Resident Assistant Scholarship

Tori Best

Tori Best was raised in Lanham, MD, alongside her five siblings. As a first-generation college student, she is currently in her third year at the University of Maryland, pursuing an English degree with a focus on creative writing. This semester marks Tori’s fourth term as a Resident Assistant, serving the residents of Cumberland Hall's sixth floor. In this role, Tori provides living, personal, and academic support, acting as a key resource for her community.

Deonna Cousins

Deonna Cousins' involvement at the University of Maryland includes her position as a Resident Assistant in upperclassmen apartment housing and her leadership position as the Social Director for 17 for Peace and Justice, an Environmental Science Social Injustice Organization on campus. In both leadership positions, she has hosted and volunteered for cleanups in the Prince George's County area, participated in protests against minority social disparities in Washington D.C. as well as planned social events that allowed for students to practice advocacy and connect over hot chocolate, snacks, or arts and craft activities to lighten the mood after heavy protesting, outreach, or volunteering events. In addition to her leadership roles, Deonna has worked in Washington, DC as a wildlife rehabilitation intern for small wildlife species that are native to the DMV. This internship helped cultivate her aspiring career choice as a Wildlife Conservationist/Rehabilitator.  She learned so much from this opportunity including ethical animal practices, how to hand feed small baby mammals and avian species, how to provide subcutaneous injections of fluids/medicines, and she learned how to perform x-rays on all species housed at the facility. Deonna currently works in Bethesda, Maryland as a Laboratory Animal Research Technician. Her job is to safely and ethically use lab animals for research practices to discover new medicines to help cure illnesses for human/animal populations.

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.

Amanda Catipon

Amanda Catipon is a rising senior at the University of Maryland, College Pak majoring and completing her Bachelor of Science in Community Health. Amanda is the current Resident Assistant at the South Campus Commons building 7 and is an honors student in the School of Public Health. She has also broadened her horizons by doubling majoring in community health and nursing at the same time. Outside of being a resident assistant, Amanda loves to hang out with her friends, journal , and give back to her community, such as making holiday cards for hospitalized children across America.

Eberechi Mbadugha

Eberechi Mbadugha is a Pre-Med General Biology Major senior at the University of Maryland College Park. She has been an RA at South Campus Commons for a year. She is also involved in other organizations on campus including Life Sciences Scholars Program where she is an Undergraduate Assistant for Life Sciences Scholars program and the Afrochique Dance Team where she is the Treasurer. After graduating, she plans to pursue medicine to become an OB-GYN or Pediatrician. As the recipient of the Resident Assistant Scholarship, she has been able to spend even more time with her residents and cultivate more meaningful relationships with each of them. The scholarship has made an impact on her last semester at UMD and she is truly grateful for the support!

Delyar Delavari

I am Delyar Delavari, and I am a junior at the University of Maryland. I am currently majoring in physiology and neurobiology, and I am also pre-med! Here at UMD, I am part of AMSA, College Mentors for Kids, Gemstone, and the Help Center. I have loved every second of the past three years at UMD and I am looking forward to next year.

I am thankful for the Resident Life RA Scholarship as it will help me continue with my major and focus on my studies. I truly appreciate the assistance this scholarship has provided. 

Grace Okafor

Grace Okafor is a senior at the University of Maryland College Park. She is currently majoring and completing her Bachelor's in Science degree in Community Health in the School of Public Health. She currently serves as an RA on the south of campus and is an honors student in her major department. Grace enjoys painting and creating playlists in her free time and will be beginning an internship with the federal government in the department of health and human services at the end of January.

Megan Berry

Megan Berry is a senior student from Annapolis, MD. At UMD, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neurobiology and a minor in Public Leadership and is on the pre-med track. Megan has served as a Resident Assistant (RA) for three semesters now in Cumberland Hall and loves working with freshmen and sophomore students within the Scholars living and learning community. Besides serving as an RA on campus, Megan is also the President of Beta Psi Omega, a professional co-ed biology fraternity, serves on the executive board of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, and works as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in the Biological Sciences department. Additionally, Megan is active in the National Residence Hall Honorary, Student Alumni Leadership Council, and is a student employee at the TerpZone in Stamp Student Union.

"I am so grateful and appreciative to be selected as the recipient of the Resident Assistant Scholarship Award for Spring 2021. This award will help to relieve the costs of textbooks, tuition, and other fees associated with my education that are not fully covered by my financial aid package. This will also help to ease the financial burden that these expenses have on me as a full-time student who is applying to medical school this coming semester and must work part-time to support herself. This financial support will help me to be able to focus more on my academics and balancing my job as an RA with being a student and a leader on campus and will ultimately reduce the stress that comes from worrying about finances in my day to day life. Thank you so much for this generous scholarship and I cannot convey enough how appreciative I am to have received it."

Rhea Bhunia

To me, this gift means I can breathe. At the end of last semester, there was a chance I couldn't come back. This scholarship means fewer loans and focusing on my passion for helping others and being the best RA I can be. This gift motivates me to work even harder in my academics and pursue my extracurricular interests.

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park pursuing an undergraduate degree in Neurobiology & Physiology.

Abena Osei

Abena Osei is a current sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing her undergraduate degree in Physiology & Neurobiology. Ms. Osei is a second semester RA in Elkton Hall, and is a member of the Charles R. Drew Pre-Medical Society, is an RA Ambassador, and is also involved in public health research on campus. In her free time, she enjoys participating in her church's choir and dance group, watching movies, reading, getting to know her residents and RA staff, and spending time with loved ones.

Sarah Joseph

"This gift is extremely meaningful to me. It means taking out fewer loans, exiting college and beginning my professional career with less student debt looming over me. More immediately, this scholarship means I can afford to work fewer hours during the semester, allowing myself to commit more time to my academic studies, my extracurricular interests, and the UMD community".

Sarah studies Public Relations and Business, graduating a semester early in December 2018. At Maryland, Sarah is a Resident Assistant, peer counselor at UMD's Help Center hotline, an at-large member of SEE's Funding Board, member of Tamid Consulting Group, and on the executive board of Challah for Hunger. After graduation, Sarah hopes to work in consulting or finance-related public relations, and eventually pursue an MBA degree.

Trey Austin Huff

To me, this award means relief. Going into this new semester, I didn't know how I would pay for the expenses. Everything would have been charged to my student account and pushed off until the end of the semester. This scholarship provides me with money that can be used to purchase books and other course materials and fees. It's a good feeling to be able to purchase supplies and know where the money is coming from.

Hui Chen

The financial assistance you provided made it possible for me to choose an internship that I wanted and allowed me to concentrate more time for working and studying.