Thank You for an Incredible Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Dear UMBC Community,

On behalf of the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Graduate Student Appreciation Week a memorable and meaningful celebration.
From engaging events and thoughtful moments of connection to the energy and care behind the scenes, this week was a true reflection of the dedication and brilliance that defines our graduate student community—and the incredible staff, faculty, and campus partners who support them.

We were especially proud to recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and excellence continue to shape UMBC for the better at this year’s GSA Awards. Please join us in celebrating the 2025 award recipients:

• Outstanding University Staff: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale
• Outstanding Graduate Student Organization: Pakistani Graduate Student Organization (PGSO)
• Donald Creighton Outstanding Faculty Award: Dr. Fernando Vonhoff
• Community Leadership Award: Janerra Allen
• Jessica Soto Perez Memorial Award: Rutvik Deshmukh
• Graduate Athlete of the Year: Jaliena Sanchez
• Alex Rittle Outstanding Senator Award: Mrunal Jadhav

We also wish to recognize our Honorable Mentions:

• Jessica Soto Perez Memorial Award: Darcie Adams
• Outstanding Senator: Soham Katkar
• Special Recognition: Ms. Pat

To every graduate student, staff member, faculty ally, and community partner—thank you. Your commitment, creativity, and collaboration made this week truly special. We are grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to uplift and support UMBC’s graduate student community.

With gratitude,
The Office of Graduate Student Life & Graduate Student Association
University of Maryland, Baltimore County