Meeting Maria Damen is a wonderful experience. Within the first few moments, you can tell exactly why she won one of the Distinguished Service Awards. I was honored to get a chance to sit down with her and ask her about this exciting experience.
The nomination process was painstaking. Not only did she have to be nominated by fellow staff members, but she also racked up ten years of service with Deer Park High School, helping students with their writing. She worked mostly with low-income students. It was a lot of work, however, she said it was “very easy to do, if it’s what you love.”
She described the award ceremony itself as being “wonderful.” Lead by Dean Short-Thompson, Maria says “the energy was unbelievably. It was really motivating to be among fellow faculty.” About the award itself, Maria said that the recognition was very “special” and “motivating.”
Her favorite thing about working in UCBA’s Writing Center is “helping students succeed” and teaching them to become “self-sufficient in school and life.” The students “make her day” and she really enjoys helping them each individually.
Professor Damen wants students to know that the Writing Center will be moving to the third floor of Muntz Hall this summer, along with the Math Lab. She’s very excited about the experience. Professor Damen wants everyone to know that while the space will be “reduced, the service will not.” Opportunities are available, she says, for students to becoming writing and reading tutors in the fall- should they be interested.
When I asked her what advice she would give to students, she said that she would “highly encourage” students “to be involved in their communities.” She says that it “makes life worth living.”
From all of us here at the Activist, and UC Blue Ash College, we’d like to congratulate Professor Damen on her award and all her hard work in the Writing Center and among different student communities. We wish her the best in all her future endeavors for UCBA.