Ashlynn Battle ’24, a Maryland Promise Scholar and recipient of the Capital One Scholarship for Transfer Students, has excelled at the University of Maryland Shady Grove. Having just graduated with her undergrad degree, she's continuing with her master’s via the Plus 1 program, driven by her desire to support her family and give back.

When Carina Ruyter, Class of ’25, stumbled upon an online quiz suggesting a career in accounting, it felt like a perfect match for her lifelong love of math and puzzles, setting her on an unexpected yet fulfilling path at the Smith School. Now, enrolled in the Plus 1 program, she’s on track to graduate with an MS in accounting in 2026.

Miriam Oke, class of 2024, leaves an indelible mark on the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. As a finance major and merit scholar, she’s led initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Institute and championed diversity. Explore her journey shaping communities and pursuing finance, plus her vision for the future.

The University of Maryland was named the top college in the nation for LGBTQ+ students by Campus Pride and BestColleges.It leads the list of 2023’s Top 25 LGBTQ+-Friendly Colleges, recognizing educational institutions that foster inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students. Maryland was No. 1 in 2020 and appeared among the top 25 in 2021 and 2022.

Welcome to the 2021-2022 academic year. This year, those words are particularly heartfelt. To our freshman and sophomore classes, to our master’s students and to anyone else who is coming to campus for the first time, welcome. And to our junior and senior classes, and to our other returning students, welcome back. It’s so good to see you.

Gelila Aderaye ’21 always knew graduate school was in her future but didn’t know exactly what her plans were – that is, until she attended Maryland Smith. Initially starting her undergraduate career at Montgomery College, Aderaye came to Smith with a penchant for accounting.

As a criminology and criminal justice major at the University of Maryland, Eleanna Weissman dreams of having a career in federal law enforcement. Now, she’s taking classes at Maryland Smith to achieve that goal. In 2022, she will graduate with a combined bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Weissman says her aspirations of entering the law enforcement field developed gradually throughout high school and college.