About Us
2012 IVSP Graduates
Richard Asong
B.A. International Relations and Diplomacy
Faculty Mentor: John McCauley, Department of Government and Politics
Richard Asong is proud to be graduating with a degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. His major combines courses in history, geography, government, and diplomacy in order to study how states and non-states cooperate and compete on political issues, and the practice of conducting negotiations between those states. He used these courses to write his capstone “A Comparison of the United States’ and China’s Foreign Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa since the year 2000”. He is also graduating with a certification in Multi-Track Diplomacy: Transforming Violent Conflict.
Richard is the recipient of the Undergraduate Admission Office’s 2011 Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s 2012 Academy of Academic Excellence Award. He is a member of the Baltimore Council of Foreign Relations and volunteers at the Greenbelt Fire Station.
Next year, Richard will be attending the University of Cambridge for an M.Phil. in International Relations and Politics, where his research will focus on the International Criminal Court and why Africans have disproportionately been indicted and prosecuted.
Manka Banda
B.A., Global Public Health
B.S., General Biology
Minor: International Development and Conflict Management
Mentor: Dr. Donna Howard, School of Public Health
Manka Banda joined the Individual Studies program in October 2010. In addition to studying Global Public Health, she also pursued a degree in General Biology and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. As a student in the university’s Federal Semester Program, Manka interned at the United States Department of Human and Health Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau. In the summer of 2011, she volunteered at Kalinga Eye Hospital in Orissa, India as a Global Impact Fellow with the non-profit organization Unite for Sight. Since 2009, Manka has worked as a teaching assistant for first year Biology courses and Principles of Genetics. In 2010, she began working as a research assistant at the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied nutrition, investigating the impact of scientific uncertainty on food safety policies in the United States and European Union. Manka is a member of the Peer Leadership Council, a group in which she works to organize leadership development programs for students across campus. As a trip leader for the alternative breaks program, she has led three week-long community service trips on urban poverty in Baltimore, interfaith education in Philadelphia and environmental conservation in the Bahamas.
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Camille Cross
B.S., Human Health and Wellness- Cum Laude
Minor: Spanish Language, Business and Culture
University Honors Program
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Watson, Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry
Camille Cross is excited to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Human Health and Wellness and a minor in Spanish Language, Business and Culture. Human Health and Wellness is the study of the biological and psychosocial elements of human health and included classes in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Human Development and Public Health. Camille’s senior capstone project examined risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its contribution to racial and ethnic health disparities in the African American Community in Prince George’s county. Camille is a Banneker Key Scholar and has been on the Dean’s list every semester of college. She will be attending medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in the fall. While at Maryland, Camille shadowed medical practitioners at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Hospital, worked as a resident assistant and Honors College student worker, played in the UMD Repertoire Orchestra and ran with Terp Sprinters. Camille also gained valuable knowledge through three significant summer experiences: the Summer Medical Dental Education Program at Howard University School of Medicine, a Study Abroad trip to Spain; and the Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research program. Camille offers the utmost gratitude and appreciation to God, her parents, family and friends for their love and support. She would also like to extend a special thank-you to her academic mentors and the Honors College Staff for their support and encouragement.
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Meg Eden
B.S., Cognitive Science and Written Communication
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Willie Davis, Department of English
Meg Eden has worked one-on-one with autistic children in her church, with the help of an Ann Arundel County Public Schools Developmental Specialist. She also attended Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, Psychology and Child Development Colloquiums, as well as Language Science Day at UMD. She also has worked at Center for Advanced Study of Language. She graduated from the Jimenez-Porter Writer's House, and was vice president of Chess Club. “Four-Color Pens”, an excerpt from 9-8 (Meg’s Capstone Project), won second place in The Claremont Review’s annual contest, as well as an honorable mention from University of Maryland’s Litfest fiction contest. Her collection “Your Son", has received The Florence Kahn Memorial Award, and her collection, “Rotary Phones and Facebook,” is to be released in June 2012 by Dancing Girl Press.
In the future, Meg hopes to transfer her understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders to help individuals in Japan with similar symptoms called hikikomori, offering therapy and Biblical ministry. She'd like to thank God for directing her through each step of career choices.
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Ellen Eichenbaum
B.S., Children’s Nutrition Behavior
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Samuel ‘Woodie’ Kessel, Department of Public Health
Ellen is excited to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Children’s Nutritional Behavior! Her degree focuses on the influences, choices, and outcomes related to children and food. Most of her coursework was completed in the nutrition, marketing, and psychology departments. Her internship with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion was one of her most meaningful and beneficial experiences in college. She gained firsthand experience in nutrition promotion and loved learning how to write Plain Language summaries and MyPlate toolkits! Ellen’s capstone project, titled “Childhood Obesity and the Theoretical Frameworks to Drive Interventions,” focuses on the contributing factors to childhood obesity, theoretical bases for change, goals and challenges of the interventions, and her firsthand experience with the Baltimore GrandFamilies Initiative.
During spring semester last year, she studied abroad in Rome, where she left her nutritional instincts at home and ate all the pizza she could! Throughout college, Ellen loved heading into DC on the weekends, dancing in Bethesda, and participating in a bunch of social justice projects with Hillel. She is eager to further her studies in nutrition promotion, education, and/or communication in the future. She is not sure of what the immediate future holds for her yet, but is hoping to move to some city on the east coast and aid in their local fight of childhood obesity!
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Hannah Glassman
B.A., Environmental Conflict and International Development
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Grayzel, Center for International Development & Conflict Management
Hannah is proud to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Conflict and International Development. With her degree, Hannah has explored key global challenges facing today’s world relating to environmental studies, international development, and global conflict in a combination of political, cultural, economic, and social contexts. She has held leadership positions in various student organizations, including Fundraising Chair for the Jewish Student Union, Sponsorship Chair and Logistics Chair for the 5K Run for Love through Alpha Chi Omega, and Co-Chair for the IVSP Student Advisory Board. Hannah spent a semester studying International Relations and Australian Environments in the Gold Coast of Australia in fall of 2011. She also interned at the University of Maryland Office of Sustainability as the author of the 2012 Campus Sustainability Report, which will be published in late summer. Hannah was also a Special Projects intern at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism providing source analysis and research support.
For her Capstone Project, Hannah wrote a thesis about the global water crisis evaluating the history of the problem, the impact of water scarcity on other global challenges, solutions that have been developed to address the problem, and what new approaches the global community should take. Hannah regularly appeared on the Dean’s list, and was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She would like to thank Dr. Grayzel and Dr. Burton for their guidance and encouragement throughout her educational experience along with her family for their continued love and support.
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Trevin Hoekzema
B.A., Community Economic Development
Mentor: Dr. David Lovell, School of Engineering
Trevin Hoekzema is excited to graduate from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Community Economic Development. This major is the study of key factors influencing sustainable development, economic growth, and progress in developing countries. The major prepared Trevin with the theoretical frameworks and practical skills necessary to address critical global concerns such as conflict management, food security, and governance. The three fields of study the major focused on were International Development, Developmental Economics, and Leadership and Communication. Trevin focused on the future of microfinance as the culmination of the major in his senior capstone project. The project, titled, "The microfinance movement is at the end of its cycle. Where are you headed?" suggested a new cycle for the industry to adopt. He created the argument through a descriptive thesis that synthesized articles, journals, and current trends.
After graduating, Trevin plans to secure a job in the field of international development where he will get involved with programs that are focused on developing sustainable markets. He will also pursue a graduate degree in the near future. During his time at UMD, Trevin was on the Dean's List, co-founded International Friends, and volunteered for many local organizations, including Serve the City Baltimore.
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William Johnston
B.A., American Historical Preservation
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donald Linebaugh,
Department of Preservation and Planning
William will be graduating with a degree in Individual Studies (American Historic Preservation). William’s IVSP major focuses on architecture (and its history), anthropology, history, and historic preservation. The creation of this major was motivated by William’s dual passions for history and for historic buildings. He has a long connection with the history surrounding the built environment of the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, and is an avid sailor. William’s Senior Capstone Project involved the research and documentation of an historic house in Southern Maryland through deeds, land records, and photographs as well as other evidence of its creation and existence. It also required architectural descriptions and descriptions of historical significance, as well as coordination with local archaeologists, historians, and amateur enthusiasts in order to find the original building and other historical sites. The project is still ongoing and will continue to provide new insight into 18th and 19th century Maryland life as work is continued. William has interned with the Anne Arundel County Lost Towns Project in Annapolis, MD, and the Maryland Historical Trust, and has, through school projects, provided information for the Maryland State Highway Administration with regards to their work in Bladensburg, MD.
He has also interned with the local Deale Area Historical Society in Deale, MD, and has already done private consulting work in the area. He will pursue a Master’s Degree in Preservation and is considering the possibility of attending law school at some future date. William would like to thank Dr. Burton, Lori Jusiewicz, Dr. Linebaugh, and other mentors, as well as his parents, for their steadfast support over his college career.
Susan Kelly
B.A., Peace-Building and Social Change
Minor: International Development & Conflict Management
University Honors Program
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Grayzel, Former Baha’i Chair for World Peace
Susan is proud to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Peace-building and Social Change. As a student of peace, she spent a semester abroad in Haifa, Israel, and two weeks in South Africa to study Human Rights and HIV/AIDS. Susan worked as a section leader in Honors100 for three semesters, and as a TA for Dr. Suheil Bushrui in the honors seminar, “The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race” for one semester. She spent the summers of 2011 and 2012 working at Seeds of Peace as a counselor for youth from conflict areas. Since 2009, Susan has worked as a Challenge Course facilitator at the University of Maryland’s Outdoor Recreation Center.
As a trip leader with Alternative Breaks, Susan went to the Bahamas for environmental conservation and she led the inaugural Maryland trip to Haiti to learn about the intersection of Haitian culture, international development and disaster relief. One of her most meaningful experiences at Maryland was peer counseling and training volunteers at Help Center, UMD’s Peer Counseling, Crisis Intervention Hotline. Susan is a Banneker/Key Scholar and a Philip Merrill Award Recipient. In Susan’s capstone project she created a curriculum for teaching peace to high school students and she hopes to use this curriculum in her future career as a peace teacher. After graduation, Susan will continue rock climbing, making travel plans, and interning at Ashoka’s Youth Venture, promoting youth engagement in social entrepreneurship.
Randi Levitt
B.A., Sports and Recreation Management
Minor: Leadership Studies
Mentor: Dr. Terry Zacker, Department of English
Randi Levitt is excited to be graduating a semester early from the University of Maryland with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and a minor in Leadership Studies. With her degree, Randi focused her coursework on the business of sport and recreation, and more specifically, the impact that sport and recreation can make on a college campus. Her goal was to establish an interdisciplinary understanding of sport business and focus on leading, planning, and managing athletic and recreational opportunities in public, private, and commercial settings. For her capstone project, Randi created a class, Leadership and Collegiate Recreation, which she will be teaching to Campus Recreation Services employees beginning next semester.
Throughout her three years at the University of Maryland, Randi worked as a Facilities Supervisor and Program Assistant for Campus Recreation Services, and will continue working as the Program Assistant for Special Projects until she goes to graduate school next fall. In addition to her work for Campus Recreation, Randi served as Chapter President of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha; worked as a Community Advocate in the Office of Student Conduct; interned as a Game Operations Intern and Marketing Coordinator for Maryland Sports Marketing; and served as a Leadership Educator for the Peer Leadership Educator. Randi was also a recipient of the 2012 Student Affairs Scholarship Award; a member of Order of Omega, National Honorary Greek Leadership Society; and was Senior Marshal for the December 2012 Commencement.
Evan Margolis
B.A., Character Studies and Design
Minor: Astronomy
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Earles, Department of English
Evan Margolis is proud to be graduating the University of Maryland with a B.A in Character Studies and Design. This major combines Art, English, and Psychology to accurately portray the human character. Evan’s senior project was a comprehensive character study comprised of short stories and portraits.
Evan has been honored with the H. Morton Rosen Arts Award and is a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts. He also designed the graphic that is on the current Individual Studies T-shirt. Currently, Evan is the scenic artist for the Beth Tfiloh Community Theater Company in Pikesville, Maryland. This is their fourth season, and they will be performing Urinetown on August 19, 21, and 22, 2012. Evan also loves playing sports and watching the Orioles. In the future, he would like to apply his unique major to storyboarding for animated movies. He really loves his family and friends. Thank you!
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Roya Motazedi
B.A., International Relations and East Asia
B.A., Japanese
College Park Scholars – Cultures of the Americas
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Virginia Haufler, Department of Government & Politics
Roya is proud to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a double major in International Relations and East Asia and Japanese. Roya has been studying Japanese since she was a child and developed a strong passion towards foreign cultures and international relations. Roya’s IVSP major incorporates history, government and literature courses focused on East Asia. Roya’s Senior Thesis is titled “Intersections of Contemporary Okinawan Identity.” Her Senior Thesis examines the various components that make up the modern Okinawan identity, and the struggle that Okinawans have experienced in defining themselves with regards to the “Japanese” identity.
During her time at the University of Maryland, Roya interned at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in the Criminal Division, as well as in Senator Cardin’s Office. For the past three years, Roya has been an active member of the University Student Judiciary and served as a Presiding Officer for the Central Board. Roya has been on the Dean’s List and is a member of the Japanese National Honor Society. After her study abroad plans to Tokyo, Japan were canceled due to last year’s earthquake and tsunami, Roya decided to study abroad in Istanbul, Turkey.
After graduating from the University of Maryland, Roya will be working in Yakage, Japan through the Princeton in Asia program. In the future, she is interested in attending law school in order to pursue a study in international law.
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Aisha Mumtaz
B.A., Woman’s Health and Global Communication
University Honors Program
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justicia Opoku-Eudsei,
Department of Biological Sciences
Aisha is excited to be graduating from UMD with a degree in Women’s Health & Global Communication. With her degree, Aisha has explored current key global health challenges in maternal health and development. It has prepared her with the theoretical frameworks and practical skills necessary to address critical healthcare concerns, such as minority access to care and maternal health proficiency. The coursework examines major social, economic, and political issues affecting the delivery of health care. Aisha’s capstone project analyzed the infant mortality rate in the US, focusing on factors that contribute to the U.S.’s low international ranking when compared to other developed nations.
Aisha served on the International Youth Leadership Council at Advocates for Youth throughout her college career. She attended the U.N.’s 45th Commission on Population and Development in NYC to represent Advocates for Youth to speak on behalf of young people and their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Aisha is graduating with an Honors Citation from the University Honors College, received the William D. Dorland Scholarship, is part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, was on the dean’s list every semester, and received multiple academic awards from the Office of Multiethnic Student Education.
After graduating, Aisha will be attending Medical School at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Aisha would like to thank her parents and family for their love and support, and her academic mentor and advisors for their guidance and encouragement.
Elizabeth Niarhos
B.A., Latino Counseling
Mentor: Dr. Courtland Lee, Department of Counseling &
Personnel Services Elizabeth Niarhos is excited to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latino Counseling and ready to begin new adventures. Latino Counseling studies the application of counseling skills to the Latino population. Through the variety of courses that her major consists of, Elizabeth has discovered her passion for cross-cultural interactions and development. Her senior thesis explores how a counselor’s awareness of both the socio-historical and current contexts of the Latino immigrant population is essential to working with Latina/o immigrants in a culturally competent manner.
Elizabeth volunteered at the Help Center, the University’s peer counseling and crisis intervention hotline, for three years. She also volunteered with Beyond These Walls, assisted in teaching with an adult ESL program, and spent her fall semester sophomore year volunteering with the Children’s Developmental Clinic on Campus. Elizabeth is graduating from the University Honors College with an Honors Citation. After graduation, she will move to Chile for five months to teach English. She is incredibly thankful for this opportunity and intends to take full advantage of every cross-cultural experience it presents to her.
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Cristian Panaite
B.A., 3D Environment Modeling & Design
Faculty Mentor: Michael Ambrose, School of Architecture
Cristian is proud to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in 3D Environment Modeling & Design. His major combined Architecture, Art, and Art History into the education necessary to grow as a 3D artist. As a former Architecture student, Cristian sought ways to bridge his love for drafting and design in 3D programs with a more artistic endeavor. He found the answer through the Individual Studies Program where his capstone project focused on the creation of three virtual environments with distinct visual styles.
Cristian has held two internships in the past, one with the National Archives in College Park and the other with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. He is grateful for the knowledge and experience gained by working at these institutions, and he is excited for the future that the prospect of design and 3D modeling has set before him. Most importantly, he is grateful for the ways in which the Individual Studies Program has allowed him to pursue his dream. Cristian would like to thank the IVSP office and his mentor, Michael Ambrose, for their generous support.
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Rachel Pazornick
B.A., Education and Diversity Studies
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sue Briggs, School of Behavior and Social Sciences
Rachael is proud to be graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Diversity Studies. With her degree, Rachael focused on coursework in human development, cultural diversity, and student leadership and personnel services. The degree focuses on how culturally diverse communities and various education styles enhance learning environments by enriching the student experience. Rachael interned at BBYO, where she worked to create higher quality programming for a national youth movement. For her Capstone Project, Rachael volunteered as an Assistant Coach for the Girls on the Run program at Illchester Elementary School. She worked on a weekly basis to facilitate the program, which features a ten-week curriculum that combines sport and life skills. Upon graduation, Rachael will be a traveling chapter consultant for Alpha Chi Omega. Rachael will be working with chapters throughout the year to provide support and improve members overall collegiate experience. She is a member of several extracurricular clubs and served as chapter president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, as well as the Greek honor society, Order of Omega.
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Shoshana Rosen
B.A., Children with Special Needs and Family Support
Minor: Elementary Special Education
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacqueline Wallen, Family Science
Children with Special Needs and Family Support is an interdisciplinary in-depth approach to learning about and understanding children with special needs and the influences and roles of their families, communities and schools. Shoshana’s degree combines the studies of Psychology, Special Education, and Family Science to help each unique child reach their potential and to serve as a resource for the child, family and community. For her Capstone project, she created two major projects, both while interning at The Arc of Prince George's County. The first was a networking website for local parents with children with special needs, ages birth to four. This site is for families to connect, share information, gain resources, and experience a supportive network. For her second project, called “Ready @21”, she created and implemented a curriculum to prepare high school children with special needs for transitioning out of school and into the workforce.
Throughout her years at UMD, Shoshana was very active in Hillel and the Help Center, a UMD counseling and crisis intervention hotline, where she served as a peer counselor, a leader for orientation weekend for new volunteers, and a trainer for new counselors. Shoshana is a four year UMD Presidential Scholar, and earned Dean's List for many of her semesters. Shoshana was awarded Senior Marshal and the honor of holding the gonfalon, to represent and lead in graduation. After she graduates, she plans to study and volunteer for one year in Jerusalem, Israel. Thereafter, Shoshana intends to obtain a Master’s degree in Social Work and work with children with special needs and their families.
Images on this page by Lisa Helfert Photography