Anli Peng

Anli is a PhD student in Higher Education. She graduated from Renmin University of China before joining the EdTerps. She is a highly motivated researcher in the academic workforce and labor market and a passionate practitioner with extensive experience in student affairs. Her empirical research and work contribute to the cross-cultural, cross-regional, and transnational academic career development of international students and scholars, and to break down barriers, stereotypes, glass ceiling, and discrimination in academia.

Ebenezer Akansah

Ebenezer is a thoughtful and adventurous man originally from Ghana’s Upper East Region. He is pursuing his masters in Public Administration at the School of Public Policy (SPP) at the University of Maryland (UMD). He has served as a Teaching Assistant and later an Academic Advisor at SPP. He is also the Director of Mentorship for the Trust Care Foundation and a Policy Advisor for the Atimatim Community Development Foundation in his home country. He is interested in educational policies, social policies, international relations, and non-profits. Before joining the School of Public Policy, he worked as a Research and Teaching assistant at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he was immersed in works on organizational behavior, education, child abuse, disability, small-scale mining, the impact on the environment, women’s participation in local governance, access to healthcare by the aged, and employee satisfaction.

He values truthfulness, honor, personal growth, and serving others. He has a deep respect for diverse perspectives. He is candid yet kind in his interactions. He cherishes his friends and eagerly contributes positivity to their lives. Ebenezer enjoys traveling, eating delicious food, playing basketball and football, reading, writing, hiking, and strolling in his free time. He loves exploring new and challenging areas that help him continue growing as a person. Overall, Ebenezer brings care, curiosity, and integrity to everything he does.

Mohamed Elnoor

Mohamed is a PhD student in the Electrical Engineering department. He is originally from Sudan, and his research focuses on robot perception and navigation. Before joining UMD, he earned his master's degree in Colorado. He has a passion for travel, which allows him to visit new places, try different foods, and, most importantly, meet people from diverse backgrounds to learn about their cultures. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports like soccer and basketball.

Opeyemi Ogedengbe

Opeyemi Ogedengbe is a Ph.D. student in Nutrition Sciences at the University of Maryland (UMD). She is from Nigeria, and her research interest revolves around preventing metabolic diseases. Prior to commencing her studies at UMD, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Medical Biochemistry and Biochemistry, respectively from the University of Benin. When Opeyemi is not busy with research, she enjoys meeting people, sightseeing, and watching movies. Opeyemi has served as an International Orientation Leader for International Student and Scholar Services; a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science; a Treasurer for the African Graduate Student Association; and a Volunteer participant for the Alternative Spring Break at UMD. Please feel free to contact her via LinkedIn or email at ogeds20@umd.edu.

Raya Francis

Raya is a doctoral student in the Family Science Department at the School of Public Health. Her research interests include fostering health and well-being among children and youth in underserved communities through community-engaged, family-based interventions. She is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. She loves languages and is proficient in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish. During her free time, she enjoys building large 2D puzzles and spending quality time with her furry friend.

Rustam Biswasisa

Rustam is a student of Finance from Kolkata, India. Before joining UMD, Rustam was a KVPY Research Fellow of the Govt of India at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, having extensively worked in agricultural finance and commodity trading across India. He works as the Assistant Program Manager under UMD-VPSA and in the Finance and Accounting Department of the SEED Foundation, DC. Actively involved in policymaking, Rustam works closely with administration as the senator of Finance, UMD-Senate, Student Representative to the Senate Committee on Student Affairs, SGA, RHA etc. Rustam also works close to the Maryland General Assembly, serving as the 35th and first non-American Governor & Board member of the Maryland Student Legislature, Annapolis.

Saisha Handoo

Saisha is an Information Systems major at the University of Maryland. She is a rising junior who lived in India, Indonesia, China, and Thailand before moving to the United States. As an international student her whole life, she understands the difficulties and emotions international students experience. By taking up this leadership role, she hopes to create a positive impact within this community. 

Shashank Singh

Shashank is a current undergrad senior pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation at the University of Maryland (UMD). As an international student from Lucknow, India, he brings a unique perspective and a strong desire to contribute positively to the UMD community. As a member of ISAB, Shashank strives to create an inclusive environment for all UMD students. By actively engaging with the international community at UMD, he aims to identify and tackle the specific issues that international students encounter, working towards fostering a stronger sense of community and belonging. He will be delighted to hear about your experiences and provide any assistance you may need. He welcomes you to reach out to him at sps2026@terpmail.umd.edu or connect with him over LinkedIn by searching "Shashank P Singh". 

Taiwo Alawode

Taiwo Alawode is a PhD student in the Department of Global Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health. Prior to enrolling at the University of Maryland, she earned a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Health at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, her home country. This role provides a chance for her to contribute positively towards addressing the needs of international students. 

She serves as an ISSS International Orientation Leader and is excited to serve on the International Student Advisory Board. This role provides a chance for her to contribute positively to addressing the needs of international students. She is passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of international students and hopes to use her position on the board to address any issues or concerns they may have. By working closely with her peers and university administration, she aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all international students on campus. 

She likes to bake and engage in volunteering activities in her leisure time.