This valuable organization works closely with the Dean and the Office of Academic Programs. The mission of the ambassadors is to assist in the areas of recruitment, public relations and educational outreach. Activities include hosting prospective students and parents, serving on university open house student panels, performing community service and representing the college on various committees. Ambassadors are also active outside the college in such programs as the Honors College, College Park Scholars, Student Senate and Residence Life.
Below you will find the photos and bios of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Ambassadors. Click on their name to learn more about the Ambassador and how to contact them. Questions about student life, academics, campus living or a prospective major are welcome!
Not sure who to connect with? Send a general question to FutureAGNR@umd.edu.
Environmental Science & Policy
Isabel Armbruster
Junior from Catonsville, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To work for an Environment or Humanitarian non-profit organization
Clubs: Terrapin Tap Club
Favorite Place on Campus: Mckeldin Mall Fountain
Advice for New Students: Explore all your options!
Email: isabelarmbruster88@gmail.com
Maeve Kessler
Sophomore from Yardley, PA
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To become an environmental scientist
Clubs: College Park Scholars, College Park Scholars peer mentor, Geology club
Favorite Place on Campus: Labyrinth in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance
Advice for New Students: Attend as many Terps After Dark planned activities the first weekend and month of the fall semester as possible. They are a lot of fun and give you lots of opportunities to hang out with friends and to make new friends.
Email: mekess@terpmail.umd.edu
Paxton Kerstetter
Sophomore from Smithsburg, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To work with wildlife conservation
Clubs: Green Roots
Favorite Place on Campus: Coffee Bar at STAMP
Advice for New Students: When workloads are heavy make time to do something fun/relaxing.
Email: paxiejane@yahoo.com
Laura Exar
Junior from Asheville, NC and currently lives in Derwood, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To work in the public sector in the environmental sciences field, making people's lives better and the environment cleaner!
Clubs: FIRE (Sustainability Analytics), Alpha Phi Omega (co-ed service fraternity), Federal Fellows (Energy and Environment), ENSPire, SOA (Sustainable Ocean Alliance), Alternative Breaks (Environmental Stewardship in the Bahamas)
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Try new things, study new material as you learn it (not the day before an exam!!), get to know your professors/TAs/classmates, make the most of your time here in college.
Email: lauraexar12@gmail.com
Animal & Avian Science
Bella Carr
Sophomore from Greenlawn, NY
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To become a companion animal veterinarian or work with endangered species/conservation
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Block And Bridle, Terpski, Army ROTC
Favorite Place on Campus: Mckeldin Fountain
Advice for New Students: Be yourself and get involved in everything!! It’s a great way to make friends with common interests!
Email: bellacollege2022@gmail.com
Deena Silton
Junior from Bel Air, MD
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To become a genetics researcher focusing on gene therapy advancements in oncology
Clubs: Pre-Vet Society, Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program, ILS Peer Mentor, Hillel, Jewish Student Union, Dean's Student Advisory Council for AGNR, Informative Association for Maryland Science Advancement (NAMSA)
Favorite Place on Campus: Campus farm
Advice for New Students: Know that college is for learning but also have fun with it. Take classes you are interested in and learn as much as you can, but find balance in what you do.
Eliza White
Freshman from Darnestown, MD
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To become a Veterinarian
Clubs: Sketchup Comedy, Pre-vet society, TA for ANSC101
Favorite Place on Campus: South Campus Diner
Advice for New Students: I came from a small high school where I graduated with 51 people. I was terrified that i would be overwhelmed by UMD's size. I found that if advocate for myself and make an effort to get to know classmates and professors, i can make a big school feel small. All of my first semester profs know me by name and i feel like i have found a community. In other words, college can be whatever you make of it.
Email: Eliza.eira@gmail.com
Environmental Science & Technology
Keva Chawla
Junior from Silver Spring, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: Unsure yet
Clubs: Intramural sports, MaryPirg, Freshmen Connection, Sports Business Society
Favorite Place on Campus: Edward St. John Teaching and Learning Center
Advice for New Students: Be yourself, always try new things and start off every semester strong.
Email: keva456@gmail.com
Erin Hyman
Junior from Fallston, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To be back county ranger in with a national park or national forest and environmental education
Clubs: Community Learning Garden UMD Adventure Program Terrapin Trail club
Favorite Place on Campus: Rock climbing wall
Advice for New Students: Be present, try to enjoy what you are doing without stressing about other things. Focus on managing your time to include everything you want to do in addition to what you have to do.
Email: erin.hyman20@gmail.com
Janna Chapman
Freshman from Severn, MD
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To work in the Department of the Interior (NPS, NOAA, FWS etc.)
Clubs: MANRRS, University Honors, FIRE
Favorite Place on Campus: South Campus
Advice for New Students: Think about what classes and activities you want to try or take early! It will really benefit your resume.
Sharon Halevi
Junior from Elmsford, NY
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To work with sustainable technology
Clubs: Student Government Association’s Sustainability Committee
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Spend your time with the people that make you happy.
Email: Sharonha99@gmail.com
Nutrition & Food Science
Maria Cortes
Senior from Severna Park, MD
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Career Goal: To become a medical doctor that works with children
Clubs: Gamer Symphony Orchestra, ODK, Army ROTC
Favorite Place on Campus: Edward St. John Teaching and Learning Center
Advice for New Students: Asking for help doesn't make you less of a person. Reach out to others when help is needed.
Email: mcortes@terpmail.umd.edu
Kinza Mahmood
Junior from Fairfax, VA
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Career Goal: To work in food microbiology
Clubs: UMD Alternative Breaks, Food Science Club, Teaching Assistant
Favorite Place on Campus: Hoff Theater
Advice for New Students: Be proactive! Go to office hours or study sessions/tutoring sooner rather than later!
Email: kinzam455@gmail.com
Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Emma Weiss
Junior from Catonsville, MD
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology and Plant Sciences
Career Goal: To work as an agronomist or consultant with indigenous people and start a permaculture farm
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Green Roots, Terrapin Trail Club, Gemstone, Horticulture Club, Longboarding Club
Favorite Place on Campus: Hornbake Plaza
Advice for New Students: If you're offered a leadership role, go for it! Even if you don't think you're an expert, people will help you learn along the way.
Email: eweiss21@terpmail.umd.edu
Sidra Isenberg
Sophomore from Cherry Hill, NJ
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology
Career Goal: To become a horticulturist
Clubs: Horticulture Club, Hillel organization, Green Roots, UMD Memorial Chapel
Favorite Place on Campus: Memorial Chapel Gardens
Advice for New Students: Give yourself some time to settle into things and get to know the campus. Your love for UMD will come gradually, so take your time!
Email: scootberg@comcast.net