UMBC Mic'd Up
UMBC Mic'd Up Podcast welcomes faculty, students, alumni, and industry thought leaders to share their insights and UMBC experiences.
Episodes
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 d...
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,...
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...
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 ...
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 i...
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
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 t...
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 aspirin...
In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, host Dennise Cardona, chats with Dr. Abdullah Karasan—adjunct faculty member in UMBC’s Data Science program and Founder of Leveragai—about the intersection of AI, finance, and education.
Dr. Karasan shares his journey into financial data science and offers insight into his innovative new tool, Stockaivisor, a generative AI-powered platform built to simplify investing and learning for both beginners...
In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we dive into the transformative experience of the Just Maps course in the GIS graduate program at UMBC. Instructor Ron Wilson and students Amy Soukup and Derald Dudley share how this course blends technical skills with real-world ethics, critical cartography, and responsible AI use.
• Hear how Amy and Derald’s careers and perspectives were shaped by their time in class.
• Learn how Professor Wilson ...
How can IO psychology improve workplaces and create better experiences for employees? In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we sit down with Sabrina Williams, M.P.S. '23, a recent graduate of UMBC’s IO Psychology program, to explore the real-world impact of industrial-organizational psychology.
Sabrina, now a Management & Program Analyst at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shares insights on workplace development, emplo...
Join us as we chat with Thomas Jasmine, M.P.S. ’24, a recent graduate of UMBC's Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership (EIL) program. In this inspiring interview, Thomas shares his journey from earning a bachelor's in music technology to building a thriving business as a media specialist. Discover how the EIL program transformed his perspective, equipped him with practical skills, and expanded his professional oppor...
AI is transforming the world of software engineering, but with great power comes great responsibility.
In this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up, Dr. Mohammad Samarah, program director of UMBC's Software Engineering Graduate Program, delves into the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and software engineering.
From the rise of ethical AI practices to the challenges and opportunities of integrating ...
Learn how to create a LinkedIn profile that opens doors to new opportunities! In this video, we share practical tips to optimize your profile, highlight your skills, and build a digital brand that stands out. Whether you're starting out, switching careers, or aiming for growth, these strategies will help you unlock your potential and attract the right connections.
Dive into the world of cybersecurity with UMBC's Mic'd Up podcast! In this episode, Dennise Cardona sits down with Charles Nicholas, an instructor in UMBC's Computer Science program, to discuss the Active Cyber Defense course.
Learn about the hands-on approach that prepares students for real-world cyber challenges, the importance of cyber competitions, and the evolving tactics used to defend against digital...
Burnout can be a serious roadblock in your career, affecting both your performance and health. In this video, we explore what burnout really is and why it's not just "being tired." Backed by insights from the World Health Organization, we'll discuss the key characteristics of burnout, how it impacts mental and physical health, and share practical tips for safeguarding yourself against workplace stress. Learn how...
We hope you enjoy Part 2 of this conversation! Discover how microcredentials can give you a competitive edge in today's job market. In this episode, we explore the benefits of microcredentialing, how it helps you gain job-ready skills, and why it’s a flexible option for students and professionals. UMBC's Digital Credentialing initiative offers cutting-edge microcredentials designed to showcase specific competencies and ac...
Are you balancing a full-time job and graduate studies? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but self-care is key to maintaining your well-being and boosting productivity. In this episode, we share practical, easy-to-implement self-care strategies tailored for busy working professionals. Discover how small changes can make a big impact on your mental health, energy, and focus. Don’t miss these essential tips for thriving in both your car...
Discover how microcredentials can give you a competitive edge in today's job market. In this episode, we explore the benefits of microcredentialing, how it helps you gain job-ready skills, and why it’s a flexible option for students and professionals. UMBC's Digital Credentialing initiative offers cutting-edge microcredentials designed to showcase specific competencies and accomplishments that employers value. Whether you...
In this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up, Dennise Cardona sits down with Lalitha Bikkumalla, a recent graduate of UMBC's Health Information Technology (HIT) program.
Lalitha shares her inspiring journey from studying dentistry in India to embracing the exciting world of Health IT in the United States. Discover how Lalitha's hands-on experience with data management, health informatics, and AI in healthcare is shapin...
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