70 Graduates Honored as Senior Marshals

The University of Maryland’s senior marshals are the flag bearers for the graduating classes of August and December 2024 and May 2025, literally and figuratively.

The 70 students, who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement and personal growth, will lead the procession of graduates into the main commencement ceremony on May 21, holding special banners with their schools’ and colleges’ names.

The students will be joined by Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, and Robert Infantino, associate dean of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, who oversee the marshals program.

“You are a reminder about the power of higher education, and it always fills me with great pride to see promise being fulfilled,” UMD President Darryll J. Pines told the group at a luncheon on Friday.

Rameen Aamir (major: public health science) of Baltimore, served as president of Mu Delta Alpha Sorority, co-founder/co-president of Youth in Public Health, a university learning assistant for “Anatomy and Physiology II” and a research assistant for the Social Policy Impact on Reproductive Events (SPIRE) Study. She also earned a citation through the University Honors program in the Honors College. Aamir plans to apply to medical school.

Lora Abuobaid (major: chemistry; minor: humanities, health, and medicine) of Rockville, Md., volunteered with the activity coordinators at Children’s National Hospital’s Healing Garden, and founded and led Students Against Skin Cancer; she worked on implementing sunscreen dispensers and prohibiting tanning devices on campus. Aboubaid was a CMNS recruitment ambassador and a Guided Study Sessions leader for “Principles of Genetics” for three semesters.

Moumita Afrin (double degree: biological sciences, anthropology; minor: humanities, health, and medicine) of Ellicott City, Md., received the Outstanding Achievement award from the Environment, Technology, and Economy Scholars program in College Park Scholars, served as president of UNICEF, Journal Club coordinator with Grey Matters, subcommittee chair with the Student Health Advisory Committee, operations director for the Petal Project, a teaching assistant for introductory biology courses, and a peer mentor with the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.

Reagan Michelle Armstrong (major: animal science) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, served as treasurer for the Pre-Physician Assistant Club, a recovery leader with the Food Recovery Network and a student library assistant at the STEM Library. Armstrong worked as a medical assistant at a local internal medicine clinic and was a research assistant in the Taneyhill Lab, studying neural crest cells to understand their function in human development and disease, and a teaching assistant for the “Anatomy of Domestic Animals” lab. She aspires to a career as a physician assistant.

Yara Ayache (dual degrees: psychology, public health science; minors: nonprofit leadership and social innovation, Korean studies) was a Banneker/Key scholar and Honors College Integrated Life Sciences alum from Clarksville, Md. She served as president of A Worldwide Arabic Resource Effort (AWARE); fundraising director and health disparities committee member of UMD’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association; president of Psi Chi psychology honor society; a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society; a teaching assistant, a medical assistant and a volunteer in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Ward at University of Maryland Medical Center; animator of Youth 4 YOUnity; and volunteer intern and board member at Austin Asian Impact. Ayache also engaged students worldwide through her podcast and social impact program, the Spirit of Success. She was finalist for the 2024 Spirit of Maryland Award, recipient of the ILS Outstanding Service Award, a two-time Do Good Accelerator fellow, and a mini-grant recipient for AWARE. Ayache will attend medical school.

Brooke Ayers (dual degrees: geospatial data science and anthropology) of North East, Md., focuses on the intersection of human and environmental interactions, leveraging her knowledge in anthropology and geography to represent these complex relationships. She was a student researcher on the TREKS: Trails, Route-making, Ecological Knowledge, and Stewardship project as well as a GIS analyst intern for Harford County Water and Sewer. Ayers also completed the University Honors program in the Honors College.

John Baldeh (double degree: information systems, information science; minors: public leadership and information risk management, ethics and privacy) is a first-generation college student and son of Gambian immigrants who became president emeritus of the Senegalese Gambian Student Association. His professional work contributed to a $2.4 million fundraising increase for an education-focused non-governmental organization at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and to the development of an Internet of Things-driven inventory management solution at Cloudforce as part of a Break Through Tech Sprintern cohort. Baldeh led his team to first place in a consulting competition for an artificial Intelligence startup in London. He plans to pursue a Juris Doctor or master’s degree in cyber law.

Emily Berman (major: hearing and speech sciences; minor: human development) of Port Washington, N.Y., worked as a program assistant in the Department of Resident Life for three years, served as a peer mentor in the Social Interaction Group Network for All; conducted undergraduate research in the Language and Cognition Lab, studied abroad, and was a member of Mortar Board and Order of Omega honor societies. Berman plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

Reese Alexis Blas Artero (major: criminology and criminal justice; minors: nonprofit leadership and social innovation, and science, tech, ethics and policy) of Guam, was president of the Student Government Association. She was also a senator in the Residence Hall Association, a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary chapter, executive director of the Association of Big Ten Students, and College of Behavioral and Social Sciences representative in the University Senate. Beyond advocacy, Artero was a member of the Women's Club Volleyball Team, the Filipino Cultural Association and the Asian American Student Union. She served on the Resident Life Advisory Board, Campus Transportation Advisory Board, Title IX Student Advisory Board, Campus Safety Advisory Board and Committee for Review of Student Fees.

Ethan Bolinger (major: chemical and biomolecular engineering) of Linthicum, Md., served as president of the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, was an executive board member of Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society, and conducted research in the Zierden Lab to improve women's health outcomes. He also implemented mentoring and tutoring programs in engineering. Bolinger will pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering to continue research in the drug delivery field.

Sarah Borgos (dual degrees: criminology and criminal justice, psychology) of Waynesville, Mo., served as director of membership and director of recognition for National Residence Hall Honorary. She was also member of the Lavender Leadership Honors Society, a CARE to Stop Violence Outreach Peer Mentor, a volunteer for Terps for Change, vice president of social programming for Senior Council, a member of the First Year Innovation and Research Experience, and a teaching assistant in the psychology department. Borgos also was a coordinator for Terps for Change and a member of the LGBTQ+ History Month Planning Committee.

Paige Boyland (major: kinesiology) of Gaithersburg, Md., will be the first college graduate in her family to pursue medical school. She was a College Park Scholar in the Life Sciences program, in which she became a peer mentor and Scholars ambassador. Boyland also served in leadership roles in the Global Medical Brigades chapter of UMD and Phi Delta Epsilon Beta chapter, and as a resident assistant. In addition, she was a puppy sitter for the Guide Dog Foundation with Terps Raising Pups, a tutor for the International Rescue Committee with Peer to Peer, a research assistant for the Vascular Kinetics Lab with the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, a teaching assistant for anatomy and physiology laboratories, a shock trauma volunteer at the University of Maryland Medical Center, an American Red Cross volunteer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and a research intern at the National Institutes of Health.

Ryan Carr (major: public policy; minor: history) from Kensington, Md., was involved in Kappa Omega Alpha professional fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, BridgeUMD and the Student Government Association. He held internships at the Montgomery County Council, the Maryland General Assembly and TerpsVote. Carr plans to attend graduate school at UMD.

Raquel Chaupiz (major: public health science; minor in Spanish) served as president of Partners in Health Engage, a legislator in the Student Government Association, a peer research mentor for the First Year Innovation and Research Experience, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honors society. Chaupiz also served as a resident assistant and captain and social and fundraising chair for Pa'lante Latin Dance Co. As a volunteer firefighter/EMT at the College Park Volunteer Fire Department, she helped map buildings to assist in emergency scenarios and researched emergency medical resource needs in Prince George’s County and the greater College Park area.

Alaya Chubb (major: bioengineering) was an Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) scholar in the Honors College and an academic peer coach for Engineering Academic Services, volunteered as a mathematics and reading tutor for the Latino Student Fund, served as fundraising chair for the Charles R. Drew Pre-Health Society, and danced on the UMD STEPP team. She volunteered as an ILS peer mentor, and conducted research in two Fischell Department of Bioengineering laboratories and through the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program. Chubb will matriculate to the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry.

Emily R. Condon (major: journalism; minor: general business) of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., served in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism as a Dean Search Committee undergraduate representative, college assembly representative and Hall of Fame selection committee member. She served on the Provost's Student Advisory Board and Enrollment Management Student Advisory Committee and as a peer mentor, student ambassador, teaching assistant and appointments committee undergraduate representative. She was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society, president of the Society for Professional Journalists chapter, founding member of the Investigative Reporters and Editors chapter and philanthropy chair of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Condon completed internships with CNN Washington, NBC News and FOX45 News, and this summer will intern at The Washington Post.

Bryant Rivera Cortez (major: middle school math and science education; minor: disability studies) was part of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity program in the Honors College, was a member of the Gymkana troupe, a TerpsEXCED mentor, a College Success Scholars team leader, university senator and undergraduate researcher for KidWind. He has been hired as a middle school science teacher in Prince Geroge’s County.

Benjamin-Nicolas Enwesi (major: computer science; minor: advanced cybersecurity experience for students) of Upper Marlboro, Md., was a Presidential Scholar who was dedicated to diversifying STEM and making it more accessible to underrepresented populations. Enwesi served as president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, vice president of Kappa Alpha Psi, tech lead for Hack4Impact, and peer research mentor for FIRE, while serving as a mentor through College Bound. He was a teaching assistant for CompSciConnect and information systems courses in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and held software engineering internships at Google and Intuit/Credit Karma.

Jessica Faby (major: accounting) of Long Island, N.Y., helped establish the Justice for Fraud Victims Project at UMD, creating opportunities for students to collaborate on real-world financial fraud investigations with detectives from local police departments, with some cases even going to trial based on the group's findings. She has also served as vice president of finance for the professional business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon and vice president of membership for the Accounting and Business Association, and is an active member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Faby was a sophomore finance fellow and contributed to the College Park Scholars Justice and Legal Thought program as a media intern and peer mentor. She will pursue her M.S. in accounting as a Terp and become a Certified Public Accountant.

Ayeesha Fadlaoui (major: animal science; minor: music performance) of Ellicott City, Md., was part of the Honors Humanities program, co-president of the Figure Skating Club, served on the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean's Student Advisory Council and in the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and was an AGNR ambassador. She also served as an undergraduate research assistant and as a teaching assistant and tutor. Fadlaoui hopes to complete a Ph.D. program and pursue a career in biological research.

Bridget Fannon (dual degrees: sociology, family science) of Bethesda, Md., served as president of the community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, earned a citation in the CIVICUS living-learning program, and was student assistant for the Civic Engagement for Social Good program in College Park Scholars. Fannon was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and of Lean on Me, a student-run mental health text line. She also participated in the Do Good Institute’s Impact Interns program, interned at the nonprofits A Wider Circle and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore, and received the Selma Tyser Edlavitch Scholarship for outstanding community service in family science. Fannon plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

Max Filliben (major: classical languages and literatures; minor: statistics) of Gaithersburg, Md., completed the Honors Humanities program in the Honors College. Through it, he wrote music that he performed at campus events and for which he won a Keystone project award. He was also a resident assistant in the Honors Humanities residence hall and won a Portz Outstanding Student Award for his contributions to the program. Filliben represented the classics department on the College of Arts and Humanities’ Dean’s Advisory Board, and he participated in its Ambassadors program.

Lily Fleischmann (major: public policy; minors: nonprofit leadership, and innovation and entrepreneurship) founded Terps for Reproductive Justice, served as president of the School of Public Policy Student Government Association, and participated in the Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program and the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program. Fleischmann interned with the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama, the Malala Fund, the National Council of Jewish Women and the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia).

Lijon Frances Guiyab (major: biochemistry; minor: Asian American studies) of Kingsville, Md., participated in the Integrated Life Sciences Honors College. She was vice president of Students Against Skin Cancer, liaison officer for the Pre-Surgical Society, a team leader and mentor through Maryland Mentor Corps, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, an undergraduate teaching assistant and a research assistant investigating both podocin, a kidney protein and SARS-CoV-2. Guiyab plans to work as a medical assistant for a year before attending medical school.

Jasmine Hall (dual degrees: studio art and American studies; minor: art history) of Silver Spring, Md., was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. She served on the Student Government Association as a governance board justice, was a teaching assistant for UTerp, interned with the Michelle Smith Collaboratory for Visual Culture, and participated in the Student Government Association. Hall’s artwork was featured in a variety of university exhibitions, and she earned the Dean’s Senior Scholar Award and the Mark H. Sandler Endowed Student Experience Award.

Sarang Han (major: bioengineering) of Ellicott City, Md., was an A. James Clark Scholar who conducted an honors thesis on preeclampsia modeling. She was president of the Student Health Advisory Committee, vice president of service and outreach and academic affairs for the Biomedical Engineering Society, engineering representative in the Student Government Association, peer mentor captain and representative in the Science and Global Change program of College Park Scholars, and teaching assistant for bioengineering courses. Han intends to become a physician scientist to advance artificial organ development.

Abigail Lee Hardy (major: anthropology), a member of the Monacan Indian Nation in Amherst, Va., is from Baltimore. She was president of the Native and Indigenous Student Union, a teacher’s assistant for courses in the Department of Psychology and Anthropology, an executive member of the Women’s Rugby Football Club and the undergraduate recipient of the Ashley Minner Indigenous Artist Award. Hardy is a member of the Indigenous Futures Lab and the IndigenizeSNAC cooperative, where she combines art and research to convey information through graphic recording. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in library sciences with a focus on archival work.

Erika Holdren (major: government and politics; minor: Spanish literature, linguistics, and culture) was a Spirit of Maryland Award finalist. She served as president of the Residence Hall Association and of the National Residence Hall Honorary and vice president of the Multiracial Student Union. She was a peer mentor for the College Park Scholars International Studies program, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Global Fellows, Psi Sigma Alpha, the Gamer Symphony Orchestra, Pa’lante Dance Co. and the Student Government Association. Holdren interned for the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, congressional and Maryland state representatives, Federal Emergency Management Agency, START and the Maryland State Police. She will pursue a master’s degree in geospatial intelligence at UMD.

Zoe Huang (major: marketing) plans to pursue her Master of Management degree at UMD through the Plus 1 program. Originally from Northern Virginia, Huang was a student athlete on the volleyball team. She participated extensively in Maryland Athletics’ career and leadership development program, Maryland Made, as well as its Kubasik First Impact Program, Gossett Fellows program, Leadership Academy, InTERPship, Career Exposure Tours in Atlanta and Charlotte, and the B1G Life Series. Huang was president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), then became Maryland's representative for the Big Ten SAAC.

Navleen Kaur (major: neuroscience) from Howard County, Md., was a research assistant with the Language, Experience, and Development Lab, where she investigated the role of early childhood language input on the development of language, executive functioning and social cognition neural networks. She also served as president of the Maryland Bhangra Dance team, was a Guided Study Sessions leader for general chemistry courses, a medical information officer for Hearts for the Homeless, and a member of Delta Phi Omega Sorority. Kaur plans to pursue a career in medicine.

Allison “Hejia” Li (majors: information science, criminology and criminal justice) of Rockville, Md., strived to foster a supportive community for first-generation college students and LGBTQ+ students. She served as a peer career educator and as president of oSTEM, organizing career panels and technical workshops for LGBTQ+ students in STEM. As a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Li worked on outreach initiatives to enhance student engagement, and as vice president of Phi Alpha Delta, she led professional development and service opportunities for pre-law students.

Paige Loftus (major: criminal justice and criminology; minors: philosophy, and law and society) from Gilbertsville, Pa., was vice president of Event Planning for BridgeUMD, administrative assistant to TerpsEXCEED, teaching assistant for courses on criminal law and human trafficking, and a tutor with the Maryland Mentor Corps. Loftus interned with the Public Defender Service for Washington, D.C., and volunteered with A Grateful Mind helping answer crisis calls to find aid for individuals facing homelessness. She aspires to a career helping individuals in crisis situations.

Aneesah Lovejoy (major: criminology and criminal justice, minor: global terrorism) of Frederick, Md., has a passion for promoting justice, diversity and national security. She served as a team lead resident assistant for Centreville Hall, a federal fellow in homeland security and an intern with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Lovejoy conducted research on counterterrorism strategies, legal policy and criminal justice reform, while gaining experience in investigative work and intelligence analysis. She hopes to pursue a career in federal law enforcement or intelligence.

Saanika Mahashetty (dual degrees: biological sciences, management) earned a citation from the University Honors program in the Honors College. She founded the university’s first collegiate chapter of Trials of Color, advocating for diversity in clinical trials. As part of the Global Fellows program, she worked at the Food and Drug Administration’s Health of Women Program, researching gender disparities in medical device testing and their impact on diverse populations. Mahashetty was a member of UMD Anokha, the university’s South Asian a cappella group, including serving as captain and music director, and leading the group to wins at national competitions.

Abigail Manga (major: information systems), of Fort Washington, Md., served as president of the Senior Council, president of the National Association of Black Accountants, alumni and member engagement chair of Omicron Delta Kappa, and as a Smith ambassador. She also serves on the Diversity Equity Council and Smith Community Council within the Robert H. Smith School of Business, while working as a resident assistant and office assistant in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. Furthermore, Manga was a part of the Public Leadership College Park Scholars Program, the QUEST Honors Program and the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Program.

Jennifer Mangandi-Sibrian (major: architecture) was a first-generation college student who served as president of Women in Architecture. She was an academic peer mentor and active in the Latinx Student Union and Latinx Architects United. Mangandi-Sibrian will pursue a master's degree in architecture, specializing in rehabilitative/healing architecture, while continuing to share her experiences with prospective students and building an inclusive, collaborative community.

Steven Mendelson (major: biological sciences; minors: business, sustainability) of Rockville, Md., completed the College Park Scholars program and served as a Scholars engagement assistant and ambassador. He also worked as a campus tour guide, participated in MEOR, and spent part of his sophomore summer conducting marine biology research in Cape Town, South Africa. After studying abroad in Rome, Mendelson returned to UMD to further his involvement with the Food Recovery Network and the Student Alumni Leadership Council. He will attend Penn Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Charvika Minna (major: neuroscience) from Laurel, Md., served as president of the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s Service Learning Certificate Program and co-president of the Nu Rho Psi National Honor Society. She was a teaching assistant in four classes; a research assistant in the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory; and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Mortar Board National Honor Society, OMSE’s Academic Excellence Society, American Medical Student Association and Pre-Surgical Society. Minna also took part in the First Year Innovation and Research Experience. She plans to work as a medical assistant before matriculating into medical school.

Mason Minus (major: government and politics) was president of the Black Student Union; co-chair of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Student Government Association; and leader in the Student Success Initiative. He composed and co-wrote a theatrical production for Black History Month and portrayed Gab in The Clarice’s production of “Hip Hop Anansi.” He aspires to combine his passions for leadership and creativity as a lawyer, actor, activist and influencer advocating for underrepresented communities.

Angelina Mussini (major: environmental science and policy), from Bel Air, Md., was a member of the Federal Fellows program and served as a teaching assistant and a representative to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies' Student Advisory Board. She was also a campaign coordinator for the Maryland Public Interest Research Group and held internships with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland General Assembly. Additionally, she was a squad leader for the Mighty Sound of Maryland drumline, the scholarship chair of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Mussini will pursue a Master of Public Policy degree at UMD.

Ijeoma Okoro (major: public health science; minor: health, humanities, and medicine) of Gaithersburg, Md., was awarded 30 scholarships. She was a Thurgood Marshall fellow, a Do Good Accelerator fellow and a research intern for Maryland ROPTA. She also conducted research at the National Institutes of Health, including the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, focusing on health disparities, substance use and mental health. Okoro was vice president of mentorship for Sister2Sister, a teaching assistant and a health professional liaison for the Charles R. Drew Pre-Health Society, and served on the Commission on Juvenile Justice in Montgomery County. Okoro completed College Park Scholars’ Science and Global Change program, studied abroad in São Paulo, Brazil, presented at national conferences and worked in clinical settings as a certified nursing assistant for five years.

Comfort Oshagbemi (major: government and politics; minor: economics) was a Banneker/Key Scholar who completed the Honors Humanities program in UMD's Honors College, where she served as the diversity, equity and inclusion officer. She was a peer advisor at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Feller Center and a member of Promoting Achievement and Diversity in Economics, the Black Political Society, SISTA, Black Honors Caucus and Global Fellows.

Natali Palacios (major: human development; minor: Spanish heritage language and Latino/a culture) of Hyattsville, Md., served as a peer advisor for the College of Education, member of the college’s Undergraduate Student Assembly, intern at its Office of Student Services and president of the Human Development Student Association. She also sat on the Senate Programs, Curricula, and Courses Committee and was president of Kappa Lambda Xi Multicultural Sorority. She was an Indigenous studies digital collections virtual intern at the Library of Congress and a human resources intern in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Palacios will pursue a master’s degree in international education policy at UMD with the goal of becoming an international student advisor.

Wayde Parham (major: technology and information design) is a first-generation college student from Laurel, Md. He served as vice president of finance for the Black Student Union and vice president of finance and operations for Student Entertainment Events. He will work full-time for Amtrak in Philadelphia and pursue a master’s degree in human-computer interaction.

Anna Petersen (dual degrees: criminology and criminal justice, and psychology) co-founded the Undergraduate Psychology Association, served as a College of Behavioral and Social Sciences student senator, and was membership chair of Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity. She represented undergraduate students on the University Senate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee and the Department of Psychology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. Petersen was also a Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar, is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and earned the Honors College Research Grant. She completed the University Honors program in the Honors College. Petersen hopes to work for the federal government.

Vincent Pham (major: computer engineering) of Catonsville, Md., is in the B.S./M.S. program. He served as president of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Gamma Xi chapter, the electrical and computer engineering honor society, and was event coordinator for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Peer Mentoring Program. He earned a citation from College Park Scholars’ Science, Technology and Society program and was a student-athlete tutor at the Gossett Student Center, an engineering orientation advisor and an undergraduate teaching fellow. Pham was also a member of the Vietnamese Student Association, Thai Student Association, Terps Racing EV and the Engineering Video Editing Club. He received the Clark Legacy Scholarship and the Charles E. Sydnor III Senatorial Scholarship. Pham aspires to innovate in the field of computer architecture by designing, verifying and optimizing processor technologies.

Wren Poremba (major: computer science; minor in philosophy) served as president for Lean on Me College Park, executive director for Hack4Impact-UMD and percussion section leader for UMD's Gamer Symphony Orchestra. Poremba interned for Inovalon, working on health care data analysis as a software engineer and presented research on how to make virtual reality accessible to blind and low-vision users.

Ema Rajala (major: architecture; minors: creative placemaking, sustainable studies) earned a LEED Green Associate certificate. They were an event coordinator for Maryland Ghostlight Co. and president, event coordinator and director for the Maryland Shakespeare Players. While working two jobs, they also participated in Latinx Architects United, Women in Architecture and the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, as well as the architecture professional fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi. They experienced many communities while growing up in a military family, but made the strongest connections at the University of Maryland.

Arjun Rakheja (major: biological sciences; minors: general business, actuarial mathematics) of Germantown, Md., was secretary and risk management officer for the Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity, a team leader for Maryland Mentor Corps’ Maryland Math Program and Higher Achievement Middle School Program, a student ambassador for the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office, a volunteer in Terps for Change and Food Recovery Network, a Guided Study Sessions leader for cell biology, and the DEI chair for the Student Alumni Leadership Council. He earned the Integrated Life Sciences citation in the Honors College, analyzed coronavirus structures in Associate Professor Brian Pierce’s lab and studied cancer stem cells at Assistant Professor Michal Zalzman’s lab at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Off campus, Rakheja worked as a medical scribe for a vascular surgeon clinic; he hopes to apply to medical school.

Sierra Raspa (dual degrees: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering) of Baltimore County, Md., earned a citation from the Honors College’s Gemstone program. She was her Gemstone team’s lead on self-assembling robotics research, a teaching fellow for four years, a member of the electrical team for Testudog Robotics at UMD, a Women in Engineering (WIE) student advisor, founder of WIE Code, and member of team TerpAlert in the xFoundry startup competition. Additionally, Raspa interned at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Quantum Space, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and RCT Systems. She plans to pursue a career in industry.

Trisha Reddy (major: biological sciences; minors: Spanish, sociology) earned a citation in the Honors College’s Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) program. She served as president of the Undergraduate Student National Dental Association, president of the Indian Students Association, senior student ambassador for the Health Professions Advising Office, and office assistant for ILS. Additionally, she conducted research as an assistant in the Hearing Brain Lab and was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. Reddy hopes to continue advocating for health care accessibility as a dental student.

Michelle Rodriguez (major: public health science), a Mexican and first-generation student from Bowie, Md., served on the inaugural Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council for the School of Public Health and was a representative on the University Senate’s Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as a University Honors peer academic leader. Beyond campus, she has worked as a community health worker, providing resources to underserved communities, and has interned with the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy and the National Hispanic Medical Association. She will pursue a Master of Public Health in epidemiology at UMD, focusing on advancing data-driven solutions to address health inequities in the Latinx community.

Bella Rosner (dual degrees: psychology, human development; minor: nonprofit management and leadership) was in the Human Development Honors Cohort and earned a citation through the College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program. She served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in psychology, a peer advisor for the College of Education, and a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Council. Rosner was also a founding member and treasurer of the Human Development Student Association. She interned with the UMD Alumni Association and later worked as the program assistant for the College of Education’s Office of Advancement. Rosner plans to work as a researcher in a developmental psychology lab before applying to Ph.D. programs.

Olivia Ryder (major: public policy) of Gaithersburg, Md., was a B.A./M.P.P. student who hopes to work in social policy and expand access to reproductive health services. She co-founded both Students for Reproductive Justice and CP Plan B and served as the graduate social director, undergraduate social director and student ambassador for the School of Public Policy. Ryder was also vice president of programming for the Residence Hall Association and on the programming council for Zeta Tau Alpha. She earned a citation in College Park Scholars’ Public Leadership program, was selected for the Maryland Service Scholars Program and Federal Fellows program, and was a Do Good Accelerator Fellow and member of the leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa. Ryder interned in the Do Good Institute and offices of U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. She was a research assistant for Reproductive Justice Maryland as a part of her master’s capstone project.

Mary Samokhvalova (majors: finance, accounting) of Ellicott City, Md., served as president, then adviser of the Collegiate Financial Management Association, as an IT analyst for UMD’s Lemma Senbet Fund and in the Women in Finance Mentorship Program. She earned a citation from the Honors College’s Design, Cultures and Creativity program. Samokhvalova was awarded the University System of Maryland Board of Regents 2023 Student Excellence Scholarship and advocated for financial literacy education as a selected speaker at the University System of Maryland Student Forum 2024. She will start her career at T. Rowe Price as an equity research associate analyst.

Robin Schlesinger (major: family science; minors: public leadership, law and society) of South Brunswick, N.J., served as president of the Panhellenic Association, fellow for the Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative, president of Phi Upsilon Omicron, vice president of programming for Order of Omega, chair of on-campus outreach for Terps Against Hunger, member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Delta Gamma Sorority; and vice president of Student Affairs’ Student Advisory Council. Schlesinger was named the 2024 Dean's Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar for the School of Public Health, was a finalist for the 2024 Spirit of Maryland Award, served as a teaching assistant, worked as a research assistant, and helped launch a Global Classroom in partnership with a university in Brazil. Upon graduation, she will pursue a career in government affairs with a focus on public health lobbying.

Jerry Shen (dual degrees: biological sciences, mathematics; minor: general business) of Boyds, Md., served as president of the American Physician Scientist Association and of Science Olympiad, treasurer for the Audubon Student Chapter, vice president of programming for La Plata Hall RHA, and a member of SCALE. Shen represented College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Science students on the Provost’s Student Advisory Council, is an undergraduate teaching assistant for organic chemistry, and is an undergraduate researcher at the Losert Lab. She completed the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. Shen aims to pursue a career as a physician, connecting his interests in advanced computational data science approaches to solving clinical problems.

Imaan Shikoh (major: public policy; minor: science, technology, ethics, and policy) served as co-director of student affairs in the Student Government Association, an opinion writer at The Diamondback, and co-founder of the Asian American Policy Union. She was appointed to the Joint Presidential and University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia. Shikoh also interned at the U.S. House of Representatives and was active in community organizing, including efforts to elect an undergraduate student to the College Park City Council.

Shashank Singh (major: computer science; minor: technology entrepreneurship), originally of Lucknow, India, served as co-president of the International Student Advisory Board, board member of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board and vice president of Student Affairs' Student Advisory Council, He was a teaching assistant for computer science courses and a community assistant. Singh was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and received the Community Assistant of the Year Award.

Isabella Socha Soares (majors: government and politics; criminology and criminal justice; minor: Portuguese and Brazilian studies) of Linden, N.J., co-founded UMD Students Demand Action to raise awareness about gun violence and was a research assistant for the UMD PROGRESS initiative. She was a teaching assistant for the courses “International Security and Intelligence” and “Strategic Thinking, AI, and Innovation Power,” and served as the philanthropy and community service chair for Omicron Delta Kappa. Soares earned a citation in Honors Global Communities, now named Honors Global Challenges and Solutions. She also served as a student advocate at the Student Legal Aid Office and is working to be the first lawyer in her family.

Jessica Stanley (major: kinesiology) was active at UMD in community service through Terps for Change and the Maryland Mentor Corps, focusing on poverty alleviation and improving English and math literacy for ESOL and elementary school students. She worked as a developmental disabilities coach with KEEN, served as a teaching assistant for “Introduction to Kinesiology” and mentored pre-health students as co-president of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Association. Stanley conducted research at the University of Pittsburgh and through the Human Engineering Research Laboratories. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in occupational therapy.

Salma Tagnaouti (major: information science) of North Potomac, Md., was director of product for Hack4Impact-UMD, a resident assistant and community assistant, and a resource specialist at the Student Organization Resource Center. She was a data and technology consulting intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a product security intern at Verizon. Tagnaouti is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on her community and those around her.

Sophia Vahdatshoar (major: public health science) of Clarksburg, Md., was a multicultural advocate for the Department of Resident Life and a teaching assistant for Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education courses, facilitating discussions on multicultural dilemmas. Vahdatshoar was also a member of the Civic Engagement for Social Good program in College Park Scholars and volunteered for the Food Recovery Network and Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Proud of her Iranian heritage, she intends to use public health to advance equity and well-being in her community.

Grayson Vintz (majors: finance, accounting) was active in the Robert H. Smith Business School, serving as an information technology analyst for the Lemma Senbet Fund and portfolio manager and executive member of the Smith Investment Fund. He was treasurer of the professional business fraternity Phi Chi Theta, chair of the Smith Dean's Student Advisory Council and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. Vintz earned a citation in College Park Scholars’ Public Leadership program. He will return full-time to StepStone Group as a venture capital and growth equity analyst.

Aditya Viswanath Viswanathan Ram (majors: biochemistry, neuroscience) of Ellicott City, Md., was a research assistant at the Fushman Laboratory, a teaching assistant for “Organic Chemistry I” lab, a resident assistant, an executive board member for the University Honors Student Board, a recipient of the Bruce B. Jarvis Outstanding Junior Award in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a recipient of the Student-Proposed Innovation and Research Experience Award. Ram plans to attend medical school to become a physician who will work to improve the medical system and help underserved communities.

Helen Wang (majors: economics, marketing) of Baltimore served as the events and lectures chair for Omicron Delta Kappa; concerts, lectures and funding director for Student Entertainment Events; and vice president of Meet Me Behind McKeldin Mall. Wang is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and earned a citation in the Honors Humanities program in the Honors College. She plans to pursue a juris doctor degree.

Matthew Williams (major: biological sciences; minor: science, technology, ethics, and policy) served as president of Delta Epsilon Mu, counselor for Camp Kesem, research assistant in the Herberholz Crustacean Lab, recovery leader with Food Recovery Network, and as tutor for the Petey Greene Program. Williams was also awarded the Honors Research Grant and the Maryland Summer Scholars Award. He received the Katy Betinger Service Award after completing the CIVICUS living-learning program. Williams plans to pursue a career as a physician specializing in pediatric care.

Sophia Winner (dual degrees: government and politics, economics; minor; law and society) of Baltimore was president of the Maryland Parliamentary Debate Society, president of the Honors Humanities living-learning program, and historian of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. She interned with the Maryland Democracy Initiative, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and the Scholars Strategy Network. Winner received the Winston Family Honors Best Student Paper Award and the Lowell Ensel Endowed Keystone Scholarship, and was a finalist for the Spirit of Maryland Award. She hopes to advance progressive policy initiatives to uplift and empower historically disenfranchised communities.

Caitriona Wright (major: biological sciences) of Kent Island, Md., was vice president of the American Society for Microbiology chapter at UMD and a resident assistant. She is thankful for all the opportunities the university has given her.

Kaitlyn Zhou (majors: public policy, family science) earned a citation in College Park Scholars’ Public Leadership program. She served as president of Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and of the Student Alumni Leadership Council and as a student ambassador for the Department of Family Science, School of Public Policy and College Park Scholars. She also interned in the Office of the Vice President for University Relations and was an orientation advisor her sophomore year. Zhou plans to complete a Master of Public Policy degree at UMD and pursue a career in family and child welfare.