Julie Rosenthal, Program Management Specialist, Asian Studies Program
Julie Rosenthal has served as program management specialist for the Asian Studies program since 2011. She previously served in a similar capacity at the Dresher Center for the Humanities for three years. Rosenthal’s marketing and community organizational skills, resourcefulness, and relationship-building initiatives have played an important role in building the Asian Studies program, one that began with 12 majors and now has 67 majors and 25 minors.
Eight years ago, Rosenthal founded Food on the 15th, a Howard County service project that teaches elementary, middle, and high school students about philanthropy and service through collecting and delivering food to low-income seniors.
Rosenthal helped create the Asian Food Pantry internship at UMBC, based on Food on the 15th. Now in its third semester, the Asian Food Pantry was developed and expanded by 18 UMBC student interns and serves 90 low-income Asian American seniors. It also allows students to practice their language skills. Thanks to Rosenthal, the Korean Society of Maryland is now an Asian Food Pantry partner.
Rosenthal has worked with the director of Asian Studies to develop fundraising events for Asia study-abroad scholarships and the Asian Food Pantry. She has also organized “study day” events so students can unwind during exam week, enjoy health snacks, and learn about stress-relieving activities on campus.
Rosenthal’s awards for Food on the 15th include the 2013 Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award from the Association of Community Services, and the 2011 Coalition of Geriatric Services Partnership Award.
She also created the Retriever Exchange, which enables UMBC departments to trade unused furniture and supplies, saving money and reducing waste. She is the staff mentor for UMBC’s Circle K student organization and serves on the Employee of the Quarter selection committee.
Rosenthal received her B.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park.