The 2025-2026 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars

Raven Herron, Animal Sciences
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Brian Bohlayer, Glenelg High School, Glenelg, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Amy Burk, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences

I am deeply honored to recognize two individuals who have profoundly influenced my academic career, not only shaping my intellectual growth as wonderful educators but also nurturing my confidence, resilience, and personality. Mr. Bohlayer, my AP Statistics teacher and a University of Maryland alumnus, was a guiding light during my freshman year. His warmth, authenticity, and unwavering support made school a place I looked forward to, and he taught me the value of kindness and sincerity, lessons that continue to resonate far beyond the classroom. Professor Burk has played a pivotal role in my academic and personal development long before I officially became a student at the University of Maryland. Her expertise, mentorship, and steadfast encouragement have been instrumental throughout my education. Beyond teaching me everything I know about horses, she stood by me through challenges and milestones alike. I am immensely grateful to both Mr. Bohlayer and Professor Burk, not only for their dedication as educators but for their generosity of spirit and lasting impact as mentors. Their influence will remain a cornerstone of my academic and personal success for the rest of my life.

Naomi Nicholas, English and History
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Kenneth Hammann, St. John's College High School, Chevy Chase, District of Columbia
Faculty Mentor: Dolapo Demuren, Jiménez-Porter Writers' House

Professor Demuren has been incredibly supportive of my college journey. Not only has he taught me in the Jiménez-Porter Writers' House, he was also my mentor for my Honors Humanities Keystone project, for which I wrote a middle grade novel. Mr. Hammann was my band director for all four years of high school. He was the director for the wind ensemble and other bands I participated in such as marching band, competition jazz band, and swing band. Learning from Mr. Hammann helped me immensely in finding my confidence as a musician and helped me find opportunities to play at a high level. While I am no longer pursuing music, band was a highlight of my high school experience and continues to shape who I am today.

LeeAnn Wong Arbelo, English and Philosophy, Politics, & Economics
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Elizabeth Stocklin, Hammond High School, Columbia, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Sara Wilder, Department of English

I am beyond grateful for the mentorship of Ms. Stocklin and Professor Wilder. English is not my first language, and for a long time, I viewed this as an obstacle. During my senior year, I doubted whether majoring in English was the right path, despite my love of the subject. Ms. Stocklin changed that. She shared her experiences, offered guidance, and helped me see the possibilities a degree in English could offer. I would not have imagined myself studying English had it not been for Ms. Stocklin’s words of encouragement. Ms. Stocklin, who read my college applications and helped me prepare for Banneker/Key interviews, made English, what once was a challenge for me, into something that I could spend my whole life in. At UMD, Professor Wilder has been an equally transformative figure. I’ve known her since freshman year. Her classes, and the Writing Center, have always been welcoming spaces for growth. Through her recommendations, detailed feedback, and invitation to research with her, Professor Wilder has pushed me to challenge assumptions and think deeply. Her mentorship has helped me grow not just as a writer, but as a scholar. Thanks to her, I’ve presented at conferences, traveled abroad, and developed a lasting confidence in my abilities. Both mentors have shaped my path in ways I never imagined possible.

Alexandra Atherton, Government & Politics and Criminology & Criminal Justice
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Kristin Chu, Gaithersburg Elementary School, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Amy Pate, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)

My elementary school teachers had a profound impact on my life. As I navigated the challenges of moving back to the United States and processing big emotions, teachers like Ms. Chu offered steady support and guidance during some of my most difficult years. Her respect, care, and passion for teaching not only made the classroom a safe and engaging space but also sparked a love of learning. Her fourth-grade class remains a pivotal moment in my education.
My mentor at UMD has inspired me in a different but equally meaningful way. As I transitioned through university and adulthood, I felt a gradual dimming of the passion that I had when I graduated high school. But in Professor Pate’s class, I found that spark again. Her lectures on extremism were not only captivating, but also fostered deep, critical discussions that reignited my intellectual curiosity. Her class and mentorship have had a profound influence on my career path, steering me toward counterterrorism and reshaping my understanding of today’s most pressing security threats.

Anna Karan, Psychology
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Philip Cohen, Cheltenham High School, Wyncote, Pennsylvania
Faculty Mentor: Tracy Riggins, Department of Psychology*

Both Mr. Cohen and Professor Riggins embody kindness, intellect, and what it means to be a true teacher. Mr. Cohen, through his unwavering commitment to every student who crossed his path, transformed how I see leadership. As the head of the special education department in my high school, he taught me about running extracurricular programs and class lessons for people with varying strengths with care and respect. What continues to amaze me is how he maintains relationships with students and their families long after they've graduated or changed school districts. He reaches beyond his job title and continues to help. Professor Riggins has been equally transformative in shaping my mindset and career trajectory. Her lab meetings balanced intellectual rigor with warmth, creating an environment with heated research discussions paired with laughs and food. She has the remarkable ability to tailor her mentorship to each person’s unique interests and goals, and never forces a one-size-fits-all approach. Both mentors have taught me that excellence isn’t just about competence—it’s about treating people with dignity and creating spaces where everyone can flourish.

Professor Riggins was named a Faculty Mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2019-20.

Brynn Saffer, Psychology and Social Data Science
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Allison Sneller, Long Reach High School, Columbia, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Jacob Coutts, Department of Psychology

I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship of both Ms. Sneller and Professor Coutts. Though they have guided me during different phases of my life, their impact has been remarkably similar. In high school, Ms. Sneller was a constant source of encouragement and positivity. Her unwavering support and kind presence always brightened my day and inspired me to be the best version of myself. I am truly thankful for her unconditional support throughout the years.
At the University of Maryland, Professor Coutts served as an invaluable professional mentor. He continually challenged me to grow—academically and professionally—and played a key role in helping me gain confidence in my abilities. I feel incredibly fortunate to have two mentors who believe in me and continue to support my journey.

Urszula Cieslak, Accounting and Finance
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Maria Cavallini, Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Joseph Bailey, Department of Decision, Operations and Information Technologies*

Throughout my academic journey, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who challenged me to grow both academically and personally. Ms. Cavallini, my Italian teacher from eighth to twelfth grade, encouraged me to take rigorous courses, such as AP Italian, and to stay involved in our school’s Italian Honor Society. Her passion for teaching and dedication to each student’s success taught me the importance of perseverance, self-discipline, and stepping outside of my comfort zone. At the University of Maryland, Professor Bailey had a similar impact on my academic journey. He encouraged me to explore unfamiliar ideas and helped me gain confidence in my academic and personal goals. Under his guidance, I completed two capstone projects and served as a teaching assistant for two courses in the Interdisciplinary Business Honors Program. These experiences significantly strengthened my critical thinking and leadership skills. Professor Bailey always took the time to answer any questions I had and pushed me to think about new ideas. I am incredibly grateful to Ms. Cavallini, Professor Bailey, and all the mentors who have helped me develop the confidence, curiosity, and drive that continue to shape my academic and professional journey today.

*Professor Bailey was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2011-12, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

James Miller, Accounting and Management
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Michael Philip, Severna Park Middle School, Severna Park, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Christine Schaaf, Department of Management & Organization and Marketing

I have been incredibly lucky to have amazing mentors that have helped me academically, professionally, and personally. Mr. Philip was my 8th grade science teacher and truly helped me come out of my shell when I was younger. In fact, he once made me sing “Let It Go” from Frozen in front of 100 people. As I moved on to high school and college, Mr. Philip and I kept in touch, and we still have dinner together sometimes. He was a phenomenal teacher that pushed me to grow and still mentors me to this day. Professor Schaaf has taught me in multiple classes, but I will never forget how she welcomed me to UMD in BMGT162. As a student with big dreams, trying to find their place in a new environment, Professor Schaaf helped me gain confidence, chart my path, and achieve many of my goals. She coached me through multiple final projects, gave me lots of career advice, and was always happy to help with anything else that came up. In a school as big as UMD, I am grateful to have had Professor Schaaf for multiple classes and get to know her better.

Victoria Rush, Marketing and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Ola Gerald, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Bo (“Bobby”) Zhou, Department of Marketing*

In high school, I was lucky to take two classes with Ms. Gerald: U.S. history and world history. She was an incredible teacher who created a fun, supportive, and safe environment where I could grow both academically and personally. Her genuine care for her students helped me recognize what I value in mentor-mentee relationships and what I continue to utilize with my mentees today. It meant so much to have someone I could rely on throughout high school and now. At UMD, I’ve been just as fortunate to take Professor Zhou’s “Marketing Research Methods” course. I genuinely looked forward to Professor Zhou’s class every day. His passion for the subject and commitment to helping students not just understand the material, but engage deeply with it, left a lasting impression on me. It was a privilege to be part of his class, which equipped me with skills and insights I’ll carry with me for years to come.

*Professor Zhou was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2015-16.

Erin Li, Chemistry and Neuroscience
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Janine Sharbaugh, River Hill High School, Clarksville, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Chicoli, Department of Psychology*

Throughout my education, I have had many incredible mentors who have guided both my academic and character development from a young age. Two that have been especially influential are Ms. Sharbaugh, my advanced research teacher from River Hill High School, and Professor Chicoli, my “Neural Systems and Circuits” professor and the faculty advisor for Nu Rho Psi. Going into my senior year’s research class with very little direction, Ms. Sharbaugh challenged me to independently develop deeper interests in neuroscience and psychology research while providing constant mentorship and support. Her reassurance and dedication played an integral role in solidifying my general career path in neuroscience research. Pursuing my interest in neuroscience in university, I had the opportunity to take a neuroscience course with Professor Chicoli. She always lectured passionately about neuroscience while encouraging student participation in class. Whether it was through neuroscience-based conversations in class, or talking to her in office hours or Nu Rho Psi events, Professor Chicoli was always willing to go beyond the surface level and explore my in-depth interests in neural circuitry. Through both of their mentorship, I have become a more curious neuroscience student while developing instrumental critical thinking skills.

*Professor Chicoli was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2023-24.

Gary Peng, Computer Science and Mathematics
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Cristy McCloskey, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Faculty Mentor: William Gasarch, Department of Computer Science*

I am deeply grateful to Ms. McCloskey and Professor Gasarch for shaping my path in computer science. Ms. McCloskey taught the first programming course I ever took, and her clear teaching, engaging projects, and overall enthusiasm helped spark my interest in computer science. I was fortunate enough to take a class with Ms. McCloskey each year of high school, including an independent study in my senior year where a friend and I developed a chess engine from scratch. At the University of Maryland, Professor Gasarch has been an exceptional mentor both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching two of the most memorable courses I have taken here, he supervised my first research project and graciously provided feedback on my application for multiple summer research programs. Needless to say, without Ms. McCloskey and Professor Gasarch—and the countless others who have supported me and encouraged me—I would not be where I am today.

*Professor Gasarch was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2007-08.

Benjamin Raufman, Chemistry and Mathematics
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Susan Vincent, Towson High School, Towson, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Srinivasa Raghavan, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

I want to thank Ms. Vincent and Professor Raghavan for their incredible mentorship and support. Ms. Vincent was my AP biology teacher my senior year of high school. She remains the most dedicated teacher I’ve ever had, consistently going above and beyond to make class both engaging and genuinely fun. Her passion for teaching sparked my love for biology and my interest in the sciences. I know that I speak not only for myself but for many of my former classmates when I say that without her, my academic and career goals would look very different today.
Professor Ragahvan taught CHBE480, a course that fundamentally transformed how I understand and connect biology, chemistry, and physics. His class has been the single most influential course in shaping my scientific thinking. His emphasis on critical thinking and intuitive understanding gave me a deeper grasp of science than I had ever experienced before, and I have found this invaluable in each science course I have taken since. Professor Raghavan’s continued mentorship in research and support over my college career has pushed me to grow as a scientist. I am truly grateful to have learned from both incredible educators.

Trung Ngu, Mechanical Engineering
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Patricia Glinkowski, Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Catherine Hamel, Department of Fire Protection Engineering

Throughout my academic career, there have been a select few individuals who have had a profoundly significant impact on my life and who have helped shape me into the person I am today. One such person is my high school color guard instructor, Ms. Glinkowski. With her mentorship, she taught me to confidently stand up for myself and my beliefs. Most importantly, she taught me to always be confident in myself, the goals I pursue, and the steps I take to reach them, and that if I fail, I have to get back up and learn from my mistakes. Another such person is Professor Hamel. Coming into UMD as a first-generation student at a junior level, I didn’t know what to expect. However, her ENES232 class was something that I always looked forward to. Her positive attitude helped me find my place here. I specifically remember our discussion towards the end of the semester about renewable energy, which helped solidify my ambition to work in renewable energy research. She has continued to be a great mentor, acting as the faculty advisor for the Terrapin Trail Club, for which I am an officer.

Amelia Skeers, Aerospace Engineering
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Roger Wallace, Pomona Catholic High School, Pomona, California
Faculty Mentor: Alison Flatau, Department of Aerospace Engineering

I always preferred math to other subjects in school, but Mr. Wallace is the reason I grew to love it. His classes were consistently the hardest in my schedule, but Mr. Wallace always expressed his belief in my ability to succeed in whatever I put my mind to. He taught me how to think critically, solve problems, and believe in myself. I took a class with Professor Flatau in the fall of my sophomore year, and her advice and encouragement have been invaluable, both in and out of the classroom. Her class gave me the foundation for every aerospace course I’ve since taken, and she has provided me with many opportunities to grow in the industry. I am forever grateful to both Mr. Wallace and Professor Flatau for supporting me on my academic and professional journey.

Roman Lakner, Information Science
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Glenn Stergar, North Point High School, Waldorf, Maryland*
Faculty Mentor: Dennis Frezzo, College of Information Studies

During 10th and 11th grade, I had the pleasure of learning from Mr. Stergar, my Cisco networking teacher, as part of one of the technical career programs offered by my high school. Mr. Stergar’s mentorship helped me discover my passion for information technology and security through his unique teaching style, field experience, and emphasis on career development. He saw the potential in me and my classmates, continuously challenging us and pushing us to obtain industry-level certifications. During my time at UMD, I was fortunate enough to meet another educator with a similar passion and approach to teaching. Professor Frezzo, my professor for “Cloud Computing for Information Science,” made learning deeply rewarding through his consistent encouragement and support, and his ability to connect lecture material to the real world. When he shared his unconventional career path, I was surprised to learn he helped develop the very curriculum and technology that sparked my IT interest in high school. It was a full-circle moment that taught me the importance of having an open mind and gave me both confidence and a new perspective on navigating my own career.

*Mr. Stergar was named a teacher mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2023-24.

Apurva Mahajan, Journalism and Government & Politics
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Peter Huck, Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring, Maryland*
Faculty Mentor: Derek Willis, College of Journalism

Through Mr. Huck’s newspaper and AP literature classes in high school, I came out of my shell. I’d often stay silent in class, but he’d stop by my desk to talk to me from time to time. His teaching fostered my love for writing. I came into Mr. Huck’s class without any idea of what I wanted to study in college, but thanks to him, I will graduate knowing I didn’t want to be anything but a journalist.
In my freshman year of college, Professor Willis let me sit in on his data journalism class after I asked multiple other professors how I could enroll in it. Since then, I’ve taken multiple courses with him and continue to stop by his office, whether to have him review a public information act request I want to send or to ask for career advice. Professor Willis gives specific feedback and constantly pushes me to achieve beyond what I think I’m capable of. He consistently goes out of his way to support younger journalists, even if he doesn’t know them personally. He wholeheartedly exemplifies the kind of journalist I aspire to become.

*Mr. Huck was named a teacher mentor by two Merrill Scholars in 2009-10.

Faith Bissen, Public Health Practice
Teacher Mentor: Mr. Antonio Saltaformaggio, Gerstell Academy, Finksburg, Maryland
Faculty Mentor: Kirsten Stoebenau, Department of Behavioral and Community Health

When I was in middle school and high school, Mr. Saltaformaggio was my advisor, history teacher, and soccer coach. His creative approaches to teaching promoted my curiosity, determination, and passion for history. He expanded my understanding of the world and pushed me to have the courage to unapologetically make my place in it. While at the University of Maryland, Professor Stoebenau helped me believe in the value of my contributions and has pushed me to reach my full potential academically. Within the Community Health Honors program, she taught me how to navigate post-graduation options and cultivate important presentation and research skills. She is a welcoming, supportive, and open-minded presence in the School of Public Health, whose expertise and personality positively influence those around her.

Noa Blumenthal, Public Health Science
Teacher Mentor: Ms. Lizette Anders, Reidenbaugh Elementary School, Lititz, Pennsylvania
Faculty Mentor: Bonnie Dixon, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Both of my mentors have inspired me deeply, inside and outside of the classroom setting, by modeling the qualities I strive to carry into my professional life. Starting in 2nd grade, Ms. Anders stood out by going above and beyond to not only make us grow as students, but also into thoughtful and well rounded individuals. She taught us how to be compassionate, hard working, empathetic, and dedicated. We continued to stay in touch while she was my Girls on the Run Coach, which was another opportunity where I learned how to become confident as a woman, be kind to others, and how to navigate different life experiences. More recently, Professor Dixon, my biochemistry professor, challenged me to think critically and pursue excellence in both academics and life. She is driven and passionate about everything she is involved in, and prioritizes her students and her family above herself every day. She devotes her time to the classroom community and always challenges us to become critical thinkers, which is essential for the healthcare field ahead of us. I am forever grateful to both of my mentors for sculpting me to become the person I am today and displaying the best attributes that I will continue to emulate in my future career.

*Professor Dixon was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2018-19.