Scholarships and Awards

The online application on Scholarship Universe includes: personal information, short answers, an essay response and a completed recommender survey for submission.

The recommender survey should be filled out by a professor, mentor, supervisor or other professional -- it should not be a friend or family member. Your reference should be someone who can attest to your involvement and Terp pride, leadership, creativity and academic excellence and can address why you are deserving of the scholarship.

Yes. In the application, you will be prompted to provide the name and email address for your reference. The Scholarship Universe system will then send an email invitation to your intended recipient with instructions on how to complete and submit the survey. It is strongly encouraged that you ask your reference before requesting and to instruct them on the criteria. The survey must be completed and submitted by the deadline of May 31, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT. Any applications missing a completed survey will not be considered. 

Yes, you can, as long as you are still eligible to apply.

The scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee of alums, which consists of members from the Alumni Association Board of Governors as well as alum leaders of various academic boards, affinity and regional networks.

Recipients will receive a $5,000 award, distributed as $2,500 each semester (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026). Awards will be applied to the recipient’s student account (by the Office of Student Financial Aid) prior to the fall semester bill due date.

• Carleigh Buckler '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Accounting | Hometown: Denton, MD | "My fearless idea is to reconstruct the college admissions process and the act of going to college for first-generation college students. As a first-generation college student, applying to and attending college proved to be more difficult than those who were not first-generation students. Resources, knowledge, and finances are typically lower for first-generation college students, making it extremely difficult for them to get to and succeed in college. This system needs to be altered to accommodate these students and set them up for a successful future."
  
• Nelson Chen '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Theatre | Minor(s): Asian American Studies | Hometown: College Park, MD | "My fearless idea is: Organizing a “Meet the Counseling Center” event to increase awareness of campus mental health resources and connect providers with students, making necessary health services more accessible on campus. I strive to improve the interpersonal relationships between students and staff through this initiative. Highlighting the importance of the Counseling Center’s resources is essential to the well-being of every student, and I feel that many don’t realize the wealth of support UMD provides through the Counseling Center. Services like accessibility & disability service, career counseling, and crisis response can significantly impact the success of students at UMD and improve mental well-being. My fearless idea is to further campus efforts on accessibility, support systems, and belonging through this “Meet the Counseling Center” event."
• Sara-Laure Faraji '24 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Criminology and Criminal Justice | Hometown: Ottawa, Canada | "My favorite UMD fact is: that Morrill Hall survived the fire that devastated the campus in 1912. Whenever I have a difficult day or face a challenge, I sit in front of LeFrak Hall, facing Morrill Hall. To me, the building serves as a reminder of resilience, a reminder that one can survive difficult times. Also, as I look at the picturesque campus buildings that were built around it over the years, I remember that even when defeated it is possible to get back up and reconstruct."
• Vainavi Gambhir '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences | Minor(s): General Business | Hometown: Bethesda, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is: UMD's Arts for All initiative is launching a creative placemaking minor that will enable students to create and display artwork that sheds light on issues of global concern. I am extremely interested in the intersection between art and healthcare, and I create Madhubani folk art (a traditional Indian art form) that comments on child health issues from a sociocultural lens. With this Arts for All initiative, I can delve deeper into opportunities that merge art with advocacy and hopefully share my vision with larger communities." 
• Lia Gorbach '26 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Journalism | Hometown: Marblehead, MA | "My fearless idea is to introduce a class that breaks down major societal problems, like racism, sexism, wealth disparities, harmful vocabulary and current events. News coverage tells us what’s happening, but not why, so it can be hard to understand the underlying issues causing the problems. We have the opportunity as college students who come from different backgrounds and households to help each other understand. Our values vary and understandings of certain topics range from ignorance to firsthand experience. There may not be a right way to view every issue in the world, but inviting students to speak about why certain words are hurtful or what being a first-generation college student actually means would encourage open-minded and empathetic thinking on a whole new level."
• Sam Jane '26 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Journalism | Minor(s): Public Leadership | Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI | "My favorite UMD moment so far has been the various opportunities I have gotten in the journalism world. Being able to cover both sports and local politics has been a dream come true for me. Working for the Diamondback, such a prestigious publication, was something that I could never imagine doing as a freshman. Additionally, all the people and places I have visited here have been more than I can imagine. As I told my family recently, I have no regrets whatsoever about leaving Michigan to become a Terp."
• Joyce Koo' 27 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Educational Policy and Leadership | Hometown: College Park, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was going to women’s basketball games this year with family who are University of Maryland alumni. These family members, who now have children, live in Virginia and in California. Not only was it wonderful to catch up with extended family who live outside of Maryland, but it was a chance to root for the UMD team, hear the marching band play, and appreciate the greater UMD community, including students, alumni, families, and friends. I also had the opportunity to see a younger generation of potential future Terps in the family get excited about cheering for our UMD team and meeting the Testudo mascot. It was thrilling to join them in taking part in various UMD traditions during the game and I greatly look forward to being able to take part in more traditions in the future."
• Meghana Kotraiah '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Agricultural & Resource Economics and Government & Politics | Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD | "My fearless idea is that we are intentional and informed in our land use, balancing its role as a resource with the value in conservation. Our land does so much for us, and as our world faces a growing population and the threat of climate change, we all need to be thinking fearlessly about our natural resources and how we treat them."
• Faith LeBrun '26 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Operations Management, Business Analytics and Information Systems | Hometown: Baltimore, MD | "My favorite UMD alum is Waldo H. Burnside, a trustee of the University of Maryland, College Park Foundation. His success in the retail industry is impressive, but what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to giving back to his Maryland community. As a first-generation college student, I was anxious about how I would be able to pay for my education. But thanks to Mr. Burnside's efforts in advocating for and helping to establish the Banneker/Key scholarship, I was able to attend the University of Maryland and receive a life-changing education. His dedication to the community has given me the greatest gift of all, and I'll always be grateful for the doors he has opened for me and my family."
• Iman Mansoor '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Minor(s): Nonprofit Leadership & Social Innovation | Hometown: Urbana, MD | "My fearless idea is to address health disparities through a social and educational lens with a focus on the social determinants of health. As an aspiring physician, I would like to deliver the best possible care to my patients without factors such as race or socioeconomic status resulting. It is a well-known fact that black women have a higher rate of maternal mortality because of preexisting prejudice. As a student on the pre-med track, I want to see required trainings and exercises implemented during undergraduate and medical school to teach students about these social determinants and problem solve solutions before they even become physicians. In addition, I think it would be helpful for doctors and public health officials to come together in conferences to discuss solutions or methods to address the problem, and then distribute the information nation-wide through an effective system."
• Nicole Miko '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences and Public Health Science | Minor(s): Sustainability and Humanities, Health, and Medicine | Hometown: Lanham, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that the College Park campus is itself an arboretum, and through the UMD interactive map, anyone can view the name of all of the trees and gardens on campus. This initiative places green space where it is accessible to everyone along with the knowledge about what the vegetation is, allowing people to further connect with nature. Green spaces improve air quality and biodiversity, moderate temperatures, and can even improve mood. The concerted effort to care for the land that our school rests on resonates respect for the earth and people and promotes sustainability so future students will be able to enjoy the same environment that we currently walk in."
• Sarah O’Donnell '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Psychology and Criminal Justice | Hometown: Kensington, MD | "My fearless idea is to combat unequal access to quality education and the resulting disparity in outcomes across not only Maryland but the entire country. I believe that increasing access to books for children from low-income households would greatly reduce the gap in literacy between kids with varying socioeconomic status. Taking inspiration from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, I can envision a program that facilitates a book exchange with children from all over the country. Growing up with a bookshelf full of books that my brother and I would read once and never touch again, I now realize what a privilege it is to have access to reading materials that many children from low-income households may not ever have. Increased equity in literacy opportunities will begin to level the playing field for children, opening their eyes to educational success and the potential to get a college degree, perhaps the first in their families to achieve that."
• Olabisi Omoniyi-Alake '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Public Policy | Minor(s): Public Leadership | Hometown: Odenton, MD | "My fearless idea is to create an organization that is committed to allocating resources to first-generation students. From my own personal experience as a Nigerian-American, I was struggling with the application process for college. My parents had no familiarity with the system as they attended college in Nigeria, leaving me to miss several opportunities that could have enriched my college experience. Although I cannot turn back time, I want to be able to help the first-generation students that are still navigating the college process. This spring, I was able to serve as a legislative aide for Delegate Darryl Barnes in the House of Representatives, where I provided in-coming Prince George’s county college students on college resources that I have collected during my time there."
• M Pease '28 | Graduate Student | Major(s): PhD Student, Counseling Psychology | Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD | "My fearless idea is creating a world where our structural and legal conditions allow marginalized communities to freely live the lives of joy and peace and authenticity all humans intrinsically deserve. With attacks against LGBTQ+ people across the country intensifying, the safety of myself and my communities has become a daily concern. As a therapist-in-training, will I be able to legally perform the lifesaving affirming care that I know my communities need–that I myself have needed? This idea to fight for a world characterized not by the absence of oppression but by the presence of joy represents my hope in the ability for us to shape a better future for those that come after us."
• Nicholas Saoud '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Economics | Minor(s): General Business | Hometown: La Plata, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was attending this past semester’s basketball game against Purdue. As a result of our community’s support, our men’s basketball team overcame what many believed to be an inevitable loss. In the second half, UMD erupted on a 29-4 point resurgence to win the game. The sense of community associated with the victory and celebration is incomparable to any other UMD moment I have experienced. Watching students storm the court and jump in celebration will stay with me long after my graduation in the form of pictures and fond memories."
• Neha Sripathi '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Microbiology | Minor(s): History | Hometown: Burke, VA | "My fearless idea is to work towards eradicating antibiotic resistant infections, which are a major public health crisis in the United States. I proposed a research idea to combat this problem to my Gemstone Honors Program cohort last year, and students voted for the idea to become one of the program’s research teams. My team is currently working on developing the methodology to infect drug-resistant bacteria with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, which will edit out the genes that cause the cell to be resistant and allow us to kill them and treat the infection. We recently raised money for our research through Launch UMD and we will start experimentation in the fall!"
• Nneoma Ugwu '24 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Civil and Environmental Engineering | Hometown: Hyattsville, MD | "My fearless idea is building a mobile app that tracks vehicle occupancy at charging stations and the level of charge of an electric vehicle (EV) at a charging station in real time is a fearless idea that can improve the utilization of charging stations on campus. The app could provide information on the estimated charging times of other vehicles currently using the stations, allowing electric vehicle owners to plan their charging sessions more effectively. This would encourage more efficient use of the charging infrastructure, potentially reducing wait times and maximizing utilization, and improving the experience for electric vehicle owners on campus. Ultimately, developing this app could lead to a more sustainable future by encouraging more widespread adoption of EVs on campus bringing the university closer to achieving its climate goals. The idea is based on an electric vehicle charging and parking study I conducted on campus in collaboration with the Department of Sustainability to recommend improvements to the existing charging policy."
• Kaitlin Wachter '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Hearing & Speech Sciences and Linguistics | Hometown: Frederick, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that Kermit the Frog was born as a student project. It is my favorite UMD fact because it means that any undergraduate could make a difference and bring something happy and wholesome to the world even as students."
• Alexis Walston '24 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Language, Writing, and Rhetoric | Hometown: Houston, TX | "My favorite UMD moment thus far has been teaching English 294: Persuasion and Cleverness in Social Media on Zoom in Spring 2021. My students were bright and engaged; they never shied away from tough conversations about rhetorical algorithms, social media and mental health, and mis/disinformation distribution in digital spaces. Some of my favorite student research projects from the class include: an influencer’s engagement with social change; a rhetorical analysis of one of Donald Trump’s tweets; and an exploration of the benefits and drawbacks of parasocial relationships."
• Ella Williams '26 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Architecture | Hometown: Hyattsville, MD | "My favorite UMD alum is Jim Henson. My sister and I grew up watching the Muppet movies and my favorite character was Beaker. I even dressed up as Beaker one year for Halloween! Even though I couldn’t really see where I was going because of the mask my mom had created, I still had fun trick-or-treating. The Muppets taught me to always seek adventure and try new things, something that has continued to stick with me in the many years since I first watched the films."

• Muhammad Abbasi '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Information Systems | Hometown: Baltimore, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is: That you can see the Washington Monument from the top of the Capital One Stadium."
• Diksha Bali '25 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: School Psychology | Hometown: Dubai, UAE and Kerala, India | "My fearless idea is: To disseminate well-being and conflict reduction resources free, accessible and in a culturally relevant manner across the US and worldwide. This would improve mental health and hopefully reduce some threats to mental well-being (violence, environmental insecurity), as well. I also have some ideas for economic policy that I can hopefully one day advocate for."
• Shane Bonkowski '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Aerospace Engineering | Hometown: Queenstown, MD | "My fearless idea is: As the current president of UMD Loop, I lead a team of 50 engineers through the design, analysis, and construction of an innovative Tunnel Boring Machine. For years the Tunnel Boring industry has been stagnant, with tunnels such as the ones that the purple line will rest in costing upwards of $1 billion per mile. The goal of UMD Loop in innovating tunnel boring is to not only revolutionize the field of tunnel boring, but also make the cost and accessibility of tunnels much more practical. Tunnels have the power to eliminate traffic, open paths for public transportation, and connect cities. My dream is that our work at UMD Loop leads to the next generation of Tunnel Boring Machines, paving the way to the future of transportation."
• Paisley Brockmeyer '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Hometown: Joppa, MD | "My fearless idea is: I believe that every student should graduate UMD prepared and ready for life after college, no matter what that future may look like. I have been working in SGA and with Faculty and Administration to make this a reality. Every student should have access to an adaptable and individualized career readiness plan that meets them where they are and prepares them for every aspect of life beyond undergrad."
• Skylar Chan '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Computer Science; Minor(s): Humanities, Health and Medicine | Hometown: Germantown, MD | "My fearless idea is: Apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and bioinformatics towards precision oncology and personalized cancer therapies. Help doctors diagnose and treat all kinds of cancers more efficiently and effectively, from cancers with well-established treatment guidelines to rare and complex cancers no one has ever seen. Conduct and promote reproducible, open-source, and open-data medical research."
• Delyar Delavari '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Hometown: Rockville, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is: that paths on McKeldin mall were shaped by students. They were not originally planned to be made like that and the president waited until the students formed the paths by walking through the mall. The paths feel personalized for UMD students and it feels like they have a story rather than them just being planned out by landscapers. I am glad to attend a University that considers the input of students for even the pathways. It makes me hopeful that on issues bigger than this, the opinions of students will be considered and valued. The mall is such a special place and it is my favorite location on campus."
• Alisa Forsberg '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology; Minor(s): Humanities, Health, and Medicine | Hometown: Bethesda, MD | "My fearless idea is: to use an education in physiology, public policy, and the health humanities to create a career advocating for vulnerable populations in medicine while addressing systemic inequities in healthcare."
• Vainavi Gambhir '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences | Hometown: Bethesda, MD | "My favorite UMD alum is: My father–he sold his books to buy a ticket to the U.S and attend this university because he believed in UMD’s commitment to inclusive opportunity. I have constantly heard him express gratitude to the University of Maryland for the career development opportunities that helped him receive his first job after graduation, and gratitude to professors who were accommodating and understanding. Now, as an adjunct professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, he emphasizes growth over letter grades and ensures every student perspective is represented. His journey has taught me how ‘Staying Fearless’ is more than a slogan–it is a lifelong commitment to determination and open-mindedness, and this is the spirit I hope to carry forward with me in my leadership and service."
• Georgia Hammond '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Bioengineering | Hometown: Freeland, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was one crisp December evening, my stomach full of anxious butterflies, I made my way to the Colony Ballroom. I was met with a scene of whirling couples clad in beautiful ball gowns and suits. That night, I discovered my passion for ballroom dancing. Time zipped by as I attempted dance after dance, laughing at my missteps and bonding with new friends. At that moment, I felt connected to my fellow students and thrilled to be learning something exciting."
• Caroline Howser '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics; Minor(s): Global Terrorism Studies | Hometown: Parkton, MD | "My favorite UMD alum is: Page Croyder. After experiencing sex-based discrimination on the basketball team, Croyder was part of a lawsuit that expanded the rights of women in sports, and later continued fighting for the justice of others as she worked in the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office. I share in her passion for fighting sex-based discrimination, and as such I’m on the pre-law track and am a part of the Title IX Advisory Board and the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Committee of the Student Government Association. Additionally, Croyder attended The George Washington University for law school, which is currently one of my top choices for law school."
• Kaylee Kim '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Computer Science | Hometown: Ellicott City, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was the first look fair! It was incredible to see all the different clubs UMD fosters. There were communities I didn't even know existed, and it was amazing to see how passionate these students were about their clubs. I truly appreciated the effort put into the fair, and was able to find communities of people with the same hobbies or values as me, making the transition into college much easier."
• Isabella Kushner '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Civil & Environmental Engineering | Hometown: Ellicott City, MD | "My fearless idea is to travel all over the world to areas devastated by natural disasters and help to rebuild a more sustainable community. This past winter break, I went to Puerto Rico on a volunteer trip to help rebuild homes devastated by the hurricane. I already had ideas like this in the past, but after seeing the results of my work, I realized that it was actually possible to make a difference in these communities. My passions for helping people and civil/environmental engineering are able to come together and create a more beautiful world through this fearless idea."
• Sage Leone '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Computer Science; Minor(s): Mathematics | Hometown: Elkton, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is we host the world's largest hackathon for underrepresented genders in technology every year, called Technica. I participated in my freshman year, and it provided an incredible community for me to feel comfortable in a major where it is easy to feel alone. I have continued on as an organizer and love that UMD is a part of creating this, now global, community to uplift people in technology."
• Gabrielle Mahapat '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Information Science; Minor(s): General Business | Hometown: Laurel, MD | "My fearless idea is to provide to those in need and give back to my community. I aspire to use my education and resources to support those who are overlooked and under-represented. Specifically, first-generation Americans who need assistance and advice on how to optimize their abilities. Furthermore, giving a voice to women in STEM."
• Sarah Meklir '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Journalism | Hometown: Columbia, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is every interaction here is important and valued by each participant. If I ask a question of a professor, it will be given the same consideration as if it were a question from a peer. When I speak to upperclassmen or mentors, our interactions lead to future collaboration and follow-ups. These interactions have allowed me to find and take advantage of opportunities as a freshman that I may not have discovered in other universities until I was an upperclassman."
• Astrid Mendoza '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Psychology; Minor(s): Human Development | Hometown: Hyattsville, MD | "My fearless idea is for students of undocumented, immigrant, and/or mixed status to be able to receive higher education with as little obstacles as possible. One step toward this goal would be for UMD to allow undocumented students to be considered for merit scholarships when submitting their application by the Early Action deadline. Undocumented students face a pleathora of barriers leading up to receiving a post-secondary education, including financial instability, and being considered for the same merit based financial aid as documented students would be a large contribution to our dreams. For me personally, my goal prior to attending a university was to do everything in my power to help fund my education and relieve my parents of as much of the financial stress as I could, so discovering that I wouldn’t have access to the same resources as my peers led to a series of emotional set-backs. I plan on continuing to advocate for this effect in the future to prevent other undocumented students from feeling the same level of neglect and distress."
• Zoe Nicholson '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Information Systems | Hometown: Parkton, MD | "My fearless idea is that UMD students become stronger and more resilient after every obstacle they face and use their experiences to better themselves both in and outside the classroom."
• Ewaoluwa Ogundana '23 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Public Policy | Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD | "My fearless idea is to find effective ways institutional leaders can use policy, and inclusive practices to eliminate barriers to higher education access for undocumented students. With Congress not passing an immigration package for over 30 years now, the undocumented student population continues to grow with few available resources for them to attain a higher education. I have presently been working to use my writing as a form of advocacy. I’ve pitched op-eds, written blog posts, and shared my work with policymakers and practitioners to grow more awareness to the kinds of barriers in place that prevent undocumented students from fully being successful in this country."
• Olatokunbo Olaniyan '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Psychology; Minor(s): Humanities, Health, and Medicine | Hometown: Woodstock, MD | "My fearless idea is to question one's own comforts. To extend an invitation to those who are seemingly different. I say seemingly because upon further evaluation, subtle similarities may begin to arise, serving to bridge any divides or misconceptions."
• Renee Paulraj '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics and Information Science | Hometown: Ellicott City, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is before it became a state university, UMD was actually an agricultural school. As someone whose father was initially a farmer and whose grandparents were farmers, it reminds me of my own roots and family history. My grandmother, in particular, was a farmer who didn’t have equal access to education and never made it past elementary school. So, to me, this fact is also a symbol of education access and opportunity and keeps me self-aware of my privilege."
• Ian Penny '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Information Systems | Hometown: Fort Washington, MD | "My fearless idea is to be able to create, live, learn and be in any space one desires. Since being on campus anything I have imagined or wanted to do I have pushed myself to follow through with it. Coming into UMD I really did not know what I wanted to do and to a degree I was lost. But seeing the opportunities and the amazing fearless people on campus, I knew that I would find my way but I had to take that next step"
• Kristin Perry '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Business Management and International Business | Hometown: Laurel, MD | "My fearless idea is I want to be a corporate attorney and I think that this career choice will give me a multitude of opportunities to give back to my community. Being a black woman striving to be in a career that I am underrepresented in, will allow me to show others in the same situations that it is possible to do so. I could use my knowledge of the law and my career to do pro bono work to help those who might not be able to afford a lawyer. I also want to be a role model to show other minorities and women that they can succeed in careers that they are not heavily represented in. If my corporate career progresses as I hope, I would want to give back to the University of Maryland to help other students in any way that I can."
• Sriya Potluri '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Applied Mathematics; Minor(s): French Studies | Hometown: Clarksville, MD | "My fearless idea is studying medicine by combining mathematics and science. Constructing and analyzing mathematical models of scientific phenomena allows us to approach biological and medical problems from a more theoretical and abstract perspective. Bridging the gap between mathematicians and scientists offers greater opportunities to solve these mysteries and improve our understanding of the laws that govern science."
• Tyler Przygocki '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Hometown: Silver Spring, MD | "My fearless idea is to challenge current health care systems in Maryland to go out of their way to provide quality healthcare services to less fortunate and underserved populations in their communities. I want to encourage these health care systems to make quality medical services more accessible and easier to navigate, especially for underrepresented groups. In order to do this, I plan to become a well-trained and compassionate physician, first working in my own community to provide quality health care so that all individuals that I treat can have a better quality of life. In this role, I will actively advocate for initiatives that benefit all groups of people, especially those in underserved communities, in order to lessen the presence of disparities within the healthcare system."
• Salwa Shan '25 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: Family Science | Hometown: Frederick, MD | "My favorite UMD alum is Jim Henson! His work and creations on Sesame Street provided an avenue of educating children and adults about a multitude of issues, and created an environment of inclusivity through art!"
• Tesia Shi '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Psychology and Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Hometown: North Potomac, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is 50 individually painted Testudo statues were created for UMD’s 150th anniversary! My favorite is Kertle, located in Stamp."
• Savanna Smith '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Nutrition and Food Science: Dietetics; Minor(s): Sustainability | Hometown: Centreville, MD | "My fearless idea is to create a society in which all individuals eat sustainably in a way that is protective of our bodies and the planet. Ultimately, if healthy food is available to all, it will lower the prevalence of chronic disease without compromising the planet for generations to come."
• Neha Sripathi '25 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Microbiology | Hometown: Burke, VA | "My favorite UMD alumna is Dr. Naghmeh Tebyanian, a cardiologist at Amelia Heart and Vascular Center who I was lucky enough to shadow during January 2022. Dr. Tebyanian graduated as part of the class of ’89, and after finishing medical school she started Amelia Heart with a colleague she met as an undergraduate at UMD. In a heavily male-dominated specialty, Dr. Tebyanian has established a thriving cardiology practice specializing in women’s health. During the month that I shadowed her, I could see firsthand the impact of women receiving care from a female doctor that could understand the intricacies of concerns that specifically affected them. She has inspired me to carve my own path as I pursue a medical career, and she has shown me the value of taking my life experiences with me on that journey." 
• Angela Sun '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Bioengineering; Minor(s): Spanish | Hometown: Rockville, MD | "My favorite UMD alumnus is Jeff Kinney, although it may not be for the obvious reason. While I did in fact read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books religiously as many kids my age did, the real reason I’m such a fan of Kinney is because he created Poptropica, my absolute favorite online game as a child. The premise of Poptropica was that there were lots of different “islands” that you could visit, and each island had a different quest filled with minigames and puzzles that you had to complete in order to earn the island’s medallion. Every island had a different theme—there was a superhero island, Greek mythology island, cryptids island, and my personal favorite, counterfeit island. Besides just being fun, Poptropica honestly taught me so much—through that game, I learned about so many different parts of the world and periods of history, and even honed my problem-solving and collaboration skills. Poptropica gave me a sense of adventure and a strong desire to explore the world and learn about new cultures—for that, I have to thank Jeff Kinney."
• Caroline Thorne '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics; Minor(s): Sustainability | Hometown: Silver Spring, MD | "My favorite UMD alumna is my former internship supervisor, Catherine Nardi. In high school, I did my Girl Scout Gold Award with the Montgomery County Food Council and worked primarily with Catherine. My project was focused on food waste in Montgomery County, and developed a program to educate residents. With Catherine’s help, I organized tabling at a dozen farmer’s markets, and ended up distributing 25 compost bins, 203 FAQ documents, had conversations with 600 residents at markets, and reached 15,000 on Facebook and 20,000 on Twitter. The Summer of 2020, right before I started at the University of Maryland, Catherine reached back out to me and offered me an internship position with the Food Council. I was able to grow in this position immensely, and I believe that Catherine helped me to jump start my professional career. Despite the on-going pandemic and uncertainty that summer, Catherine was able to get me excited about the University of Maryland, my major, and the extra curricular activities I’d be able to participate in. She was also a Government and Politics major, and gave me excellent advice. She encouraged me to get involved despite the online nature of school, and for that I am eternally grateful! I believe she epitomized the welcoming nature of the University of Maryland, even though I wasn’t able to yet step foot on campus. Without her, I would not be as involved as I am right now and I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have."
• Mairead Whitford Jones '23 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Environmental Science and Technology | Hometown: Germantown, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that we have seven Testudo statues, I plan to visit all seven before I graduate!"
• Oliver Wild '24 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Aerospace Engineering | Hometown: Zurich, Switzerland | "My fearless idea is to revolutionize mobility by designing aerodynamically efficient air, rail, and road vehicles. Aerodynamics is a key parameter to tackle the increasing challenges the mobility sector is currently facing. Therefore, becoming a professor educating and contributing towards novel vehicle designs with innovative aerodynamic concepts adjustable to the specific needs of a given application is my long-term goal. To reach this, my short-term target is to contribute as a researcher and educator to stem climate change. I am convinced that the University of Maryland with its outstanding community is the best place to initiate such a change for a greener future! Go TERPS!"
• Clarissa Xia '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Psychology and Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology | Hometown: Potomac, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was packaging over 100,000 meals at the Terps Against Hunger Homecoming Event! Making a positive impact on others is something that is deeply important to me, and it was personally fulfilling to watch the event I planned with the rest of the Terps Against Hunger executive board come together successfully. It was also amazing to watch the UMD community come together to contribute to the greater DC community and fight food insecurity. Seeing the passion, dedication, and willingness to serve others in all of the participants reminded me of why I love UMD."
  
  

• Jibreel Ali '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology; Minor(s): Sustainability | Hometown: Crofton, MD | "My favorite UMD alumnus is Ethan Brown, the CEO of Beyond Meat who earned his Master’s in Public Policy. I admire Ethan Brown’s work because he has created an innovative product that not only reduces animal suffering, but also helps to tackle climate change by reducing the demand for resource-intensive meat, and whether he realizes it or not helps to reduce the likelihood of future pandemics. Ethan Brown has done a phenomenal job in showing people how delicious plant-based foods can be, and how we can easily avoid the slew of problems associated with animal agriculture just by choosing to eat an alternative tasty product. I applaud Ethan Brown’s innovation, and hope to one day make as large of a contribution as he has to tackling issues as important as climate change on a mass scale."
•  Lisa Anoruo '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Public Health Science | Hometown: Windsor Mill, MD | "My fearless idea is to create a program that addresses racial health disparities amongst children related to musculoskeletal diseases."
  
• Nancy Camarillo '22 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: Student Affairs | Hometown: College Park, MD | "My favorite UMD alumna is Dr. Bridget Turner Kelly, associate professor in the College of Education. Dr. Kelly is an educator who truly embodies what it means to be student-centered and equity-minded. My identity as a first-generation Latina pursuing doctoral studies is validated through individuals like Dr. Kelly, a Black woman who has achieved greatness in her field. She serves as both a possibility model and someone who challenges me to be better. Her compassion, dedication to students, and groundbreaking scholarship makes me feel blessed to work alongside her and to have her as a mentor in my doctoral journey. As a faculty member and newly appointed Diversity Officer in the College of Education, Dr. Kelly works with students, staff, and faculty to engage in meaningful dialogue. She calls us to think critically about making campuses more racially just spaces and prepares educators to work in a global society. I hope to have the same impact as a UMD alumna as Dr. Kelly has had in her career."
• Damiana Colley '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Criminology and Criminal Justice | Hometown: Berlin, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that it is ranked number 1 college in the nation for LGBTQ+ students. For me, diversity, inclusion, and equality are important ideals in society, and seeing that the University that I attend promotes and ensures that these ideals are in place is something that makes me proud to call myself a student at UMD. I am proud that the University of Maryland has created places and spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and allowed these individuals to feel wanted and needed--as most of the time they are not in society. My sister is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as many of my friends, and I have seen them struggle with societal biases and mental health. It is very hard to watch the people you love be treated as less than human because of who they choose to love, and although I will never come close to directly experiencing the hardships they endure on a daily basis, I have still seen these hardships in play and cannot imagine what they must feel like. To know that UMD is a place that advocates for the rights and inclusion of this community, is something that makes me feel proud to be a student here. I have taken some classes that have addressed this communities history of discrimination and present hardships, and they have educated me on how to become a better ally to my sister and her friends, and this is why this fact is my favorite."
• Umailla Fatima '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology and Public Policy | Hometown: Severn, MD | "My fearless idea is to address systemic racism and discrimination in healthcare by developing equitable policies and connecting marginalized communities, including Terps, with information and resources to best serve their health and wellbeing. I plan to leverage my backgrounds in policy, medicine, and working with underserved communities to develop solutions that are targeted towards our most vulnerable populations."
• Ethan Foley '22 | Graduate Student | Major(s): Higher Education | Hometown: Grove City, PA | "My fearless idea is that elitism in higher education must be broken down in order to provide opportunities for all students to achieve and overcome socio economic barriers in their life. College has the power to change lives in a plethora of ways, and I am excited to be a part of that mission as a future leader in higher education."
• Justin Fox '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics; Minor(s): International Development | Hometown: Brunswick, MD | "My fearless idea is to use an education in law to create a career advocating for the voiceless and protecting the vulnerable from hate and bigotry."
• Beata Gelman '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Neurobiology & Physiology and Psychology | Hometown: Whippany, NJ | "My fearless idea is to bridge the gap for girls into the competitive chess world. Throughout my years of playing competitive chess at the higher level, I have seen the glaring gender disparity that exists within the game. It makes playing competitive chess discouraging and frightful for girls and triggers stereotype threat. So, I am striving to increase female participation in the game by mentoring young girls to confidently play and excel in chess!"
• Shoham Ghosh '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology; Minor(s): Spanish | Hometown: Ellicott City, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that from the top row of seats at Maryland Stadium, you can see the Washington Monument. The unique view reminds me of the excellent educational and professional opportunities afforded to UMD students due to the university’s proximity to DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis."
• Ashley Hixson '22 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: Student Affairs |  Hometown: Griffin, GA | "My favorite UMD alumna is Dr. Shelvia English '19. Dr. English completed her doctoral degree in the Student Affairs Concentration; the same program I am pursuing. I met Dr. English during my first-year where she served as the teaching assistant for my professional seminar course. Dr. English’s infectious spirit allowed me to immediately connect with her. I consider her a mentor. She is brilliant, kind, compassionate, and thoughtful. I have learned so much from her regarding the complexities of being a first-generation college student now pursuing a terminal degree."
• Kassidy Jacobs '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics and Criminology & Criminal Justice | Hometown: Baltimore MD | "My fearless idea is to create a UFLI (undocumented, first generation, low income) student center on campus in order to create a resource for our most vulnerable students."
• Daniel Johnson '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics; Minor(s): Philosophy | Hometown: Middletown, NJ | "My favorite UMD moment was celebrating the Women's Basketball Team's 2020 BIG10 Tournament victory before the pandemic hit. I was selected to travel with the pep band as one of two clarinetists, and it was great being able to show my school pride to a full stadium cheering on our terps. I was able to celebrate with the team on the court with the trophy, and the team was so appreciative of the band and all of our support. It was a great overall moment of school pride for me."
• Christine Licata-Hoang '22 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: Higher Education | Hometown: Columbia, MD | "My fearless idea is to find ways to help reduce sexual violence on the college campus in pervasive, and systematic ways. I enrolled in the PhD program at the University of Maryland to further study the problem of campus sexual violence beyond personal anecdote or news headlines. I am currently writing my dissertation focused on the effect of state-level Title IX policies on college campuses’ ability to address sexual violence. My fearless idea is to find effective ways institutional leaders can use policy, preventative practices, and political systems to eliminate sexual violence among college students."
• Reines Maliksi '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Information Science and Journalism | Hometown: College Park MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was being a part of the incredible team that programmed and produced Homecoming Comedy Show featuring John Mulaney. It was an idea that started off as a pipework dream but was eventually brought to life. The event was extremely successful, and we had a sold-out show at the Xfinity Center. But the most gratifying part was knowing how much SEE’s hard work paid off and knowing how many smiles and laughs we offered thousands of students that night."
• Reima Mannan '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology; Minor(s): General Business | Hometown: College Park, MD | "My fearless idea is to increase cultural and linguistic competency training in healthcare so that healthcare professionals are more understanding of patient’s needs."
• Ebenezer Mensah '24 | Graduate Student | PhD Candidate: Student Affairs | Hometown: Cape Coast, Ghana | "My fearless idea is to reimagine, reframe, and restructure politics to aid higher education and student affairs practices considering the essential role of indigenous knowledge through rigorous research. Much needs to be done in higher education in African countries. Anytime I reflect or have a retrospective understanding of myself during undergraduate and master's education period, it is evident that the gap (requisite student affairs skills) is wide and keeps on widening as a result of COVID-19 as compared to Western world. Inadequate professionals and practitioners without formal training in higher education and student affairs tend to hinder students' development that is inherently part of the practices. I believe in developing a well-balanced students' personalities by decolonizing higher education and student affairs practices. This can be achieved through the effective utilization and infusion of indigenous models such as African traditional leadership models, values, proverbs, adzinkra symbols, folklores and so on. Additionally, the multicultural competence of professionals and practitioners ought to be developed to give hope to the multiethnic communities in Ghana and Africa at large."
• Ipsa Mittra '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Computer Science; Minor(s): Statistics | Hometown: Derwood, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is students leave offerings to Testudo in front of McKeldin. Even during COVID, students left gifts during finals. I love the feeling of connection it provides and how it helps to unify thousands of students from diverse backgrounds with one tradition."
• Jessica Nguyen '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics and Public Policy; Minor(s): Spanish | Hometown: Silver Spring, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was fostering cross-cultural dialogue and unity at a virtual event collaboration I planned as an Executive Board member of the Filipino Cultural Association with the Taiwanese American Student Association. In the online escape room filled with cultural trivia that we made from scratch last year, I found the greatest joy in watching our club members exchange social media handles, use teamwork to solve puzzles together, and get into deeper conversations about our racial-ethnic identities at a time where we’ve all been isolated from our friends and social interactions."
• Omolola Ojaomo '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Finance and Information Systems | Hometown: Laurel, MD | "My fearless idea is to provide a space for students to pursue a creative passion project of their own, regardless of their major."
• Sriya Potluri '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Applied Mathematics; Minor(s): French | Hometown: Clarksville, MD | "My fearless idea is combining mathematics and medicine to model biological phenomena so that we can understand the laws that govern science from a more theoretical and abstract perspective. By studying medicine through the rising interdisciplinary field of mathematical biology, the mathematical models we can create can solve biological and medical problems."
• Ian Rosario '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Architecture and Spanish; Minor(s): Real Estate Development | Hometown: Frederick, MD | "My fearless idea is to create a sustainable business that solves the issue of low-literacy proficiency in elementary students. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, about 65% of 4th graders do not meet national “proficiency” standards in reading. I saw the issue first-hand after volunteering at a literacy program for elementary students in Southeast DC. I realized that some students struggled with core reading skills while others simply struggled to stay engaged while reading. My experience and research showed me that there is a need to help kids build reading skills and help kids enjoy reading. I have been working on a business, with the help of the Dingman Center and the DoGood Institute, that tackles both of these needs-Tiny Theatre. Tiny Theatre helps kids build foundational literacy skills and grow a love for reading through theatre activities that families can do at home."
• Rachel Rowe '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Computer Science | Hometown: Parkton, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that UMD operates one of 13 DNS root servers in the world that translate domain names into IP addresses and allow billions of people to use the internet!"
• Abigail Russ '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Journalism and Economics | Hometown: North Potomac, MD | "My favorite UMD fact is that you can see the Washington Monument from the upper deck of the football stadium seats!"
• Ethan Selko '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Finance | Hometown: Reisterstown, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was winning the homecoming football game against Minnesota."
• Megha Sevalia '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Public Health and Public Policy | Hometown: College Park, MD | "My fearless idea is to increase student involvement with the City of College Park. As we return to campus this fall, I hope to connect students with opportunities in College Park and increase dialogue amongst students and city residents, fostering a larger sense of community at UMD."
• Malika Shah '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Mathematics | Hometown: Ellicott City, MD | "My favorite UMD alumnus is George Lauer: He invented the Universal Product Code (UPC) or colloquially known as the barcode. This simple, yet profound invention is seen everywhere today to identify objects accurately and quickly. One can see barcodes on apples to toys to airplanes."
• Kevin Tu '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Biological Sciences: Physiology & Neurobiology and Economics | Hometown: Columbia, MD | "My favorite UMD alumnus is Pyon Su. I first learned about him after seeing his portrait hung up in Stamp two years ago. As the first Korean to graduate from any American college or university, I felt pride as an Asian American to be attending the same university as him. Though the recent events with Anti-Asian hate have shown a national spotlight onto our race, things for Asians in this country have been difficult since the beginning. When I think Pyon, I think of grit, ambition, and determination to succeed against all odds. And those are the same traits that I wish to be associated with."
• Mary Walsh '24 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics; Minor(s): History | Hometown: Columbia, MD | "My fearless idea is to positively impact others in the UMD community by being a compassionate leader to everyone I meet."
• Kirstin Walz '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Mechanical Engineering; Minor(s): Astronomy | Hometown: Elkton, MD | "My favorite UMD moment was in 2020, when the men's basketball team beat Michigan during our gold rush game to win a share of the Big Ten regular season title. That was an awesome basketball game, and afterward my friends and I joined the crowd on the court to watch the team cut down the nets. I will remember that game for a very long time."
• Mairead Whitford Jones '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Environmental Science & Technology; Minor(s): GIS and Sustainability | Hometown: Germantown, MD | "My favorite UMD moment so far was the 2019 All Niter. My friend and I entered a monster-themed bouncy house along with six or seven strangers. No one there knew anyone else really, but pretty quickly everyone started playing games, like trying to knock people over or working together to get one person to bounce really high. We were a bunch of twenty-something-year-old strangers just given a chance to relax and destress. It was one of the best memories I have from UMD and it reminds me of how kind and fun people are at UMD."
• Matthew Winson '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Government & Politics - International Relations; Minor(s): History | Hometown: North Potomac, MD | "My fearless idea is living my life to help create the most harmonious world possible. If I am able to consistently work hard, push others around me to do their best, and look back on my life believing that I left it in a better place than when I got there, I will be able to relax knowing I have left a positive mark on this world."
• Isha Yardi '23 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Public Health Science | Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD | "My fearless idea is leveraging big data sources, such as Google Street View images and social media, to both assess the landscape of health equity in local communities and inform health policy decisions on a legislative level. Using data sources like social media as an epidemiological tool can help produce more targeted policy interventions for communities in need."
• Daisy Yu '22 | Undergraduate Student | Major(s): Chemistry and Communication | Hometown: North Potomac, MD | "My favorite UMD alumnus is Tom McMillen, who played basketball for UMD and graduated as the valedictorian of his class with a degree in chemistry. He was a top 10 NBA draft pick, an Olympian, a Rhodes Scholar, and a politician, among other achievements. As a fellow chemistry major, he inspires me to pursue my passions, however unconventional."