Peer Mentors

Olivia Knott (she/her) is a senior from Havertown, PA, majoring in Agricultural Resource Economics: Agribusiness with a minor in Global Poverty. On campus, she is a member of two co-ed professional fraternities, Epsilon Eta (environmental) and Delta Sigma Pi (business/econ). She likes spending time outside, traveling, and cooking new recipes.  (oknott25@umd.edu)

Megan Baranowsky (she/her) is a junior from Vienna, VA, majoring in Animal Science and minoring in General Business. She is from Vienna, VA, where she works as a vet tech in her free time. On campus, Megan works in the Canine Language & Perception Lab and is also very involved as the Vice President for One Health Club, Co-Service Chair for Pre-Vet Society, Group Leader for Terps Raising Pups, and member of PSE (a co-ed business fraternity). Outside of the classroom, Megan enjoys visiting Bean, the UMD Campus Farm cat, and taking her dogs on hikes whenever she gets the chance. (megbaran@umd.edu)

Katie Grow (she/her) is a junior from Clarksburg, MD, majoring in Animal Sciences: Pre-Professional and minoring in Entomology. She is currently the President of the Pre-veterinary Society and the Vice President of Block and Bridle; she is also a member of One Health Club and Sigma Alpha: Professional Agriculture Sorority. She is also a student in the Honors College and currently serves on the University Honors Student Board. Outside of school, she is a veterinary technician and she works as a Keeper Aide for the Great Apes at the Smithsonian Zoo. (kgrow1@terpmail.umd.edu)

Natalie Rosenthal (she/her) is a Sophomore from Morristown, NJ, majoring in Environmental Science and Policy: Wildlife Ecology & Management and minoring in Jewish Studies. She is a College Park Scholar and Peer Mentor for the Environment Technology and Ecology Program on Campus. Natalie holds two other jobs on campus: one as a research intern in the Global Ecology Lab studying forest carbon sequestration and the other as a Challenge Course Facilitator for Eppley Rec. She is also actively involved with UMD Hillel and is on the exec-board for Adamah, a club for Jewish environmentalism & climate action. In her free time she likes to hike, climb, and play guitar. (natalier@umd.edu)

Caroline Melton (she/her) is a senior from Kensington, MD, majoring in Environmental Science and Technology: Soil and Watershed Sciences with a minor in Geochemistry. After graduation, she will continue her education and earn her Master's in ENST at UMD. On campus, she is a co-president of Epsilon Eta, the professional environmental science professional fraternity, and loves spending time outside and hiking.  (cmelton@umd.edu)

Kaity Deaner (she/her) is a senior from Port Deposit, MD, majoring in Dietetics. After graduating, she hopes to continue her education and later become a Registered Dietitian working in the community. On campus, she's involved with the Student Dietetic Association, AGNR Ambassadors, and AGNR Student Council. In her free time, she loves to spend time outside and playing the piano. (kdeaner@umd.edu)

Kevin Lam (he/him) is a sophomore from Philadelphia and is majoring in Food Science. On campus, Kevin participates in the Food Science Club, Terrapin Record Label, and WMUC Radio; in his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing squash, and learning both piano and guitar. After graduation, Kevin plans to pursue a career with FDA or USDA. Until then, he is continuing to explore other exciting opportunities in the food industry. (klam1238@umd.edu)

Grazelle Giray (she/her) is a senior from New Carrollton, MD, majoring in Landscape Architecture and minoring in Sustainability Studies and Project Management. One day, she plans to work at an urban landscape architecture firm that specializes in sustainability and planting design. On campus, she is secretary of SASLA (Student American Society of Landscape Architecture) and a founding member of the UMD chapter of NAMLA (National Association of Minority Landscape Architects). Outside of school, she likes to travel, go thrifting, cook, read books, and appreciate nature. (ggiray@umd.edu)

Sophie McCloskey (they/them) is a senior from Willow Grove, PA, majoring in Agricultural Science & Technology: Environmental Horticulture with minors in Entomology and Classical Mythology. They currently serve as the President of Sigma Alpha: Professional Agricultural Sorority, are an AGNR Student Ambassador, a volunteer for the UMD Insect Zoo, and a research technician for the Burghardt Lab. After graduation, they plan to pursue graduate school for research entomology. (smcc789@umd.edu)

Jason Lee (he/him) hails from Ellicott City, MD and just recently graduated from the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) where he studied Agricultural Leadership & Communications. Now a junior majoring in Agricultural & Resource Economics, he is strongly interested in agricultural economic policy and the political process. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys hiking, playing guitar, reading, and participating in university clubs like Paint & Shells and Vintage Voices.  (jlee1103@umd.edu)