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.
Agricultural & Resource Economics
Anthony D'Alessio
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To work in sustainability
Favorite Place on Campus: The Computer Science Building
Advice for New Students: Always reach out to others.
Email: adalessi@terpmail.umd.edu
Phil Carroll
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To become an economist that deals with commodities trading and pricing
Clubs: Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, Terpski, IFC Judicial Board
Favorite Place on Campus: Fraternity Row fields
Advice for New Students: Work hard early in college, and stay busy as often as possible whatever it may be.
Email: pcarroll@terpmail.umd.edu
Jared Bennett
Hometown: Medford, NJ
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Agricultural and Resource Economics
Career Goal: To become an officer in the Navy.
Clubs: Ometz at UMD, Model Congress at UMD, Student Advisory Committee for the VP of Diversity and Inclusion
Favorite Place on Campus: Tawes Plaza
Advice for New Students: Give everything your best, and ask for help when you need it
Email: jareben@umd.edu
Animal & Avian Science
Bella Carr
Hometown: Greenlawn, NY
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
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
Caitlyn Ryan
Hometown: Bel Air, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To work in the field of animal nutrition or behavior research
Clubs: College Park Scholars, Terpski
Favorite Place on Campus: Campus farm
Advice for New Students: Take advantage of all of the opportunities that this school has to offer. This is not limited to just joining clubs and trying out for sports, also make sure you are making connections with faculty, professors and your classmates!
Email: Caitryan888@gmail.com
Eliza White
Hometown: Darnestown, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
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
Megha Chaudhari
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To be a veterinarian
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Carillon Communities, Pre-Vet society, Club Tennis
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Put yourself out there. It's daunting, but reaching out to professors and classmates helps you form important relationships and find some study buddies! Sign up for any clubs and organizations that interest you because that is the best way to meet people with common interests.
Email: mchaudha@terpmail.umd.edu
Jaanavi Selvaraj
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Major: Animal Sciences
Career Goal: To be a veterinarian
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, UMD Mayuri, The Letter Project, Maryland Mentor Corps
Favorite Place on Campus: Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center
Advice for New Students: Attend events and talk to people! Everyone is in the same boat and trying to make friends!
Email: jaanavi.selvaraj13@gmail.com
Environmental Science & Policy
Maeve Kessler
Hometown: Yardley, PA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
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
Hometown: Smithsburg, MD
Expected Graduation: Winter 2021
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
Madelyn Haines
Hometown: Rising Sun, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Career Goal: To become a soil scientist
Favorite Place on Campus: Washington Quad on South Campus
Advice for New Students: Be true to yourself, study hard, remember to take breaks, enjoy your college experience to the fullest, and one bad grade is not the end of the world.
Email: madyhaines48@gmail.com
Environmental Science & Technology
Madeline White
Hometown: Fallston, MD
Expected Graduation: Winter 2021
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To work in conservation and mitigating climate change
Clubs: Epsilon Eta, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Green Terps
Favorite Place on Campus: Campus Farm
Advice for New Students: Join as many clubs and activities as possible, it will help you meet new people and find out how you’d like to spend your college experience.
Email: mmwhite515@gmail.com
Janna Chapman
Hometown: Severn, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
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.
Nicholas Burke
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To pursue a law degree and work in environmental law
Clubs: Club Lacrosse, FIRE
Favorite Place on Campus: Xfinity Center
Advice for New Students: Don't limit yourself - join social and academic clubs/ programs on campus!
Email: burkenick111@gmail.com
Rosemary Vichi
Hometown: Kensington, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Major: Environmental Science and Technology
Career Goal: To conduct research studying the effects of environmental exposures on human health
Clubs: University Honors, FIRE, intramural sports, TerpTHON
Favorite Place on Campus: Hornbake Plaza picnic tables
Advice for New Students: Spend your time with the people that make you happy.
Email: rosievichi@gmail.com
Chuning Yang
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Environmental Science & Technology and Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: To work as a landscape architect in urban planning
Clubs: Taiwanese Student Association
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to reach out or try new things, you'll meet so many amazing people along the way- both online and in person!
Email: chuningcny@gmail.com
Nutrition & Food Science
Caroline Brune
Hometown: Towson, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Career Goal: To become a recipe developer
Clubs: UMD Student Dietetic Association, Peer Mentor, Member of Kappa Delta
Favorite Place on Campus: Edward St. John Teaching and Learning Center
Advice for New Students: To be patient, to have an open mindset, and to establish a balance between your school work and social life.
Email: cbtag4@gmail.com
Emily Hillig
Hometown: Haymarket, VA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Career Goal: To become a researcher or work in a clinical setting
Clubs: Dean's Student Advisory Council, Student Dietetic Association, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Sigma Alpha, AGNR Peer Mentor
Favorite Place on Campus: STAMP Student Union
Advice for New Students: Extra curricular's are just as important as academics!
Email: ehillig@terpmail.umd.edu
Sophia Mense
Hometown: Poolesville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Career Goal: To volunteer with the Peace Corps, then become a Military Physician
Clubs: Doctors Without Borders Student Chapter, EMT, Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity, Club Running, Food Science Club
Favorite Place on Campus: 4th floor of McKeldin Library
Advice for New Students: The only way to find the thing you love is to try it first!
Email: smense@terpmail.umd.edu
Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Sidra Isenberg
Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
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
Kathleen Quinn
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology
Career Goal: To work for a nonprofit teaching people how to provide for themselves sustainably
Clubs: Sigma Alpha, Campus Food Gardens Intern, College Park Arts Scholar
Favorite Place on Campus: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Advice for New Students: Try out as much as you can (without putting too much on your plate)! You'll meet a lot of great people and find a lot of cool opportunities this way.
Email: kquinn18@terpmail.umd.edu
Chuning Yang
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Major: Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science & Technology
Career Goal: To work as a landscape architect in urban planning
Clubs: Taiwanese Student Association
Advice for New Students: Don't be afraid to reach out or try new things, you'll meet so many amazing people along the way- both online and in person!
Email: chuningcny@gmail.com
Alondra Liriano
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Expected Graduation: Winter 2021
Major: Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: Be a landscape architect working in sustainable & urban design alongside being a holistic wellness content creator
Favorite Place on Campus: Quantum Cafe
Advice for New Students: Stay true to yourself, your values, and most importantly always believe in yourself. You are more powerful than you think.
Email: alondral@umd.edu
Maia Kessler
Hometown: Yardley, PA
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Major: Landscape Architecture
Career Goal: To become a landscape architect
Clubs: Horticulture Club, Student Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, Epsilon Eta
Favorite Place on Campus: McKeldin Mall
Advice for New Students: Don’t hesitate to try something new! College is the time to put yourself out there, explore your interests and meet new people!
Email: maiarkess@gmail.com
Roman Johnsonbaugh
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Major: Agricultural Science and Technology
Career Goal: To find sustainable solutions to agricultural problems in developing countries as well as managing a vineyard.
Clubs: UMD Rugby Club, Horticulture Club, ROOTS Africa Program
Favorite Place on Campus: LaPlata Field
Advice for New Students: Have fun and enjoy the process! You may feel some stress coming into the University, but know that everyone here wants you to succeed and reach your goals. Don't be afraid to ask for help and guidance!
Email: romanrugby19@gmail.com