Lakeland STARs
A part of the Scholars experience since 1996, the Lakeland STARs tutoring program connects current Scholars and Scholars undergraduate alumni with first- through sixth-grade students from nearby Paint Branch Elementary School.
As a Lakeland STARs tutor, you will work with students to enrich their academic experience. You will be matched one-on-one with a Paint Branch student and meet for 2.5 hours each week on a designated day (Wednesday or Thursday) throughout the semester. Tutoring sessions primarily take place in Centreville Hall.
Science and Global Change
The impacts of global climate change on society, technology and security
Introduction
Global climate change, biodiversity crises and similar phenomena already impact our lives and will increasingly do so in the future.
Science and Global Change (SGC) uses scientific practice to explore global climate change and its impacts on human society, technology and security. Exploring the interactions of the Earth's systems, students examine:
Media, Self and Society
The impact of media and technology on the world
Introduction
Print, televised and social media impact every facet of our lives. Yet to what extent are we aware of how they affect us and our view of the world?
Media, Self and Society analyzes the role that various forms of media play in society, prioritizing critical thinking about media production and consumption. Students assess the source, message and meaning of different modes of media, examining:
Life Sciences
Exploring the entirety of the natural world, from tiny microbes to complex ecosystems
Introduction
We live on a vast planet, alongside billions of other living organisms—both visible to the naked eye and not. Life Sciences introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of the life sciences and explores how we might best apply the knowledge we gain to better our community, our nation and the world we share with our fellow inhabitants.
International Studies
Investing in global citizenship for a more just world
Environment, Technology and Economy
Sustainability through the lenses of technology and economy
Introduction
Human life and survival depend on the health and availability of the planet's natural resources, from water and air to fossil fuels and other energy sources. In this context, what does it mean to each of us to be a citizen of this community, this country, and this world?
The Environment, Technology and Economy (ETE) program takes on the complex and urgent issues of global sustainability from an environmental, social and economic perspective.
Arts
Creative practice as personal expression and social commentary
Introduction
Art—in its infinite forms, functions and implications—is the most accessible and universal way of constructing meaning out of the world we inhabit.
The Arts Scholars program helps students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role that art plays in society and in history. Through a mix of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, collaborative art-making and interactions with guest artists, students consider:
Annual Theme
College Park Scholars' annual theme brings the community together in a shared intellectual experience. We take on a complex, multifaceted problem that demands thoughtful, creative, hands-on solutions, allowing Scholars across all of our programs to engage with one another.
The theme and related programming afford us the opportunity to realize on a grand scale an idea that shapes everything we do in Scholars: We learn better when we learn together.
Academic Showcase
Academic Showcase is the largest exhibition of undergraduate student learning on the UMD campus. Each spring during Showcase, several hundred sophomore Scholars present on their practicum experiences to faculty, students, parents and other members of the University of Maryland (UMD) community. Marking the completion of their two years in the program, sophomores create and share academic posters, roundtable dialogues, performances and more.
Service Day
The 2025 Service Day will take place on Thursday, August 28 at various locations. Please refer to your specific Scholar program's Service Day page for more information about your Service Day site.
All College Park Scholars begin their college experience by completing a day of community service. A Scholars tradition that is more than 25 years old, Service Day reflects our commitment to service and the importance of community, two of our founding values.