Class of 2021: Viviana Angelini

Viviana Angelini

Major: Political Science

Certificates: Honors College and Security Studies

Minors: Russian, World Politics, and Music

Hometown: Palm Harbor, Florida

Viviana’s time at UMBC was packed with activity. As a Political Science major with a focus on security studies, Viviana interned with the US Department of Defense in three different locations, as well as with a congressperson in Washington, D.C. She completed a year-long research project about North Korea’s nuclear targeting strategy and earned the respect of faculty and staff as a Teaching and Research Assistant in the Political Science Department and a tutor in the Writing Center. Viviana was a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, and the recipient of the UMBC Political Science Department’s Award for Outstanding Scholar-Leader. Outside of her academic life, Viviana is an accomplished pianist and an avid rock climber. 

After graduation, Viviana will earn a master’s program in Security Policy Studies with a concentration in Conflict Resolution from George Washington University. 

A few thoughts from Viviana on her time as a Sondheim Scholar:

What is an important thing you learned about yourself at UMBC?

To give myself time to slow down and enjoy where I am and the things I am learning.

What's an important thing you learned about the world beyond campus while you were a student at UMBC?

That everything in the world is interconnected, and if you can address the root cause of an issue, it makes it easier to solve the rest.

What was your favorite Sondheim event? 

Watching The Fall at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C.

What is your most memorable service experience as a Sondheim Scholar?

Participating in the Orioles/Catholic Relief Services 75,000 Meal Challenge at Camden Yards, packing food to send to people in West Africa.

Viviana was featured in the UMBC News Class of 2021 story Doing their homework: Graduating Retrievers use internships to jumpstart their careers