Hello CSS Community: My name is Steven Tra and I am a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. This past summer, I worked as a technology intern at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Washington D.C. Overall, this internship provided me with additional technical experience in my field, particularly in the ...READ MORE »
Hello CSS Community: My name is Kirklan Bryson and I am a junior majoring in Finance & Information Systems. During the summer of 2017, I had the pleasure of working at the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a Marketing Analysis intern (The SBDC is an affiliate of the University of Maryland). There was never a dull moment interning ...READ MORE »
Hello CSS Community: My name is Daniel Simanovsky and I am a junior Finance major at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Since July of 2017, I have worked as an intern for Marks Paneth LLP’s financial advisory department. During my tenure, I have had the pleasure of working on a wide variety of projects however, most of my ...READ MORE »
Hello CSS Community: My name is Elfadil Osman and I am currently a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Physiology & Neurobiology and a minor in Creative Writing. Over the past two summers, I have had the privilege of conducting research at the University of California, San Francisco in the lab of Dr. Joesph DeRisi through the Howard Hughes ...READ MORE »
Hello CSS Community: My name is Steven Tra and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Computer Science with an intended minor in Mathematics. This past summer, I was accepted into a research program at The Ohio State University known as the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP). I was selected to attend the program, conduct research with a faculty member at ...READ MORE »
College Success Scholars was the first thing I knew about at Maryland. I came in not knowing what a bachelor’s degree was, what I wanted to study, or even how to get a degree. All I knew was that I wanted to succeed and work as hard as I could to be the first in my family to get a college degree. Through CSS, I not only was able to learn about how to succeed in college, but most importantly, make friends in order for my experience to not be as daunting. Through Dr. Lester’s unconditional mentorship and support, even when I did not have a dollar for textbooks, I double majored, minored, came out with a full-time job and in the evenings am in the Public Policy Master’s Program. I like to measure my success not by what I have been able to acquire through my education, but the number of lives I am now able to serve as an example for, as well as the students I now mentor based on my past experiences. Thank you CSS and Dr. Lester for believing in me.
Juan Roa
Minor in International
Development and
Conflict Management
2016 MPP Candidate
Education Policy and
International Development
University of Maryland,
School of Public Policy
Head of Development
and Communications
Spanish Education
Development (SED)
Center, Washington, DC