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Staff

The Graduate School’s experienced professional staff are dedicated to advancing graduate education and enhancing the student experience in collaboration with more than 230 graduate programs across campus. Together with over 120 graduate directors and coordinators, we guide applicants, students, and faculty through every stage of the graduate journey, from admission to degree completion, while connecting them to vital resources, opportunities and support.


Office of the Dean 

Serves as the central hub for graduate education at the University of Maryland, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all graduate programs across the university. We facilitate policy development, disseminate strategic communications, oversee graduate admissions and program standards, and advocate for student success at an institutional level to strengthen the University's research mission.

Portrait of Stephen Roth, PhD

Stephen Roth, PhD

Associate Provost and Dean
Portrait of Evelyn Cooper, PhD

Evelyn Cooper, PhD

Assistant Dean and Chief of Operations
Portrait of Jason Farman, PhD

Jason Farman, PhD

Associate Dean
Portrait of Jillian Randall

Jillian Randall

Assistant to the Dean and Events Coordinator
Portrait of Helen Mamo

Helen Mamo

Communications Coordinator

Academic and Professional Development 

Provides comprehensive programming and resources to ensure graduate students thrive during their academic journey. Co-curricular support in the areas of writing and oral communication, grants and funding application, career and professional development, networking, community building, wellness, and alumni engagement contribute to the retention and the holistic development of all graduate students.

Portrait of Linda Macri, PhD

Linda Macri, PhD

Director, Academic and Professional Development
Portrait of Yi Hao, PhD

Yi Hao, PhD

Program Director, Career and Professional Development
Portrait of Simone Warrick-Bell

Simone Warrick-Bell

Graduate Academic Counselor
Portrait of Spencer Benson, PhD

Spencer Benson, PhD

Consultant

Admissions and Enrollment Management 

Oversees the graduate admissions lifecycle for domestic and international applicants, including credential and English proficiency evaluations. Collaborates with departments and partners to streamline the admissions process and provides technical support and training for admissions systems.

Portrait of Joe Lindsey

Joe Lindsey

Business Process and Systems Lead
Portrait of Heather Kissinger

Heather Kissinger

Program Manager
Portrait of Dan-Gunnar Danell

Dan-Gunnar Danell

Admissions Officer
Portrait of Ashlee Colleton

Ashlee Colleton

Admissions Evaluator

Finance and Administration 

Manages The Graduate School’s fiscal, operational, and personnel functions, including budgeting, fellowship, account reconciliation, and financial reporting. The team oversees procurement, payroll, travel, tuition assistance, graduate assistant appointments, University of Maryland College Park Foundation (MCPF) and University System of Maryland Foundation (USMF), and serves as UMD’s Coordinating Official (CO) for the NSF GRFP.

Portrait of Vanessa Greer Ettema

Vanessa Greer Ettema

Assistant Director, Finance and Administration
Portrait of Maria Palmaira

Maria Palmaira

Business Manager, Fellowships and Awards
Portrait of  Laura M. Chapman

Laura M. Chapman

Coordinator, Business Operations
Portrait of Barbara Rhine

Barbara Rhine

Manager, Fellowships and Tuition Accounts
Portrait of Brittany Humphreys

Brittany Humphreys

Program Manager, Graduate Assistant Tuition

Funding Opportunities 

Oversees competitive fellowship and award programs and review processes and handles the selection process for limited submissions such as Apple, Google and IBM Fellowships. Acts as liaison with the University Health Center regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This team also handles matters relating to Graduate Faculty membership nominations. 

Portrait of Robyn Kotzker

Robyn Kotzker

Program Director, Funding Opportunities

Graduate Information and Systems 

Manages The Graduate School’s information, systems, and technology platforms, including the graduate admissions (TerpEngage), and the degree audit (uAchieve). The team supports business processes in systems, provides system training and technical support for staff and campus partners. They also lead IT strategy, maintain application workflows, and contribute to major system implementations such as Workday Student.

Portrait of Teddy Wu

Teddy Wu

Director, Graduate Information and Systems
Portrait of Edith Shields

Edith Shields

Assistant Director, Graduate Information and Systems
Portrait of Alex Ridgell

Alex Ridgell

Systems Analyst
Portrait of Ross McCool

Ross McCool

Workday Analyst
Portrait of Fan Tsao

Fan Tsao

Workday Functional Lead

Graduate Student Ombuds Office 

The Ombudsperson serves as an impartial, independent and confidential resource for graduate students at the University who helps to surface and resolve school issues. The Ombudsperson can also help to affect positive change by providing upward feedback on patterns of problems and complaints to appropriate senior officers. The purpose of the Ombuds Office is to ensure that the graduate student voice is heard, and that problems can receive impartial attention.

Contact the Graduate Ombudsperson: grad-ombuds@umd.edu

Graduate Student Services 

Manages recruitment, admissions, and academic services to support graduate students throughout their academic journey. This team also handles enrollment, program changes, petitions, and degree audits.

Portrait of Brent Hernandez

Brent Hernandez

Director of Graduate Student Services
Portrait of Toyin Oguntolu

Toyin Oguntolu

Manager of Graduate Academic Services
Portrait of  Jessica Crosby

Jessica Crosby

Graduate Academic Services Coordinator
Portrait of Waqeelat Gaji

Waqeelat Gaji

Administrative Operations Coordinator

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs 

Supports all postdoctoral researchers across the University of Maryland academic community. OPA provides postdocs with information, training, mentoring, and services in support of their career and professional development.

Portrait of Blessing Enekwe, PhD

Blessing Enekwe, PhD

Program Director, Postdoctoral Affairs
Portrait of Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg, PhD

Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate for Academic Support

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