Michelle Humanick Scholarship

“I took a walk up to Worcester Hall (where I met Michelle) and up to see Testudo in front of the library. I thought about Michelle and all the good times we had at Univ. of MD. I think about Michelle every day it seems. She was a very special person to me and one of my best friends”
Friend and dorm-mate, Mary Wolfe

A Non-Traditional Student:
Not every path through UMD follows a straight line. Like many freshmen entering a major University, Michelle was a bit overwhelmed. After a few years of struggle she decided it was best to put her academics on hold and pursued a retail management career in her home state of New Jersey. As fate would have it, she returned to College Park when she married another Maryland Terp Alumni and, although she was finding great success in her management career, a desire to return to UMCP to finish what she started never went away.

So with her family and friends' full support she quit her job, strapped on a backpack and returned to the University as a full­-time “non­traditional” student. Then at the “non­traditional” age of 33 she was awarded her Bachelor’s degree with a double-major in Art History and Archaeology. We were all filled with pride for her courage and willingness to follow her heart and finish what she had started years before.

 It is our hope that this scholarship can help others who find themselves on their own winding path to UMCP. We can think of no better legacy than for Michelle’s spirit to inspire and encourage others on their own journey.  

“She’s the kind of person who is just full of life. She had this sparkle in her eye, and you just immediately felt a connection to her. She loved art, wanted to become a graphic designer, so she went back to school. [...] A long time ago, she told me, ‘I’m going to be the store manager.’ She did it. She told me,
‘I’m going to go to school.’ She did it.”
Family Friend, John Romano

Resident Life Designer and Mentor:

Michelle followed her love of art and design into a career with Resident Life. She started as a part-time Graphic Designer and then became the founder and first Manager of Resident Life’s Design and Publications unit. Michelle held this position until leaving full-­time employment in 2007 in order to raise her family. Michelle continued her work in Resident Life on a part -time basis through Spring 2010.

In addition to her creative and technical design skills, Michelle is remembered for her special talents for befriending, guiding and mentoring both students and full-­time professionals with whom she worked.

 “I learned so much professionally and personally about myself from Michelle during my time as her student graphic designer,..... she taught me to broaden my outlook on life. She was more than just a supervisor to me. Michelle was a mentor, friend and even like a second mother.””
Friend and colleague, Wil Jones

Michelle took great joy in connecting with the students and staff on campus. She brought both her life experience and her artistic eye to Resident Life. Her co­workers quickly became lifelong friends.  

“Michelle was an extraordinary woman who so warmly touched the lives of all who knew her and who took such joy in family life, a gifted artist, Michelle could understand what was on your mind and in your heart and would create the visual symbols that represented all that you had thought and felt.”
Resident Life Director, Dr. Deborah Grandner

Terrapin Fun and Family Life

In the water was where Michelle found her balance, her strength, and her peace. She was an avid swimmer with a Terrapin Masters swimming team and even completed the grueling 4.4 open water Chesapeake Bay Crossing in 1999.

“...I was thinking of the time I mentioned her shamrock tattoo to a
non-swimmer friend because, as she said, ‘great, thanks- THEY don't all shower with me!’
I did my first open water race - the 1 Mile Bay Challenge in the Chesapeake Bay - in 2001 to fulfill a half hearted promise I made to my friend and lane-mate Michelle Humanick. I never thought she'd hold me to it, but she did.”

Marisa Frieder
First person to complete the 10.7­mile Portland Bridge Swim in 2010. Her thoughts of Michelle with her the entire way.

She loved to swim and more importantly, she loved the friends she made on and off the water. Michelle lent her design talents to create the logo used for many years by the Terrapin Masters swim club.

Michelle and her husband settled into life in College Park and embraced everything about living and working at a University town. She enjoyed attending Terp games, working for the City Recreation board and would even cook meals for SOME (So Others Might Eat) when she could.

After several years of struggling with fertility issues Michelle and her husband were able to adopt their first daughter Sophie in 2006. This was the fulfillment of another lifelong dream of motherhood for Michelle. Being adopted herself, Michelle always wanted to raise a family of her own. She cut back work to part-­time and in 2009 welcomed her second daughter, Amelia.

For the next several months Michelle was happily adjusting to the sleepless nights and demands of her young family. Life is not without its struggles but Michelle’s joy and spirit proves that every day matters and is worth living to its fullest.

There are surely many others who embody Michelle’s spirit and desire to fulfill their potential but might not quite have all the support they need. This scholarship is one way that we hope that those of us left behind can honor this amazing woman who was such a large part of our lives.  

“This scholarship presents an amazing opportunity for myself and our girls to channel Michelle’s love of life and thriving spirit in such a positive way. She would be very pleased to know that we are helping others improve their lives and follow their hearts. ”
Husband
Clay Gump

Sheoli Gunaratne

Sheoli Gunaratne faced significant challenges while pursuing her Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) at Montgomery College, and initially, the thought of attending the University of Maryland (UMD) felt out of reach. During her first semester at UMD, she often felt disoriented. There were times when the reality of being there truly hit her, leading to feelings of alienation that overshadowed any sense of accomplishment. Sheoli sometimes felt like she was there by chance, noting a clear age difference between herself and most of her peers. She avoided extracurricular activities, perceiving them as for "normal students" and focused solely on attending classes and returning home. She would joke with friends about generational differences, calling out "kids these days," though she came to realize that the younger students were far kinder than she’d initially imagined. Sheoli also found it flattering when they expressed surprise at her age.

Despite the early struggles, Sheoli’s maturity and life experience gradually proved to be an asset at UMD. Her ability to meet deadlines, ask questions, participate actively in discussions, take on leadership roles in group assignments, and present her work confidently became strengths. These qualities contributed to a sense of charisma that resonated with her peers and professors, earning her positive feedback and recognition for her efforts.

By the end of her first semester and more so by Fall 2024, things began to shift. With straight A's, supportive professors, and a growing enjoyment in completing assignments, Sheoli found herself accumulating enriching experiences. Creative assignments, such as stump speeches, debates, skits, and mock lesson plans, allowed her to express herself and showcase her abilities in ways she hadn't anticipated. Even on her most exhausted days, she felt better once in the classroom, reflecting on how much less stressful this felt compared to her previous struggles with medical challenges. By this time, Sheoli had become more open to experiences outside of the classroom at UMD, attending various fairs and workshops. She was increasingly impressed by the numerous opportunities the university provided, always leaving these events feeling as though she gained something valuable.

Though it took time, Sheoli now feels truly at home at UMD and proudly identifies as a Terp.

Violette Schattner

Violette Schattner is a senior majoring in Technology and Information Design at the University of Maryland. As of now, Violette is on track to graduate Cum Laude in May 2025, achieving a major goal that she originally set for herself at the beginning of returning to complete her academic journey. During her time at UMD, Violette has focused her work on combining creativity and problem-solving to design innovative and user-centered solutions. In addition to her school work, she’s  been actively involved in campus life and currently serves as a marketing ambassador for the innovative new restaurant, Little Blue Menu (powered by Chick-fil-a). Violette’s work with Little Blue Menu has given her opportunities to create marketing campaigns for university events and engage with peers to promote community-driven initiatives. As she moves closer to graduation in May, Violette reflects fondly on her time spent here at the university creating many lasting friendships and learning new skills that have helped her to develop into a well-rounded young professional.

Matthew Sipper

My name is Matt Sipper, I'm 21 years old, and I'm a senior here at UMD, majoring in Bioengineering. On campus, my involvement in ResLife has been a significant part of my college journey. My experience as an RA has allowed me to meet so many diverse groups of people. In this role, I'm dedicated to supporting my residents by creating a safe and inclusive environment and providing them with the resources they need for personal, social, academic, and professional growth. Additionally, being an Office Assistant in the South Campus Commons 1 ResLife Office has enhanced my ability to support our residential communities and has helped to develop my professional skills. Furthermore, as the Secretary of the Society of Asian American Scientists and Engineers (SASE), I am committed to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in STEM fields for underrepresented communities.

Outside of these roles, I love to play the piano, sing, cook, go on hikes, fish, and spend time with my family. These activities not only offer me a chance to unwind and express my creativity but also keep me connected to what I value most. Together, they form an integral part of my identity, enriching my experience at UMD and contributing to my overall well-being and perspective.

Lauren Rhoades

Lauren Rhoades is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her major is Social Data Science following the psychology track in hopes to become a data analyst for psychological research. 

Oyindamola Olaborede

Oyindamola Olaborede is a senior Computer Science major, but she will have an extra year of study due to changing her major. Her mother is also currently getting her PhD at the University of Maryland. This scholarship brings her one step closer to achieving her goal, and for that, she eternally grateful.

Rubina Hasanat

My parents grew up in a country where basic infrastructure (clean water, reliable electricity, safe roads) was not readily available. Through the stories they told me of their childhood, I learned how blessed I was to be living the life I had, and I knew from a young age that developing infrastructure for communities that needed it was what I wanted to do in life. I chose to study civil engineering at UMD, and my experience here has been absolutely eye-opening. I never realized just how closely intertwined my discipline was with socioeconomic factors, or how vital sustainable initiatives are for our future. I learned about how black communities' infrastructure needs have historically been often neglected in America, and how climate change has worsened the damage that natural disasters wreak in seaside countries like where my parents are from. As an American, I know I need to help remedy the injustices of the past, and as a global citizen I must work towards mitigating climate change. I'm sure that studying at the University of Maryland will help me to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world. Currently I am a sophomore, and am a member of the Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, a couple of South Asian cultural clubs, and Engineers Without Borders.

Cameron Taylor

As a Civil Engineering major at the University of Maryland, I'm planning to gain a specialization in Structural Engineering. As my skills are continuously developing, I want to design, analyze, and rehabilitate bridges, roadways, emergency escape exits for high-rise buildings, and other structures in order to maintain reliability and safety for customers. I am honored and a proud recipient of the Michelle Humanick scholarship. The scholarship funds will be of great help with my school year expenses (such as tuition, books, and transportation) and keep me on track with pursuing both academic and career goals. I'm thankful for the Michelle Humanick Scholarship committee for reviewing my application and recognizing such great potential I have in pursuing my civil engineering career.

Anhelina Bilokon

Anhelina is a non-traditional undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park. She will be graduating with a degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences, Spring of 2020 and in pursuit of a doctoral degree in Clinical Audiology. Anhelina wants to become highly specialized in recognizing signs of hearing loss early in the individual's livelihood and provide early intervention to help children have the best possible hearing for speech and language development. Anhelina wants to encourage parents to advocate for their children and help connect them to the world of sound. Intervention is personal to her because of the importance of feeling that somebody empathizes with the troubles of facing potentially disadvantageous difficulties. As a full-time mother, full-time student, and an employee, she also became the founder and president of the Nontraditional Student Society at the University of Maryland. The organization has connected 30 students with similar life challenges and continues to grow. Being a non-traditional student presented a variety of challenges, but also fostered a tremendous amount of motivation and desire to be an involved member of the community.

Michael Hilnbrand

Michael Hilnbrand is a 3D Animation and Digital Production major. He currently works at Terrapin Works here on campus and is a freelance animator for Happy Foundation and Terrestrial Energy. In the hours that he's not working or in class, he works tirelessly at being a giant goofball. The Michelle Humanick Scholarship will help give him some wiggle room in his budget to redirect some funds to properly feed himself this semester.

Jerome Quenum

Jerome Quenum is a transfer student to the University of Maryland. He is an electrical engineering major and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Originally from Benin, West Africa, He moved to the United States in 2013. Throughout his journey, he was able to serve as a STEM ambassador, volunteering in middle school and high school engineering outreach programs. He also tutored in various Math and Science center to help fellow students improve their problem-solving skills. As a member of the Society of Physics Students, he presented at the 2015 meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers. He was the treasurer and the president of the Math Club at Montgomery College and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Club. He is currently the Secretary of the Engineering Student Council and the project chair of IEEE at the University of Maryland. As he is also currently serving the U.S. Army reserve, he is participating in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Maryland in order to earn a commission as a second lieutenant upon graduation. After completing his bachelor's degree, he will continue serving in the US military while pursuing a doctorate degree in electrical engineering.

Laura Quinones

Laura Quinones transferred to the University of Maryland last fall from Montgomery College, a two-year community college, and received an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences. She is currently majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in politics and policy. She believes that proper measures need to be taken to ensure the protection of our environment and its continued existence. Aside from my interest in environmental issues, She is excited to have started my junior year at the University of Maryland and eternally grateful for receiving this scholarship. Coming from a family of immigrants, and an immigrant myself, she cherishes the opportunity she's had to pursue higher education and plan to work towards a master’s degree in International Relations after graduation. She has learned to be persistent when pursuing my dreams and this scholarship is a reminder that any goal can be achieved. As well as, a reminder toward not fearing taking a different path then others. Financially, this scholarship has offered me some relief this spring semester and again,she is honored to have been given this award.

Jihye Miller

The obvious impact of this scholarship is that I will be able to continue my education and have to take out less loans. I currently have two children and winning this scholarship will ease the financial pressure on me. The most important impact is that winning this scholarship would allow me to focus on study more but less on earning money.

Zachary Henderson

My name is Zach Henderson, and I am a Junior Spanish and Family Science dual-degree, with a double minor in Sustainability Studies and General Business. After graduation, I intend on continuing to receive my Master's in Student Affairs and work in some aspect of Student Life. Aside from academics, I serve as a Resident Assistant with the including National Residence Hall Honorary, UMD Sex Week, and Alternative Breaks.

Faith Washington-Law

Brandon Edwards

Jeffrey Kaplan