Stephanie Gomez’s desire to help others attracted her to STEM careers at a young age. Now, as an MBA student at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Gomez is even more determined to bring those dreams to fruition. 

Janna Fernandez’s journey to the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business began roughly 8,000 miles away in Guam, but her experiences are taking her even further.  Fernandez’s passion for public service and helping others pushed her to pursue a career that enables her to do just that. This is evidenced by her tenure as the deputy press secretary for the Office of the Governor of Guam, as well as her involvement in education and workforce development program management for the U.S. territory. 

Visitors to the National Museum of African American History and Culture can’t miss the restored Pullman railcar that dominates the Segregation Gallery in Concourse 2. The artifact has historical significance, pointing to an era when African American porters were required to live in separate quarters. Its placement in the museum also has engineering significance for Lisa Anders, a 1995 MBA graduate of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Natnapin “Nat” Tangpipith emerged quickly as a civil engineer. She worked with several public agencies around New York City, specializing in bridge rehabilitation. But as she moved up the ladder, her career interests evolved. “I was sent out to public events to represent the company as well as interface with clients, and I enjoyed that more than pure technical aspect,” she says.