About The Robin and Tom Portman Scholarship for Undergraduate Veteran Students
The Robin and Tom Portman Scholarship for Undergraduate Veteran Students was established by Robin (’80 and ’89) and Tom (86’) Portman to provide funding for undergraduate veteran students enrolled at the University. Tom was an Air Force veteran (Korean linguist and intelligence analyst) and Robin and Tom met while both were working as intelligence analysts for the U.S. Navy. Robin and Tom wanted to recognize the sacrifice and contribution that our veteran students have made to our country prior to enrolling at the University. After graduating from the University, Robin and Tom remained in the Washington, D.C. area as active supporters of the University’s sports teams.
About the Fund
For instructions on how to apply for the Robin and Tom Portman Scholarship, please visit UMD Veteran Student Life Website. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at sagiving@umd.edu or (301) 314-4900.
Meet Our Scholars
Arlan Baldomero served 6.5 years on active duty in the Air Force before transferring to the Air Force Reserve to pursue a degree in computer science at UMD. He is currently serving as a staff sergeant. After completing his degree, he hopes to advance his career in the military as either a senior noncommissioned officer or an officer.
Arlan Baldomero, 2025-2026 Scholar
Past Scholars
Sokhna Mbacke (2025-2026 Scholar)
Sokhna serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as an ophthalmic technician and is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland. She has interned at NASA's headquarters in Washington D.C., contributing to the Prandtl Wing Development Team, and at ST Engineering MRAS, gaining hands-on experience in aerospace. Sokhna aspires to work in the aerospace industry and commission as an engineering officer in the reserve. She speaks Wolof, French, and English, and enjoys cooking, running, and doing makeup in her free time.
Micah Wright (2022-2025 Scholar)
Micah Wright is a first-generation student who has a passion for engineering and innovation. Micah joined the U.S. Marines Corps out of high school in 2016 and served until 2021 as a Field Radio Operator. Micah is pursuing an electrical engineering degree and plans to graduate with the class of 2025. It is his dream to become part of cutting-edge technology through innovative efforts.
Elizabeth Armstrong (2019-2020 Scholar)
Elizabeth is a 10 year veteran of the US Army having served one deployment to Iraq. Her service in the Intelligence community as both a human intelligence collector and a Chinese linguist led to her career goals of teaching English as a second Language. Elizabeth obtained as Associate's degree in Mandarin Chinese at the Defense Language Institute. She is creating her own individualized major called Second Language Acquisition and Immigrant Communities. Elizabeth is a kidney donor and volunteers teaching English at Howard Community College.
Francis Borrasso (2018-2019 Scholar)
Francis Borrasso served almost four years in the US Army before moving to Maryland and starting her Criminal Justice/Criminology degree. Francis has an Associate degree in Arabic. A native of Texas, she is the mother of a one year old and would eventually like to work in the Federal Government as an FBI member.
Corey Burns (2016-2017 Scholar)
Born in Maine, Corey Burns joined the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry where he served in both Kosovo and Iraq. After leaving the U.S. Army, and acquiring a bachelor degree from Pennsylvania State University, Corey began working for the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Chief Counsel. Corey is currently pursuing a degree in microbiology which he hopes to one day employ in contributing to the future.