Dear Colleagues,
I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement as we prepare to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our community at the 2025 Alumni Awards. Here at UMBC, we embrace and celebrate inclusive excellence, and it's an honor to celebrate these individuals who embody the university’s mission.
The Alumni Awards recognize the impact of our community in five categories: Outstanding Alumni, Distinguished Service, Rising Star, Outstanding Faculty, and Outstanding Staff. Each honoree represents the very best of UMBC, carrying our values and our spirit with them as they make a difference in the world. Along with the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors, I invite you to join us in recognizing this incredible group of Retrievers whose professional and personal accomplishments truly inspire.
Our 2025 Alumni Awards Recipients
Outstanding Alumni
- Emily Brown ’14, M.S. ’14, computer science, Assistant Group Supervisor, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
- Erwin Cabrera ’10, biological sciences, Executive Director, The Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program
- Johnny Olszewski, Jr., Ph.D. ’17, public policy, U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
- Cameron Slayden ’99, interdisciplinary studies, Co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director, Microverse Studios
- Jacqueline Smith ’06, chemistry, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Howard University
Distinguished Service
- Mark Benesch ’08, chemical engineering, Capital Portfolio Director - Americas, AstraZeneca
Rising Star
- Courtney Culp ’20, visual arts, Print Designer, Warner Bros. Discovery
Outstanding Staff
- Michael Hunt ’06, mathematics, Ph.D. ’25, language, literacy, and culture, Director of the McNair Scholars Program
Outstanding Faculty
- Jamie Gurganus ’04, M.S. ’11, Ph.D. ’20, mechanical engineering, Associate Director of STEMed Research, Teaching Assistant Professor in Engineering and Computing Education
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 29, at 6 p.m., and please consider joining us in the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena as we come together to celebrate these remarkable individuals. The event will be livestreamed for those unable to join in person. You can learn more at alumni.umbc.edu/alumniawards.
I am looking forward to the celebration. Please join me in congratulating these awardees for their outstanding contributions to our UMBC community.
With Retriever pride,
Patrick Roche
Vice President for Institutional Advancement