- April 02, 2026
- By Karen Shih ’09
Between tackling the child care crisis and protecting the Chesapeake Bay on Capitol Hill, first-term U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has found a new challenge to take on this spring: Teach her first college class at the University of Maryland.
“What’s Leadership Got to Do With It?” a course in the Department of Government and Politics (GVPT), examines personality and morality, challenging students to think about decision-making and navigating crises in fields such as politics, health care and sports.
“Leadership is the way we elevate our country,” said Alsobrooks. “I hope the class encourages these students to be interested in leadership in whatever fields they pursue. … They’re a really great, sharp bunch.”
While Zoom would be the easier option, she co-teaches in person every week with GVPT Chair Antoine Banks, leading discussions and drawing on her own experiences as a state’s attorney, Prince George’s County executive and now, the third Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
“She’s been very hands-on … this is a once in a lifetime experience for our students,” said Banks, who was introduced to Alsobrooks by UMD President Darryll J. Pines and noted that it was the first time a sitting U.S. senator has taught a class at UMD.
Government and Politics Chair Antoine Banks, left, co-teaches the class with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, right.
For Uchechi Mba ’27, vice president of the Black Honors Caucus and a justice for the Student Government Association, it was eye-opening to hear why Alsobrooks switched from prosecuting individual criminals to trying to create large-scale change as a legislator. Mba is soaking in all the leadership lessons along the way.
“She’s always dropping gems,” said Mba. Her favorite so far: “Nobody knows it all. No matter how high of a leadership position you have, you have to rely on others for advice.”
Throughout the semester, Alsobrooks has also recruited a series of executives to serve as guest speakers. These include Baltimore Ravens President Sashi Brown, former Children’s National Hospital CEO Dr. Kurt Newman and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), giving Terps the chance to explore what leadership looks like in different contexts.
Brown’s emphasis on team culture, especially when the Ravens navigated ups and downs this past season, resonated with Paul Farschi ’29. The freshman never imagined he’d get face-to-face time with so many prominent figures so early in his college career.
“It’s very exciting,” said Farschi, a Maryland General Assembly intern who is also pursuing leadership roles with Model United Nations and the University Senate. Although he admits being “intimidated” at first, now, “it honestly feels normal.”
That’s one of the benefits of being so close to the nation’s capital, said Banks. “As chair, I’ve been building all these connections,” matching students with internships, convening national experts on political science and hosting other government officials.
That’s given students like Mba, who plans to pursue a career in civil rights law, the chance to intern last year at the U.S. Department of Justice and this spring at the Annapolis-based Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy.
“It’s a privilege to live in Maryland. I’ve been able to interact with so many Black women and men who are leaders,” she said. “Seeing all that Sen. Alsobrooks has been able to achieve, the way that she carries herself in her leadership roles, it shows me that this is something I can do as well.”
