Sophomores Complete College Park Scholars Program

Sixty-four sophomores in the Business, Society and the Economy (BSE) program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business successfully completed the two-year College Park Scholars program on May 4, 2018. Over 800 College Park Scholars, mentors, and faculty attended the annual academic showcase where the BSE sophomores presented their semester-long Capstone projects. The event was held at the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center.

The types of projects ranged from internships, service projects, and global practicum. Here are some highlights from the presentations:

Adam Hostetter, a finance and operations management & business analytics major, interned with Aronson Capital Partners. His presentation focused on “My Time in Banking – Sharpening My Skills, Developing My Brand.”

Kunal Gupta, who interned with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said “BSE reminded me to challenge myself… with networking, teamwork and to embrace failure.”

Haley Masker chose to be an advertising Intern with the Diamondback, the university's student newspaper, because, as a marketing major with a “strong distaste for sales,” she recognized that sales is a crucial skill to have. She noted that while being paid only with sales commissions, she was required to work hard for her money.

Sydney Wright volunteered at America Counts. She said she is passionate about giving back to her communities, and while working with children in a nearby elementary school, she learned the value of teamwork, honoring commitments, and stepping out of her comfort zone.

Ramya Vemuri extended her 6-day, winter break LeaderShape experience, which is the Smith School's leadership development program, by creating a day-long service project on the seventh day. She used her newly developed leadership skills to organize a service project reunion for LeaderShape alumni and recruited 15 of her cohort to volunteer at an event held at the Smith School with Terps Against Hunger

On May 5, BSE scholars competed against teams from the other 11 programs in the Scholars Annual Charity Kickball Tournament. The event which has been going on for over 20 years, raises thousands of dollars for charities. The BSE fundraising efforts went to TeCanal, a non-profit organization started and run by BSE sophomore Dhivyan Karunakaran, a finance and information systems major. TeCanal is dedicated to bringing technology and STEM education to children in some of the most impoverished communities in Baltimore and beyond.

College Park Scholars is a by-invitation-only program that provides intellectual challenge and vibrant community for engaged and academically talented freshmen and sophomores. The two-year living-learning program requires a rigorous series of coursework, culminating in individualized Capstone projects. Mark Wellman, clinical professor of management and organization, is the director of the BSE program.

Learn more about College Park Scholars and the Business, Society and the Economy program.