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Dedicated UMD and Clark School resources
Clark School Community,
Our campus values community and belonging as highly as achievement. This October, we join campus partners in celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month.
As engineers, we know that differences in backgrounds and experiences contribute to better dialogue, ingenuity, and innovation. Here are three examples of individuals whose dedication to fostering an environment of belonging contributes to better solutions—and a better future.
- Recent aerospace engineering alum Pearl Uva ’26 is sharing her education and fascination with flight (along with years of involvement in the UMD Balloon Payload Program) to inspire high school students in the Society of Women Engineers.
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Rho Ma joined the Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) Lab in 2024 where they combine their background in art, biology, and entomology with additive manufacturing to create innovative, functional designs, as well as tools for teaching tomorrow’s STEM leaders.
- As Program Manager for Experiential Learning in the Clark School’s Office of Global Engineering Leadership, Kelly M. combines her passions for experiential learning, leadership development, and cross-cultural communication to help students excel in engineering and life.
To help honor the Clark School’s LGBTQ+ community, we hope you will read and share their stories.
Our university is proud of its top national ranking for LGBTQ+ students, and we have been named among America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Among the nearly 50 Maryland Engineering Student Organizations, UMD oSTEM—the university’s chapter of the national Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics organization—was named the 2026 Student Group of the Year by the LGBTQ+ Equity Center’s Lavender Leadership Honor Society. The student organization’s academic advisor, Fischell Institute Communications and Program Specialist Ambi Narula, was awarded the 2026 Pride and Advocacy Award.
These accolades reflect a history of meaningful community engagement, but the work continues. This and every month, I encourage you to make the most of our resources and take part in campus-wide events open to all.
Sincerely,
Akua Asa-Awuku (she/hers)
Professor and Associate Dean for Community Success and Workforce Development
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October 5, 2026
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