Student Ambassadors

Hometown: Poolesville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To work in international development, finance, or creating economic opportunities for people through agriculture and sustainability.
Clubs: 4WORK (campus job)
Favorite Place on Campus: ESJ (best place to study with friends!)
Advice for New Students: College is a time for you to explore new opportunities and try new things, so don't worry if you don't have everything figured out just yet. Just make the most out of your time and enjoy it!
Email: whalenk@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To work in sustainability
Favorite Place on Campus: The Computer Science Building
Advice for New Students: Always reach out to others.
Email: adalessi@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To influence agricultural law and policy
Clubs: Student Government Association, Sigma Alpha, AGNR DSAC, Maryland Images

Favorite Place on Campus: Washington Quad on a sunny day!
Advice for New Students: Get involved!! Either extracurricular, service, academic, research, fun - there is so much to do and be at UMD!
Email: mkotraia@umd.edu

Hometown: Brandywine, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: I hope to one day work for the USDA in the Marketing Services department.
Clubs: MANRRS and RESTORE
Favorite Place on Campus: Washington Quad
Advice for New Students: Do not take an 8am class and get involved on campus.
Email: afennell@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology & Theatre
Career Goal: Extension educator or urban farmer!
Clubs: Community Learning Garden, UTAS, 32 Bars
Favorite Place on Campus: Tawes Plaza (especially on Farmer's Market days!)
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks!
Email: kquinn18@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Willow Grove, PA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology 
Career Goal: To work in greenhouse/nursery management.
Clubs: Sigma Alpha
Favorite Place on Campus: Edward St. John Teaching & Learning Center
Advice for New Students: Try your best to get involved with at least one thing on campus - it's the best and easiest way to make friends. 
Email: smcc789@umd.edu

Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC)
Career Goal: Veterinarian
Clubs: Pre-Vet Society, The Wildlife Society
Favorite Place on Campus: ANSC Building
Advice for New Students: Don't put too much pressure on yourself! Swapping from a high school to a college environment is already daunting enough, taking it slow at first to get yourself acclimated is a perfectly fine strategy.
Email: mfreder2@umd.edu

Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC)
Career Goal: To be a veterinarian
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Carillon Communities, Pre-Vet society, Club Tennis
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Put yourself out there. It's daunting, but reaching out to professors and classmates helps you form important relationships and find some study buddies! Sign up for any clubs and organizations that interest you because that is the best way to meet people with common interests.
Email: mchaudha@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC)
Career Goal: Undecided, but I'm currently interested in pursuing research related to zoonotic diseases!
Clubs: Club figure skating, AGNR’s Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Block and Bridle
Favorite Place on Campus: Fountain outside of Tawes Hall
Advice for New Students: Take advantage of new opportunities that are available to you during your first semester, but don’t overwork yourself! Remember that you have many years to take advantage of these opportunities, so just focus on a few things at a time until you decide what you really want to spend your time and energy doing.
Email: afadlaou@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Woodbine, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) 
Career Goal: The goal is to achieve a DVM and work either in the field or in the USDA.
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Terps Raising Pups, AGNR Student Council, Maryland Equestrian Club, Maryland Equestrian Team, Block and Bridle, Pre-Veterinary Society
Favorite Place on Campus: Symons Hall room 0108. Granted, I’m biased because I work there, but the family I’ve made in that room, both with undergrad students and others affiliated with AGNR, are things that keep me grounded on campus.
Advice for New Students: There are so many fun things to do at UMD because of the vastness a BIG10 school offers. You need to find your own personal balance between running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and not experiencing your undergraduate career to its fullest potential. It will take trial and error, but find the balance!
Email: raveniscurrently@gmail.com

Hometown: Rocky Ridge, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) 
Career Goal: Large Animal Veterinarian
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Pre-Vet Society, University of Maryland Equestrian Team, Block and Bridle, AGNR Student Council, University of Maryland Cru 
Favorite Place on Campus: The comfy chair under the stairs in the animal science building
Advice for New Students: Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities UMD has to offer. If you think you might be interested in something sign up and show up!
Email: cvanecho@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Bethlehem, PA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC)
Career Goal: As an upcoming junior I am continuing to explore different career opportunities- Recently I am interested in Animal Health and Policy!
Clubs: 
Favorite Place on Campus: I absolutely love seeing our community get together on the McKeldin Mall! Some of my favorite memories are with my best friends on the Mall.
Advice for New Students: Each course you take, ask the person next to you for their number! Having a support system is crucial— I met one of my best friends by asking for her number the first day of a new elective course!
Email: cgitch@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Lanham, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) & Microbiology
Career Goal: After graduation, I hope to attend graduate school to further study dairy cattle nutrition or metabolism.
Clubs: Thai Student Association, Sigma Alpha, American Society of Microbiology - UMD Chapter
Favorite Place on Campus: The outdoor pool at Eppley
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there both inside and outside the classroom. And be sure to go to the First Look Fair to find clubs/ organizations that interest you!
Email: cmiko@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) 
Career Goal: To become a veterinarian ophthalmologist
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Pre-Veterinary Society, AGNR Student Council, Block and Bridle, Terps Raising Pups, Pre-Surgical Society
Favorite Place on Campus: Eppley Recreation Center
Advice for New Students: Get involved! Joining clubs and participating in activities or sporting events offered by UMD are great ways to explore your interests and meet a wide variety of people. Your college experience is just as important as your academics. Put yourself out there!
Email: aurbanz@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Tampa, FL
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) 
Career Goal: Small Animal Veterinarian
Clubs: Terps Raising Pups
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall on a sunny day!
Advice for New Students: Work hard, but always remember to take care of yourself. Your physical and mental health are just as important as your academics. Take time for yourself, try new things, and meet new people! College is the perfect place to do all of that.
Email: naomirap@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Arnold, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal & Avian Sciences (ANSC) & Studio Art
Career Goal: Lab Veterinarian, Research, or Scientific Illustrator
Clubs: DSAC, La Familia, Sigma Alpha, ODK
Favorite Place on Campus: Art Library
Advice for New Students: Try out every experience UMD has to offer!
Email: rfuquen@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Hanover, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To become a Wildlife Biologist!
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Women's Crew Rowing Club Sport, Environment, Technology & Economy Scholars Program, UMD Poetry Club
Favorite Place on Campus: The Campus Farm!
Advice for New Students: Go where the wind takes you! Find what it is you're truly passionate about and grip onto the endless opportunities! Spend time with the people you love and believe in yourself!
Email: jiminlee@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: Urban Planner
Clubs: Terrapin Trail Club, Rock Climbing Club
Favorite Place on Campus: FSK Hall Courtyard
Advice for New Students: College may seem long on paper but my first year went by super fast, so make sure to take time to slow down and enjoy each day
Email: fjorgens@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Mount Arlington, NJ
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: Right now I would love to go abroad and help people in developing countries gain access to potable water and sustainable agriculture.
Clubs: TIAS, Terp Thon
Favorite Place on Campus: Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (in Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center)
Advice for New Students: Take opportunities to meet new people and try new things! This is the perfect time in your life to do so.
Email: ncantaga@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Kent Island, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP)
Career Goal: To help restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries!
Clubs: Epsilon Eta, AGNR Student Council
Favorite Place on Campus: Washington Quad
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to talk to professors and teacher's assistants after class or go to their office hours. They are there to help and with such large class sizes usually, letting them know who you are really helps build a good rapport.
Email: tking111@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To become a professional soil scientist.
Clubs: Soil Judging, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Intramural Soccer
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Make the most out of all the opportunities around you! Also, if you aren't completely sure about what you want to study, that's totally okay. Figuring things out as you go is part of the fun, and tons of people are in the same boat.
Email: aquigle1@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Severn, MD
Expected Graduation: Earned B.S.; continuing education
Major: Environmental Science and Technology & Geography
Career Goal: To work for the US Forest Service or NASA
Clubs: MANRRS, University Honors, FIRE
Favorite Place on Campus: FIRE Lab in Symons Hall and the McKeldin Library
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to try new things!
Email: jkchap16@umd.edu

Hometown: Germantown, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To work an environmental organization and work in a field related to sustainability.
Clubs: UMD Club Running, Crocheting for a Cause
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Don’t be afraid to try new things or to ask for help when you need it.

Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: Work in EPA or USDA in science communication regarding sustainability and environmental science
Clubs: RESTORE, MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences)
Favorite Place on Campus: Washington Quad
Advice for New Students: Go to the first club meeting for as many clubs as interest you to find your people and your niche. Don't settle too early!
Email: atandon1@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: To become a landscape architect working in urban and creative design
Clubs: Design Cultures & Creativity Honors College Living and Learning Program, SASLA, Maryland Filmmakers
Favorite Place on Campus: The Landscape Architecture Studio in the Plant Sciences building
Advice for New Students: Follow your gut and your passions, don't lose sight of what makes you happy
Email: mmohan17@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Crownsville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: Become a licensed landscape architect and possibly even own my own company one day!
Clubs: Epsilon Eta, SASLA
Favorite Place on Campus: Mckeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Get involved somehow on campus! It’s a great way to meet other people who have similar interests as you!
Email: lilif@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: New Carrollton, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: To become a licensed Landscape Architect and work in a firm that focuses on urban design and sustainability.
Clubs: Epsilon Eta, SASLA
Favorite Place on Campus: Hornbake Plaza
Advice for New Students: Take advantage of the many resources/activities you can find at UMD! Check out the Career Center, make use of the free tutoring, and go out to all the fun SEE events. There are so many opportunities on campus, you just have to look for them!
Email: ggiray@umd.edu

Hometown: Port Deposit, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Nutrition and Food Science (NFSC): Dietetics
Career Goal: Becoming a pediatric dietitian!
Clubs: University Honors, Preventing Sexual Assault, Student Dietetic Association, AGNR Peer Mentor
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall!
Advice for New Students: Go out and get involved at UMD! You'll meet some of your closest friends from what you get involved with. But also, don't forget to focus on your classes!
Email: kai.deaner@gmail.com

Hometown: Prince Frederick, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Plant Sciences: Plant Biology
Career Goal: Industry work in agricultural chemical related research and development
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, AGNR Dean's Student Advisor Council, Terps for International Agriculture Science
Favorite Place on Campus: Symons Hall
Advice for New Students: You will learn just as much outside of the classroom as you will in. Your classes and academics should always be your priority, but any outside organizations you join, people that you meet, or experiences you have outside of the classroom should also be valued! Some of the best advice and experience I have gotten from college have come from outside of a classroom setting.
Email: gtisone@terpmail.umd.edu

Hometown: Yorktown, VA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Major: Plant Sciences: Plant Biology
Career Goal: Pursue a MD-PhD to research medicinal properties in plants
Clubs: 
Favorite Place on Campus: Greenhouse Complex
Advice for New Students: Always ask questions and stay curious about the things around you. It's okay not to know what you want to do in the future, as long as you keep an open mind and explore your different options!
Email: vcheng13@terpmail.umd.edu