This post was written by Ayanna Roberts, B.A. 鈥�24, M.A. in Integrated Design student.
After crossing the stage with her B.A in Business Administration from The 极乐禁地 in 2022, Meagan Etner felt an unshakeable pull鈥攖his university had given her a strong foundation, but she knew there was still more to gain. Determined to continue her journey, she quickly applied for UBalt鈥檚 Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, specializing in Leadership and Management.
鈥淲hen I chose to do my master鈥檚 degree, I wasn鈥檛 100 percent sure what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted to stay at UBalt,鈥� she said.
Meagan鈥檚 journey in higher education began in 2003. After going to a university in Philadelphia for a year and a half, Meagan decided to come back home to Maryland.
In 2017, Meagan restarted her journey at Carroll Community College where she completed two associate degrees, one in general studies another in business administration. She was eager to transfer to a four-year university to obtain a bachelor鈥檚 degree, and a counselor who recognized her needs recommended UBalt as the ideal place.
鈥淚 wanted to go to University of Maryland, College Park. However, my counselor nicely suggested she did not think that would be the best fit and to look into University of 极乐禁地e. That鈥檚 where she said I should go, and that鈥檚 the only place I applied. I trusted her and her judgement on that,鈥� Meagan said.
Her acceptance into UBalt would become more than just a pathway to further her education. Here, she would find a supportive community, unmatched assistance and invaluable opportunities to get involved and lead.
鈥淚 like the class modality so you can do what鈥檚 best for you,鈥� Meagan said. 鈥淭he teachers I found are helpful and accommodating if you are struggling. This comfort zone has allowed me to make choices and do things I wouldn鈥檛 normally do.鈥�
Meagan found herself engaging in leadership roles, speaking up in discussions and immersing herself in opportunities that once felt out of reach. She joined Sigma Na Tau, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK). She happily took the role as president of ODK in the fall 2024 semester.
鈥淏efore I got involved, I would just go to my class and leave, that was it,鈥� Meagan said. 鈥淧lanning events has helped me think about what鈥檚 going to benefit the student body. I鈥檝e met a lot of people at events, and it stretches you to do the things you can鈥檛 do. Working with faculty advisers has helped me get to know faculty and staff.鈥�
In 2023, when Meagan was vice-president for ODK, she implemented UBalt鈥檚 Pack the Pantry competition where student organizations are given an item list from the Campus Pantry, with points awarded to different items. Donations are collected throughout Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and the group or office with the most points wins. In 2024, Pack the Pantry won the Event or Initiative of the Year Award at UBalt鈥檚 annual Eubie Awards, an annual recognition ceremony for students and campus organizations.
鈥淭hat was something really important to me, because, as an adult at different points in my life, I have experienced food insecurity, and I utilized the campus pantry when I was at Carroll Community. ODK had the platform for me to give back to the campus community here,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople have helped me in the past that don鈥檛 know who I am, and I want to be able to help people now, even If I don鈥檛 know who they are.鈥�