
The Do Good Institute’s Changemaker Pathways program returned this spring with its fourth cohort, welcoming more than 40 driven and thoughtful students ready to explore how they can Do Good in their lives, careers and communities. Through six weeks of interactive sessions, personal reflection and community service, this diverse group of emerging changemakers built community, explored social impact themes and developed their voice as values-based leaders.
Here’s to our fourth cohort of extraordinary changemakers—bold dreamers and doers shaping a better tomorrow. The journey starts now, and their impact will be limitless!Tyrese Fenty Program Coordinator, Do Good Institute
A Semester of Exploration, Action and Impact
This semester, Changemakers participated in six in-person sessions, offered at two different times each Tuesday to accommodate student schedules. Here's a look at their journey:
- February 25 - Welcome & Introduction
Students kicked off the semester by getting to know each other and grounding themselves in the Do Good Institute’s mission and values. - March 1 – Service Opportunity: TerpThon Dance Marathon
Changemakers joined a high-energy, campus-wide fundraising event supporting Children’s National Hospital, immersing themselves in the power of community action. - March 4 – Changemaker Exploration
Students reflected on their values, explored social issues they care about and began to identify how they want to show up as changemakers. - March 11 – Project Creation 101
This hands-on session helped students generate actionable ideas for addressing the causes they care about most. - March 25 – Idea Exploration + Professional Development
Featuring a case study on the Food Recovery Network developed by the Do Good Research Lab, students dove into real-world impact models and reflected on how to move their own ideas forward. - April 1 – Do Good Student & Faculty Panel
A diverse group of panelists joined the cohort to share their changemaking journeys, including:- Luke Thomas Kues, MPH – Executive Director, True Community
- Esohe Owie, MPH – Student Leader, Terrapin Think Tank
- Lydia Walter – President, Public Health Beyond Borders; Past Impact Intern for Endo Black, Inc.
- Samita Prakash Belliganood – Information Science Major; Past Impact Intern
- Yara Ayache – Founder, A Spirit of Success; Do Good Accelerator Fellow
- April 8 – Session 6: Changemaker Celebration
The cohort came together one final time to reflect on their growth, share insights, and celebrate the completion of their journey with community and joy.
Publications Carousel
Eight student mentors—all alumni of previous Changemaker Pathways cohorts—played a vital role in guiding and supporting students through the semester:
- Calvin Bernstein
- Gurleenkaur Bhatia
- Emily Chan
- Sanvi Gopisetti
- Alphia Kayastha
- Divya Kumar
- Jaden Shin
- Emily Yi
Celebrating the Spring 2025 Changemakers
We proudly recognize the students who participated in the Spring 2025 cohort, each of whom brought curiosity, compassion, and commitment to their changemaking journey:
- Vivian Akpala
- Katherine Alfaro
- Herson Amaya
- Kenia Aviles Quintero
- Cecilia Bandeh
- Nisha Bhullar
- Ellie Black
- Trina Cheng
- Hua Chieu
- Aubrey Colwell
- Nick Cosgrove
- Mark Cummings
- Rumaysa Drissi
- Rumaysa Drissi
- Sarah Erondu
- Angela Fokam
- Marilyn Fosu
- Alexa Friedland
- Rachel Galloway
- Andrew Heffner
- Komal Jha
- Olive Jimenez
- Aj Kitzinger
- Khue Le
- Karen Li
- Jaena Manalo
- Amy Miller
- Amira Mohamed
- Kharei Munoz
- Surabhi Nevrekar
- Grace Pak
- Pranav Palle
- Riya Patel
- Lauren Rabe
- Gregory Seleznev
- Maricka Sembria
- Evan Sinclair
- Sudharsan Thiyagarajan
- Ethan Thoms-Chesley
- Sarah Molly Zatlukal
The Changemaker Pathways program continues to provide space for new students to grow, reflect and take their first steps toward a lifetime of impact. As this spring’s cohort joins a growing network of Do Good Terps, their ideas, energy and passion promise to ripple far beyond their time at Maryland. The next cohort of Changemaker Pathways will begin accepting registrations in the Fall.