Omicron Delta Kappa Awards:
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) is a nationally recognized leadership honor society. The University of Maryland Sigma Circle acknowledges students and faculty who have contributed to the campus by highlighting leadership and bringing together all phases of collegiate life.
The members of ODK are responsible for maintaining a high standard of efficiency in five areas of collegiate activities: scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and the creative and performing arts. Members should also inspire others to strive for conspicuous attainment along similar lines.
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) mission is to be an organization of leaders among leaders that helps foster the sharing of opportunities to benefit the campus community.
Learn more here.
Col. J. Logan Schutz ODK Leader of the Year Award Recipient:
Alyssa Orlando
Alyssa is a Special Education major from Jackson, New Jersey. During her time, she served as a Teaching Assistant, a Tour Guide, and a Peer Advisor for the College of Education. Alyssa also held a variety of positions in Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and the Panhellenic Association.
ODK Sophomore Leader of the Year Finalists:
Uchechi Mba
Uchechi is a Pre-Law Government & Politics major from Sykesville, Maryland. This Banneker/Key Scholar leads as the Co-President of the Black Business Association and the Vice President of the Black Honors Caucus. She is an Honors Ambassador, Spanish Tutor, and the Programming Lead for the Interdisciplinary Business Honors Program.
Anushka Poddar
Anushka is a Computer Science Major with minors in Spanish and Statistics from Silver Spring, Maryland. This Banneker/Key Scholar conducts cancer research in a bioengineering lab and serves as Associate Director of the Terrapin Think Tank. She also serves as a Volunteer EMT and tutors local students with Maryland Mentor Corps.
Kayla Sebastian
Kayla is Pre-Dental Biochemistry and Spanish dual-degree student from York, Pennsylvania. She is a Biochemistry Research Assistant, Resident Assistant, and Tour Guide. Dedicated to promoting health equity, she is the President of Smiles for Our Future, is a Dental Assistant at a public health organization, and volunteers at the Pregnancy Aid Center.
ODK Top Ten Freshmen:
Edwin Cao
Edwin is a Finance and Information Systems major from Rockville, Maryland. He is a Data Justice Scholar, Treasurer of his scholars’ advisory board, and Project Manager for Terps Racing Baja Business. He is also part of the Alpha Xi pledge class of Alpha Kappa Psi, the nation’s oldest and largest professional business fraternity.
SriMahi Ghorakavi
SriMahi is a dual-degree student in Operations Management Business Analytics and Public Policy. She is an Impact Consulting Fellow and Civic Engagement for Social Good Scholar. Currently, she is consulting for the Smith School of Business Dean in sustainable policy change and advocates for women's rights in India through Sambhali Trust.
Braylen Haynes
Braylen is a Neuroscience major from Prince George’s County, Maryland. He is the President of the Black Student Union’s Freshman Council, a scholar in UMD’s BioFire research program, a member of the College Success Scholars, and a CMNS recruitment Ambassador, and a proud member of WithLove UMD, a community service organization on campus.
Aine Heron
Aine is a Government and Politics major aspiring to double major in International Business, is from Timonium, Maryland. As a Justice and Legal Thought Scholar, she serves as a Student Advisory Board Representative, Scholars Ambassador, and former Media Intern. She is involved in Phi Alpha Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha.
Miles W. Hubbard
Miles is an International Business major on a pre-law track, from Branchburg, New Jersey. He serves as the Vice President of Community Outreach for the Smith Undergraduate Student Association as well as the Director of Membership for the Black Business Association. He serves on the Student Success and Leadership Council as well as the University Student Judiciary.
Basia Kaczmarek
Basia is an Honors Humanities student completing a dual degree in Linguistics and English from Dunkirk, Maryland. She is an Editor for NOVA Literary Magazine, and works with the Maryland Family Literacy Program and Cultural Academy For Excellence as a mentor, dancing with GGWB and Ganji in her free time.
Riya Khatri
Riya is a Computer Science and Finance double major from Olney, Maryland. A Banneker/Key Scholar in the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students (ACES) Honors program, she is an Honors Ambassador, incoming President of Girls Who Code, and App Dev Bootcamp member. She also interned at the Food and Drug Administration last winter.
Arjun Mohan
Arjun is an Applied Mathematics and Finance major from Potomac, Maryland. This Dean’s Scholar is the President of Smith Equity Research and a Quantitative Analyst for Smith Investment Fund. He serves as a Student Ambassador for the Do Good Institute and as a Camp Counselor with Kesem.
Taryn Reinhart
Taryn is a Public Policy major from Annapolis, Maryland. A Banneker/Key Scholar in the GEMS Honors Program, she is researching groundwater prediction using satellite data. Taryn serves as Secretary for the Women’s Crew Team, an Honors Ambassador, and the ADS Liaison for the Student Government Association.
Priya Tyagi
Priya is a Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics major and Data Science minor from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She serves as a CMNS Representative in SGA, a CMNS Ambassador, and an Undergraduate Representative for the CMNS Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council. She researches SpliceAI’s efficacy at Mount Lab and advocates for arthritis patients through the Arthritis Foundation.