The UB Post

Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: Closer Look

Lamont Bryant

Name: Lamont Bryant
Major: M.S. in Applied Behavioral Science
Prior Degree: B.A. in Psychology

Q: When do you graduate?

A: I have three more semesters to go. I'm graduating in 2008 at the latest. After that, I'm applying for the LCPC Program, the post-graduate program here at UB. I want to open my own counseling practice.

Q: Why did you choose UB?

A: You know, I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and my family and I moved to North Carolina during my high school years. I decided to stick around the neighborhood and attend UNC Charlotte. Even though I enjoy the rural aspect, I wanted something a little more urban, a little more alive, like the city is moving. I liked UB and the program was fabulous; it was what I was looking for. It's located downtown, and I admire and applaud universities located in urban settings. Things are available. There're coffee shops, shopping: it's accessible.

Q: What has been the toughest part of your work at UB?

A: I'm a graduate assistant at the Merrick Advising Center and, even though I have my own woes and issues, when someone comes in I need to help them because they may have a serious crisis. So, I need to move myself out of the way and sometimes that can be challenging. I use those situations to my advantage because I can relate and I can say, "Yeah, I know exactly where you're coming from and this is how I solved it. It's easier that way because they look at me and say, "Oh, you're a student as well, so you know, you understand." Being a student is stressful especially when you're carrying a number of credits. It's always helpful having someone who is in the boat with you.

Q: Where do you hope your degree will take you ultimately?

A: I really want my LCPC. I think the program I'm majoring in stimulates not just achieving a degree; it stimulates self-growth and self-awareness. I've also been thinking about teaching. I want to work, I want to practice, I want to help people.

Q: What do you think about the campus changes?

A: I think it's fabulous; it's absolutely fabulous! When they were done building the Student Center, I was like, "Yes! This is like the facelift UB needed." I have to agree with the City Paper. UB has the ability to mesh old and new together. I love the idea of contemporary design next door to old school, traditional architecture. I love dropping the Student Center in conversation because it is something people recognize and know about. I think it's inviting and it's beautiful. And you know, if no one's been on the fourth or fifth floor of the new Student Center during a thunderstorm they have to go—it's fabulous.

Q: Whom do you most admire?

A: I really do admire my closest and dearest friends because they keep me open and aware. My best friends, Will and Sandra, they're like me.

Q: What issues do you think UB needs to get serious dealing with or educating about?

A: I would like to see the population grow, and we need to be aware about the freshman class coming in. They have closer ties to their family and their parents and their parents have needs. I hope that's something we are talking about. Orientation is simply "Welcome to UB." It's preparing students to succeed and helping them realize what they may face. Diversity issues are important, also. Some individuals may be coming from closed communities and may not be exposed to minorities or homosexuals and gays. UB is located in an urban area, and what makes urban areas so great is it's so eclectic.

Q: What's your favorite UB memory?

A: I think I'm still creating UB memories, which is fabulous, you know. I think once I move on and look back, I'll remember things about UB I'll really long for.

Q: What's your life's philosophy?

A: The idea of growing and expanding. I personally feel that you can be dealt a hand of cards, and it's all just your technique. It's how you play it and how you use it to your advantage. Majoring in psychology has taught me I have to understand that I present a different perspective. Just keep your eyes open in life. You don't know everything, and sometimes you have to remove yourself to really understand another person. Keep yourself at the center, but don't miss the opportunities to really understand what's at the center—yourself.

Q: Describe UB in three words.

A: Up-and-coming.

Q: What do you do outside of UB? What are your interests?

A: I absolutely love the arts and theatre. Center Stage and Everyman Theatre is around here. Baltimore has a lot of young artists. I also love the restaurants here—you have XS and the Helmand, which has delicious food. If you go to the Gallery, you can always find something. I also love to decorate my apartment. I take things and switch them around. I hang around my friends, come out of myself and have a few cocktails at Brewer's Art and just enjoy.

Crawford, University of Baltimore Admissions Office specialist and contributing writer at The UB Post, can be reached at kcrawford@ubalt.edu.

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