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80 Terps Honored as Senior Marshals

Program Recognizes Students for Academic, Extracurricular and Personal Accomplishments

By Maryland Today Staff

student holds Architecture, Planning and Preservation gonfalon at commencement

Dejuan Johnson ’22, M.ARCH/M.C.P. ’26 (at right) hoists the banner for the School of Architecture Planning and Preservation as a senior marshal at Commencement last year. Senior marshals represent their school or college and the entire class at the main ceremonies, assisting with the processional and receiving a medallion commemorating their achievements.

Photo by John T. Consoli

With flags waving on Monday evening, 80 stellar students will lead graduating Terps into commencement—and on to the next chapter of their lives.

The senior marshals, who carry the banners for schools, colleges and departments, are Spring, Winter and Summer graduates who have stood out during their time at the University of Maryland for academic excellence, service to the university community, noteworthy extracurriculars and good character.

“It is a joy and honor to lead the commencement procession with such terrific student leaders,” said Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, who oversees the senior marshals program along with Robert Infantino, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. “We feel honored to work with the student marshals at this pivotal moment in their University of Maryland journey.”

Read on to learn more about these exceptional students.

Natalie Adams (major: journalism; minors: history, international development and conflict management) served as an assistant managing editor, copy chief and copy editor for The Diamondback, president and vice president of communications for Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and communications chair for the Global Communities Student Association. Additionally, she worked for the Capital News Service Data and Graphics Bureau, was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, worked for Her Campus Maryland, and is an alum of the Global Communities living-learning program. Adams hopes to work in journalism as a copy editor and data reporter, and go to law school to study media law.

Ama-Greg Adjabe (majors: public health science, psychology; minor: human development) is a first-generation immigrant and college student from a Cameroonian and Ivorian background. At the University of Maryland, she was an Incentive Awards Program scholar, BioFire research student, Charles R. Drew Pre-Health Society member, Maryland Ascent Program student ambassador, Department of Resident Life community assistant, teaching assistant and member of the Student Success Leadership Council, Phi Alpha Epsilon Public Health Honorary Society, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, and School of Public Health Students Transitioning into Effective Professionals (STEP). Adjabe will be pursuing a master’s degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

Shivawn Angelo (major: public health science) was part of the Honors College and pursued the pre-medicine track. She started a mental health club, Prescription for Happiness, where she advocated for mental health at the public health level, and was a public health ambassador at the School of Public Health and a teaching assistant. Angelo also mentored with the Maryland Mentor Corps and served as a guided study session leader for “Human Anatomy and Physiology I.” She also worked as a research assistant at the Public Health Aerobiology, Virology and Exhaled Biomarker Laboratory (PHAB Lab). Angelo plans to take a gap year and continue her research before attending medical school.

Sam Bai (majors: computer science, mathematics; minor: Asian American studies) served as internal vice president and co-historian of the Taiwanese American Student Association, vice president and secretary of TerpWushu, operations and executive organizer for Technica, and teaching outreach ambassador for the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing. He also served as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, a peer mentor for the First-Year Innovation and Research Experience program, and a peer academic leader for the University Honors program in the Honors College. Bai collaborated with the Asian American Student Union to promote advocacy and awareness within the APIDA community. Following graduation, in addition to taking a position as a software engineer at Capital One, he hopes to continue working with underrepresented groups in tech and minority communities in his spare time.

Rakshita Balaji (major: neuroscience) is passionate about neuroscience research. She was an undergraduate researcher in the Caras Lab, served as a teaching assistant in the neuroscience department, a student course facilitator in the biology department, a student ambassador for the neuroscience major and the Honors College, and co-president of the Rising Researchers Club. After graduation, Balaji will conduct research for two years at the National Institutes of Health before applying to doctoral programs in neuroscience.

Hammad Baqai (majors: biological sciences, public health science) earned a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. He served on the executive boards of Maryland Mauj (director), Penny Appeal (president), Phi Delta Epsilon (vice president of recruitment) and the Pakistani Student Association (historian). He was a volunteer tutor/mentor for Peer to Peer, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, a site leader for One Tent Health and a volunteer for MEDLIFE, traveling to Peru to help close health-care disparity gaps. He plans to enroll at the University of Maryland School of Medicine next year to begin an M.D./M.P.H. program, where he hopes to cultivate skills to continue helping medically underserved communities.

Megan Barrett (major: early childhood and early childhood special education) is a second-generation Terp who was involved in the Student Alumni Leadership Council, Sigma Kappa sorority, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and the Senior Council.

Natalie Bartholet (majors: music education, human development) performed with the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble, Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra and was president of the National Association of Music Education and of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Music Fraternity. She was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda and the College of Education Student Assembly. As a research assistant in the Social and Moral Development Lab, as well as a recipient of the Maryland Summer Scholars Award, Bartholet supplemented her passion for teaching with a curiosity for pedagogy informed by research in child development. She plans to work as an elementary school instrumental music teacher while advocating for equity and social justice through education policy.

Pavan Bhat (major: bioengineering) was a Banneker/Key Scholar and earned a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. He also participated in the QUEST Honors Program and Federal Fellows. He interned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Novartis and Regeneron, and conducted research in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Bhat was president of Tau Beta Pi, director of the Indian classical dance competition Mayuri, and an ambassador for the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Honors College. Bhat served as an undergraduate teaching fellow and participated in study abroad programs in Madrid, Hanoi and Singapore.

Emily Brownfield (major: mechanical engineering; minor: global engineering leadership) was an executive member of the Society of Women Engineers, a Women In Engineering peer mentor, a technician in the Instructional Fabrication Lab for Terrapin Works, and an executive member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity. She was also an A. James Clark School of Engineering ambassador and conducted on-campus research focused on additive manufacturing and the morphology of liquid injection over the past two years.

Madison Burns (major: hearing and speech sciences; minor: disability studies) worked as a teaching assistant, a research assistant in the FluencyBank lab, a student coordinator for the Lakeland STARs tutoring program and a certified lead peer mentor for the TerpsEXCEED program. Additionally, she earned a citation from the College Park Scholars Media, Self & Society program and departmental honors from Hearing and Speech Sciences. She also presented a poster at the Joint World Congress on Stuttering and Cluttering in Montreal. After graduation, Burns will attend graduate school to become a speech language pathologist.

Christina Calandra (major: communication; minor: innovation and entrepreneurship; certificate: leadership studies) was a four-year student-athlete on Maryland’s field hockey team. In her next chapter, she will pursue an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, while finishing out her eligibility on its field hockey team.

Leah Campbell (majors: Spanish language, literatures, and culture, and English) has held leadership roles at the Eppley Recreation Center, the Department of Resident Life, the Writing Center and The Diamondback. She was also active on campus, learning to skateboard in We Skate, tutoring incarcerated learners through the Petey Greene Program, fine-tuning her crocheting skills at Crocheting for a Cause meetings, and leading multiple intramural sports teams to playoffs. She hopes to work in the field of anthropology with a focus on Spanish-speaking communities in Latin America.

Janna Chapman (majors: environmental science and technology, geographical sciences) was a peer research mentor for the First-year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE), a teaching assistant for the Federal Fellows program, an College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ambassador, active in the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s academic excellence society and treasurer of both RESTORE (the student society for undergraduates majoring in environmental science and technology) and MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences). She earned an Honors College citation from University Honors and was named a Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar. After graduation, Chapman will pursue a master’s degree in geographical sciences at UMD.

Urvi Chowdhury (major: biological sciences; minor: statistics) is graduating with a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program and a fellowship in global policy and leadership. On campus, she served as president of UNICEF UMD and ran a “Disability During COVID-19” photojournalism project. Off campus, she was director of community projects at United Against Inequities in Disease and a health policy and advocacy intern for Project HOPE and interned for the United Nations Foundation. Her career aspirations include combining medicine, public health, policy and advocacy to combat health inequities.

Catherine Chua (major: public health science; minors: humanities, health and medicine, and public leadership) was an undergraduate researcher and peer research mentor for the First-Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE), vice president of academic support for Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s academic excellence society and president of its Student Leadership Advisory Council, an anatomy tutor, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Courtyards Residence Hall Association Council and the creative arts subgroup director for the Filipino Cultural Association. Chua was inducted into UMD's public health honor society and the national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa. Upon graduation, Chua is looking to develop innovative, sustainable, fair and data-driven solutions to public health issues.

Katherine Clugg (majors: criminology and criminal justice, government and politics; minor: global terrorism studies) is graduating with a certification from the Justice and Legal Thought College Park Scholars Program. Clugg was a research assistant at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), co-chair of the Student Conduct Review Coalition, a presiding officer for the Office of Student Conduct and communications chair of the American Civil Liberties Union chapter at UMD. After graduation, Clugg plans to continue studying far-right extremism and effective programs for prevention.

Alyssa Cobb (major: criminology and criminal justice) was active in the Humble Walk Campus Ministry and Student Alumni Leadership Council and was a resident assistant. She loves UMD and can't wait to continue to be a Terp as a graduate student next year.

Gabrielle Coleman (major: information systems) was the North Hill representative to the Student Government Association, director of diversity and inclusion for Technica Hacks, vice president of diversity and inclusion for the UMD National Pan-hellenic Council, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Theta Nu Chapter, co-chair of mentorship for the Women’s Empowerment Institute and a resident assistant. Coleman was an information technology and business transformation fellow within the Robert H. Smith School of Business, was named an Adele Circle of Women Scholar and studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. Upon graduation, Coleman will work at Microsoft as a customer success manager.

Nichelle Columba (majors: accounting, information systems) is graduating with CPA eligibility following her completion of 150 semester hours. She was president and vice president of communications for the Management and Organization Society, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society, a committee member of the Women in Business Association finance committee and a KPMG campus ambassador for accounting. Columba was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Association of Latino Professionals for America, Business and Information Technology Society, and Accounting and Business Association. Beginning in the fall, Columba will be a forensic accountant at KPMG’s Washington, D.C., office and hopes to continue making an impact within the community.

Emmanuel Corporal (majors: international business, supply chain management) was a member of the Pi Sigma Epsilon business fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa, the Maryland Images tour guides organization and the Dean’s Student Advisory Council in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. He served as a resource specialist and student manager at the Student Organization Resource Center, an ambassador for the Smith Business Leadership Fellows, a community assistant and a teaching assistant for Career Search Strategies in Business.

Sarah Cwemer (majors: marketing, communication) earned a citation from the College Park Scholars Business, Society and the Economy program and was part of the Strategic Design and Innovation Fellows program. She served as a peer mentor, teaching assistant and an active member in her Greek organization. Following graduation, Cwemer will continue her education at UMD by pursuing her master’s degree in marketing analytics.

Zoe Davidson (major: biological sciences; minor: humanities, health and medicine; certificate: women, gender, and sexuality studies) completed her Honors College citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program. She worked as a teaching assistant for Honors “Cellular Biology and Physiology” and “Bodies in Contention,” was an undergraduate researcher in a developmental biology lab and founder of Move Those Paws. Davidson has served her community of Howard County and College Park as a Gilchrist Hospice volunteer and an animal shelter volunteer at Humane Rescue Alliance.

Delyar Delavari (major: biological sciences) was in the Gemstone program of the Honors College. She was involved in the American Medical Association, College Mentors for Kids, the Department of Resident Life, the Iranian Student Foundation and the Help Center, and was a teaching assistant. After graduation, she hopes to continue her path toward medicine.

Argen Gian Detoito (major: physics; minor: computer science) was a member of the Student Government Association’s First Year Council, co-treasurer of the Filipino Cultural Association, secretary of the Undergraduate Quantum Association and a member of the Sigma Pi Sigma honor society. He was also involved in research with the First-Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE) Simulating Particle Detection stream, UMD’s Department of Physics and the High-Energy Astrophysics group at Caltech. After graduating, Detoito will pursue a Ph.D. in physics with hopes of becoming an academic or government researcher.

David Diep (major: biological sciences; minor: human development) is graduating with a University Honors citation. He served as vice president of programming for Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity, a team leader and mentor for the Maryland Reading Program and an Honors College ambassador. Off-campus, Diep worked as a research assistant in the Sidorov Lab at Children's National Hospital, where he was a published author, a medical assistant at OrthoBethesda, an emergency medicine research assistant at Prince George’s Hospital Center and a volunteer at an urgent care clinic. Upon graduation, Diep plans to pursue a career in medicine.

Nikki Emamian (majors: biological sciences, public health science) is president of Peer to Peer, a group leader for the family mentoring program, a research assistant in an epidemiology lab in the School of Public Health, co-chair of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences’ recruitment ambassadors, senior adviser of the Iranian Students’ Foundation, and a teaching assistant for “Essentials of Public Health Biology.” Off campus, she is a clinical research associate at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a medical assistant in a pediatric office. She hopes to attend medical school after taking a gap year.

Vivian Flanagan (major: public health science; minor: Korean studies) is graduating with a certificate from the First Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE). Outside the classroom, she honed her passion for advocacy and science as marketing and technology officer for the Residence Hall Association, University Senate undergraduate senator representing the School of Public Health, president of Students Engaged in Public Health, founding member of Terp Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, and student advisor to the Counseling Center and the Public Health Science executive suite. She was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the premier leadership honor society in the United States. Flanagan conducted health-related research at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Prevention and Early Adversity Research Lab and FIRE labs across campus. After graduation, Flanagan will pursue her master’s degree in public health concentrating in maternal, child and family health.

Sophia Franklin (majors: government and politics, French language and culture) earned a citation from the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program as well as the Global Fellows program. She was a tutor for Lakeland STARs, a student lead and founding member of TerraPeers, a senior teaching fellow and program assistant for the UMD Fellows program, and chairperson for the Stamp advisory board. After graduation, she will pursue her passion for storytelling in a career in public relations.

Emily Gallant (major: communication) loved helping future Terps acclimate to campus as an orientation leader and campus tour guide with Maryland Images. She served as director on the executive board of Student Entertainment Events and was the PR chair for her sorority, Sigma Kappa. Following her graduation in Winter 2022, Emily has pursued a career in entertainment in New York City.

Brooke Gordon (majors: communication, marketing) has applied her PR coursework to her on-campus involvement as public relations director for Student Entertainment Events (SEE) and as vice president of PR/marketing for Senior Council. She is excited to pursue a future in a PR role.

Nikole Grandez (major: information science) developed a passion for technology after moving to the United States from Peru, and is now pursuing a master's degree in information management at the University of Maryland. Outside of the classroom, Grandez worked as a junior IT administrator. Grandez enjoys spending time with loved ones and animals.

Ayelette Halbfinger (major: operations management and business analytics) was a part of the Honors College’s Design Cultures and Creativity program and the QUEST Honors Program and was selected for two fellowships in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. This academic year, Halbfinger served as president of the Student Government Association, where she was an advocate for collaboration between students and administrators.

Amira Idris (major: public health science) served as the president of the Charles R. Drew Pre-Health Society and co-chair for the Gift of Giving Gala for the Student Success Leadership Council. She also worked as a specialist at the Student Organization Resource Center. She engaged in independent research with the National Institutre's National Human Genome Research Institute, where she wrote a manuscript for publication. Idris hopes to enroll in a research-based doctoral program with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, and eventually lead her own research lab on neurological diseases.

Kassidy Jacobs (majors: government and politics, criminology and criminal justice) was vice chair of student services for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Dean’s Student Advisory Council, chair of the student affairs committee in the University Senate, president of Senior Council, vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa and a coordinator with Terps for Change. Off campus, she interned at the U.S Department of Education, U.S Environmental Protection Agency, U.S Department of State and at a legal nonprofit serving low-income clients. She hopes to attend law school with a focus on public interest, specifically educational disparities.

Sara Jain (major: neuroscience; minors: Asian American studies, public leadership) is a Banneker/Key Scholar graduating with a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. On campus, she served as president of Senior Council; president, events chair and correspondence officer of Doctors Without Borders/MSF UMD; vice president of recruitment for Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity; and as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and club volleyball. Jain is also a volunteer EMT in Howard County, and engaged in independent research through both the Asian American Studies Program and Nathan Schnaper Intern Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After graduation, Jain will attend medical school and plans to integrate her interests in advocacy, policy and health care by pursuing a joint M.D./M.P.P.

Ethan Jenkins (majors: international business, finance) graduated magna cum laude. He was president of the Student Alumni Leadership Council, vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa, member of the Alumni Association Board of Governors and intern for Terrapins Connect at the Alumni Association. Jenkins was also a tour guide for Maryland Images, a member of Mortar Board Honor Society and a peer mentor for College Park Scholars. Jenkins is now working at Ally Financial in Bethesda, but can still be seen cheering on the Terps in College Park.

Julia Kischkat (major: environmental science and policy) and earned a citation from the Advanced Cybersecurity for Students Experience program in the Honors College. She participated in Federal Fellows, Alpha Omicron Pi and the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and was a peer adviser in the Department of Government and Politics. Beyond UMD, Kischkat interned for her local member of Congress, conducted research at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, volunteered at the U.S. Department of Energy and worked as a policy fellow at the Maryland Clean Energy Center. She was also awarded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, which allowed her to conduct environmental field research in Juneau, Alaska, for 10 weeks. Kischkat will pursue graduate studies and a career in environmental academia.

Ananya Krishnan (majors: biological sciences, anthropology) was a Banneker/Key Scholar and a member of the Gemstone program in the Honors College. She participated in the Federal Fellows Public Health Policy program and was a teaching assistant for neuroscience and global health anthropology courses, a volunteer with the National Sexual Assault Hotline, a Terps for Change coordinator, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and the founder and president of Women's Health Network, an organization dedicated to providing students with accurate sexual and reproductive health information. She hopes to continue fostering her passion for women's health and pursue a career in medicine.

Sasvi Kulasinghe (majors: biological sciences, global public health) is graduating with a citation from the University Honors program in Honors College. She was involved in the Student Health Advisory Committee, the Global Fellows program and the Sri Lankan Student Association. Kulasinghe was also a College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences ambassador, an undergraduate researcher in the cell biology and molecular genetics department, and a member of UMD Anokha, a South Asian fusion a cappella team with which she competed nationally. Outside of academics, she is a volunteer EMT at the Branchville Volunteer Fire Company and co-founded MedSurplus United, a nonprofit organization that redistributes surplus medical supplies from the U.S. to hospitals in Sri Lanka. After graduating, she hopes to pursue an M.D./MPH.

Sahana Kundu (major: biological sciences; minor: general business) received her citation from the Integrated Life Sciences Honors program in the Honors College. She was co-founder and co-president of One Love UM, a College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences representative in the Student Government Association, a peer supporter for Lean on Me College Park, entertainment editor for The Hare, and vice president and former treasurer for the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness program. She was also a teaching assistant, a research assistant at the Aphasia Research Center, inducted in Omicron Delta Kappa, a member of the Federal Fellows Program, and a yoga group fitness instructor at RecWell. Following graduation, she will join the managed care leadership development program at Cigna to learn about public-private partnerships in health care.

Erika Maher (major: aerospace engineering) served as president of the Society of Women Engineers, and on the executive boards of Alpha Omega Epsilon and the Flexus Living Learning Program. She was an ambassador for the A. James Clark School of Engineering, served on the Women in Engineering Student Advisory Board, was a Women in Engineering peer mentor to over 20 mentees and spearheaded new event initiatives. Additionally, she was a sub-group lead for Engineers Without Borders’ Peru chapter, a member of Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and participated in several different research projects in the aerospace engineering department. She interned for Genesis Engineering Solutions on a CubeSat satellite, and will be working in the space industry upon graduation. She was awarded the 2022 A. James Clark Women in Engineering Leadership Award and the 2023 A. James Clark Leadership Dean's Award.

Juliza Majano (major: government and politics; minor: technology entrepreneurship) is an El Salvadorian first-generation transfer student. At UMD, she was involved in the Southern Management Leadership Program, Undergraduate Studies Dean's Student Advisory Council, Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society, ALPFA, Pi Sigma Alpha and the Global Fellows program. Upon graduating she will work as a policy specialist at Google and hopes to work on leveraging technology to aid in international development and social entrepreneurship.

Shivasree Margam (major: computer science; minor: innovation and entrepreneurship) served as president of the Hindu Students’ Council, peer adviser for the computer science department, computing instructor for the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing, peer research mentor for the First-Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE), mentor developer of BitView, logistics organizer for Bitcamp and member of Alpha Omega Epsilon. Following graduation, she will work at Amazon Web Services.

Imani Mayo (major: public policy) ws a member of the Kappa Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and served as an orientation adviser, a teaching assistant and a resident assistant. Mayo was also a part of CIVICUS and volunteered as a general manager with College Mentors for Kids.

Hiruni Mendries (major: public health science) was an orientation adviser, a teaching assistant for the biological sciences program, a leader in the Student Alumni Leadership Council, an ambassador for the health professions advising office, president of the Jim Henson chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary, a community assistant and desk operations supervisor for the Department of Resident Life, pharmacy employee at the University of Maryland Health Center, Maryland Images tour guide, member of Nu Rho Psi and a research assistant in Professor Raymond St. Leger’s lab. Mendries will apply to medical school and work as a clinical research coordinator during her gap year.

Samuel Mensah (major: information science; minor: technology entrepreneurship) is a first-generation college student from Ghana and part of the Southern Management Leadership Program. Mensah worked for two years as a building manager in the Stamp Student Union and as a resident assistant. He founded and served as president of ColorStack UMD, a chapter for a nonprofit organization that aims to increase the number of Black/Latinx and underrepresented populations pursuing technical degrees, and was a mentor for the I4C Mentoring Program for students in computing. Following graduation, he will be working as an associate product manager at Warner Bros. Discovery in New York City.

Briana Mercado (major: biochemistry) is a first-generation student who served as president of the Multicultural Greek Council. She will pursue a graduate degree starting in the fall.

Samantha Meyr (major: bioengineering) was an undergraduate researcher working to understand drug delivery. She was involved with the Honors Bioengineering Society and was a teaching fellow, peer mentor and Clark Leader. She volunteered at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in engineering and spend time in clinical engineering.

Calypso Moschochoritis (major: government and politics; minor: art history) moved from Rome at the age of 16 during her sophomore year of high school. During her time at UMD, she was president of the United Nations Association, treasurer of the Global Communities Student Association and vice president of social programming of the Senior Council. She will be attending law school in the fall.

Esther Odeyemi (majors: criminology and criminal justice, psychology) is a first-generation college student earning a citation from the Justice and Legal Thought Scholars program. She was a peer mentor, ambassador and orientation peer adviser for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. She also served as a resident assistant, a campaign intern for MaryPIRG, a math mentor for the Maryland Mentor Corps, a member of Alpha Phi Sigma and a teaching assistant for UNIV100. After graduation, Odeyemi plans to pursue her J.D. with the goal of becoming an attorney and advocating for social justice.

Tejiri Ofugara (major: accounting) earned a citation from College Park Scholars’ Public Leadership program and served as president of the Smith Business Academy, a group dedicated to the advancement of minority men through impactful service leadership and professional experiences. He was also a campus ambassador for accounting firm KPMG. Ofugara will pursuing a master’s degree in business management at the Robert H. Smith School of Business and working at KPMG in federal transformation delivery advisory.

Deborah Omotoso (major: family science; minor: human development) was involved on campus as a member of Bethel Campus Fellowship, an academic peer mentor with the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center, a family science student ambassador, a member of her department’s Coalition for Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion, a resident assistant and a violinist in UMD’s Gamer Symphony Orchestra. Omotoso was named an Undergraduate Dean’s Scholar and a Phillip Merrill Presidential Scholar. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an M.P.H. to address health disparities in the Black immigrant and Black American community through policy and program intervention.

Renee Paulraj (majors: government and politics, information science) is graduating with citations from the Design, Cultures, and Creativity program in the Honors College and the Global Fellows program. She founded and led the student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and served as an intern for the TerpsVote Coalition, president of Girl Up, chair and presiding officer of the University Student Judiciary, communications co-chair of Omicron Delta Kappa, a co-captain on the Mock Trial team, a member of Moot Court, a member of the Student Conduct Review Coalition and a member of Phi Alpha Delta. Paulraj also worked as a teaching assistant for first amendment law and a research assistant within the Department of Government and Politics. Renee hopes to pursue a career in law to protect civil rights and liberties and advocate on behalf of marginalized communities.

Rayshaun Pettit (major: microbiology; minor: humanities, health and medicine) served as a teaching assistant for “Statistical Methods in Psychology” and was part of the CIVICUS living-learning program, where he served as an ambassador and peer guide. He was a four-year member of College Mentors for Kids, working with elementary school kids from Washington, D.C. He received the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, which he used to study abroad in Ghana and in the United Kingdom, and is a Ronald E. McNair scholar. He completed research in the School of Public Health and Department of Biology and defended an honors thesis. He will enroll in graduate school in the fall.

Tyler Przygocki (major: biological sciences) was a research assistant in the Hearing Brain Lab and at the UM Capital Region Medical Center, a volunteer team leader with Maryland Mentor Corps, a College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences ambassador, an undergraduate learning assistant, social relations chair of Delta Epsilon Mu, a 4-Maryland COVID-19 testing ambassador, and a member of Brain Exercise Initiative, Be the Match and KDSAP clubs. After graduation, Przygocki plans to take a gap year and work as a medical assistant before matriculating into medical school. He hopes to work with diverse and underserved populations to help mitigate health disparities.

Amy Rivera (majors: criminology and criminal justice, government and politics; minor: U.S. Latino/a studies) was driven by her experience as a low-income Latina and her passion for service to get involved in community organizing. She was president of Political Latinx United for Movement and Action in Society, historian of the Latinx Student Union, diversity and inclusion chairwoman of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, a student advocate in the Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office, and resident assistant in Dorchester Hall. Rivera will be taking a gap year before attending law school. She plans to work for a law office or advocacy-based organization, and will also be pursuing a goal of traveling to every Latin American country and working on her art.

Bryana Rowley (major: bioengineering; minor: health, humanities and medicine) was an Incentive Awards Program scholar who was involved with College Mentors for Kids, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, College Park Community Food Bank, Theta Tau and the Black Engineers Society. Upon graduation, Rowley will work for FTI Consulting as a health solutions consultant in Washington, D.C.

Abigail Russ (majors: journalism, economics) is a third-generation Terp who was part of the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program. She gave tours to prospective students, led the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, wrote for The Diamondback, was the general assignment editor for Stories Beneath the Shell, and was a multimedia journalist and anchor at Capital News Service, a biweekly live news show on campus. She is currently interning at NBC4 Washington and is excited to begin her master’s degree in public policy here at the University of Maryland.

Mark Salman (major: government and politics; minors: history, international development and conflict management) holds a citation from the International Studies program in College Park Scholars. Salman was a program assistant for Scholars, the tours committee head for Maryland Images and an undergraduate representative on the educational affairs committee in the University Senate. Salman was also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Global Fellows, and worked as a teaching assistant with the government and politics department. After graduation, Salman hopes to pursue a career in public service by working in the federal government.

Alexandra Joy (A.J.) Saquilayan (major: civil engineering; minor: Asian American studies) has served as a ClarkLeader and vice president of the UMD chapter of Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honor Society, and is a recipient of the David T. Crockett Sr. and Josephine G. Crockett Scholarship in civil engineering. She was involved in the Asian American Student Union, the Yuri Kochiyama High School Leadership Program, the Filipino Cultural Association and the programing committee for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month. Saquilayan was also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and served as vice president of student affairs’ student advisory council. Following graduation, she will join WBCM as a design engineer in its marine-industrial department, and take her first steps toward professional licensure.

Tesia Shi (majors: psychology, biological sciences) served as a biology teaching assistant, an Alternative Breaks co-lead and a peer outreach member and Step-UP Educator for CARE to Stop Violence. She co-founded Lean On Me College Park, a peer-to-peer non-crisis campus textline. Outside of service, she also pursued an honors thesis through the biology department and is a member of the Gemstone program in the Honors College.

Andrew Sien (majors: accounting and information systems) is a third-generation Terp who was involved in the QUEST Honors Program, where he served both as a mentor and co-lead for the internal newspaper. Sien also led UMD’s chapter of College Mentors for Kids and helped it more than double in size. He was a campus tour guide and spoke to admitted accounting students about his UMD experience.

Japneet Singh (major: biological sciences; minor: Spanish) is a three-time winner of the Medstar Health Women's Board Scholarship and a student ambassador for the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. She served as president for CIVICUS Living and is an active member of Phi Delta Epsilon, Omricon Delta Kappa and the Sikh Student Association. She was a teaching assistant for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and, upon graduation, plans to attend medical school.

Tania Sorto Padilla (major: finance; minor: technology entrepreneurship and corporate innovation) is a first-generation college student from El Salvador. She served as vice president of finance for the Association of Latino Professionals For America and as a student resource specialist for the Student Organization Resource Center and was actively involved in the Southern Management Leadership Program. She will join KPMG in its deal advisory and strategy practice as a securitization associate.

Angela Sun (major: bioengineering; minor: Spanish) graduated with a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. She founded the Every Child Project, a student organization dedicated to providing personalized, accessible tutoring to K-12 students. She is an aspiring pediatrician and is passionate about promoting and protecting child health.

Gracie Tanner (majors: public policy, journalism) served as president and editor-in-chief of Her Campus at Maryland and advocacy director for Pro-Choice Terps. She was involved in the leadership honors society Omicron Delta Kappa, the pre-law international fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, the Do Good Institute, Ignite UMD, Green Terps and Model United Nations. Tanner also received a certificate in the University Honors program in the Honors College. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and political management to continue her career in reproductive justice and health care policy.

Kevin Tu (major: biological sciences, economics) founded Combating Overdoses in Rural Areas and the satirical newspaper The Hare and co-founded Lean on Me College Park. He also taught a student-initiated course, served as a teaching assistant, ran the university’s Green Labs program, sat on the Student Government Association and the University Senate, and conducted research on cancer genetics. Following graduation, he will attend the University of Cambridge on a Churchill Scholarship and eventually matriculate into medical school.

Medha Tumkur (major: mechanical engineering) received a citation from the Gemstone program in the Honors College and was part of the QUEST Honors Program. She worked as a research assistant for UMD Radiation Facilities, served on the executive board of Alpha Lambda Delta and was an undergraduate teaching fellow for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Outside of her academic pursuits, Tumkur served as president and music director of UMD Anokha, vice president of engagement and GEMS100 co-director for the Gemstone Leadership Council, an organizer for the Technica hackathon, and an ambassador for the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Honors College. After graduation, she is excited to pursue a career in mechanical design and process improvement.

Ruben Turner (major: aerospace engineering) earned a citation from the Aerospace Honors Program and the Design, Cultures, and Creativity program in the Honors College. He conducted research at the UMD Space Systems Laboratory in order to prepare for internships with Boeing and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was a member of the Armenian Student Association, Student Alumni Leadership Council, Order of Omega Honors Society and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, for which he served as a secretary. After graduation, Ruben will work for the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory while pursuing a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering.

Raja Ukondwa (major: government and politics; minor: law and society) served as chair of the BSOS Dean Student Advisory Council, president of the Black Pre-Law Association, vice president of the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education’s College Success Scholars, lead advocate for Undergraduate Legal Aid, and philanthropy and community service chair of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society. He has also worked as a teaching assistant for “Introduction Into Courts, Law, and Justice” and “American Economic Inequality and the Law.” He will attend Columbia Law School in Fall 2023.

Josephine Urrea (majors: public policy, Chinese) served as director of the sexual misconduct prevention committee for the Student Government Association, chair of the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct Title IX advisory board, undergraduate representative on the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee, peer advocate for the Campus Advocates Response and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence Office, undergraduate representative on the Senate Student Conduct Committee, and member of the School of Public Policy Dean’s Student Advisory Council, where she spearheaded campus-wide educational campaigns, and advocated for accessibility and equity within the Title IX office. Urrea lived in the Language House immersion program as a member of the Mandarin Chinese cluster, interned for former state Del. Eric Luedtke, interned on Capitol Hill and served as a campaign manager for Maryland Sen. Will Smith before being promoted to legislative assistant.

Shiva Vijayaverl (major: economics) has been involved in various on-campus organizations, serving in all three branches of SGA, first as a legislator, then as chief financial officer, and most recently as a justice on the Governance Board. Vijayaverl has also served on the University of Libraries Student Advisory Group, SEE funding board, and as a Federal Teaching Fellow with the Federal Fellows program. Vijayaverl has interned with the Department of Energy's Office of the Chief Financial Officer and with KippsDeSanto, an investment bank that focuses on the aerospace, defense and government sectors

Maria Lourdes Villacorta Otarola (major: early childhood and early childhood special education) has served as a research assistant at the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership within the College of Education. Besides her role as a research assistant, Villacorta has served the College of Education as an EdTerp ambassador, hosting events such as COE open houses and tours. She has served the Center for Young Children (CYC) at the University of Maryland as the vice president of the Parent and Teacher Partnership. She has also been involved in the OMSE Academic Excellence Society at UMD and has been an active member of the Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society. After graduation, she will pursue her master’s degree in teacher leadership with an emphasis on teaching English to speakers of other languages.

Shreya Vuttaluru (majors: journalism, government and politics) served as chair of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Council and in various leadership positions on The Diamondback. Her journalism work has been featured in The Washington Post, the Associated Press and The Baltimore Banner. Vuttaluru is looking forward to pursuing a career in journalism, focusing on data analysis and government accountability.

Matthew Walsh (major: biological sciences) was a campus tour guide with Maryland Images and active in UMD Club Swim and the Student Alumni Leadership Council. He also participated in networking events and helped run large-scale events on campus, such as admitted student visit days.

Amber Wang (major: computer science; minor: business analytics; certificate: women, gender, and sexuality studies) was a teaching assistant for three courses, a guided study sessions leader for two math courses, and an intern for the Student Legal Aid Office. She served as president of Maryland Mock Trial, on the board of the Taiwanese American Student Association and the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and as an experience organizer for Technica, the world’s largest hackathon for underrepresented genders in technology. After graduation, she’ll move to Washington state to work as a software engineer for Microsoft.

Clarissa Xia (majors: biological sciences, psychology) is a Banneker/Key scholar graduating with a citation from the Integrated Life Sciences program in the Honors College. She served as co-president of Terps Against Hunger, co-president of the Taiwanese American Student Association, vice president of Brain Exercise Initiative, peer counselor at the Help Center, teaching assistant for "Honors Organismal Biology" and student ambassador for the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office. She was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Nu Rho Psi neuroscience honor society and the Student Health Advisory Committee. Xia was also involved in research on campus, exploring learning and decision making in rats. She worked off-campus as a medical assistant and volunteered for the American Red Cross and Crisis Text Line. Xia hopes to work as a multilingual physician, providing patients with empathetic and culturally competent care in their native language.

Noam Yanay (majors: biological sciences, psychology) started the student organization J-Health and was involved in the Motivated Cognition Lab, Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honors society, Phi Delta Epsilon pre-medical fraternity, the Jewish Student Union and the Help Center. Yanay was also a resident assistant, a guided study session leader in “Biochemistry of Physiology” educator and an emergency medical responder for the College Park community. She was also a medical assistant for a local clinic and a research assistant at the National Institute of Mental Health. Yanay will continue her neuroscience research there and apply to medical school.

Isha Yardi (major: public health science) served as co-director of health and wellness for the Student Government Association, conducted research in the School of Public Health and at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and was co-founder of the Terrapin Think Tank, a student-led health policy incubator on campus. Yardi received the 2022 Spirit of Maryland Award and the 2021 National Phi Beta Kappa Key Into Public Service Scholarship. Passionate about community-driven health policy, Yardi will pursue a career as a physician-public servant.

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