It’s Episode 100 and my guest is Dr. Freeman Hrabowski. Since 1992, he has been the president of MY university, UMBC (the University of Maryland, Baltimore County). He is a consultant on science and math education to national agencies, universities, and school systems. He was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME in 2012. With philanthropist Robert Meyerhoff, he co-founded the Meyerhoff Scholars Program in 1988, which is open to all high-achieving students committed to pursuing advanced degrees and research careers in science and engineering, and advancing underrepresented minorities in these fields. He is a much sought-after speaker, a busy man, a mentor, a friend, and I am blessed to have him as a guest for this 100th episode. Thanks, Doc, for coming on the show!
God’s Minute, by Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays: “I have just a minute, only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it; didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it, but it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, give an account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.”
GRIT is the Word:
Do I want to be excellent? How do I go about doing it? Each person makes decisions every day that affect the path they take. We all have chances and choices that determine our destiny. To be excellent, it takes a strong sense of self, grit, and hard work. Many young people today don’t understand what it means to have passion, resilience, and to never give up.
TWEET: “Choice, not chance, determines your #destiny. What will you choose? #Dreams and #values.”
High Expectations:
What do you do when obstacles come? Dr. Hrabowski explains the importance of teaching students how to learn and how to succeed, but it can’t stop there. We have to teach them how to fail. We all get knocked down by life and we have to know how to deal with those experiences. The worst thing is NOT to fail, but to fail to strive to be better than you thought possible. He shares his love for innovation in education in going against tradition.
TWEET: Every person needs to develop a strong sense of self that says, “I can do this.”
Be a Champion:
What does it mean to be a champion for someone? It goes beyond mere mentorship, but includes giving back by being an example. Every student needs a champion, an advocate, and we need to give opportunities to shine for people of ALL backgrounds, not just people who are just like us. Part of the challenge is how to groom champions of all backgrounds, who will be those advocates for young students.
TWEET: :”Attitude, #passion, and #grit are the things that will make a difference.”
Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take—“Ask the question of yourself, ‘What am I learning that’s different?’ Take the time to identify people you admire and hear their stories. Stories enlighten and inspire.”
Dreams by Langston Hughes (1926)
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:
- [2:06] Encouraging high excellence
- [4:21] Passion for math
- [5:46] The four pillars in Dr. Hrabowski’s TED talk
- [9:46] How to change mindset and perspective in education
- [13:50] Building the culture of collaboration
- [15:02] Finding students’ strengths with “big picture” questions
- [18:50] Mentorship
- [22:22] Building trust between educators and students
- [23:56] Hunger for the next level
- [25:36] Technology advances at UMBC
- [27:32] ONE action for a dream chaser to take
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Ted Talk 2013
TEDx Mid-Atlantic
UMBC Website
Meyerhoff Scholars Program
Aimee J.'s Book Launch
TWEETS YOU CAN USE:
TWEET: “Half of Americans who begin #college never complete a #degree.”
TWEET: “#Students who are most advantaged are those who have a #champion or #advocate as a role model.”
TWEET: “People from all types of backgrounds should get to know other people of all backgrounds.”
https://youtu.be/cImhJmYj_zw
