Jay Arasan, Director, Individual Studies Program
Jay Arasan serves as the Director of the UMD Fellows Program and Individual Studies Program at the University of Maryland. With over a decade of experience at UMD, Jay previously held the role of Associate Director and Assistant Director, where he played a pivotal role in the expansion and success of the Fellows Program. Under his leadership, the program now includes Federal, Global, and Maryland-focused components, providing students with enriching academic and hands-on experiences in public service. 

Before joining the University of Maryland in 2014, Jay’s diverse career spanned roles in international training and diplomacy. He served as a training manager at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and worked as a diplomatic sales consultant in New York City. His global perspective and leadership continue to be valuable assets to the university community. In addition to his work with the Fellows Program, Jay also oversees the Individual Studies Program (IVSP), guiding students in designing their own interdisciplinary majors in collaboration with faculty mentors. Jay holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s in Information Technology from University Utara Malaysia, bringing both leadership and technical expertise to his role.

Lori Praniewicz, Assistant Director
301-314-0023 | ljusie1@umd.edu
Lori Praniewicz is the Assistant Director of the Individual Studies Program. She has been with the program since 2011, serving first as Coordinator. Lori earned a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Science Education from the University of Maryland. She also earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Towson University as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate in E-Learning from UMBC. A New Jersey native, Lori came to Maryland to pursue a teaching career and never left! At home, she lives with her husband and two daughters. Lori enjoys skiing, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Marissa Sariol-Clough, Graduate Assistant
301-314-0023 | sariolmr@umd.edu
Marissa Sariol-Clough is the Graduate Assistant in the Individual Studies Program. She is a 4th year PhD student studying Education Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland. Prior to moving to Maryland, Marissa lived in North Carolina where she earned her M.A. in Experimental Psychology, with a focus on developmental psychology from Appalachian State University. She also attended James Madison University where she earned a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Statistics and Business. Marissa’s research interests range from early childhood education to developmental psychology and teacher preparation for the workforce. Specifically, she is interested in how experiencing poverty and being low-income impacts children’s social, cognitive, and physical development and how education policies can reduce the negative impacts of poverty on children’s long-term development. This includes addressing barriers to parent involvement in education, access to high quality healthcare and childcare, and providing low-income schools with resources equivalent to their middle- and high-income peers, e.g., high quality books and teachers, up-to-date technology, adequate school buildings, and creating a supportive school culture. In her free time Marissa likes to hike with her dog and partner, travel domestically and internationally, and explore breweries and wineries.