A BEACON OF HOPE FOR THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Current Programs

For information, go to this website’s Home page and scroll down to view our blog which lists current L3 discussion/worship topics and special programs. ALL ARE WELCOME!

The United Campus Ministry (UCM) at the University of Maryland provides quality spiritual support and programs for young adults during critical years. Our on-campus Christian chaplaincy offers a safe environment where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to honestly question, grow and live out their faith. UCM extends a warm welcome to young people, and travels with them through all the twists, turns and detours of their spiritual journeys.

Various programs and services provided by UCM include: community service, pastoral and crisis support, Sunday dinner meetings, worship, hot topic discussions, interfaith dialogue, study related to faith and spirituality, mission trips, social events, weddings and premarital preparation, memorial services.

The UCM also has an important role on the University of Maryland campus, representing the spiritual dimension of life. Vital campus partnerships have included: The Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs; the Department of Resident Life; the Counseling Center; the Health Center; the School of Music; the Suicide Awareness Health Education Training Advisory Board; the Wellness Initiative; the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Committee; Campus Chaplaincies, Interfaith working group, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, (Interfaith/Secular Dialogue) Words of Engagement Dialogue Program, Multicultural and Community Advocacy office (MICA).

United Campus Ministry is a 501(c) 3 organization supported by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), individuals and local churches.

United Campus Ministry is a university recognized chaplaincy under the Division of Student Affairs.

Staff, Volunteers and Board Members:

Chaplain Holly Ulmer
Office hours by appointment.
ulmer@umd.edur

“Whatever is on your heart or mind, concerns large or small, my prayers are with you. Be in touch for listening support. You are beloved by God, and are never alone.”

Originally from Long Island, New York, Rev. Holly Ulmer is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As a pastor, Holly finds joy working with young adults and considers it a privilege to minister with students as they ask big questions, and journey from “inherited” faith to “owned” faith during the challenging college years. She loves accompanying students as they discover their life callings, and engage in social justice. On campus she is a Fostering Terp Success coach, and a Narrative 4 facilitator. Holly received a B.A. in Music and English from Bucknell University, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. She has a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center. Currently with colleagues she is a member of a Be the Bridge anti-racism discussion group. Holly is a member of the National Campus Ministry Association (NCMA), and created and coordinated the worship services for the 2010 annual conference. Board Certified with the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. and a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, Holly also served as an on-call Chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.

Some of Holly’s favorite things are singing, dancing and playing the violin.

Janaye Page, Seminarian Chaplain Intern and Sharon Sorto, L3 Intern – 2022-2023 Academic year

Sharon Sorto and Janaye Page

(Thanks to the wonderful generosity of an anonymous donor, UCM offers a paid Seminarian Internship. UCM is an officially approved Practice in Ministry and Mission site for Wesley Theological Seminary.)

Janaye Page is a candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church, Baltimore-Washington Conference. She believes she is being called to the vocation of Higher Education chaplaincy. At Wesley Janaye is pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree with a concentration in Urban Ministry and a Community Engagement Fellowship.  Before serving as UCM intern, Janaye has been growing in her identity “as a leader in the kingdom of God” under the mentorship of her pastor Reverend Ronald E. F. Triplett.  “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from his mentorship has been that we are all called to be servants first, and leaders second. . .He has also allowed me to explore my call to ministry through serving as the Young Adult Coordinator for two years at Gethsemane United Methodist Church catering to the age range of 18-35.”  Since receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2011 in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Janaye’s work history has included being a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Inova Fairfax Hospital, and over five years experience as an administrative professional in project management, at both Gethsemane and Chevy Chase United Methodist Churches.  One of Janaye’s major challenges is that in addition to her full-time rigorous seminary studies and UCM internship, “as a means of survival” she supplements her income working 30 hours a week.

“I’m very proud of all of the efforts the UCM team has been making to connect with students on campus. The consistency with the L3 programs on Wednesdays and Fridays are acknowledged. Additionally, the support from UCM at other religious events on campus such as the Interfaith mixer and the Resident Life events are also helpful ways that is helping to increase the awareness of the programs offered through the chaplaincy department. I learned from the Soul Care event that there are still some students that are seeking spiritual connections on campus. My prayer is that we can continue providing the safe space for students to explore their faith while matriculating on campus.”

  Janaye Page, Chaplain Intern (Above quote.)

Sharon Sorto is excited about her L3 Intern leadership as she is very interested in the intersection between faith and professional/life choices, and “driven to promote cultural understanding and dialogue among college students.” Sharon, a pre-med student from Maryland, who hopes to become a physician, identifies as Latina, and comes from a Pentecostal Christian community. Aware of a significant gap in the number of young Latinos pursuing higher education, Sharon is motivated and dedicated to mentoring youth and young adults at her church. She also is an English conversation partner.   In 2021, Sharon received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She is part of a research study team in the Trauma Surgery Department at the University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore, where she also is a Palliative Care Volunteer.    “Volunteering allows me to express my faith to those in need along the way.”

“While I have focused my career calling first serving as a Christian and then studying medicine, I am open-minded about exploring the relationship between faith and medicine. Since chaplains and spiritual staff of any religion are present in hospitals, chaplaincy or something similar is a field I would like to investigate firsthand.”                          Sharon Sorto, L3 Intern

Board of Directors

UCM Board Celebrates the Service of Rachel Koehler, Seminarian Chaplain Intern, 2020 – 2022

United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Jeffrey Stinehelfer, President

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)

• Cynthia Radden-Lesage, Treasurer
• Frank Randall, Secretary
• Mary Brock

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

• Bonnie Zager, Assistant Treasurer
• Judith Walter, Vice President

University of Maryland, College Park

Rev. Pamela Allen, Program Director, University of Maryland Career Center and the President’s Promise

(Note: Our Chaplain is also a voting member of the Board of Directors.)

We are always looking for more volunteers! If you are interested in helping out United Campus Ministry, please fill out the following form: