Smith Start
Welcome to the Smith Family! The Smith Start Program is your introduction to an exciting journey at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Designed exclusively for first-semester freshmen, Smith Start helps you navigate the academic and social transition to college with support from peer mentors and a tight-knit community. All incoming freshmen admitted to Smith are automatically enrolled in Smith Start, making it a seamless part of your transition into college life. But Smith Start isn’t just about starting college – it’s about setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling business career. Embrace this opportunity to learn, grow and connect with the Smith community.
Summer/Fall 2026 Events
Smith Freshman Convocation and Welcome Dinner
Sunday, August 30, 2026
4 to 6 p.m.
Stamp Student Union
Smith Freshman Convocation marks the beginning of your time at Smith and the first of many Smith Start events.
At the convocation, you will meet your Smith Start mentor and other members of the freshman class, pick up your first (of many!) Smith shirts, hear from Smith School leadership and a current student, win prizes, and share a Welcome Dinner with your mentor group.
Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. All freshmen will receive an email on the Friday before the event with final details.
Let’s Get Down to Business: Career Exploration Workshop
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Van Munching Hall
Do you have what it takes to get hired? Do you want to know what skills you need to stand out? Then Let's Get Down to Business and talk with recruiters who recruit Smith students on what they look for in great candidates! Recruiters know there is a skills shortage in the marketplace and you can make yourself stand out the most by focusing on and developing the skills employers want. The Let's Get Down to Business event will feature an employer panel of some top employers that recruit at Smith — across all majors — to help you know what skills to develop, pitfalls to avoid and how to get started here at Smith! Afterwards, join the employers as well as the Smith clubs with some light networking in the atrium. Dessert will be provided!
As you look ahead to your first internship search, put everything you’ve learned in BMGT367F into action at our Smith Start Mock(tail) Networking Hour — a casual, low-pressure way to practice real-world networking before you need it most.
All first-year Smith students are invited to connect with alumni, staff, and peers in a relaxed setting designed to help you build confidence, start conversations, and grow your network. Enjoy delicious mocktails and appetizers while making meaningful connections that could open doors down the road.
As a part of your Choose Your Own Adventure assignment, this event makes completing your requirement easy, social, and fun.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early!
Event coordinated by Smith Start and the Undergraduate Program Office.
This event meets the requirement for the BMGT 367 Choose Your Own Adventure Assignment.
As you prepare for internships, interviews, and professional events, confidence at the table can be just as important as confidence in the classroom. Join Smith Start and OCS for our Etiquette Dinner — an interactive, hands-on experience designed to help you navigate professional dining with ease.
During this guided dinner, you’ll learn practical tips and tricks for business meals, networking over food, place settings, conversation starters, and the do’s and don’ts that help you make a polished first impression. No guesswork, no awkward moments — just real-world skills you can use right away.
Enjoy a great meal while building confidence and connecting with fellow first-year Smith students in a relaxed, supportive setting - all with a delicious 3-course meal!
As part of your Choose Your Own Adventure assignment, this event makes completing your requirement both useful and enjoyable.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early!
Event coordinated by Smith Start and the Undergraduate Program Office and presented by the Office of Career Services.
This event meets the requirement for the BMGT 367 Choose Your Own Adventure Assignment.
Smith Start Mentors
As part of Smith Start, you’ll be matched with a peer mentor — a current Smith student who’s here to support you, answer questions, and help you feel confident as you begin your college journey.
To preference your top 10 mentors, complete this form by June 30, 2026. Mentors are here to support you during your first semester at Smith, so take a moment to review their profiles below before making your selections.
Natalie Baynes
Class of 2028
Major: Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Smith Involvement: Operations Management & Business Analytics Society, Women in Business Association
Campus Involvement: Maryland Dance Team, College Park Scholars - Civic Engagement for Social Good Program and Peer Mentor; Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA)
Reiss Brannigan
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Management
Hometown: Freeland, MD
Smith Involvement: Office of Career Services - Marketing Intern, Women in Business Association - VP of Programming, Accounting & Business Association - VP of Programming, Professional Sales Club - VP of Operations, Smith Ambassador
Campus Involvement: Media, Self, and Society College Park Scholars Program - Peer Mentor, Women's Club Soccer Team, Intramural Sports
Will Buckingham
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Cockeysville, MD
Smith Involvement: Sports Business Society, OMBA Society
Campus Involvement: Intramural Sports
Rachael Chavez
Class of 2029
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Lanham, MD
Smith Involvement: Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Women in Business Association, Belonging Advisory Council
Campus Involvement: Peruvian Club, College Park Scholars - Public Leadership, Public Leadership Scholars - Mentor
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Scott Chen
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
Smith Involvement: Consult Your Community, Seeking Alpha Mu Investment Fund, IMPACT Consulting Fellowship, Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity
Campus Involvement: UMD Alumni Association - Accounting Intern, UMD Club Lacrosse, Chinese Student Association, Vietnamese Student Association
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Brooke Cowan
Class of 2027
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Smith Involvement: Office of Career Services Student Worker, National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Smith Community Council (SCC), Smith Ambassador
Campus Involvement: With Love Organization UMD - Vice President
Sahil Dand
Class of 2027
Major: Finance
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Smith Involvement: Wall Street Fellows, Sophomore Finance Fellows, Lemma Senbet Fund - Industrials & Materials Equity Analyst, Smith Investment Fund - Research Associate
Campus Involvement: Intramural Soccer, Food Drives, Clothing Drives, Local Homeless Shelter Volunteering
Drew Dannenfelser
Class of 2027
Major: Finance and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Towson, MD
Smith Involvement: Supply Chain Management Society
Campus Involvement: Alpha Tau Omega - Recruitment Chair, Intramural Sports
Selma Drucker
Class of 2028
Major: Finance
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Smith Involvement: Smith Business Leadership Fellows (SBLF), TAMID - consulting track, International Economics & Finance Society (IEFS)
Campus Involvement: Women's Club Rugby, Intramural Sports
Duna Esuola
Class of 2027
Major: Finance
Hometown: Hanover, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business - Finance Committee, Black Business Association
Campus Involvement: Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity - DEI Chair, First Generation Investors
Hana Farrag
Class of 2026
Major: Marketing and Information Systems
Hometown: Germantown, MD
Smith Involvement: Strategic Design Fellows, Interdisciplinary Business Honors Program, American Marketing Association (AMA), Real Estate Club, Muslim Business Student Association (MBSA) - Professional Events Coordinator
Campus Involvement: Muslim Student Association - President, French Language Association
Delaney Fay
Class of 2027
Major: Finance and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Westhampton, NY
Smith Involvement: Fashion Business Association
Campus Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta - VP of External Affairs
Morgan Felts
Class of 2029
Major: Management
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Smith Involvement: Smith Finance Group (SFG), Women in Business, Professional Sales Club
Campus Involvement: BigThinkAI Organization, Delta Delta Delta Sorority - Assistant Director of Member Finances
Natalia Flores-Rosales
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Information Systems
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Smith Involvement: Accounting & Business Association, Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Women in Business
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - Media, Self, & Society program
Luz Gaytan
Class of 2027
Major: Accounting and Management
Hometown: New Carrollton, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Ambassador
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - Business, Society, and Entrepreneurship (BSE), College Park Scholars Ambassador, BSE Peer Mentor and Teaching Assistant, Catholic Terps, First Generation Student Association (FGSA), Orientation Advisor, Front Desk Assistant at the Smith Undergraduate Program Office
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Nicholas George
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Smith Involvement: Collegiate Financial Management Association - Events Committee Member, International Economics and Finance Society, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity
Campus Involvement: TerpTax - Intern, PaLante Dance Company, UMD SGA Election Commission - Commissioner of Publicity
Sabrina Gong
Class of 2027
Major: Information Systems and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Parsippany, NJ
Smith Involvement: Women in Business Association, Information Technology and Business Transformation (iTBT) Fellows Program, Operations Management & Business Analytics (OMBA) Society Fellowship, TA for BMGT367F
Campus Involvement: Club Softball Team
Keya Goplani
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Management
Hometown: West Caldwell, NJ
Smith Involvement: Women in Business, QUEST Honors Program, Women's Investing Society
Campus Involvement: Club Tennis, Indian Student Association
Emily Greenwald
Class of 2027
Major: Information Systems and Marketing
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Ambassador, Strategic Design Fellows, QUEST Honors Program, Front Desk Assistant at the Smith Undergraduate Program Office
Christy Ha
Class of 2027
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Laurel, MD
Smith Involvement: Strategic Design Fellows, Smith Fellows Ambassador, Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) - Formerly on Events Committee
Campus Involvement: Orientation Advisor, Carillon Communities, GGWB Dance Club - Admin Director, Department of Residence Life - Community Assistant, and Stamp Student Union - HR Assistant & Engagement Student Associate
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Jacob Herrera
Class of 2027
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Cecil County, MD
Smith Involvement: QUEST Honors Program - Recruitment Team, Interdisciplinary Business Honors (IBH) Program, IBH Student Advisory Board
Naasera Husain
Class of 2027
Major: Information Systems and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Glenelg, MD
Smith Involvement: QUEST Honors Program, Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) - VP of Strategy and Operations, Office of Career Services (OCS) Marketing Intern, Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC), Operations Management & Business Analytics Society (OMBAS) - Director of OMBAS Fellowship
Campus Involvement: Honors College - University Honors, Youth in Public Health
Rory Jenkins
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Severna Park, MD
Smith Involvement: Wall Street Fellows - Student Ambassador, Smith Finance Group, Interdisciplinary Business Honors College - Advisory Board, Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity - Social Chair and Professional Chair, Seeking Alpha Mu Investment Fund - President and Managing Director, Smith School Ambassador
Campus Involvement: Catholic Terps
Rachel Kadavil
Class of 2029
Major: Finance
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business Association, Future Business Leaders of America - Marketing Committee, Collegiate Financial Management Association (CFMA) - Community Outreach Committee
Campus Involvement: Electrical and Computer Engineering Department - Business Office Assistant, Denton Community - Resident Assistant, South Asian Student Organizations, Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)
Caleb Kang
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Smith Involvement: Ascend - President, Consult your Community - President, Smith Ambassador, Phi Chi Theta Professional Fraternity, QUEST Honors Program
Campus Involvement: Office Assistant for the Do Good Institute, Kharis Campus Ministry, Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Daniel Kang
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Information Systems
Hometown: La Plata, MD
Smith Involvement: Ascend - Vice President of External Affairs, Phi Chi Theta Professional Fraternity - Fundraising Chair, Smith Ambassador, Consult your Community - Business Analyst, Impact Consulting Fellowship, TerpTax
Max Keeling
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Frederick, MD
Smith Involvement: QUEST Honors Program, Information Technology and Business Transformation (iTBT) Fellows Program, Consult Your Community (CYC) - Business Analyst, Impact Consulting Fellowship
Campus Involvement: Residence Hall Association (RHA) - Easton Hall Council President, Sigma Alpha Mu - Recruitment Chairman & IFC Delegate, Department of Resident Life - Community Assistant, Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC), Smith Community Council and Smith Ambassador
Mackenzie Kopp
Class of 2027
Major: Finance and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Damascus, MD
Smith Involvement: Accounting and Business Association, Collegiate Financial Management Association
Campus Involvement: Club Lacrosse, Kappa Alpha Theta - VP Panhellenic
Christine Liu
Class of 2028
Major: Finance
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) - VP of Events, Women in Business Association
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - Media, Self, and Society Program
William Liu
Class of 2027
Major: Information Systems and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Smith Involvement: College Park Scholars - Business, Society and Entrepreneurship program, OMBA Society Fellowship
Campus Involvement: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - Marketing Committee, James A. Clark School of Engineering - Student Researcher
Mark Loovis
Class of 2029
Major: Finance and Accounting
Hometown: Arnold, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Finance Group, TerpTax
Campus Involvement: Gossett Center Tutoring, Lifeguard at Epply Recreation Center, Vertex Fund - Co-Founder
Daniel Ly
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Cumberland, MD
Smith Involvement: CFMA - Outreach Committee, Impact Consulting Fellowship, Smith Plus 1 Program - Information Systems
Campus Involvement: Club Tennis President, SGA - Finance Committee, Greek Life
Alessandra Mastrogiacomo
Class of 2027
Major: Management
Hometown: Westchester County, NY
Smith Involvement: Sports Business Society, Real Estate Club
Campus Involvement: Phi Sigma Sigma
Jaselle Minge
Class of 2027
Major: Management and Marketing
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Smith Involvement: Strategic Design Fellows, Pi Sigma Epsilon - Marketing & PR Committee, American Marketing Association, Smith Ambassador, Front Desk Coordinator at the Smith Undergraduate Program Office
Arielle Mogolesko
Class of 2027
Major: Marketing and Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Marblehead, MA
Smith Involvement: TAMID Group - Consulting Project Manager, Office of Experiential Learning
Campus Involvement: Phi Sigma Sigma, Jewish Student Union, Terps for Israel
Ais Mulligan
Class of 2027
Major: Management and Marketing
Hometown: Ocean City, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business Association
Campus Involvement: Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority
Clara Novak
Class of 2027
Major: Finance and Operations Management & Business Analytics
Hometown: Hingham, MA
Smith Involvement: Smith Start Data Assessment & Analytics Director, TA for a master's project-based course
Campus Involvement: Kappa Delta - Director of Finance & Director of DEI
Abieyuwa Osaghae
Class of 2029
Major: Accounting and Information Systems
Hometown: Owings Mills, MD
Smith Involvement: Women's Empowerment Institute, Smith Community Council
Campus Involvement: Black Student Union - Treasurer, Orientation Advisor
Andres Parra
Class of 2029
Major: Finance
Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Business Leadership Fellows (SBLF) Program - SBLF Ambassadsor, QUEST Honors Program, Smith Ambassador, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity - Health & Wellness Director, Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
Campus Involvement: Intramural Football and Volleyball
Riyana Patel
Class of 2028
Major: Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Fulton, MD
Smith Involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Women in Business Society, OMBA, Supply Chain Management Society
Campus Involvement: Culinary Club, Maryland Mentor Corps
Ashley Patterson
Class of 2028
Major: Finance & Management Major, Entrepreneurial Leadership Minor
Hometown: Parkton, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Investment Fund (SIF) - Chief Operating Officer, Collegiate Financial Management Association (CFMA) - Head of Events, Women's Investing Society (WIS), BMGT230 Teaching Assistant, Financial Wellness Center Peer Mentor, Smith Ambassador, Women in Finance Mentorship Program
Campus Involvement: OneU, Honors Ambassador, Do Good Changemaker Pathways Program, Maryland Line Dancing
Luca Petriello
Class of 2029
Major: Information Systems and Finance
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
Smith Involvement: Smith Finance Group, Collegiate Financial Management Association (CFMA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Campus Involvement: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Nayeli Portillo
Class of 2028
Major: Information Systems and Management
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Smith Involvement: Women In Business (Finance Committee Member), Information Technology and Business Transformation (iTBT) Fellows Program
Campus Involvement: Maryland Cru, Pa’Lante Latin Dance Team, International Studies Scholar
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Jood Saiedy
Class of 2028
Major: Finance
Minor: Business Analytics
Hometown: Lutherville, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business Association - Finance Committee, Girls in Venture Capitalism Fellow, BMGT Exchange: Bocconi University (Italy)
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - International Studies, Ski Club, UMD Coffee
Ella Santoni
Class of 2027
Major: Management and Marketing
Hometown: Carroll County, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business Association
Campus Involvement: Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority -VP of Community Relations, MEDLife - Engagement Director, Club Lacrosse
Isabella Seminara
Class of 2027
Major: Accounting and Management
Hometown: Potomac, MD
Smith Involvement: TerpTax, BMGT360 Teaching Assistant
Campus Involvement: Gamma Phi Beta Sorority - President, Figure Skating Club - Treasurer, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Catholic Terps, Maryland-in-Rome
Nishka Sharma
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Lutherville-Timonium, MD
Smith Involvement: BMGT367: Career Search Strategies in Business Teaching Assistant, Delta Sigma Pi (Professional Business Fraternity): Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee & Recruitment Mentor, Women in Business: Marketing Committee & Community Service Committee
Campus Involvement: Justice and Legal Thought (JLT) Scholars Program, JLT Media Intern, Scholars Ambassador, Phi Alpha Delta (PAD Pre-Law Fraternity), Lakeland STARs Lead tutor, Empowering Women in Law (EWIL), Club Tennis
Julia Sitnick
Class of 2029
Major: Finance
Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ
Smith Involvement: Smith Investment Fund (SIF), Smith Finance Group, Women in Business
Campus Involvement: Maryland Hillel, Greek Life, UMD Running Club
Riley Smith
Class of 2028
Major: Management and Marketing
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Smith Involvement: Dean Student Advisory Council (DSAC), Women in Business
Campus Involvement: Honors College - Gemstone, Club Swim, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), UNICEF, Empowering Women in Law (EWIL)
Niko Souranis
Class of 2028
Major: Management and Information Systems Major, Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation Minor
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Smith Involvement: Operations Management and Business Analytics Society, Business & Information Technology Society
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - Public Leadership Scholar, Busily Data Club - Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Do Good Institute - Accelerator Fellow, Greek Heritage Society
Toby Subiela
Class of 2029
Major: Finance
Hometown: Potomac, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) - Events Committee, Smith Finance Group
Campus Involvement: Theta Chi Fraternity - Chapter Expectations Chair - Scholarship Board, Club Soccer, Intramural Soccer, Intramural Basketball, University Honors
Lauren Sykes
Class of 2029
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Business, American Marketing Association (AMA)
Campus Involvement: University Honors, Student Alumni Leadership Council
Yana Tagoe-Mocumbi
Class of 2028
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Montgomery County, MD
Smith Involvement: Sports Management Program (SMP), Black Business Association - Executive Board Member, Smith Plus 1 Program - Management Studies
Campus Involvement: UMD Athletics - Marketing Strategy and Fan Engagement Intern
Kathy Tran
Class of 2028
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Smith Involvement: Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity, Smith School Ambassador, BMGT367 Teaching Assistant, Women In Business - Finance Committee, Collegiate Financial Management Association - Events Committee
Campus Involvement: Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Alina Urena
Class of 2029
Major: Management
Hometown: Laurel, MD
Smith Involvement: Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Future Business Leaders of America, Women's Empowerment Institute - Marketing Director
Campus Involvement: UMD's Student Government Association
I’m a #FirstGenTerp!
Amanda Wang
Class of 2029
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Laurel, MD
Smith Involvement: Women in Finance Mentorship Program, Ascend, Dingman Venture Capital Group - Junior Analyst, Smith Finance Group
Campus Involvement: College Park Scholars - Business, Society, and Entrepreneurship program, Intramural Volleyball, Vietnamese Student Association
Ella Williams
Class of 2027
Major: Information Systems and Accounting
Hometown: Huntingtown, MD
Smith Involvement: Information Technology and Business Transformation (iTBT) Fellows Program, Business and Information Technology Association (BITs), Women in Business
Campus Involvement: University Honors - Banneker/Key Scholar
Misha Yadav
Class of 2028
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Hometown: Medford, NJ
Smith Involvement: Women in Business- VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA) - VP of Community Outreach
Campus Involvement: SGA - Director of Sexual Misconduct Prevention, Group Fitness Instructor, Greek Life
Jaylynne Yang
Class of 2029
Major: International Business and Finance Major, Economics Minor
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Smith Involvement: Impact Consulting Fellowship, Collegiate Financial Management Association (CFMA), Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA)
Campus Involvement: Maryland Leadership Education & Development (MLEAD) Program, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) - VP of Finance, Taiwanese Student Association
Olivia Yuen
Class of 2027
Major: Accounting and Information Systems
Hometown: Montgomery County, MD
Smith Involvement: Smith Community Council, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, TerpTax, College Park Scholars - Business, Society and Entrepreneurship program
Campus Involvement: Intramural Volleyball, Korean Student Organization