News

Over the summer, aspiring educator Emmanuel Dean ’28 got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to inspire young people to read.The Media, Self and Society Scholars alum spent several weeks creating training materials, supporting instructors and connecting with families as they prepared for Reading So Lit Summer, a free two-week virtual literacy program designed to inspire Black boys to read for fun. 

Dear Colleagues,I write to share the news that Dr. Wendy Stickle has been appointed the next Executive Director of College Park Scholars, effective July 1, 2026.As Principal Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Director for the UMD Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the Universities at Shady Grove, Dr. Stickle has extensive experience leading a complex academic program, building campus-wide partnerships, and supporting students through innovative, high-impact educational initiatives. She has also led multiple education abroad programs designed to foster empathy, global awareness, and socially engaged learning.

A recent College Park Scholars alumnus has received a 2026 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the premier honors for undergraduates in the field. Felix Gomez, an Arts Scholars alum, is one of eight University of Maryland students to have received this year's Hollings Scholarship. The award is NOAA's flagship undergraduate program and provides recipients with scholarships worth $19,000 and an internship at NOAA next summer.

A College Park Scholars alumna received one of the University of Maryland's highest honors after being named a finalist for 2026 University Medalist. The medal is the highest honor bestowed on a graduating senior for academic distinction, exemplary character, and campus and community service.There were only four finalists for this prestigious honor, including Raina Saraiya.Saraiya has spent her UMD career fighting for healthcare accessibility through research and advocacy, aspiring to become a pediatric physician and policy expert who “serves patients at the bedside and advocates for them in the boardroom,” she said.  This fall she will enroll in the Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Each fall, students residing in residence halls across the University of Maryland's campus have an opportunity to select peers to represent them as members of each hall's council. In the five residence halls that make up the Cambridge Community, many of these council roles are filled by College Park Scholars students.

Media, Self and Society program director and Merrill School of Journalism lecturer Alison Burns was named the 2026 faculty winner of the Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education's (OMSE) Excellence in Service Award at the office's annual Academy of Excellence spring awards ceremony.Each year, OMSE recognizes faculty, staff, tutors, and mentors who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the overall excellence of UMD students on campus.