Stories

I just had such a pleasant experience at the college. The instructors cared about us. They would coach you along with your assignments if you were having problems. I realized that this is possible: you can have a full-time job and a family and still do this, so it just motivated me to stay on. Thirty-five years after her graduation with a bachelor’s degree, Carolyn’s Notre Dame story is still being written. She continues to thrive at the place that gave her the confidence and motivation to realize her dreams in education.

Beyond the opportunity to simply read and discuss great works of literature, my studies in the English Literature program at NDMU have encouraged me to read diverse literature and perspectives with my own students. It also strengthened my understanding of literary periods and critical analysis practices to become a better informed teacher. I often find myself pulling from class notes, text selections, and project ideas from my course work to integrate into the lessons I create and teach.

My experience in the English Literature MA program at NDMU was truly life-changing. I met friends who I know I'll keep for a lifetime, learned from professors who are experts in their field, and changed the way I think about English. I'm a high school English teacher of 16 years, and earning an advanced degree in my content, rather than Education generally, has helped me enter this phase in my teaching career with confidence and expertise. Outside of work, earning a MA in English has helped me renew my passion for literature. I'm so proud of the work I've done in the English Program at NDMU.

"Getting a paper published in an academic journal was never something that I thought would be attainable, especially at 21 years old. However, the advice and support of NDMU's English Department allowed me to realize my writing potential, which led to this accomplishment! Despite the English Department being small, every professor has an immense number of outside connections that they are ecstatic to share with English majors." Lindsey’s paper, “Colonized Education in I, Rigoberta Menchu, An Indian Woman in Guatemala,” written in ENG223, will be published by Johns Hopkins in the Richard Macksey Journal.

Nursing programs at NDMU provide hands-on experience using high-tech mannequins that breathe, blink and even talk using microphones controlled by faculty members watching from the control room. "It gives us the time to get all your nerves out and go through the steps we're taught. There are certain protocols to do certain things and when you get in front of a real patient in the hospital, sometimes you get nervous and forget things," Clark said.

An outstanding Notre Dame of Maryland University student leader was recognized for her community involvement with the prestigious Newman Civic Fellowship by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. “It is a great honor to be a part of so many communities and use my voice to promote change on a local and national level while advocating for those whose voices are silenced or ignored,” said Thompson. "My commitment to leadership is demonstrated through my acts of service, love, and compassion."

“Notre Dame really helped me to dive into what it means to be an instructional leader and to take the time to explore how I can look at data to effect change, make knowledgeable decisions, and look at all areas of the building to make myself an effective administrator. Having classes that were accessible to me while I was still working as a teacher allowed me to think about my career pathway once I finished my master’s degree and how I wanted to move toward being an administrator.” Deana was named the state’s Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).

“I consider all my students young intellectuals. The arts are impactful and can create social awareness, foster the social and emotional needs of students, and assist in academic achievement as a cross-curricular activity,” she said. “My classroom art studio is a place of rigor, growth, and empowerment for all my students.” Camille, who teaches at Golden Ring Middle School and leads the art department, was named the NAEA’s Eastern Region Middle Level Art Educator of the Year.

Jolisse combined her love of service and politics in an eight-week summer leadership program, Leadership + American Presidency, through The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). She had the opportunity to live in Washington, D.C. while immersing herself in hands-on simulations and case studies that examined some of the greatest leadership challenges in history.

Before coming to Notre Dame, I knew I had potential, but I was lacking the confidence to go after what I wanted. In every course here, my instructors challenged me to get better and better. By the time I graduated, my self-esteem improved a lot, and I think that is one of the most valuable things I gained from NDMU.