Behind the success of a fall trip to Philadelphia for first-year students in College Park Scholars, several programs quickly planned a second-semester excursion. This time, students from five programs would travel to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to explore the effects of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay, especially the oyster population, before delving into the world of famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a native of the area.

A pair of College Park Scholars alumni are among the UMD's most celebrated after the 45th annual University Student Leadership Awards ceremony held last week.Public Leadership alum Eileen Chen and Global Public Health alum Saili Khorjekar were both named to the Maryland Medallion Society, which is comprised of 20 finalists for the Model Citizenship Prizes and the Wilson H. Elkins Award, two of UMD's most prestigious honors. The Maryland Medallion Society is a community of students who have shown exceptional leadership and integrity.

Twelve students across the University System of Maryland (USM) were recently named recipients of the 2026 USM Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarships. The awards are the highest honor presented by the Board of Regents to recognize student achievement.Scholarships are presented in four categories: Academics, Scholarship, and Research; Innovation and Creative Activity; Leadership and Advocacy; and Outreach and Engagement. Within each category, one winner is a freshman or sophomore, one is a junior or senior, and one is a graduate or professional student. 

COLLEGE PARK, MD. — On March 4, 2026, the University of Maryland united its entire community—faculty, staff, parents, friends, alumni, and students—for its annual campus-wide Giving Day, the largest single day of giving in support of the university’s mission.For College Park Scholars, the day became one for the record books: nearly $182,000 raised from over 100 donors, the most successful fundraising effort in the program’s history. Powering that milestone was a transformational $50,000 matching gift and endowment from alumni Melissa and Hart Rossman—a contribution that doubled every dollar donated and permanently established a new program fund to support future generations of Scholars.

Nearly 60 freshmen presented posters outlining service projects and discussed their experience with a crowd of faculty, staff, peers and supporters on April 24 at the Civic Engagement for Social Good (CESG) First-Year Student Service Showcase. Held in the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center, the event featured lively discussions and the opportunity to collaborate on future work. 

In the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church in Hyattsville, Md., on a pleasant April morning, one vehicle stood out among the usual cars and SUVs. One of the two doors on a small silver trailer, with the slogan “Serve humbly. Encourage faithfully. Renew dignity” emblazoned on the back, swung open, and a man stepped outside.Founded by Public Leadership Scholars and UMD alum Omolayo Adebayo ’11, the Neighborhood Well sets up at the church from 9 a.m.-noon every second and fourth Saturday of the month, weather permitting, to offer not only showers, but also food, clothes, toiletries and a welcoming environment.

The University of Maryland Golf Course is transforming into a living laboratory, providing students with hands-on experience in environmental science and conservation.Environment, Technology and Economy Scholars Mario Dajani, a sophomore studying physics and math, and Preston Jackman, a second-year environmental science and policy student, took on the challenge of fixing a rain garden on the course.Watch the video below for the full story from WMAR2:

For our invited students and families who are unable to meet us in person during admissions season, College Park Scholars is hosting a virtual Admitted Student Open House experience.