The 2023-2024 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars

Lei Danielle Escobal, American Studies, Sociology
Teacher Mentor: Sandra Veresink, Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Rossina Zamora Liu, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership

I believe my words have power to resist and create. This belief, essential to my core as an individual, wouldn’t have been established without the guidance from Ms. Sandra Veresink and Professor Rossina Zamora Liu. I took Ms. Veresink’s English-U.S. History class during my junior year of high school. It was not until I took the combined course that I saw the life that words bring to our world. Ms. Veresink pushed me to grow as a writer and as an individual before I could feel it myself. Her classroom was a garden of ideas planted, waiting to grow by her students who were willing to take the extra step to water the seeds. When I got to UMD, it was Professor Liu who truly made me feel that I could make a difference in the communities and spaces that matter to me the most. As a student in Professor Liu’s Critical Race Counter Storytelling class, I visualized where my heart belongs in scholarship: preserving and cultivating Asian American stories. I am so honored and deeply admire both Ms. Veresink and Professor Liu for their work and intention with their students and the importance of storytelling.

Lindsay Moynihan, History
Teacher Mentor: Ramona Piretti, Conard High School, West Hartford, CT
Faculty Mentor: Robyn Muncy, Department of History

My mentors, Ms. Ramona Puchalski-Piretti and Professor Robyn Muncy, have both had a tremendous impact on my life. Ms. Piretti was my English teacher during my freshman year of high school. She created a safe space to learn and grow in her class, consistently pushing me to look beyond my first reading of each text and dig for deeper meanings, a skill I now use each day in my historical research. Her encouragement gave me the confidence to move beyond what I believed I was capable of and commit to making my dreams a reality. I have had the privilege of taking three classes with Professor Muncy here at UMD, and in each, she built on the skills I acquired in Ms. Piretti’s classroom to build new understandings of historical methods, encouraging me to seek out not only historical sources, but also how their meanings apply to our world today. In her class on women in the Great Society, she connected our readings to UMD’s Title IX Office, National Public Radio, and local labor unions to show how we can use history to understand society outside of the classroom. These connections challenged my learning and allowed me to forge connections that ultimately led to new opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to these two mentors for their unwavering support.

Ira Valeza, Chinese, Government & Politics
Teacher Mentor: Brendan Williams, Oakland Mills High School, Columbia, MD
Faculty Mentor: Guiling Hu, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

My high school English teacher, Mr. Brendan Williams, inspired my confidence in many ways, from writing and expressing myself, to quickly arguing my character role for Mock Trial, and being an independent person about to step out into the world. Mr. Williams’ class was where I felt proud to be a book nerd and it motivated me to always keep literature in my life. Likewise, Professor Guiling Hu, my very first Chinese professor at UMD, has remained a positive constant throughout my Chinese journey. I quickly improved and attained such advanced proficiency from her instruction. I am grateful to her and the entire Chinese department for their support and belief in me to continue learning the language, granting me the valuable opportunity of studying abroad, and providing me with guidance to make decisions about my life, education, and career.

Aliah Brown, Government & Politics, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Teacher Mentor: Anna Newton, North Point High School, Waldorf, MD
Faculty Mentor: Justine DeCamillis, MLAW Programs, Justice and Legal Thought

Ms. Anna Newton and Professor Justine DeCamillis were exceptional mentors who went above and beyond to provide me with the best learning opportunities. Their dedication to my growth and development has had an immeasurable impact on both my academic and personal success. During my high school years, Ms. Newton served as my mock trial coach for three years. From my very first year on the team, she had unwavering faith in my potential, and her guidance motivated me to work harder, both inside and outside the courtroom. Ms. Newton’s boundless drive and wit continue to inspire me, and I'm truly grateful to have had her as my coach and mentor. As part of the Justice and Legal Thought Scholars Program during my undergraduate studies, Dr. DeCamillis was one of my professors. Her compassion and openness helped me navigate through new experiences and challenges in a post-Zoom learning environment. Additionally, I had the privilege of being one of her teaching assistants, which allowed me to become a better leader. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had these amazing women as my mentors. Their mentorship has not only contributed to my academic achievements but has also prepared me for a bright future.

Fatima Yazdi, Government & Politics, Journalism
Teacher Mentor: Christopher Forney, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, MD
Faculty Mentor: Jerry Zremski*, Journalism

I believe one indicator of an excellent teacher is someone who can take you from absolutely dreading to loving a subject, all through the experience of being their student; that's what my AP World History teacher Mr. Christopher Forney did for me. With Mr. Forney’s passion for teaching, whether it was in the form of delicately hand-sketched history cartoons or intensive review sessions, I grew to love AP World History and allowed it to change my perspective on the world around me. Even more, Mr. Forney inspired the class to be the best, kindest versions of ourselves, and most importantly to travel. At UMD, I met Professor Jerry Zremski through a notoriously challenging reporting course that I ultimately succeeded in, greatly in part to his efforts. From day one, Professor Zremski struck me with how dedicated he was to each student. Despite taking calls with governors and editors on a regular basis, he was always generous with his time, providing extensive, applicable feedback for every story and making the time to answer my many questions. Since the course, Professor Zremski has served as a guiding figure for me as a student journalist, aiding me with journalistic endeavors and supporting me throughout my law school journey. Mr. Forney and Professor Zremski have played critical roles in my growth as a student, and I am eternally grateful to them for their mentorship and continual support.
*Professor Zremski was named a Faculty Mentor by two 2023-2024 Merrill Scholars.

Soleil Kennerly, Psychology
Teacher Mentor: Gail Tucker, Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD
Faculty Mentor: Abigail Nicolas, Department of Psychology

I am extremely grateful for the mentorship I have received from Dr. Gail Tucker and Professor Abigail Nicolas. These educators created a space in which I felt seen, heard, and included inside and outside of the classroom. In high school, Dr. Tucker always encouraged me to speak my mind and not to be afraid of voicing my opinion. When I arrived at school every day, Dr. Tucker was outside greeting students with a smile on her face. She taught me the fundamental writing and reading skills that I use today. Professor Nicolas challenges me to think about myself as the center of my life and not academics. Even in a big lecture hall, the environment she created was welcoming and caring. Her mentorship has furthered my desire to work in the field of counseling psychology and the knowledge I’ve gained will guide me as a therapist in the future. I am honored and inspired to have been taught by these women. Thank you, Dr. Tucker and Professor Nicolas for your wisdom, guidance, and help on my academic journey.

Siri Rao, Finance
Teacher Mentor: Christina Crise, Mount Hebron High School, Ellicott City, MD
Faculty Mentor: Joseph Bailey*, Decision, Operations and Information Technologies

Ms. Christina Crise, or Madame Crise as we called her, transformed every French class into an engaging and enriching experience, even amidst the inherent challenges of learning a new language. During my senior year, she facilitated discussions every Friday on topics ranging from politics to climate change and challenged students to have real-world conversations entirely in French. I still remember our final Friday discussion pre-lockdown; Madame Crise sat us down and broke her usual rules, speaking in English and expressing her unwavering support during those uncertain times. As I transitioned to college in a post-pandemic world, finding an equally influential mentor posed a great challenge. I was thankful to take Professor Bailey’s Applied Quantitative Analysis class and felt a similar sense of challenge and mentorship like that of my high school French classes. I count myself fortunate that Professor Bailey is now the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at Smith, and as a chair of the Dean's Student Advisory Council, I will have the opportunity to work closely with him throughout my senior year.
*Professor Bailey was named a Faculty Mentor by Merrill Scholars in 2011-12, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2022-23.

Alexis Reyes, International Business, Supply Chain Management
Teacher Mentor: Mark Trice, Frederick High School, Frederick, MD
Faculty Mentor: Humberto Coronado, Logistics, Business, and Public Policy

During high school, I took AP Biology with Mr. Mark Trice. Though his class taught me many valuable lessons, one that will always stick out to me is the importance of failing, and getting up again. He made me realize that failure was part of everything in life, and he taught me to be confident in spite of it, which made me a more determined person who was capable of persevering through any struggle. At UMD, Professor Humberto Coronado was my first introduction into the world of Supply Chain Management. As he shared with us his experience in the industry and connected it with our course material, he truly inspired me to pursue a career in the field. He has supported these goals, directing me towards resources to help me succeed in the industry. These two mentors have driven me forward, and thanks to them I have been able to get closer to my goals and support others in reaching theirs.

Gregory Rosario, Finance, Information Systems
Teacher Mentor: Matthew Adelberg, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, MD
Faculty Mentor: Zeinab Karake, Decision, Operations & Information Technologies

My first mentor is my high school AP Art teacher, Mr. Matthew Adelberg, who was pivotal in developing my time management skills and confidence in exploring and expressing what I’m genuinely passionate about. Although not directly related to my current studies, indirect creativity has been key to my success. My second mentor is my Introduction to Information Systems course instructor, Professor Zeinab Karake, who developed my excitement for information systems and opened my eyes to the intersection between business and technology. She also provided me the opportunity to serve as a TA for the course for two semesters, with the last being the lead TA. This opportunity helped solidify my foundation of strong communication and leadership. Thanks to the learning opportunities created by these two mentors, I have been able to extend myself creatively and professionally as I develop my own passion for supporting those within my community at the University of Maryland.

Jennifer Li, Neuroscience, Information Science
Teacher Mentor: Jonathan Taylor, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Chicoli, Department of Psychology

Among all of my teachers and professors who have served as remarkable mentors, two individuals, Mr. Jonathan Taylor and Professor Amanda Chicoli, have had an exceptional impact on me. I first got to know Mr. Taylor as my summer swim coach, and his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering belief in each of us pushed me to improve in the pool during every practice and meet. As my ninth-grade government teacher, his engaging humor and passion for teaching made his class the highlight of my day. Throughout high school and college, Mr. Taylor’s support and mentorship have both remained constant. During my second semester at the University of Maryland, I took a neuroscience course taught by Professor Chicoli. Her energy and contagious excitement for the subject cemented my aspiration to pursue a career in science and medicine. Professor Chicoli’s continued guidance throughout my college years navigating courses, internships, and more has been invaluable. Without my mentors’ encouragement and belief in me and my goals, I would not be where I am today, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to express my gratitude to each of them.

Maria Nikolaitchik, Statistics, Atmospheric Sciences
Teacher Mentor: Jeremy Brenneman, Middletown High School, Middletown, MD
Faculty Mentor: Timothy Canty, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

I am studying at the University of Maryland to obtain two degrees in Statistics and Atmospheric Sciences. In both fields, I have wonderful mentors. In high school, Mr. Jeremy Brenneman taught my very first class in Statistics. He made the class fun and engaging by giving real-world examples, from horse-racing to football. I came into UMD as a Statistics major, but in part thanks to Professor Timothy Canty’s engaging lecture style, I was soon hooked on the world of atmospheric science. From Professor Canty I learned about the ins-and-outs of atmospheric science research. I also thank Professor Canty for being the faculty advisor for Mesoterps, a student-led project to install weather stations across campus. Professor Canty mentioned the abandoned project to me, which allowed me to pick it up as the project lead. Both Mr. Brenneman and Professor Canty helped me better who I fundamentally am as a person: someone who loves numbers and clouds.
*Professor Canty was named a Faculty Mentor by a 2015-16 Merrill Scholar, two 2016-17 Merrill Scholars, and 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2021-22 Merrill Scholars.

Karthik Sellakumaran Latha, Mathematics
Teacher Mentor: Marisa Reinsch, Skyline High School, Sammamish, WA
Faculty Mentor: Roohollah Ebrahimian, Department of Mathematics

I was lucky to have Ms. Marisa Reinsch as my calculus teacher in high school. Ms. Reinsch motivated me to study math in college, fostering my love for the subject and instilling a desire to teach in the future. Her class was instrumental in my decision to serve as a teaching assistant for Calculus I and II at the University of Maryland. I was also fortunate to have Professor Roohollah Ebrahimian as a professor and to conduct additive number theory research under his mentorship. Dr. Ebrahimian is an amazing lecturer and is always willing to help his students. His guidance helped solidify my passion for math and convinced me to pursue becoming a math professor in the future.

Najmah Abdur-Rahman, Mechanical Engineering
Teacher Mentor: Tashia Tillett, Paint Branch High School, Burtonsville, MD
Faculty Mentor: Jungho Kim, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Ms. Tashia Tillet, my 7th grade engineering teacher, had a profound impact on my educational journey. My time spent in her class was one of the most enjoyable and memorable periods of my student life. She was committed to creating a fun and engaging classroom environment, filled with hands-on projects, which sparked my interest in engineering. She was also a strong advocate for girls in STEM, encouraging me to attend women-focused STEM events to broaden my exposure. Her dedication to empowering young women in STEM left a lasting impression on me and instilled determination to break barriers and contribute to the engineering industry as a female minority. Additionally, Professor Jungho Kim, my Electronics and Instrumentation professor, played a significant role in my growth as a student. I frequently sought his guidance during office hours, where he patiently helped me with challenging problems. Beyond the classroom, Professor Kim showed genuine care and interest in me as a person and not just a student. Despite the inherent difficulties of the course, his unwavering support and commitment to students cultivated a strong sense of resilience in me. His mentorship and dedication empowered me to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence.

Thilini Amarasinghe, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Teacher Mentor: Vincent Muscato, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD
Faculty Mentor: Peter Chang, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Mr. Vincent Muscato fueled my passion for engineering in high school and was one of the most influential factors in my decision to pursue engineering as a career. While taking Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes under his instruction, I was inspired by Mr. Muscato’s fun and engaging teaching style that brought engineering concepts to life. He recognized my love for technical drawing and CAD, and he generously accelerated me through the four-year PLTW program after I started a year late. It was because of his encouragement and insistence that I decided to apply to college engineering programs. Upon arriving at UMD and immersing myself in the civil engineering department, Professor Peter Chang supported my budding passion and provided me with the tools necessary to succeed. I found myself going to his office multiple times a week to ask him design questions about club projects, and he was always more than willing to make himself available and point me in the right direction. His extensive knowledge on structures has been and continues to be one of my most valuable resources. I am extremely grateful to both of my mentors for their endless support throughout my career.

Visesh Uppoor, Aerospace Engineering
Teacher Mentor: Randine Levy, Roberto Clemente Middle School, Germantown, MD
Faculty Mentor: Kenneth Yu, Aerospace Engineering

While many people have molded me into the person I am today, there are a handful of people who have had such a large impact on my development that I’ll never forget the time we spent together. Ms. Randine Levy, my middle school rock band teacher, is one of those people. As a mentor, and through her Clemente Music Rocks organization, she got me to break out of my shell from a small (literally), ‘barely-understanding-the-world-around-me’ 6th grader, to a (slightly) less small, confident, ‘if you make a mistake make it a big one’ 8th grader. This entire social, academic, and perspective transformation came about through her mentorship during my time in and after her middle school rock band program. At UMD, Professor Kenneth Yu has made a direct impact on my plans for the future and how I allocate my time and energy now. Coming into university from high school at a junior level, I didn’t have all my priorities straight for my future goals. Professor Yu’s insights have redirected my focus towards preparing for graduate school the correct way, and I’m grateful for his mentorship.

MaryAnne Onianwah, Information Science
Teacher Mentor: Glenn Stergar, North Point High School, Waldorf, MD
Faculty Mentor: Ana Ndumu, College of Information Studies

In high school, being a woman of color in my technology classes was tough. I had a huge learning curve compared to everyone else, but Mr. Glenn Stergar ensured that I pushed myself and gave it my all. He had faith that I could become a leader in the technology industry and his mentorship helped me realize these goals. Coming to college and meeting Professor Ana Ndumu has reaffirmed my belief that I am destined to become a leader in technology, and to pursue leadership as a people-centered technologist. Thank you to both of these mentors for their guidance and support.

Hannah Ziegler, Journalism and Information Sciences
Teacher Mentor: Steve Chisnell, Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak, MI
Faculty Mentor: Jerry Zremski*, Journalism

Both of these teachers and mentors helped foster my love for writing and learning. Mr. Steve Chisnell’s class was the first one I attended as a high school freshman, and the last one I sat in on my final day of senior year. Between those two milestones, he taught me how to think. Mr. Chisnell’s high standards for each student he meets and ability to cut through stress with wit and good humor allowed me to enjoy even the most challenging parts of his English classes and Model UN program. In college, Professor Jerry Zremski was one of the first professional journalists who helped me believe I could pursue a successful reporting career. He sets high expectations for his students, but is the most fair and engaging professor I have had during my time at this university. Taking Professor Zremski’s course helped establish my love for journalism. I would not have pursued opportunities to test and cultivate my reporting chops with the same drive if Professor Zremski had not given so much encouragement and support during our semester together. His willingness to stand in my corner as I’ve pursued opportunities, both in and outside of my time at Merrill, is exemplary.
*Professor Zremski was named a Faculty Mentor by two 2023-2024 Merrill Scholars.

Maria Ahmed, Community Health
Teacher Mentor: Matthew Gresick, Reservoir High School, Fulton, MD
Faculty Mentor: Dina Borzekowski*, Department of Behavioral and Community Health

Throughout my academic career, I held a cloud of doubt over me, a paralyzing sense of impostor syndrome. Yet the two mentors I have the privilege to recognize remind me that I am more than what I give myself credit for. I learned to trust myself and challenge negative thought processes, understanding that true growth comes with both successes and shortfalls. In high school, Mr. Matthew Gresick taught with authenticity, compassion, and as a fierce advocate for equitable education. He nurtured my passion for public service and provided opportunities to connect with local leaders and policymakers. In my first semester at UMD, I walked into Professor Borzekowski’s classroom, nervous that I was in over my head after transferring to the university. At the end of class, she reassured me that community college students are often some of the brightest and that I had nothing to worry about. In the end, I crafted a research proposal for mental health in South Asian communities, recognizing my passion for the work and propelling my research interests in mental health advocacy and healthcare policy. I am grateful to be doing work in which I take great pride, and cannot thank my mentors enough for the vast impact they have had on my personal growth.
*Professor Borzekowski was named a Faculty Mentor by 2018-2019 Merrill Scholars.

Kelly Biglin, Public Health Science
Teacher Mentor: Brooke Fallon, Leonardtown High School, Leonardtown, MD
Faculty Mentor: Elisabeth Maring, Department of Family Science

I am so grateful for the mentorship and support of both Professor Elisabeth Maring and Ms. Brooke Fallon throughout my academic career. As one of my high school Spanish teachers and the National Honor Society advisor, Ms. Fallon encouraged and challenged me to grow as a student and leader. Her clear belief in my potential and high expectations emboldened me to have more confidence in myself and my language acquisition skills, enabling me to earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy and inspiring my pursuit of a Spanish minor in college. This dedication to students is shared by Professor Maring, who has been an instrumental mentor to me since my first semester at UMD when she was my professor. As the director of the Global Public Health Scholars Program, Professor Maring has supported me through my exploration of classes, programs, and internships as well as graduate school applications and future public health career options. I am beyond thankful for the impact of these mentors on my academic and professional journey.

Alyssa Leventhal, Special Education
Teacher Mentor: Mary Cox, Greenwood Elementary School, Brookeville, MD
Faculty Mentor: Dawn Martin, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education

Ms. Mary Cox was my third grade teacher, as well as my mentor teacher during my high school Child Development internship. It was really special to have Ms. Cox as both a teacher and a mentor, being called “Alyssa” as a third grader and “Ms. Leventhal” as a twelfth grader. Ms. Cox was an exceptional role model and motivated me to pursue a degree in education. At the University of Maryland, Professor Dawn Martin has guided me throughout my college experience, specifically helping me to decide to pursue a degree that provides me with dual certification in special and general elementary education. Professor Martin has taught me the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment. I am very thankful for Ms. Cox and Professor Martin for inspiring me to become a teacher!