HGLO Student’s Census Bureau Internship Offers Pathways for Civic Engagement

Last spring, Carmela Sofia De Llano Hernandez, a student in the Honors Global Challenges & Solutions (HGLO) program and a junior sociology major, completed an internship with the U.S. Census Bureau’s School Pulse Panel project, an initiative born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project surveys school principals nationwide to assess various aspects of education, from teacher well-being to school culture. Her responsibilities included requesting permissions to survey schools, a task requiring meticulous attention to detail given the federal nature of the documents. Read the full story.

Published: October 21, 2024

HGLO Student Matt Zinno Combines Data-Driven Policymaking with Public Service

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning this semester, Honors Global Challenges & Solutions (HGLO) student Matt Zinno makes his way from College Park to Capitol Hill for his new congressional internship. The Rhode Island native is thrilled to be interning for one of his state’s two congressmen, Seth Magaziner, and getting hands-on experience on the Hill. Read the full story.

Published: October 1, 2024

Honors Global Challenges and Solutions: Using Data Science to Understand and Improve the World

Starting this semester, the program formerly known as Honors Global Communities will change its name to Honors Global Challenges and Solutions (HGLO). Since joining the Honors College in 2022, HGLO has focused on data science and global issues. The program’s mission remains focused on offering students a unique framework for understanding contemporary global affairs and issues. Through the lenses of social science and data science, HGLO empowers students to understand, analyze, and address major global challenges. Read the full story.

Published: September 3, 2024

HGLO Professor to be inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 22CP is pleased to announce that Department of Government and Politics Professor Sarah E. Croco will be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, this spring. The induction ceremony will take place on April 23, 2024. Croco’s nomination was supported by a unanimous vote among the chapter’s executive board officers. Professor Paul Leisenham, President of Chapter 22CP, remarked, “Induction into Phi Kappa Phi is not merely an honor bestowed; it is a recognition of one's unwavering commitment to the pursuit of the love of learning and the elevation of scholarly excellence in the community.” In addition to her impressive record of scholarship, Croco also serves as Director of Honors Global Communities impressing upon hundreds of students the importance of academic excellence.

“Dr. Croco embodies the ideals of Phi Kappa Phi in every way possible,” said Tristan Hightower, a PhD candidate and student officer of the chapter, “I was honored to support her nomination.” Primarily a Society focused on student recognition, Croco is among a select group of faculty who have achieved scholarly distinction to merit membership. She joins the top 10 percent of undergraduate seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, on campus invited for membership. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi has chapters on more than 325 college and university campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.

Sarah Croco earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 2008 and joined the faculty at the University of Maryland as Assistant Professor of Government and Politics the same year. She currently holds the rank of Full Professor and is Director of Honors Global Communities. Professor Croco’s work has appeared in numerous peer-
reviewed journals, and her book Peace at What Price? was published by Cambridge University Press in 2015. She is the recipient of various honors, including the Elmer Plischke Faculty Research Award, the College of Behavior and Social Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, and successfully mentored two Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars.

Published: April 10, 2024

Dr. Croco earns Black Belt!

Our very own Dr. Croco recently earned her first degree black belt in Muay Thai! Muay Thai--or Thai kickboxing--is the national sport of Thailand. It is sometimes referred to as "the art of 8 limbs" as you use two legs (primarily your shins and feet), two knees, two elbows and two fists. Dr. Croco has been training at the Black Belt Martial Arts Center for years, and loves every minute of it.  

Published: March 31, 2024

Terp! Seeks! Fortune!

Honors Global Communities Staffer to Compete on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Tonight

Monday evening on TV, Alfredo Oliveira will utter the iconic phrase he’s been waiting more than a decade to say: “Pat, I’d like to buy a vowel.” As the new University of Maryland staff member takes the stage on “Wheel of Fortune,” he’ll spin the multicolored wheel (“It’s both heavier and smaller than it looks!”), banter with host Pat Sajak and hope he makes it to the bonus round for a chance to win trips to Disney Parks—and plenty of cash, of course. Competing during Disney-themed Secret Santa Week is a perfect fit for Oliveira, a huge fan who’s visited its theme parks in Florida, California and Paris. Read the full story.
 

Published: December 11, 2023 by Karen Shih 

Honors students among Fall 2023 Do Good Changemakers

Changemaker Pathways launched this fall with its inaugural cohort of 45 students. This 5-week experiential program is primarily for first-year, second-year, or transfer students. Students explore ways that they can ‘do good’ in their personal, professional, or educational life through interactive and discussion-based workshops. Read the full story.

Published: November 22, 2023

HGLO Director Wins Excellence in Teaching Award

On April 25, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences held the annual Faculty & Staff recognition reception. The event included the presentation of a number of faculty and staff awards, and also featured a special tribute to our immediate past Dean, Dr. Gregory F. Ball, who became the Vice President for Research in February. Dr. Sarah Croco, Director of Honors Global Communities was recognized for Excellence in Teaching!
 

Published: May 14, 2023

HGLO Explores the Legacy of Harriet Tubman in Dorchester County

Walking around campus, you may not think twice about the names of the buildings that surround you. But each one has been named after someone or something historically significant. Dorchester Hall, the home of the Honors Global Communities program, is named after Dorchester County, the home of the famous abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman.

Last month, the Honors Global Communities (HGLO) program hosted a field trip to Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to visit the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. HGC is one of the Honors College’s newest programs, providing students with an interdisciplinary understanding of global issues through both study and experience. The trip was indicative of the kind of experiential learning that HGC offers, taking advantage of UMD’s proximity to historically significant places in Maryland and DC. Read the full story. 
 

Published: May 9, 2023

Two HGLO Juniors to Participate in Prestigious Summer Program

This summer, GCSA Board Member Jennifer “Jay” Rubio and GC alum and RA of Dorchester Hall Amy Rivera will be participating in the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program, which offers selected students interested in public service careers the opportunity to participate in intensive classes at a leading university, and learn what is needed to obtain a master’s or joint degree in the field following their undergraduate studies. The program was launched in part to combat lack of diversity in the field of government, service, and policy.

Published: May 5, 2023