Jada Turner
Secretary and Administrative Support
Office of Community and Civic Engagement
Email: jada.turner@umaryland.edu
Please introduce yourself and describe your role at UMB.
Hi everyone! My name is Jada Turner. I am the secretary and administrative support for the Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) and Community Engagement Center (CEC). I assist our neighbors who visit the CEC every day. From printing important documents for neighbors, registering them for programming, developing our monthly calendar, and supporting the various administrative needs of the different teams in the office, I wear many hats! If you ever visit the CEC, I am one of the first faces you will see, or voices you will hear if you call us. I am newer to UMB as I come from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) where I was an administrator in faculty affairs and served on the JHU Black Faculty and Staff Association with over 7 years of experience in administration. Advocacy was integral for me in those roles, as well as my current role in serving the public.
Why are you interested in serving on the Staff Senate?
I am interested in serving on the Staff Senate because I want to be a tenacious advocate for my peers, as well as foster the relationship with the community around UMB. I hope to use my experience to develop and continue initiatives that align with the values we hold as a university.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
I hope to use my position as a UMB Staff Senator/CUSS Representative to represent the many voices of staff here at UMB. I am passionate about progressing noticeable changes that make employees feel supported and valued. Being a part of the Staff Senate would enable me to show my commitment to hearing and putting action behind different concerns, ideas, and challenges.
Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work.
Outside of UMB, I enjoy spending quality time with my nephew, who is like a best friend and my family, we have a particular interest in collecting and mastering all versions of UNO! together. I also build mechanical keyboards—I own several and furniture. I like to exercise—whether it's Pilates, Yoga, or traditional strength training. I like to read; a current book I'm reading is "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins. And I love watching anime.
