Meet Courtney Jones, HCC President!

Year & Major: Senior, Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Clubs and Organizations: HCC President,Tau Beta Pi, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ME S-STEM Scholar

What is your favorite thing about being a member of the Honors College?

There are so many things to love about being a part of the Honors College. When I started at UMBC as a freshman, I was shy and anxious about starting college. I lived in the Honors College LLC, where I first began to make friends. That experience was invaluable in building friendships that continue to this day. Then, through Honors Forum, I met even more people, and took my first step toward leadership when I became one of the Honors College Council (HCC) Freshman Representatives. Ever since, I have been involved in HCC, and it’s been a major source of connection and inspiration for me.

Another great part of being in the Honors College is the sense of interdisciplinary collaboration. Not only do I take seminars in a wide variety of fields, but through the strong sense of community, I get to talk to other Honors students about what they’re doing in their fields. As an engineering major, I sometimes get hyper-focused on my own work, and it’s so enriching to have the experience to explore other fields both in and outside of the classroom.

Arguably, though, the best part of the Honors College is the staff. I have never met such a supportive and caring group of people. Anything I have ever needed - whether it be advice, a letter of recommendation, or just a listening ear - the staff of the Honors College have always been there to help. 

What exciting plans are in store for HCC this coming academic year?

I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say HCC has been formulating ideas all summer! We want to bring back all the events that were put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of my favorite memories as a freshman was going to HCC’s Charity Gala. This past spring, we were able to host the annual Trivia Bowl. You can always find our latest events by checking our myUMBC page or by following us on Instagram. Also, we are always happy to hear your ideas, so please feel free to reach out to any HCC member with questions or comments.

What other things are you involved in at UMBC and what do you enjoy about them?

Besides my work in HCC, I am also a Team Leader for Honors Forum. Additionally, I work as a TA for the Math Department. I really love teaching and getting to know new students. I am also involved in a few clubs on campus, mostly relating to engineering. College is really what you make it – if you want to have a good time, I suggest getting involved! I also do some on-campus research under Dr. Maria Sanchez. 

What are your post-grad plans and are there experiences (in class or outside of class) that helped you clarify those plans?

After graduation, I am currently looking at going to graduate school for Engineering and Public Policy. It took me a long time to narrow this down, after many classes and internships. This past summer, I participated in an REU at the University of Pennsylvania. I learned a lot about what the research experience entails on a graduate level. One of the biggest catalysts toward my interest in public policy was actually an Honors Seminar on HIV & AIDS. That class taught me about the consequences of political inaction during a crisis. I hope that I can use my engineering background to tackle some of the biggest problems that our society faces today.

What message do you want to convey to applicants, incoming students, and current students?

First off, get excited! UMBC (and especially the Honors College) is a great community and we’re so glad to have you. The next few years will be a time for so much growth and development, and I really believe that this is one of the best places to do that. If you’re already here at UMBC, make sure you’re taking advantage of all there is to offer. Your time as an undergraduate is unique, and shorter than you think. 

Most importantly, never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I think a lot of times, we forget about all the resources that we have access to. Let people know when you’re struggling so that they can help you before it’s too late.

And of course, I hope I see you around campus some time!