Carlson Family Scholarship Fund

Steve and Diane served as Vice Presidents of the Student Government Association. John served as a member of the Board of Regents and was awarded the Wilson Elkins Award for leadership in 1985. David was the Chairman of the Presidents Student Advisory Council. Paul served as President of the Student Government Association and received the HC Byrd Award.

Each gained valuable leadership skills and made life-long friends participating in student leadership at UMCP. The family started the scholarship to ensure that others regardless of their financial situation - were able to develop those same skills and take advantage of what UMCP has to offer in leadership development.

As a senior majoring in Government and Politics, Briana Garcia realized her major was more than just understanding power and political theory. The study of government also means to understand how good leaders can use their power to make a difference in this world. Briana served as Vice President for the Student Government Association (SGA) before transferring to Maryland; Served as a legislator for AGS at Maryland; LinkedIn Manager for the Latino Pre-Law Society; McNair Scholar and Treasurer for the McNair Student Advisory Board; Undergraduate Research Assistant; Tutor for the Service Learning Certificate Program; Member of the Student Leadership Advisory Council; Member of the Academic Excellence Society; Undergraduate Teaching Assistant; and works at the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education. Briana has work experience as a government relations intern, legislative intern, and political consultant intern. Briana hopes to gear her experiences toward a path in law and research.

Jahnavi  Kirkire(she/her/hers) is pursuing a dual degree in Government & Politics - International Relations and Public Policy, minoring in History and Law & Society. A student leader in BridgeUMD, SGA, and the Honors College, Jahnavi hopes to attend law school and eventually work for the State Department. She hopes to pursue a career in international affairs in the future and aims to work on global diplomacy.

Kassidy Jacobs is a junior in the Honors Program for Government and Politics, crafting a thesis about lead exposure and educational disparities in Baltimore. On campus, she is a student leader for Terps for Change, the Chairwoman of the Student Affairs Committee on the University of Maryland Senate and a student representative on the Dean's Student Advisory Council for her college. Off campus, Kassidy interned at the Maryland General Assembly, the House of Representatives, the U.S Department of State, the U.S Department of Education and a legal nonprofit that focuses on advocacy for low income clients. Kassidy is passionate about advocacy, volunteering & social change.

Alexia Ayuk is a rising junior and Operations Management & Business Analytics major and Philosophy minor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Born and raised in Maryland, she loves spending time with her family, painting, reading, and watching reality television. One of her most important passions is about business leadership oriented towards our social obligation to bring about a greater good in the world and learning how to heed equitable systems throughout the world in the corporate and public sectors.

Christine Rhee is a resident assistant, an orientation adviser, a senator in the University Senate and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society.

Josiah Manning is completing a double major in Animal Science and Psychology with plans to attend graduate school to earn a PhD in the biological sciences. He is a Resident Assistant and has active leadership roles in AGNR Student Council and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He has also been involved with Boy Scouts and 4-H.

Teniola Taiwo is a senior Psychology major, on a pre-med track, with an interest in working with underserved communities in the specialties of pediatrics and psychiatry. Born in Brooklyn, NY to Nigerian immigrant parents, she is now a local Prince Georgian. As a Terp she has spent her time working within cultural and community service organizations such as the African Students Progressive Action Committee, Nyumburu Cultural Center, the Office of Multiethnic Student Education, the Theta Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc., and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She is also a former SMDEP - Howard University College of Medicine scholar. She enjoys listening to music, watching superhero movies, and blogging.