Your Student Experience | Robert H. Smith School of Business

Having access to a supportive community is key to getting ahead. Studying in-person on a full-time basis in College Park affords our Master’s degree students access to several campus resources, strong connections with other students and a vibrant campus community filled with both academic and social events.

Learn more about local attractions and how the Master's Student Association can help you— and connect today with a student ambassador who can share their first-hand perspectives.

Getting Out in the Area

The area around the University of Maryland offers lots to do. The Masters Program Office organizes many group outings with members of the Smith community.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Cherry Blossom Festival

Capital One Arena

United States Capitol

Kennedy Center

U Street Corridor

Smith Master Student Association

Smith Master Student Association (SMSA) events can help you expand your network, meet new people and further develop your business skills.

SMSA clubs include:

“SMSA enriches the student journey at our school. The organization connects students with their fellow classmates and alumni, hosts exciting social events and provides students with additional training in their field. We're helping students acclimate to life at Maryland Smith and beyond.”

Fang Yu (Louis) Liu
Master of Finance ’21 | Former President of SMSA

“I learned a lot from OCS about how to present myself to the Big Four and other accounting firms. After working with the Office of Career Services, I was confident that I could answer interview questions effectively.”

Hayley Smith
MS Accounting ’18 | Audit Associate at KPMG

Meet Our Student Ambassadors

Master of Science in Accounting

Sarah Stuart-Sikowitz
MS in Accounting

I'm Sarah Stuart-Sikowitz, a Master of Accounting student at the University of Maryland with a non-traditional path into the field. My career began in outdoor education, leading backpacking and science expeditions in California and Oregon, where I taught leadership, communication, and outdoor skills. Prior to UMD, I served as Finance Director for a Portland-based outdoor education nonprofit, combining my passion for mission-driven work with financial management.

Now, as a Student Ambassador for the MSA program, I bring a unique perspective shaped by years of leading teams—both in the wilderness and in the office. Transitioning into accounting has required me to adapt core strengths like risk management, confidence, and adaptability to a field grounded in analysis and strategic planning. I'm excited to support and mentor fellow students, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds, as they navigate their own paths at UMD.

Master of Science in Information Systems

Elijah Thompson
MS in Information Systems

My name is Elijah Thompson, a first-generation student, and I am continuing my education as a Graduate student, pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. During my undergraduate career, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Information Systems at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and was in 30+ on-campus involvements/campus jobs.

As a curious person, I always ask myself why. This drew me to technology, as it is fascinating how technology works and how it seems to have such a solid grasp on society. It influences our daily lives almost unnoticeably, and I imagine the what-ifs of technology. I seek to find a way to incorporate technology and people into a well-functioning and efficient dynamic, with technology enhancing, not replacing people's place in society.

I chose Smith to continue my degree because of the opportunities offered here, from hands-on projects working with real clients to the Smith Community events—there are always different ways to be engaged!