Thank you for joining us at our Centennial Launch Party. We’re thrilled to be kicking off a full year of celebrations with you. Here’s a look at who you’ll be hearing from at tonight’s event.
Jason Newton
Jason Newton is an award-winning reporter whose news travels have taken him around
the country covering stories of national interest. Prior to WBAL, he was an anchor
and reporter at sister-station WISN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, and WBOC-TV,
the CBS affiliate in Salisbury. In 2017, he won an Emmy Award for his coverage of
Maryland's opioid crisis as part of WBAL's "State of Addiction" coverage. In 2006,
he earned an Associated Press award for "Outstanding In-Depth Reporting," covering
the efforts of Maryland firefighters to help clean up and restore order to Slidell,
Louisiana, one of the hardest hit communities by Hurricane Katrina. Newton served
on the teaching staff in the broadcast department at the University of Maryland Eastern
Shore. While there, he played in integral role in launching Discover UMES, a university
webcast highlighting achievements on campus. He has a degree in broadcast journalism
from the Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland-College
Park.
Sen. Cory V. McCray
Sen. Cory V. McCray represents Maryland’s 45th district in east and northeast Baltimore.
Named a "Legislator to Watch," he serves on the Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee,
overseeing Maryland’s $60-plus billion budget. His journey from an IBEW apprenticeship
to owning multiple properties reflects his commitment to revitalizing Baltimore. Since
entering politics in 2014, he has passed more than 100 bills on voting rights, minimum
wage, transportation and more. Beyond the legislature, he is vice president of IBEW
Local 24 and treasurer for East Baltimore Development, Inc. With a business degree
and deep roots in Baltimore, the senator is dedicated to creating opportunities for
working families while enjoying time with his wife and four children.
Dr. Jay Perman
In January 2020, Dr. Jay Perman became the fifth chancellor of the University System
of Maryland, arriving with a goal of making a college education accessible to any
Marylander who wants one. He came to the chancellorship from the University of Maryland,
Baltimore, where he was president for nearly a decade. A pediatric gastroenterologist,
he practices medicine once a week, teaching team-based health care to students across
the system. He has held faculty and leadership positions at UC San Francisco, Johns
Hopkins University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Kentucky,
where he was dean of the College of Medicine. He received his M.D. from Northwestern
University and completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Harvard Medical
School.
Kurt L. Schmoke
Born in Baltimore and a proud graduate of Baltimore City College High School, Kurt L. Schmoke was appointed as The University of Baltimore’s eighth president on July 7, 2014. He brings to the University a wealth of experience in public service, higher education and leadership—plus a deep belief in the power of community engagement. He likes to say that UBalt is both The University of Baltimore and the University for Baltimore. Kurt served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1987-1999 and was the city state’s attorney from 1982-1987. Prior to joining UBalt, he served as dean of the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., from 2003-2012. Later, he was appointed general counsel for Howard and served as its interim provost. He has also been in private practice. Kurt sees UBalt’s Centennial as a landmark occasion that will resonate far beyond the midtown campus, reaching students, educators, alumni and the University's tens of thousands of supporters.
"Our Centennial should be more than a celebration—the occasion should set the University on a positive trajectory for its second century," he says.
Dr. Llatetra Brown Esters
Dr. Llatetra Brown Esters has worked at The University of Baltimore for six years
and currently serves as the associate vice president and dean of students. In this
position, she oversees the Office of Student Support, the Center for Student Engagement
and Inclusion, Diversity and International Services, and The Bob Parsons Veterans
Center. A first-generation college graduate-turned-professional in the field of higher
education for over 30 years, Llatetra has experience in residence life, admission,
alumni relations, student life/engagement and conduct. Prior to The University of
Baltimore, she has held positions at Adelphi University, Johns Hopkins University,
University of Maryland and Howard Community College. She holds a B.A. in Political
Science from Adelphi University, an M.A. in Student Personnel from New York University,
and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration/Community College Leadership from
Morgan State University. Llatetra resides in College Park, Maryland with her husband
and has served on the College Park City Council since December 2020.
Dr. Jessica Stansbury
Dr. Jessica A. Stansbury is the director of teaching and learning excellence at The
University of Baltimore’s Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Technology.
A first-generation college student, she holds a doctorate in instructional technology
and a master’s in experimental psychology. She spent 15 years as a psychology faculty
member at Towson University and worked for a decade as an addictions therapist prior
to her academic career. A firm believer in servant leadership and the power of community,
she is a leader in the national dialogue on generative AI in education. Her work has
been featured in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and MIT Technology Review,
highlighting her commitment to innovation in teaching and learning.
Rebekah Opher
Rebekah Opher is a senior in UBalt’s B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, curating her
degree to concentrate on criminal justice, psychology and business administration,
specializing in real estate and economic development. She is also pursuing a history
minor. Rebekah currently serves as the president of the Women of Color Student Association,
traditions coordinator of the Student Events Board, and treasurer of several organizations.
Opher earned the 2024-25 University of Baltimore Langenberg Legacy Fellowship and
a Bee Engaged Enhancement grant to fight food insecurity in Baltimore. Most recently,
Rebekah received the 2024 Weaver Award for Baltimore and is a member of the 2025 Fannie
Angelos cohort. She has been accepted into the Global Engagement graduate certificate
program, starting fall 2025.
Joan Worthington
Joan Worthington, a transformative technology leader and double alumnus, serves as
board chair of The University of Baltimore Foundation. Since joining the Board in
2011 and stepping into the chair role in July 2023, Joan has built her career architecting
mission-critical technology solutions that drive operational excellence for organizations.
A respected board leader, she has extended her strategic expertise to several regional
nonprofit boards, bridging the worlds of technology innovation and community impact.
Her dual UBalt degrees and dedication to technological advancement continue to shape
her contributions to both business and academia.
