Kelsey Afoakwa

She/Her
Class of 2026
Major: Bioengineering
Hometown: Laurel, MD

What motivated you to become a ClarkLEADER?
ClarkLEAD was one of the best freshmen events I attended during my first month at UMD. It introduced me to the engineering community and what I can expect from my peers in these classes. I want to facilitate this same experience for more Terps, and expand our community to be more inclusive!

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you think new students should know about?
New students should look into joining the LSAMP-STEM community (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)! It’s a fun community for minority students majoring in STEM to encourage each other throughout the year. It’s crucial for students to have a balance between academics, extracurricular activities, and staying healthy; I really enjoy attending the Zumba and DanceFit classes at the Eppley Rec Center and would recommend it.

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
I liked going around the table and listening to different ClarkLEADERS’ experiences at UMD. I think it helped ease some of my freshman jitters about being an engineering student.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering students?
Try to form study groups and connect with your classmates early on! These are the people you will spend your college experience with, so don’t be afraid to find your tribe!