UMBC Mic'd Up

UMBC Mic'd Up with Dennise

UMBC Mic'd Up Podcast welcomes faculty, students, alumni, and industry thought leaders to share their insights and UMBC experiences.

  1. From Passion to Advocacy | The Power of Community Leadership

    NOV 18

    From Passion to Advocacy | The Power of Community Leadership

    Annie Byrd, a 2023 graduate of UMBC’s Community Leadership program, shares how her path through equity work, gender and women’s studies, and community partnerships led her to meaningful social impact.  In this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up, she reflects on unlearning, building relationships, and discovering how leadership shows up in everyday life. Annie also discusses her work with the Doula Alliance of Maryland, the first funded doula advocacy group in the state, formed during her capstone experience to advance Black maternal health and expand access to doula care.  If you’re curious about a graduate program rooted in real-world skills, strong community connections, and lasting personal growth, this conversation offers an inspiring look at what’s possible.  Learn more about UMBC’s Community Leadership graduate program.

    22 min
  2. From UMBC to AI Innovation - Harish’s Data Science Success Story

    SEP 11

    From UMBC to AI Innovation - Harish’s Data Science Success Story

    In this inspiring episode of UMBC Mic’d Up Podcast, host Dennise Cardona, M.A. sits down with Harish Reddy Manyam, M.P.S. '24, a graduate of UMBC’s Data Science program.  Harish shares his remarkable path from arriving in the U.S. with nothing but a dream to becoming an AI governance advisor and healthcare data scientist.  He reflects on:  • Early struggles as an international student  • Key milestones: internships, research, and graduate assistantship • Publishing research with UMBC faculty  • Building a no-code AI chatbot with real-world impact  • Winning entrepreneurial competitions and launching a startup through BW Tech at UMBC  • How UMBC’s supportive community and hands-on learning shaped his confidence and career Harish’s story is one of resilience, community, and the power of preparation meeting opportunity.  👉 Learn more about UMBC’s Data Science MPS program here:  https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/data-science/  #UMBCMicdUp #DataScience #AI #InternationalStudents #UMBC #GraduateSchool #HealthcareAI #Entrepreneurship #AIChatbot #StudentSuccess

    27 min
  3. From Finance to Innovation - Destiny’s Journey Through UMBC’s EIL Graduate Program

    AUG 19

    From Finance to Innovation - Destiny’s Journey Through UMBC’s EIL Graduate Program

    Join us for an inspiring conversation with Destiny, a recent graduate of UMBC’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership (EIL) graduate program.  In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, Destiny shares how the EIL program expanded her leadership skills, sparked innovative thinking, and prepared her for a career transition from federal finance to protocol officer. From navigating leadership styles to leveraging marketing strategies, Destiny reveals how the program’s unique blend of entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership empowered her to take on new challenges—both professionally and personally.  Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a leader within your organization, or simply curious about the EIL program, this episode offers practical insights, motivation, and real-world applications.  Learn more about The Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership M.P.S. program: https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation-leadership/

    24 min
  4. From Classroom to Startup - How a UMBC Capstone Sparked an EdTech Innovation

    JUL 31

    From Classroom to Startup - How a UMBC Capstone Sparked an EdTech Innovation

    What happens when two data science grad students turn a class project into a full-fledged edtech startup? In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we sit down with Sai Manvitha Nadella, M.P.S. '25, Data Science and Sampath Kumar, M.P.S. '25, Data Science, co-founders of AIEdumate, an AI-powered learning platform born from their capstone at UMBC.  This is a must-watch for anyone interested in data science, AI, and launching a tech startup straight from grad school.  🔗 Visit https://aiedumate.com  🔗 Ready to turn your data skills into real-world impact? https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/data-science/

    23 min
  5. Can I/O Psychology Fix Work? This Grad Thinks So—and Proves It!

    JUL 14

    Can I/O Psychology Fix Work? This Grad Thinks So—and Proves It!

    In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we explore the inspiring journey of Aakanksha Sangepavu, M.P.S. '25, I/O Psychology, who transformed curiosity into a powerful career path in workplace psychology.  From her roots in India to conducting meaningful research at the USDA, Aakanksha shares how she found purpose in helping organizations become more human-centered, inclusive, and effective.  She reflects on key lessons from her time in the I/O Psychology graduate program at UMBC at Shady Grove—highlighting the value of context, collaboration, and continuous learning.  Whether you're interested in psychology, leadership, or just passionate about meaningful work, this conversation offers powerful insights and encouragement.  🔗 Learn more about UMBC's programs by visiting: https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/industrial-organizational-psychology/

    22 min
  6. Mastering Group Leadership

    JUL 2

    Mastering Group Leadership

    Struggling to lead your group project? Whether you're in school or at work, leadership can make or break the team. In this episode of UMBC's Mic'd Up, we share 4 practical steps to help you lead with confidence—from defining your project to creating a culture of psychological safety. Learn how to:  ✅ Define goals and deadlines clearly  ✅ Delegate based on strengths  ✅ Set up smooth communication systems  ✅ Build a positive, productive team environment This is your go-to guide for becoming the group leader everyone wants to work with.

    4 min
  7. How AI is Reshaping Careers for Advanced Software Engineers

    JUN 20

    How AI is Reshaping Careers for Advanced Software Engineers

    Is AI replacing software engineers? Not even close.  In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, Dr. Mohammad Samarah, Program Director of UMBC’s Master’s in Software Engineering, shares why human expertise is more critical than ever in an AI-driven world.  From designing intelligent systems to leading innovation, software engineers are at the center of tomorrow’s technology.  Learn how UMBC prepares graduates to:  • Build and guide AI-powered tools  • Lead advanced teams in real-world roles  • Stay future-proof in a fast-changing tech landscape  Whether you're looking to upskill or wondering where AI is taking the field, this conversation will inspire and inform.  👉 Subscribe for more conversations with UMBC’s thought leaders.  #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #UMBC #AICareers #TechFuture #UMBCMicdUp

    7 min
  8. Behind the Scenes of Systems Engineering Site Reliability & the Future of AI

    MAY 27

    Behind the Scenes of Systems Engineering Site Reliability & the Future of AI

    Go behind the Scenes of Systems Engineering with Saurabh Phaltane, Senior Site Reliability Engineer (Google), in this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up.  Learn how Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) ensure billions of people experience fast, secure, and uninterrupted search results every day. Saurabh shares what it takes to keep critical infrastructure running, how AI is transforming systems engineering, and what skills aspiring professionals should build to thrive in this fast-evolving field. The views and opinions expressed by Saurabh Phaltane are his own and do not represent those of Google.  Learn more about UMBC’s graduate programs in systems engineering: https://www.umbc.edu/se

    20 min
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About

UMBC Mic'd Up Podcast welcomes faculty, students, alumni, and industry thought leaders to share their insights and UMBC experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    UMBC Mic'd Up with Dennise
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 UMBC Mic'd Up
  • Show Website
    UMBC Mic'd Up