At the University of Maryland, doing good isn’t just a value—it’s a way of life, and 2024–2025 was another record-breaking academic year for social impact on campus and beyond. At the heart of our campus impact, the Do Good Institute supports students, faculty, staff and alums to continue to apply their passions and ideas to make a positive impact, now.

When Terps thrive, it strengthens the value of a degree for all alums. In 2024, alums of Do Good programs received recognition across campus for their impact on their communities and the world, including multiple Alumni Association Excellence Awards: Oneyda Hernandez ’23 received the Do Good and Rising Terp Award, and Evan Lutz ‘14, pictured in the photo on the right, was named Outstanding Young Alumnus. With these honorees, five Do Good alums have received Alumni Association Excellence Awards in the past three years, underscoring the lasting impact of student changemakers.

The Impact Interns program connected students with mission-driven organizations across the region, providing over 95 paid internships. With more than 850 applicants—nearly triple last year’s total—the program is an opportunity to connect Terps across generations to make a difference. Alums working in nonprofits or social enterprises can apply to host an Impact Intern and help shape the next generation of changemakers.

“Impact Interns has shaped my professional goals by showing me what it takes to run a nonprofit. I have always dreamed of opening up a nonprofit, and Impact Interns has given me the opportunity to see the type of work it takes to actually run a nonprofit.” — Impact Intern program participant

Through the Do Good Accelerator Fellows, more than 60 students received funding, coaching and mentorship to grow projects tackling everything from early kidney disease detection to civic engagement and clean water access. These 8-week cohorts help Terps move from early implementation to scale, creating lasting community solutions.

Former Do Good Accelerator Fellow and UMD’s 2023 Outstanding Young Alumnus, Veeraj Shah '21, reflected on the experience: “Through the Do Good Institute, I learned how to formulate ideas, execute them, build teams and raise funding.” Today, Shah is the Co-founder and CEO of Vitalize, which won a $500,000 investment from Y Combinator.

The Do Good Campus Fund invested $415,000 across 22 interdisciplinary projects this year, embedding social impact into classrooms and communities. From public art murals on environmental justice to engineering tools for visually impaired students, these projects demonstrated the power of learning through doing.

Today, 10,000 students from every school and college are receiving experiences and support each year to change our world for good. As our campus moves Fearlessly Forward, we are excited to launch Do Good Campus Signature Initiatives, which will add to the robust ways that Terps are doing good.

“The fact that the idea of doing good is embedded within UMD shows that they believe in a small freshman idea to change the world. It’s truly confidence-building and encouraging. For them to believe in us—to think that we can do it—gives you a launching pad you may not find anywhere else.” —Cedric Nwafor '18, Executive Director, Roots Africa and UMD’s 2022 Outstanding Young Alumnus.

Inspiring students to Vote Fearlessly, investing in student leadership through the Do Good Challenge Finals, welcoming visitors every day to the Do Good Plaza, Maryland serves as a space of inspiration and impact, growing its global reputation as a leader in social innovation education.

“Doing good for society has become a part of the Terrapin spirit,” said President Darryll J. Pines. “Terps are ready to be the next generation of leaders for social impact and change.”