening experience for me. I learned more about myself as a leader, as well as a person. I learned my strengths as well as my weaknesses, and I even had the opportunity to conquer my fears. I climbed to the top of the ladder leaning on just the trust in my peers, and knowing myself, and my lack of trust in others, it might as well had been Mt. Everest! Not only did I gain trust in my peers, I gained friends as well. I learned that I can't do everything on my own, and it's not always a bad thing to need help: it doesn't make me a weak person. It makes me stronger.

Thank you PROMISE!

nJ

PROMISE is invaluable

I can't begin to put into words how much PROMISE is an asset to our graduate community. The program has provided us with resources that enable us to succeed in our academic and professional pursuits. The PROMISE leadership has also given us moral support during trying times and helped us build relationships that we will cherish forever. I've found that the PROMISE staff has fortified me on numerous occasions and given me the encouragement I've needed to continue in my program. They have also provided financial resources throughout my graduate career, enabling me to attend professional conferences and meet other academic needs. The PROMISE Program is a gem like no other and without it, many graduate students will miss out on valuable opportunities to flourish during their academic careers.

I really love PROMISE....

This semester has been one of the hardest ones yet. Trying to get a doctoral degree is like climbing a mountain and the closer you get to the top, the steeper the climb feels, the wearier your muscles, the weaker your resolve ("WHY did I decide to do this again??"). But PROMISE has been there for me the whole way, and even though I've been cutting back a lot on a lot of things, the program deserves at least this note to say: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

I have never before witnessed program leadership that was so dedicated to helping students build useful, specific skills that will boost us toward a successful career in academia, to meeting graduate students' needs where we are, no matter how desperate or hopeless.. I mean, not that we are ever desperate or hopeless or anything... aww, who am I kidding?

But really, when those desperate times do hit, PROMISE is there. When we just need to bounce ideas off of someone neutral who we know is an advocate for us, PROMISE is there. When we need to practice, or learn, or share, or just relax, PROMISE is always there. I can't imagine how I would still be dedicated to getting this degree if PROMISE had not been there for me. Hey, that rhymes..


And, like any truly good thing, PROMISE doesn't just stay put. It has expanded from a dream of its leadership to a network of caring professionals and true friends who can't help but continue to spread the potential of excellence. The people that I have met because PROMISE found me give added meaning and value to my life. And I have also found PROMISE in myself; this program has helped me realize that it was there all along.

"World is becoming flat" by PROMISE

"We need PROMISE, we support it!"

I am a foreign student from Beijing, China and coming here to study by myself. Everything seems so unfamiliar to me when I just landed on USA, walked into UMBC campus last year...Graduate study life is stressful, and being alone here is terrible, until I found "PROMISE", everything has changed...

By "PROMISE", I get to know lots of friends who are just like me, different backgrounds who are coming from various countries, they are energic and easy-going, so kind to help each other. I can't miss every PROMISE events, why? I'd like to meet these friends, this is a good place to share our feelings and to lighten our study stress. What's more, I learnt a lot from them by exchanging different experience. That's true, "PROMISE" tightly connect us, our graduate life can not live without it!

When talks about "PROMISE" events, PROMISE community Building Retreat @ Rocky Gap on Feb. 2009 is one of them that I can not forget until today. I have a strong feeling like back to my family since I came to USA, we are laughing, playing, learning together. There are no country boundaries there, and if you'd like to have a wonderful world-tour, you can't miss it. My friends which I met in PROMISE Retreat @ Rocky Gap are from US, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Vietnam, South Africa, Greek...etc. of course, myself - China. And more interesting thing is we are also coming from different academic fields, like computer science, mechanic engineerning, history, biology, chemistry, information systems, economics...when we playing cards or games, you will find how fun it is, the brainstorming styles are so various which I had never experienced before.

"PROMISE" is a big part of supplement to our regular graduate study life now, and it is far more than make our graduate life better, I meet my friends there and they had became my lifelong friends whereever I go in the future. "World is becoming flat" by PROMISE!

Thanks and I love PROMISE.

- Peng He

Graduate Student in Information Systems

@UMBC

The PROMISE Network

Whether it is on this blog or on Facebook, I just wanted to say I grateful I am to my PROMISE network for motivating and encouraging me to stay the course. To my friends that have recently defended or about to defend (a shout out to L. Kee and MC Unal)you are an inspiration!

Dedicated to my PROMISE family

The PROMISE family has been a source of huge inspiration and support during my doctoral education. It is hard enough grinding through the wilderness years of a phd with plenty of soul searching by oneself. I like to refer to PROMISE as one's "promise Land" where we all share in the trials and tribulations of each other.

Events such as the Fall Harvest, seminars and retreats have all brought us closer as a family. From answering Vincenzo's questions regarding the American culture to taking Sammie to school on the pool table, we all carried away very fond memories of PROMISE events that have helped to get us through our testing times. I completed my doctoral studies recently but I would jump at the opportunity to partake in any future PROMISE events!

PROMISE Evaluation Week - Thoughts & Comments

This week, November 16-20, 2009, PROMISE: Maryland's AGEP will participate in site visits, focus groups, and online surveys as part of the National AGEP Evaluation. We realize that all of our students and faculty will not have a chance to participate in these activities, so we would like to provide an opportunity for you to post your thoughts and comments. Please click "comments" and post your thoughts. If you choose anonymous, you are still welcome to include your name. Regardless of including a name, please strongly consider providing your university, department, and any other information that you think would be helpful (e.g. fellowships).

Thank you!

Fall Harvest Dinner - Friday, Nov. 20,

Please plan to join us for the annual PROMISE Fall Harvest (Pre-Thanksgiving) Dinner!

This is always a great event. Delicious food
(turkey, cakes, pies, etc.), good conversation, and great opportunities to connect with one another!

Families are invited, however, you must R.S.V.P.
by registering (see below).

Location: Colony Ballroom, Stamp Student Union (#044)
Directions: http://www.union.umd.edu/visitorInfo/directions.shtml

http://www.cvs.umd.edu/downloads/2009fallmap.pdf

Parking: Please park in Lot 1, or Z. No parking pass required after 4 p.m.
http://www.cvs.umd.edu/downloads/2009fallmap.pdf

RSVP/REGISTRATION: http://tinyurl.com/yjea6r7

A BUS WILL DEPART FROM UMBC at 4:30 PM in front of the Administration Building. Please send email to promisestaff@gmail.com to let us know that you are taking the bus. Use the subject "Fall Harvest." The bus is scheduled to return to UMBC by 8:30 PM. Any student who lives in the Baltimore area from any of the campuses is welcome to take the free bus.

Date:	Friday, November 20, 2009
Time:	5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Colony Ballroom, Stamp Student Union, UMCP

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?edit_members&gid=2350349732#/event.php?eid=168224098998&ref=mf

PROMISES!

PROMISES Blog, September 6, 2009

Asha’s invitation came quickly and repeatedly: “I have something to
celebrate! Let’s meet up for a potluck tonight” was the message in my
Facebook account, voicemail, and text screen. A collection of about
twelve of us sat around her kitchen table and couches until after midnight
playing Uno and a Battle of the Sexes game – and talking trash. Whether
the party began with Brian’s wisecracks, Robert’s tight-fisted control of
dealing cards, or Lenisa’s over-enthusiasm playing Uno for the first time,
it ended with Tina throwing in her hand and literally knocking cups,
plates, and cards off the table. Laughter. Hard. With tears. And, hugs
like relatives you may see once or twice a year.


Our connection is PROMISE. At a retreat one year, I joked about the
family I had made from the membership and complained about crazy brothers
and irritating sisters. But these are the people that helped me celebrate
a monumental birthday, who grilled me to prepare for my comp exams and
sent inspirational texts during exam time, who prayed with me, who, when
my car Goldie died, helped me select Iona, the Saturn Ion that I named to
keep my “eyes on” the prize, who helped me move, who set up my dvd player
and printer, who frisked my last boyfriend during introductions, and who
remind me that I know something important and it must be put down on
paper. These are imperfect partners: I have given advice on women that
was not heeded, endured arguments for entertainment value, wasted time in
a mental feud with someone whose valued abilities are opposite mine – and
gained an ally when we realized our skills complement one another. These
are people who I can count on, and despite what some of my adopted little
brothers think, being thoughtful and dependable is an attractive – sexy,
even – trait that smart women appreciate.


Last night, somewhere before Alexis’ cha-cha demonstration and after Asha
brought out a cake to celebrate Angela’s birthday, I mentioned I was no
longer working as a graduate assistant with PROMISE. The group was
surprised. I’d already gotten a Facebook message asking why I wasn’t
answering the phone at the office. For five years, I guess I was a fixture
at the door, greeting people as they came in, helping to plan events, and
showing up for nearly every activity. I could recall where I’d met each of
them: Robert on the bus during our first trip to Coolfont, Alexis as part
of an Outward Bound team during the same Coolfont retreat, Asha at one of
the PROMISE end-of-year picnics, Tina during Summer Success Institute,
Barbara and Johonna on the first day of Dr. Mary Helen Washington’s
African American Literature seminar, Brian during a PROMISE mentor
meeting, Ranetta during the Grad Student of Color Welcome Reception,
Lenisa after a poetry reading the Black Graduate Student Association held,
and Angela at one of BGSA’s many potlucks at Ric Winston’s house. No one
is indispensable, but after years doing one of my favorite duties –
writing features for our newsletter, A PROMISE To Keep – I realized an
invaluable lesson. Promises are fluid and not static.


During lunch at the National Harbor last Sunday, a dear sister-friend,
Jennifer, gleefully shared that she completed a contract to teach in
Ethiopia beginning in January. It was her impetus to finish and defend her
dissertation. I met Jenn through PROMISE as well, and our bond was
cemented during the Coolfont retreat, once we realized that we shared
poetry, teaching, mentoring black girls, and African American Literature
in common.
My immediate reaction was both sad and supportive. My feelings were the
same when I left working for PROMISE. I loved the mission and the work
that I had done, but a chapter was closing and it was time for me to move
forward. Holding tightly to what is can cost us the things that can be.
It is like settling for silver when you could have had gold. When I left
my family and career to live in a strange land on student loans, I created
a new life. It is never easy giving up the familiar, and maybe I have
gotten comfortable with having my support system in tact. I will miss my
sister-friend and others who have and will graduate and move on.
Truthfully, in PROMISE we have had practice in our goodbyes and in our
standing together, family-style, throughout them.


Just a couple of months ago, several of us met to stand with Asha after
her son Sekai’s death. That time our hugs were in support and when our
eyes met, our expressions said “I am glad to see you because I value your
life”. Asha writes about Sekai to honor his life in her own blog at
http://www.remembersekai.blogspot.com


PROMISE is an organization developed
to prepare us for academic and career success. But, embedded in its
beginnings and threaded throughout it, promise has been our verb – our
active feeling for one another and our response to each other. The
co-principle investigators could not have predicted how far our
relationship to one another would extend or how far the returns would go.
Whether we are STEM or NON-STEM, with everything or nothing in common, the
bonds of PROMISE remain.


Sent to PROMISE from "WordSmith" - PROMISE@University of Maryland College Park

September 6, 2009