Meet UMBC's Golden Key Officers Board

Jessica Wentling
President

jessicawentling@gmail.com

I am very excited to be serving as your President this year! I am a senior seeking a double major in biology and psychology. When I'm not studying, I enjoy working and volunteering as an EMT and plan to pursue a career as a emergency medicine physician. I am proud to have been an active Golden Key member for the past two years and I look forward to another year of community service and leadership training opportunities!

Ankita Tandon
Vice President

atandon1@umbc.edu

Hi my name is Ankita Tandon. I am a senior biology major. I hope to go to medical school in the near future and specialize in oncology. As a member of Golden Key for the third year, I look forward to the exciting community service opportunities. Moreover, Golden Key provides me with an  opportunity to enhance my leadership skills.

Simran Noor
Secretary

simnoor1@umbc.edu

I am currently the secretary of the UMBC Golden Key Chapter. I am a senior political science and American studies double major, with an academic interest in changing structural policies that leave certain groups marginalized. Currently, I am a France and Merrick Fellow, a Student Involvement Peer at the Office of Student Life, and a member of the KIDSCOUNT team at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Being a member of Golden Key is an honor and I hope to be involved as possible this year.

Paul Hoover
Treasurer

phoover1@umbc.edu

My name is Paul Hoover and I am a biology major at UMBC who will graduate in 2008. When I am not busy studying, I enjoy reading, playing and watching sports, and following politics. On campus, I work as a TA for PHYS 111/112 and help students learn the material by participating in online discussions. I joined Golden Key in 2006 in order to develop my leadership potential and also to get more involved in the community and with student groups at UMBC. I plan on applying to medical school in 2008.

Brandi Braswell
Sophomore/Alumni Director

brandib1@umbc.edu

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Shalenee Singh
Honorary Member Liason

ssingh6@umbc.edu

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Erica Smearman
Historian

erica4@umbc.edu

My name is Erica Smearman. I am a Biology and Psychology double major and I am graduating in Spring 2008. An interesting fact about me is that I was born on my mother's birthday. I love spending time with friends and genuinely enjoy learning. I am looking forward to becoming more involved in Golden Key this year.

Tejas Suresh
Community Service Co-Director

tejas1@umbc.edu

Hi, my name is Tejas Suresh and I am a senior Biology major. I am a Meyerhoff scholar and part of the Honors College. I hope to go to medical school and be involved in medical research. I joined Golden Key because of its excellent opportunities to serve the community.

Ashley Farrand
Community Service Co- Director

fashley1@umbc.edu

I'm in my fourth year at UMBC. I'm in a combined degree program for a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Teaching. I've been involved in community service with the Shriver Center during my entire time at UMBC and have worked as a tutor and an intern with The Choice Program. One of my favorite books is Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends." I would love to be an author of children's literature someday. I must be crazy, because I want to teach middle school after I graduate from UMBC in May 2009.

Igor Kukelyansky
Community Service Co- Director

ig3@umbc.edu

My name is Igor Kukelyansky and I am majoring in Biological Sciences with aspirations to someday be an emergency physician.  I hope to shape public policy in order to trump the social roots of many preventable medical conditions. Like Jessica, I am an EMT and love the excitement of lights and sirens. I am a member of the Honors College and am heavily involved in both the community and on-campus. I am really looking forward to serving as one of the GK Community Service Directors and hope to plan some exciting and rewarding events.

Niraj Patel
Newsletter Director

niraj2@umbc.edu

Hi my name is Niraj Patel and I am a senior biology major.  My interests include playing sports and watching movies. I joined Golden Key National Honor Society because I wanted to increase my community service efforts while developing strong leadership qualities.

Zara Jariol
Web Director

zjariol1@umbc.edu

I am starting my senior year at UMBC and planning to graduate with a computer science degree and a minor in psychology. In my first two years, I was heavily involved with service learning as part of the Shriver Living Learning Center community. Aside from my studies, I enjoy making all sorts of artwork, playing guitar, being with my family and spending time with the people at my church. I am really looking forward to this year and to helping out, whether through my computer skills or through community service.

Mark Terranova
Faculty Advisor

terranov@umbc.edu

Mark Terranova has served as Advisor to the UMBC Golden Key Chapter since 2002.  Before working in his current role in UMBC's Office of Institutional Advancement as the Associate Director of Foundation Relations, he worked for the Shriver Center running service-learning and K-12 outreach programs.  Mark is a PhD candidate in the Public Policy Department at UMBC, and enjoys working with Golden Key to help students to develop leadership skills and support their dedication to service in the community.  He was named Region 1 Advisor of the Year by the Golden Key International Honour Society at the 2006 International Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.