Dr. Laura Antkowiak, Ph.D.lantkowiak@umbc.edu
Public Policy Building 319
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
410-455-6560
Dr. Laura Antkowiak has served as Director of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program since 2017 and as a professor in UMBC’s Department of Political Science since 2008. Her role as Sondheim Program Director includes teaching the Program’s freshman public affairs seminar, development and administration of programs for Sondheim Scholars, involvement in the recruitment and selection of new Sondheim Scholars, networking with alumni and community partners, and advising and supporting Sondheim Scholars regarding academics, internships, scholarships, their present and future in public service, and various other matters. She feels grateful to work every day with students like Sondheim Scholars who share her fascination with tough social challenges and public policy issues and how citizens might work on them inside or outside the political process. Dr. Antkowiak teaches multiple courses in public policy, American politics, and research methods and advises UMBC’s Maryland Student Legislature delegation. Over the years she has assisted many students, including the Governor’s Summer Internship Program participants and Maryland Department of Transportation Fellows, in preparing for policy-related work with internships, project mentorship, and competition for graduate school admissions and prestigious scholarships. In 2021, the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland awarded her its Excellence in Mentoring award. She has also authored a book and numerous scholarly articles addressing public policy controversies, public opinion on policy issues, religion and politics, Americans whose views do not align with the major parties, and citizens’ participation in politics, social movements, and communities. Her Ph.D. in Government and Politics and Masters in Public Policy/Public Management are from the University of Maryland, College Park and her BA in Government and Certificate in Public Service are from the University of Notre Dame. She is a Baltimore native, a sports and fitness enthusiast, and the mother of college-age children.
jrcook@umbc.edu
Associate Director, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program
Public Policy Building 315
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
410-455-2916
lira1@umbc.edu
Administrative Assistant, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program
Public Policy Building 318
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
410-455-2196