A rising University of Maryland junior is one of 129 students nationwide awarded a 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scholarship to support the research of exceptional undergraduates.As a recipient of the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship, atmospheric and oceanic science (AOSC) major Olivia Griffith, an ETE alum, will receive up to $19,000 over two years, plus professional development opportunities and a paid summer internship at any NOAA facility nationwide. Since the program kicked off in 2009, 55 UMD students have been awarded Hollings Scholarships.

Emily Guskin ’06, a Media, Self and Society Scholars alum, has a front row seat to Americans' perspectives on some of the day’s most pressing politics and policy matters. As a polling analyst at the Washington Post, the communication and government and politics alum conducts surveys, analyzes data and generates reports that provide insights into Americans’ attitudes, preferences and behaviors.

Convocation takes place during the first week of classes, after students have attended their first colloquium.

Nicholas Fletcher, a lecturer in the University of Maryland’s Department of Biology, has been appointed director of the College Park Scholars Life Sciences program.“We are delighted to welcome Nick Fletcher to College Park Scholars and Life Sciences. Nick is a creative and caring teacher whose commitments to hands-on learning and inclusive community align perfectly with core Scholars values,” said College Park Scholars Executive Director Marilee Lindemann. “We look forward to working with him to extend the proud legacy of Scholars Life Sciences in exciting new directions.”

The University of Maryland's Office of International Affairs (OIA) recently honored Stacy Kosko, program director of International Studies (IS), as the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Global Classrooms Faculty Award.A decade ago, Kosko launched UMD’s first global classroom on human rights with Tel Aviv University. Her commitment to, and success in this pilot served as the inspiration for scores of UMD faculty to participate in the Global Classroom Initiative (GCI). Today, UMD can boast more than 70 global classrooms involving universities around the world. Global classrooms have now become embedded in the curricular fabric of the university is now offered by every school and college on our campus.

Only five students are selected to vie for the most prestigious award for a graduating University of Maryland senior. The University Medal stands as the highest honor bestowed on a graduating senior. The award recognizes academic achievement, service to the community and exceptional character. Nominees must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.96 and 60 or more credits during their undergraduate career at UMD.One of the finalists was Guise Pham, a Science, Technology and Society (STS) Scholar.Fleeing postwar Vietnam, Pham’s mother dreamed of a better future for her children.