An entirely virtual environment for this year’s University of Maryland Do Good Challenge did not stop teams led by Scholars alums from earning significant monetary awards for their initiatives. The annual event features student teams that are working to make a difference competing for funding support.
Of this year’s six finalist teams, three were helmed by those with ties to Scholars:
- Audelia Community Response Team, a mutual aid group for those in need in Langley Park and the surrounding community, was co-founded by International Studies Scholars alum Alexandra Melinchok
- Public Health Beyond Borders, a student organization with a mission to reduce health disparities in partner communities (and whose faculty advisor is Global Public Health Director Lis Maring), features Global Public Health Scholars alum Sara Hatfield on its leadership team
- Corona Connects, an online platform that connects interested individuals with volunteer opportunities, was co-founded by Elana Sichel, an alum of the Media, Self and Society Scholars program
During this year’s virtual challenge, Audelia Community Response Team received a $2,500 award for placing second in the project track, $2,500 for winning the Neilom Foundation Audience Choice Award, and an additional $1,000 for receiving the Project Community Award—a total of $6,000. Public Health Beyond Border received $1,000 for placing third in the project track category, and Corona Connects received $1,000 for placing third in the venture track category.