Clone of Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Fund 20261023

Kayla Buckalew

2025 Scholar

Kayla Buckalew is an aspiring microbiologist who took a gap year... that lasted for 6 years. She spent that time working and exploring, which gave her extremely valuable life experience. As a teenager, Kayla had been dead set on being a travel nurse, and so she enrolled in the nursing program at my local community college. During clinicals, her circumstances changed, and so Kayla had to leave.Over the years Kayla has learned so much and grown from a starry-eyed teen to a mature adult with a renewed strength and drive to reach her full potential.

Sophia Conrad

2025 Scholar

At University of Maryland, Sophia Conrad has been a long-time member of the Maryland Gospel Choir as a soloist and Soprano-lead. As a Public Health Science major, Sophia has also completed the School of Public Health STEP program - Students Transitioning to Effective Professionals - for internship preparation. Sophia is currently adding a writing minor in Health, Humanities and Medicine with the humanities department, and she is also a Senator on behalf of SPHL at the UMD Senate. Sophia is part of their ERG committee - Elections, Representation, and Governance.

Osman Dauda

2025 Scholar

Osman Dauda was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He has endured 11-years  of  civil war and other tribulations growing up in Sierra Leone. Despite facing  numerous challenges, Osman has been driven  by a thirst for knowledge and  a  desire to excel academically. At UMD, Osman is involved in the Smith Business Academy, National Association of Black Accountants, and PrePAIR Mentoring Program for First Generation Students, where he helps his mentee to build connections on campus and navigate through challenging situations while studying on campus.

Sora Frand

2025 Scholar

Sora Frand is a psychology B.S. major at the University of Maryland. Throughout her time here, Sora has connected with professors who have offered valuable insights and guidance for her career. As a volunteer intern with the MD Olympics Sports Nutrition department, Sora is gaining practical experience in her chosen field and acquiring observational knowledge about sports nutrition. Working with the nutrition team and athletes has strengthened her passion for health and wellness education. These experiences have broadened Sora’s understanding of career paths while helping her develop essential skills, which I look forward to building on in future roles.

Dante Leoni

2025 Scholar

Dante Leoni is a 32-year-old man who has returned to university to finish a task he had left unfinished. Dante has become obsessed with what it means to reconcile our past and all of our relationships, and so it made sense to him to become more qualified so that he can help people do the same. Dante’s end goal is to become a pediatrician, and his Maryland experience is all about getting there. Dante is currently in Pre-SOMA (Students for Osteopathic Medicine), is on the leadership team with Greek InterVarsity (a Greek facing Christian organization focused on mentorship) and is a chemistry TA.

Andrew Naithram

2025 Scholar

Andrew Naithram grew up in the area, so University of Maryland is his local school.  Attending Maryland has been a very unique experience as it varies from semester-to-semester. Andrew has met people from all walks of life and with different academic pursuits. The field of Public Health is quite diverse and the possibilities for career and educational growth are endless.  By developing strong communication skills and leadership at a young age, Andrew has been able to help my peers grow and succeed.

Yaebin Park

2025 Scholar

As a junior at the University of Maryland, Yaebin Park is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Immersive Media Design with a minor in General Business. Her time here has been transformative, helping her grow not only academically but also personally. Yaebin has faced some tough challenges, from financial stress to personal losses, but Maryland has been a place where she’s found support, excelled in her studies, and connected with amazing classmates and faculty. Moving to Maryland in 2019 was a big adjustment, especially as an adult, but the Department of Immersive Media Design —especially her advisor, Alyssa—helped Yaebin feel like she truly belonged here. Growing up in New York and moving from place to place, I never felt like I had a real hometown. But now, Yaebin feels like Maryland is home, not just because of school, but because she’s found real mentorship, friendship, and genuine support here.

Isabella Sponaugle

2025 Scholar

Isabella Sponaugle is an accounting major at the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, where she transferred after receiving her two-year degree from community college. Isabella currently works while attending school and has a goal of obtaining her Certified Public Accountant licensure. Earning her bachelor's degree will allow Isabella to achieve this while learning at one of the top business schools in the U.S.

Princesheena Winfree

2025 Scholars

Princesheena Winfree transferred into UMD from her local community college. Her experience has been nothing short of amazing. Princesheena  joined some Pre-Health organizations. Princesheena has met many other students who have the same aspirations and interests as herself.

Carlos Gonzalez

2024 Scholar

In his time at the University of Maryland, Carlos Gonzalez has gotten great fulfillment from the classes, extracurriculars, and work he is involved in that revolve around his professional interests related to landscape architecture. He has volunteered in a stormwater management lab that provides him with the resources and knowledge to understand how water leaves sites and how it affects local hydrological processes. Carlos had an internship for the D.C. Department of Transportation that showed him the synergy between landscape architecture and finding transportation solutions. He has also worked as a teaching assistant helping students learn how to use geographical information systems applications like ArcGIS Pro to perform master planning and determine land use solutions for their projects. During his time here he also became certified for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design as a Green Associate, as well as earned the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education Academy of Academic Excellence Awards for both 2022 and 2023.

Arley Hernandez

2024 Scholar

Arley Hernandez takes pride in being a mother of two. They are her drive and motivation every day. She is currently working as a Support Specialist at a non-profit that helps and supports survivors of sexual violence. It is a gift to be there for others in times of crisis and uncertainty. As the daughter of immigrants, Arley carries her parents' strength and resilience in all that she does. She loves spending time with her family. Arley believes that self-care is important to carry out your best life. 

Dora Hu

2023-2024 Scholar

With Dora Hu’s background as a first-generation college student and immigrant, pursuing a degree was extremely hard for her. Thankfully, Maryland has helped her develop the skills she needed for her professional career. Dora has had many people help her throughout the journey, and she can't do this without the University of Maryland's help.

Ryan Lampman

2024 Scholar

Ryan Lampman moved to Maryland from Virginia at the beginning of 2021 and applied to UMD for the spring semester of 2022. He is majoring in anthropology and minoring in Black Women's studies. While he was in Virginia, Ryan took a couple semesters of community college for a majority of his general education courses and requirements. He left there with a 4.0 GPA and has maintained that GPA here at UMD. He is currently in his 4th semester here and is projected to finish this semester with a 4.0 GPA. This is my second semester as a teaching assistant. He was requested to TA this year by a professor he had outside of his major who was impressed with his studiousness. Ryan also attends the Bhakti Yoga club when my schedule allows.

Oyinkansola Lufowora

2024 Scholar

Oyinkansola Lufowora started attending UMD in 2019, pursuing a degree in architecture. UMD was not her first option, but coming to UMD was one of the best decisions of her life. Oyinkansola is glad she chose to attend UMD because she’s met some amazing staff who helped her when she was defeated and some friends who would last a lifetime. 

Danielle Macairan

2024 Scholar

So far, Danielle Macairan’s Maryland experience has been limited due to the fact that she lives so far away, but she is hoping to change that soon. She’s made friends within her major, and is hoping to join some intramural sports, like volleyball in the spring. Danielle is also hoping to join clubs as soon as she is closer to campus!

Kelly Perez Garcia

2024 Scholar

Kelly Perez Garcia transferred her associate's degree from Montgomery College and is now in her senior year majoring in mechanical engineering. She has taken many courses at UMD, the most fruitful being Entrepreneur Design Realization, where she worked with a team of 5 other students to create engineering learning kits for middle and high-school students to get them interested in STEM. Her team started with many ideas, they prototyped, tested, and finished the semesters with their design of a supply launcher ready to be manufactured to be sent out to the students in public schools.

Lulesgad Shanko

2024 Scholar

Since he was accepted at The University of Maryland College Park, Lulesgad Shanko has been pursuing a meaningful life. He feels at home each time he comes to UMD to study. The atmosphere is welcoming and he truly owes a lot that I have to give back. He has worked a part time job at Safeway supermarket as a customer service agent since 2012. Lulesgad has worked in the Ethiopian community organizing soccer activities and other community activities for a long time.    

Yuka Taguchi

2024 Scholar

Yula Taguchi is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park studying Family Science in the School of Public Health. Though she has not been involved in extracurriculars within the University of Maryland, the education she has received has allowed her to have an internship at the Department of Labor. At the Department of Labor, Yula worked as an administrative and policy analysis intern within the National Office of Job Corps, a federally funded job training program for low-income youth ages 16 to 24 years old. With this opportunity, she was able to learn a lot about policy development, administrative tasks on a government level, and many other things. 

Yit Yee

2024 Scholar

Yit Yee grew up in Malaysia, and moved to the USA in 2006. He decided to get a degree and get a career change after many years of working in the gaming industry.  He is double majoring in Finance and Accounting ,and he’s thinking about getting a minor in Actuarial Mathematics at UMD. 

Last tax season, Yit had the privilege of working at TerpTax, where he played a crucial role in helping members of the community file their taxes. It wasn't just about numbers and paperwork; it was an opportunity to step up and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals within his community.

Claudia Treminio

2023 Scholar

Claudia Treminio is a junior in the Dietetics Program at the University of Maryland, College Park. She currently works as a dietary aid at Frederick Health Hospital. Furthermore, she recently completed 45 hours of shadowing a dietitian also at that hospital. As a dietary aid, Claudia works closely with patients, families, and nurses to ensure that every patient’s need is met which has further strengthened her patient care skills. In her recent shadowing experience, Claudia was able to learn about malnutrition and to carefully analyze clinical documentation across patient reports. 

Karen Santamaria

2023 Scholar

Karen Santamaria is a current senior student at the University of Maryland majoring in Architecture. She is very happy that she will soon be graduating from UMD with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Karen is about to complete all of her coursework along with one internship (Estsnos Design, LLC) as a requirement for her degree. After completing her architecture degree, Karen’s professional aim is to work for a prestigious architecture firm, ideally one of the top architecture firms in Maryland, where she can join as a junior architect to work on the concept and design development team. 

Caleb Hurley

2023 Scholar

Caleb Hurley is a senior at the University of Maryland- College Park pursuing an Honors English Language and Literature B.A. with a Creative Writing minor. For his creative writing honors thesis, Caleb is writing a collection of four short stories that seek to elevate genre work (horror) using elements of absurdism as seen in traditional literature using Kafka, Tolstoy, Joyce, Ellison, etc., as references. He held a summer internship at the Strathmore Music Center while also balancing his responsibilities for his honors thesis, and as a father and husband. In the 2022 academic year, Caleb was also the undergraduate English department representative for the Committee on Antiracism, Accessibility, Respect, Equity, and Social Justice at the University of Maryland. Caleb’s hope is that in the future he will be able to effectively use his writing to entertain and engage with his community, wherever that may be. 

Lakell Silva

2022-2023 Scholar

Lakell Silva has been a veterinary technician for nine years. She was on active duty in the Navy from 2016-2020. Lakell is applying to a veterinary school this cycle. 

Ethan Benjamin

2023 Scholar

Ethan Benjamin is a Civil Engineering student focused on the structural/geotechnical track in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. He recently joined OAES, an honor society for multi-ethnic students that allows him to be part of a social, diverse and professional environment on campus. Ethan also joined ASCE where he got an internship last semester and a full-time job after graduation. Lastly, Ethan is pursuing civil engineering and is expecting to graduate in May 2023 with 8 classes left and he is figuring out if he’ll get a Master’s Degree afterwards. 

Zobaida Ataie

2023 Scholar

Zobaida Ataie is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences at UMD. She is originally from Afghanistan and hopes to become an oncologist in the future. Zobaida has a part time job in a retail store and in her free time she works with a volunteer group to teach English to immigrants.

Aaraa Brown

2023 Scholar

Aaraa Brown is a first-generation college student, born and raised in Washington DC. She is currently majoring in Special Education. Aaraa’s future aspirations include obtaining dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Special Education, which she hopes to use to alleviate systematic social, and educational disparities experienced by minority students. 

Jaehong Kim

2023 Scholar

Jaehong Kim is an Army Veteran with deployment experience to Syria and Iraq. He served as disbursing agent and led cash operations with multiple soldiers traveling to different outposts within their area of operation. Jaehong is currently serving in the Army National Guard while he pursues a Computer Science degree at the University of Maryland- College Park.

Oumi Ba Livingston

2023 Scholar

Oumi Ba Livingston is a first-generation student from Senegal and she has always valued education. She experienced firsthand how difficult it is to study in her country which is why she volunteers in an NGO to help illiterate older people learn to write and read. Oumi Ba believes that having those skills is important and she always encourages them to learn. 

Sabrina Purtee

2023 Scholar

Sabrina Purtee is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at UMD CP and intends to continue her education up to the Ph.D. level. She has a keen interest in niche and/or threatened ecological communities with environmental significance, and would love the opportunity to  research these to inform future conservation policy. One of Sabrina’s part-time jobs is tutoring students in STEM subjects at her former community college which is an incredibly rewarding experience that she will continue as long as possible and she hopes to take it up at UMD CP after the completion of her first semester. At UMD CP, Sabrina is presently involved in the FIRE (First-year Innovation and Research Experience) program and will be applying to work in different labs on campus that she’s taken interest in. Over the summer, Sabrina had the opportunity to conduct research with her previous chemistry professor at Frederick Community College which involved testing lab instrument integrity and designing an organic chemistry experiment for calles in the upcoming semester. 

Briana Bush

2023 Scholar

Briana Bush is a talented actress and writer, while at UMD she has developed her own video production company First Edition Production focused on creating and producing scripts from women of color, members of the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups. While at UMD she works full time at Marriott as a front desk and restaurant supervisor. While majoring in Theatre, she also created her own double major Digital Media & Art Business, a pursuit to understand how to thrive on digital media and art from a business perspective. In the last semester of her time at UMD, Briana will be studying abroad in the IES theatre program, attending a class at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world.

Lynique Webster

2023 Scholar

Known for her powerful, vibrant voice and an effervescent energy to match, Lynique has established herself as a musical force both on the domestic stage and abroad. Born and raised in Gaithersburg, MD, where she currently works as an office assistant for Montgomery County Public Schools, Lynique balances her career with a slew of musical endeavors. She is adept at pivoting into multiple musical settings, from her praise team at church to her six-person vocal band, NOMADIC, and even front lining premier east coast wedding ensembles like Sound Society and the Bachelor Boys. She is currently working to complete her bachelor of Choral Music Education at the University of Maryland College Park, where she was a former member of the widely-acclaimed mixed voice contemporary a cappella group Faux Paz and featured as a soloist on multiple award-winning albums during her tenure. Her sharp wit, unique talent and carefully honed skills make her an invaluable part of any ensemble she finds herself a part of. 

Philipe Ayres

2023 Scholar

Philipe Ayres is a junior at the University of Maryland College Park majoring in technology and information design in the school of information science. He is an aspiring artist and an aspiring programmer. Philipe hopes to be in the field of front-end programming or possibly become a UI/UX designer.

Pilkyu Lee

2023 Scholar

Pilkyu Lee is studying computer science, and would like to be a software engineer. It is his honor to study at University of Maryland because UMD provides a great computer science program. In the future, Pilkyu will study machine learning for a master’s degree. 

Arfa Sheikh

2021 - 2022 Scholar

I am a senior at UMD studying Information Science.  I am also part of the Global Fellows program at UMD which is an innovative fellowship program designed to equip University of Maryland undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience necessary to become leaders in an increasingly globalized society.  Aside from pursuing my education, and being a Global Fellows, I am involved in some organizations on campus which are for undergraduate students in the InfoSci program, such as InfoSciFi and Bytes and Bits. As a senior, I am applying for internships and jobs that are aligned with goals of a career in technology and science.

Karen Santamaria

2020 - 2021 Scholar

My name is Karen Santamaria. I’m from Ecuador with Irish ancestry. At this time, I’m a junior at the University of Maryland majoring Architecture, Planning & Preservation. One of the most recognized subjects in Architecture is Regenerative design. It’s a subject that fascinates me. I have this innate desire to explore how science and technology can improve the overall performance of buildings in social and environmental architecture, and how I can contribute to a sustainable future. Also, I would like to design buildings or houses with access to Biophilia so people can have the vigor to connect with nature and other forms of life within the structure. I’m very enthusiastic to complete the program of architecture and have the opportunity to keep growing personally and educationally. Moreover, I would like to mention that more life habitats have been destroyed, but in this new age movement in architecture, I want to progress towards a sustainable world with no more tolerance in destroying the ecosystem and be a difference!

Lesly Henrriquez Saravia

2022 - 2023 Scholar

Lesly is a senior pursuing her Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland. She is a first-generation college student whose passion and curiosity for math and science have motivated her to pursue engineering. Lesly earned her associate’s in engineering from Prince George’s Community College in December 2019. Since then, she has interned at the Army Research Laboratory for two summers, where she assisted in research on the optical properties of semiconductor materials. After earning her undergraduate degree, she plans to join the engineering workforce and eventually return for graduate school.

Love Kaushal

2022 - 2023 Scholar

My name is Love Kaushal, and I am an electrical engineering student at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am a senior and graduating in May 2022. I have finished my Associate’s degree in electrical engineering from Anne Arundel Community College. I am very thankful to have received this scholarship. I have been working full-time for the duration of his full-time degree. I am very excited about the new opportunities that will come my way.

Mahelel Dabi

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Aaron Brown

2022 - 2023 Scholar

I am a 24-year-old native Washingtonian, a first-generation college student, and a youth counselor for disenfranchised youth residing in the District of Columbia. This past spring, I completed the first step in my educational journey, graduating from Prince George’s Community College with highest honors. School has always been a struggle. In grade school, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Many of my teachers gave up on me, making me feel like I was incapable of academic success.

My goal is to become a master educator. The reasons that lead me to teach are rather personal and are very much responsible for my passion. I am an African American woman who has not always been able to see people who look like me in the classroom. When I was younger, I grew up in a low-income community where quality teachers were far and few. I wholeheartedly believe that the students in my community deserve a quality education and I am excited to serve them in the future. Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world." I hope to change the world through education, not just through teaching, but through community engagement, support, and innovation. My desire to make a change may start in the classroom, but my passion will take my community and I well beyond.

Uyen Phuong Nguyen

2022 - 2023 Scholar

Ms. Uyen Phuong Nguyen is a third-year Computer Science major at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is pursuing a cybersecurity specialization in this field. Her interests also include quantum computing, quantum information, quantum cryptography, and their future impacts on security or privacy. She was on the Fall 2021 Dean’s List. Since February 2020, she has been a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Broadly speaking, she desires to leverage her future computer science expertise to benefit society, especially, in helping the underprivileged. Ms. Nguyen emigrated from Vietnam in December 2017 as a political refugee and has lived in MD since that time. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga and meditation.

Zobaida Ataie

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Ashley Sawyer Charlotte

2022 - 2023 Scholar

Ashley is a Jamaican immigrant with two associate’s degrees in Chemistry and Environmental Science. She loves exploring and never limits herself to learning something new. She believes there is knowledge to be gained from every experience and this has led her to participate in several church and college volunteering programs. She loves helping others and was a peer mentor for first-year and transfer students at her previous college. She also worked in a nursing home as a CNA. Those experiences have been a stepping stone in her pursuit of becoming a dermatologist and cosmetic formulator. She is currently a student member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and Phi Kappa Theta Honor Society. She is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park completing her B.S in Chemistry. She hopes to become more involved in her school life to make even more fun memories and learning experiences.

Tomika Strong

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Tomika C Strong is from Virginia Beach, VA but calls Waldorf, MD home. She spent a lot of time growing up in Germany because her father was in the U.S. Army. She is married to James L. Strong, Jr and have three children, Kenny who is 21 years old, Kayla who is 19 years old and Zeynel who is 18 years old.

After graduating from high school in 1997, she enlisted in the Air Force. She has been stationed at Travis AFB, CA, Kunsan AB, South Korea, Incirlik AB, Turkey, Spangdahelm AFB, Germany, Cannon AFB, NM, Bolling AFB, DC and from Keesler AFB, MS.  She also deployed to Southeast Asia on six different occasions. She retired after 20 years of service and moved back to Waldorf, MD with her family.

She received her Associates Degree from College of Southern Maryland and transferred to the University of Maryland College Park, where she will pursue a Bachelor Degree in Family Science.

Melvin Davis

2022 - 2023 Scholar

I’m a senior Public Policy major at the University of Maryland. I’m am originally from Washington DC near Capitol Hill. My Public Policy focus is on local—government in the Montgomery County area. I work currently with the Montgomery County Council on issues like affordable housing, healthcare, and constituent grievances. I also have formally interned at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which taught me a lot about the pillars of financial literacy. I am very passionate about making a difference in the community through public service. In my free time I like to read books, go for a swim, or jog around my neighborhood. 

Ouni Livingston

2021 - 2022 Scholar

My name is Oumi and I am a first generation college student majoring in Accounting and Information Systems at the University of Maryland. I am originally from Senegal and moved to the U.S.A. to further my education a few years ago. I am the eldest child in my family, and I am very proud to be the first person in my family to pursue a university degree. I hope that one day my younger siblings will follow in my step.

Hyojin Kuan

2020 - 2021 Scholar

I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea moved to the DMV area 9 years ago.I came here with no English so it took me some time to learn the language before I started my degree and this is the main reason why I am currently in school getting my Bachelor's at the age of 32. 

The field I was in back in Korea was about bodyguarding and customer services because I used to work at a concert, baseball, and soccer stadium; I was a gate manager who was in charge of rotating bodyguards and taking care of the main gate dealing with most violent customers so it is still challenging for me to major in stem major. 

The main reason why I decided to major in bioengineering is to learn ways to help my mom and people like my mom; my mom had a miscarriage issue which caused her losing almost 10 babies before giving a birth of me and because of the miscarriage had to have a uterus removal surgery. From living with her, I learned what kind of life it is without an important organ. I want to help people who have to go through the same situations as my mom and living without an organ or organs. Therefore, I am very interested in organoids and implants as well as biomaterials. 

My goal after graduation is to get a job related to those fields and then I might go back to school for a higher degree to acknowledge more about the fields. I am not currently involved in any clubs or leadership programs yet so the academic pursuit is the only part I can talk about for now, unfortunately. 

Jannet Fernandez

2022 - 2023 Scholar

Jannet Fernandez is a English Language and Literature major whose track choice is focused on Literary and Cultural Studies. She is also minoring in both Creative Writing (focused on Fiction Writing) and Philosophy. After completing her Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Montgomery College, she transferred to the University of Maryland to complete her B.A. degree in English. Her hopes for the future is to continue her education by attending graduate school and to publish a fiction novel. She also hopes to serve as a reminder to other returning adult students that it is never too late to return to college as she will be completing her first’s Bachelor’s degree by 34 year’s old.

Yochabel Christelle Depano

2022 - 2023 Scholar

Yochabel Christelle Depano is a junior electrical engineering student at University of Maryland, College Park. She is considering concentrating in Power Systems. She has managed a business for 5 years while going to school. However, she is ready to move on and offer her knowledge in the engineering field. This summer of 2022, she will be working on the field as an intern and will try to gain as much experience as possible.

Arfa Sheikh

2021 - 2022 Scholar

I am a senior at UMD studying Information Science.  I am also part of the Global Fellows program at UMD which is an innovative fellowship program designed to equip University of Maryland undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience necessary to become leaders in an increasingly globalized society.  Aside from pursuing my education, and being a Global Fellows, I am involved in some organizations on campus which are for undergraduate students in the InfoSci program, such as InfoSciFi and Bytes and Bits. As a senior, I am applying for internships and jobs that are aligned with goals of a career in technology and science.

Karen Santamaria

2020 - 2021 Scholar

My name is Karen Santamaria. I’m from Ecuador with Irish ancestry. At this time, I’m a junior at the University of Maryland majoring Architecture, Planning & Preservation. One of the most recognized subjects in Architecture is Regenerative design. It’s a subject that fascinates me. I have this innate desire to explore how science and technology can improve the overall performance of buildings in social and environmental architecture, and how I can contribute to a sustainable future. Also, I would like to design buildings or houses with access to Biophilia so people can have the vigor to connect with nature and other forms of life within the structure. I’m very enthusiastic to complete the program of architecture and have the opportunity to keep growing personally and educationally. Moreover, I would like to mention that more life habitats have been destroyed, but in this new age movement in architecture, I want to progress towards a sustainable world with no more tolerance in destroying the ecosystem and be a difference!

Mavis Haziel

2020-2021 Newcombe Scholar

My name is Mavis Esaaba Haizel. I am a mother of twelve years old middle school boy, and a Psychology Junior at the University of Maryland College Park. I am the first of four children. I graduated with honors in general studies at the Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. I transferred to the University of Maryland College Park in Spring 2020 and ended my first semester with an overall GPA of 3.85 irrespective of the unforeseen circumstances of covid-19. Due to this achievement, I was offered a scholarship by the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, and the State of Maryland Higher Education Commission for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Four honor roll societies invited me to join their train due to my academic excellence, of which I accepted two of the four. The Tau Sigma National Honor Society and the Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization initiated me as lifetime member.

I intend to graduate with good grades and enter the graduate school for a program in counseling. I strongly believe my psychological background will give me advantages to fairly understand how humans behave and the therapies necessary for psychological help.

In the future, I would like to be the owner of HAIZEL GROUP HOME to support the ailing senior citizens, to give them comfort and psychological well being, and to also give hope to them for a better tomorrow. 

I am a recording Artist with one album to my credit and two singles. I am a preacher of the gospel. These beliefs informed my decision to undertake my second degree in Counseling to compliment my desire to serve mankind. I am a respected, loyal, charismatic and transformational leader. When I set my heart to anything, I achieve it no matter the circumstance. I am still learning to increase my virtue of patience. Having said that, I am also learning to decrease my virtue in trusting so deep. I think everyone deserves to be trusted with who and what they say they are, but that unfortunately tends to be out of reality. I love without boundary and racially friendly. My ultimate dream is to have my PhD and become a Doctor of Psychology alongside managing The Haizel Group Home.

Lulsegad Shanko

2020-2021 Newcombe Scholar

I am Lulsegad Shanko, currently a student at Maryland University since spring 2020. My short life history is as follows; I was born in Ethiopia, but I have spent most of my life in the Netherlands and in the United States of America. In Ethiopia when I was a teenager I used to work part time in my father's little building material shop and go to school.  I came to the Netherlands in 1994 as a political asylum seeker and was granted up to citizenship status. I have been politically active against the current regime EPRDF (Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front) since it took power in 1991. It is a brutal dictator government which is dominated by ethnically based party TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front). During my stay in the Netherlands I had participated in the leadership of an Ethiopian community. For two years I served as a treasurer. Also, I used to play soccer representing the Ethiopian community. In addition, I participated in creating European Soccer Federation for Ethiopian Community in 2003. After studying the Dutch language I was able to join the Vrij University of Amsterdam, in the Business Economics department 2001. I can speak Dutch language fluently, and I can write at college level. In addition to my native language Amharic I can speak an intermediate level of French language. 

As a part time I used to work at “The Flora Auction company,” it is one of the world's biggest flower auction companies.  Also, as a volunteer I had worked at the Netherlands kidney institute. There I have learned how to market for nonprofit organizations and collect funds. Later, in August 2008 I got married with my wife who has been living in the United States of America. Consequently, I moved to the United States in 2011. During my stay here in the U.S.A., I had started working at the District Photo INC., there I used to work on a digital photo printing machine. Currently I work part time at Safeway supermarket, which is located in the George Town area. I have been working there as a checker since April 2012. Concerning COVID-19, I have continued working without interruption as an essential worker at Safeway. I have been studying at Montgomery College since 2013. In May 2019 I got my associate degree from Montgomery College with an Associate Degree in Business of Arts.

Zobaida Ataie

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Tomika Strong

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Tomika C Strong is from Virginia Beach, VA but calls Waldorf, MD home. She spent a lot of time growing up in Germany because her father was in the U.S. Army. She is married to James L. Strong, Jr and have three children, Kenny who is 21 years old, Kayla who is 19 years old and Zeynel who is 18 years old.

After graduating from high school in 1997, she enlisted in the Air Force. She has been stationed at Travis AFB, CA, Kunsan AB, South Korea, Incirlik AB, Turkey, Spangdahelm AFB, Germany, Cannon AFB, NM, Bolling AFB, DC and from Keesler AFB, MS.  She also deployed to Southeast Asia on six different occasions. She retired after 20 years of service and moved back to Waldorf, MD with her family.

She received her Associates Degree from College of Southern Maryland and transferred to the University of Maryland College Park, where she will pursue a Bachelor Degree in Family Science.

Aroge Akhtar

2020-2021 Newcombe Scholar

I am a recipient of the Returning Student Scholarship at the University of Maryland.  I am an active member of the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement (SCLA), and Honor Society. I plan to lend my services to the financial department because of my financial management skills.  As a student of the "College of Information Studies," I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Studies.  Learning about various logical techniques to manipulate data has made me aware of certain variables I can control in my personal life, like time management.

Mahelel Dabi

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Paige Martello

2020-2021 Newcombe Scholar

Yuna Oh

2021 - 2022 Scholar

My name is Yuna Oh and I am a senior Public Policy major at the University of Maryland. Upon graduation, I plan to work in non-profit organizations after graduation as a Policy Analyst or Program Assistant. I want to help minority communities and eventually go to law school to work in Public Interest. As a child of immigrant parents, I want to make effective policy changes that will help the disenfranchised community and give back. I have interned for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids as an International Grants and Contracts Intern and Grants Intern for Union Kitchen. 

Rachel Greenberg

2020-2021 Newcombe Scholar

I am originally from the D.C area but lived abroad in Europe for many years. Upon returning to my native place with my five children in tow, I decided to create a new narrative. As an adult learner, I enrolled at my community college and began taking classes to become a dietician. In the fall of 2019, I transferred to the University of Maryland to further my studies. I am now in my junior year.

I work as a personal trainer, helping clients achieve their health goals. I use the platform of fitness to help influence clients to make healthy choices to help fuel their bodies. Our output is only as good as our input.

I practice an active lifestyle. During my free time, I enjoy heavy weight lifting and cycling. However, food is my passion. I enjoy cooking and baking, experimenting with new flavors and aromas.

Ouni Livingston

2021 - 2022 Scholar

My name is Oumi and I am a first generation college student majoring in Accounting and Information Systems at the University of Maryland. I am originally from Senegal and moved to the U.S.A. to further my education a few years ago. I am the eldest child in my family, and I am very proud to be the first person in my family to pursue a university degree. I hope that one day my younger siblings will follow in my step.

Valerie Brown

2021 - 2022 Scholar

Valerie Brown is a systems thinker by nature. After working in public health research at the University of Rochester and environmental health policy with a DC nonprofit, she returned to UMD, where she is currently a senior in the Department of Economics with an eye toward graduate school. Outside of classes, she volunteers as a technology trainer for civic group elders and designs websites for nascent women-owned businesses.

Celine Wu

My name is Celine Wu, and I was raised in a small rural town in China. I’ve faced many difficulties in the new environment as an immigrant. I am a full -time student, motivated by my passion for learning and succeeding as I strive to become an outstanding, and successful woman in today’s society.

I consider mathematics as a very important tool in life, and I am currently majoring in Statistics at the math department at the University of Maryland. My academic pursuits are in Statistics, and I will graduate in 2022 with a bachelor's degree.

As long as I’ve known what I wanted to do with my life. Numbers have always been a passion of mine. Throughout high school and college thus far I have taken a rigorous curriculum and maintained a 3.0 grade point average in mathematics. During high school I was involved in a mathematics shadowing program. I volunteered as a math tutor in my high school years. In addition, I’ve had an internship in BIBIS institution, and worked as a mathematical assistant. I enjoyed sharing Math with others. 

I am grateful to find opportunities like the one that your foundation is providing to students like me who are constantly fighting for the right to receive an education. I remain persistent and will keep working hard until I reach my career goals and contribute in various fields as needed. 

Yuyun Zhen

2020 - 2021 Scholar

Hello, my name is Yuyun Zhen. I am a junior student of the University of Maryland at College Park. I enrolled in The University of Maryland in the Spring semester of 2020. My major is Mathematical Statistics, and I expect to graduate in spring 2022 to get my bachelor’s degree.  Having taken some math, economics and statistics classes, I am highly sensitive to numbers and probability, and love solving problems with knowledge I learned. My career goal is to be a financial analyst. 

Annie Lelak

2021 - 2022 Scholar

My name is Annie Lelak, I am a United State of America citizen by naturalization. My country of origin is Cameroon, located in Center Africa. My first language is French. I have been living in the United States of America for over 12 years. I am proud of the fact that, I can now speak English language fluently, compared to my early years in the country. I have three beautiful and fun children; they make my world amazing. My last child is 13 months old, and he started walking 3 weeks ago, how beautiful can that be! Watching your baby achieving a milestone. I worked with Autistic individuals from 2012 to 2019, helping disable individuals to fully function in their community was one of my best experiences and achievements. It is in that spirit, that I am pursuing a degree in Community Health, so I can acquire the right knowledge to help many people in my community.

Year of 2020

Aroge Akhtar, Celine Wu, Hevander-Marcelo Da Costa, Hyojin Kuan, Ingrid Garcia, Israel Nigussie, Jhoany Maldonado, Karen Santamaria, Khadijah Ali, Lulsegad Shanko, Marcella Goldring, Mavis Haziel, Nalia Naeem, Nicole Spencer, Paige Martello, Sihui Feng, Siwen Liu, Sora Suh,, Surayyah Mahmood, Rachel Greenberg, Yuyun Zhen

Year of 2019

Sora Suh, Ingrid Saravia, Denyce Johnson, Stacey Greaves, Laura Dullahan, Hiba Al-Taher, Samantha Alley, Ashley Armstead, Benjamin Bromley-Coolidge, Paola Castro, Kelsey Golding, Alexandria Guzman, Ashley Henriquez

Year of 2018

Alona Hapey, Judy Pae, Samantha Alley, Sarina Rajput, Kelsey Golding, Benedicte Raissa Machili Fah, Mahlet Tadesse, Raymi Chatman, Julessa Jolley, Erica Long, Alexis Dorsey, Christian Byrd, Ndeye Thioye, Abigail Smith, Tifani Carnes, Sandra Merino

Year of 2017

Tifani Carnes, Abigail Smith, Willow Blackmon, Jerome Quenum, Julessa Jolley, Francine Baker, Shantia Brown, Noelle Thompson-Worthington, Kristin Jayd, Rosita Lerner, Preetam Lengade, Nguyet Nguyen, Jessica Ruark, Rachel Ross, Raymi Chatman, Sandra Merino

Year of 2016

Sarah Willard, Shaniek Williams, Amanda O'Grady, Faith Washington-Law, Mary Ann Akuto, Simone Frazier, Tanzeela Shafiq

Year of 2015

Amy Gabel, Kendra Grimmett, Danielle Smith-Wingate, Silvia Calles, Stephanie Callahan, Zoe Weldon-Yochim, Patricia Powers, Amber Chaney, Shaneik A. Williams, Joy Henry, Channah Bronstein, Esther Rodriguez, Krystle Smart-Dessimus, Isu Ravi, Amanda Harrilal, Maryam Zareh, Crystal Herbert, Denisa Caballero

Year of 2014

Carolina Acevedo, Denisa Caballero, Terra Greene, Joy Henry, Adam Hutchinson, Stacey Jackowski, Elda Kwong, Vida Oh, Monica Oliver, Andrea Proenza, Gabriela Rodriquez

Year of 2013

Alfiya Akhmed, Diem Bui, Gwendolyn E. Curry, Patricia Downie, Maria Fielding, Meagan Ginyard, Terra Greene, Laura Linehan, Danielle Lynam, Lorraine Makanyama, Bellamie Nelson, Laila Parham

Year of 2012

Not available 

Year of 2011

Juliet Wahome, Devla Yagli, Gayathri Aluvihare, Magdalena Ignaczak, Natara Strother, Christine Bernstein, Olivia Bullard, Marina Coleman, Angela Harvey, Uyoufeng Jiang, Karen Joyner, Karin Nelson, Daune O'Brien, Salma Ould Ahmed, Esther Polirer

Year of 2010

Blanca Gomez-Castillo, Musu Hartie, Magdalena Ignaczar, Tanya McMillan, Jessika Piwowarski, Randy Seton

Year of 2009

Brian Baird, Christine M. Black, Hadia M. Damtew, Marci Deloatch, Aida Elegbede, Amy L. Gilbert, Nancy Marie Harding, Shavon M. Holland, Lauren R. Larson, Alison Kwang-Fei Lo, Viviane Miner, Germaine Margaret Renzi, Darwin M. Romero, Jessica P. Sandhu, Natara F. Strother, Elizabeth Hudson Telson

Year of 2008

Rashida Ali-Mubarak, Chinwe Enu, Patrice Felder, Kristy Funkhouser, Joanna Herman, Munita Lebson, Dorli Satterwhite, Lavetra Speight, Amy Gilbert, Nancy Harding, Shavon Holland, Alison Lo, Germaine Margaret Renzi, Jessica Sandhu, Natara Strother

Year of 2007

Subrina Bradley, Meghan Graham, Amanda Hofstetter, Jeanne Long, Melissa Long, Natasha Mullican, Mary O'Leary, Sonya Owenscobblah, Mary Paradiso, Emily Peterson, Shayla Scott, Amy Stupi, Dawn White

Year of 2006

Chinyere Anochie, Tonya Cain, Sheryl Carbone, Rushell Curran, Maritza Gasca, Pamela Makambi, Natalie Nichols, Martina Sestakova, Rochelle Sullivan, Mary Erin Sullivan, Dawn White

Year of 2005

Kendra Blatzheim, Jennifer Bohager, Nelly Branson, Barbara Brawn, Linda Britt, Brooke Chapman, Lilian Corvera, Ashley Davis-Edwards, Bonnie Dayhoff, Keri Dorman, Lea Engle, Sharon Hines, Robin Hudspeth, Grace Konieczny, Arlene Logan, Joi Lomax, Amy McCormick, Jessica Raines, Sallie Shelton, Bolatito Shodiya, Jessica Snyder, Apryl Stevens-Finlayson

Year of 2004

Helen Ankrah, Stacy Calo, Bonnie Dayhoff, Laurie Duarte, Patricia Embrey, Nancy Feissner, Joy Gonzalez, Hameeda Hameed, Nabila Hijazi, Victoria Manns, Sikirat Olaniran, Ulrika Oster, Sonita Powell, Raeleen Redzuan, Melina Scotto, Amelia Simmons, Palmira Sodano, Judy Stone, Brenda Wilson

Year of 2003

Beth Connolly-Dzidek, Leslie Dowler, Sonya Hopson, Grace Ibarra, Neelka Mein, Penny Russell, Catherine Sinex, Kinday Toto

Year of 2002

Leila Crown, Michelle Day, Nuzhat Khalid, Alice Kogut, Nebiyat Natnael, Marybeth Peters, Savitha Sathyasheelappa, Rebecca Smith, Alexis Swink

Year of 2001

Angela Arias, Annie Birdsong, Linda Camardi, Dina Covaliu, Melanie Dahlgren, Kathleen Dobson, Jill Graf, Gail Greenleaf, Wendy Higgins, Joy Huggins, Dionne Jackson, Karen Jackson, Tanya Karamian, Joan Mark-Bell, Maria Martin, Kimiyo Nakamura, Nicole Oditt, Athina Priftis, Elizabeth Quackenbush, Alexis Swink, Kelly Thackston, Jacinta Wilbur

Year of 2000

Perpetua Anale, Pamela Best, Mustafa Best, Annie Birdsong, Rina Erhart, Milena Gatto, Darla Hawkins, Joy Huggins, Dominique Maggio, Shefali Mahabir, Jamie Marghi, Catina Porter, Alicia Proctor, Nancy Reese, Dorothea Roberts, Kathleen Santangelo, Mahasti Shahgholami, Lady Staley, Kelly Thackston, Kimi Yoshida, PooI Troung

Year of 1999

Carla Arrington, Renata Baginski, Anna Burns, Michelle Carhart, Pamela Cooper, Laura Corvette, Denise Dicocco, Janice Dubel, Lale Evsen, Leslie Greenblat, Carla Hart, Robyn Hughes, Dana-Robyn Jenkins, Kimberly Korol, Mary LaVaute, Vivienne Lettsome, Dominique Maggio, Terry McDermott, Rosanna Morales, Ijeoma Ozobu, Marianna Pesci, Wendelyn Phelan, Jennifer Saxman-Tesfaye, Sheila Schlosser, Sonya Walters, Susan Zehner

Year of 1998

Carol Ahrens, Carla Arrington, Ilhan Cagri, Laura Corvette, Kimberly Korol, Heather Dorsey, Kathleen D'Ovidio, Doron Greenblatt, Chantel Greene, Dawn Miggins, Colleen Moore, Marianna Pesci, Wendelyn Phelan, Lynn Porte, Natalie Quattrociocchi, Judith Robertson, Candace Strickland, Kerry Truban, Yuliya Turkina, Catherine Zizlavsky, Roberta Diemer

Year of 1997

Carol Ahrens, Elizabeth Albornoz, Yvette Brown, Sandra Curtin, Patricia Deckert, Annette Harris, Tracey Lee, Lisa Loflin, Allison Lucas, Odile Ogonowski, Terel Reid, Salma Said, Theresa Spencer, Lila Tolman, Carrie Valdez, Stephanie Welch, Christine Williams

Year of 1996

Vera Acha-Ngwogo, Learlie Arrington, Susan Baca, Jacqueline Brant, Renee Cherok, Simin Dokht Cyrus, Jane Ford, Annette Harris, Lisa Hendricks, Annelise Jones, Jean Kosloski, Rachel Lagodka, Adriane Lavender, Edelle Louis, Diana Lovingfoss, Kecia Mayes, Margaret Pittman, Cynthia Price, Christine Vick, Sheena Wright, Kimberly Wright

Year of 1995

Barbara Addis, Edythe Anderson, Leslie Bailey, Jacqueline Brant, Rachel Carr, Janie Doutsos, Amavi Forsythe, Linda Hickman, Janis Houck, Vernae Jones-Seals, Jeannie Kauffman, Pamela Langdon, Lisa Liptak, Margaret MacDonald, Diane Mizell, Barbara Monteforte, Kristen Morrison, Donna Peasley, Janet Robinson, Marta Rottweiler, Jennifer Tong, Jeanne Wall, Tracy Walls, Miriam Yarmolinsky

Year of 1994

Elizabeth Bosshard, Vicki Brooks, Gifty Cobblah, Dana Cohen, Karen Cooper, Kylena Cross, Lynn Doolan, Elizabeth Robin, Patricia Ferber, Ibolya Ignat, Tammy Magee, Caroline Molivadas, Helen Neeley, Angela Romano, Crystal Smith, Carline Theddore, Virginia Todd, Naomi Yett

Year of 1993

Kim Abramson, Debra Bermudez, Myra Binnix, Becky Carson, Christine Contreras, Margaret Desonier, Norma Dunn, Sondra Farrar, Sandra Forester, Christine Kibby, Caron Lee, Patricia Mannetti, Suzanne McCahill, Shelly McDaniel, Angela Niyi, Margaret Peterson, Maxine Rheingold, Kathleen Rhoades, Jane Roache, Catherine Schattenfield, Catherine Taylor, Diane Tinney, Milka Tokic, Alita Wilbert

Year of 1992

Not available

Year of 1991

Not available

Year of 1984 -1990

Not available 

Year of 1983

Ruth Blanton, Lily Burgess, Hollis Church, Mary Hartig, Suzanne Lechtman, Robin Macaskill, Mary Pfeifer, Sandra Rabak, Joy Riser, Yvonne Schaffer, Audrey Schlesinger, Loreli Smith, Barbara Thompson, Cheryll Walker, Kathleen Wilson

Year of 1982

Janet Baldwin, Gail Blake, Lily Burgess, Pollianne Feuer, Doreen Derigo, Roberge Frederique, Helen Greene, Susan Greenleaf, Rosemary Karlsson, Cheryl Kuseski, Constance Locraft, Dorothy Lovett, Joy Marb, Barbara McDonald, Margaret Meachem, Delight Meersman, Linda Pacini, Judith Pokorni, Martha Ranne, Myra Tate, Madalyn Turnbull, Margaret Wickham, Elaine Williams

Year of 1981

Doreen Derigo, Martha Sue Kaltsukis, Constance Locraft, Diane Pisano, Martha Ranne, Frederique Roberge, Caroline White, Linda Zager.