At age eight, I sat beside my mother at the kitchen table, watching her pencil out a budget on the back of a crumpled supermarket receipt. Her pen paused over the page, worry in her eyes, and three words on the page: rent, electricity, and groceries. I remember trying to be still, pretending I was focused on my homework, but my eyes kept drifting back to the numbers. Something wasn't adding up. Though I didn't quite understand how money worked, I did know what it meant when my mom made a sighing sound and stashed the receipt. That memory stuck with me. Not because it scared me, but because it ignited something inside of me. I learned to see numbers as more than just problems on a math book page. I learned that numbers were the key to solving real-life problems. I am the product of dreamers and doers. My parents came to America with hope and not much more, with the belief that their children could have a better future. Being a first-gen student myself, I don't take that place seriously. My school experience has been full of pressure and pride, juggling AP classes, holding leadership positions with student organizations, and balancing family responsibilities as the oldest sibling in a single-parent household. My experiences have shaped me into a problem-solver, a leader, and a person highly dedicated to community. This is why I created Alina's Study Hub. It's an online platform for academic resources, college application assistance, and scholarship websites for students who might not otherwise have such systems in place. What started out as a humble Google Site that I distributed to about a dozen classmates now assists thousands of students across the globe through my page @studentlife.alina. This is just the beginning. I'm studying business because I believe that financial know-how is potentially the most precious asset that anyone could have. But I do not plan to stop there, with a degree and a label. My ultimate career goal is to be a consultant who works in community development and economic justice. Someday, I hope to have a nonprofit organization that offers money mentoring, free workshops, and mentorship programs to empower communities that mainstream institutions have neglected. But to get to that point, I need assistance. College is not cheap, and while I've worked hard to be accepted into dozens of schools, the price is still too high. Having this scholarship would be about something greater than alleviating financial stress. It would be about being able to focus on creating a positive academic experience-taking part in business clubs, internships, and further cultivation of Alina's Study Hub, without having to worry about how to cover the cost of textbooks, meals, and rides on a daily basis. I want to this path with a community not just interested in my own success, but in the ripple effect that will be created. Because I'm not doing it for myself only. I'm doing it for all the students who thought college was not an option for them. I'm doing it for my mom, who gave up her own dreams so that I can chase mine. I'm doing it for the girl who stays up at night Googling "how to apply to college" because no one ever explained it to her. I want to be the proof that it can be done. I see a world where every community has financial education, where low-income families and students of color have the tools they need to succeed, and philanthropy is not something we aspire to but something that we practice daily.

To me, leadership isn't about having a fancy title or corner office. It's about using your voice to help people, especially those who aren't heard. As a first-generation college student and eldest child of immigrants, I've learned that speaking up is most important when it comes from real experiences and consistent effort. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I often felt isolated when it came to accessing educational opportunities. Many of the tools and resources that seemed to be readily available to others were either out of my reach or simply not accessible. I couldn't afford the monthly subscriptions or the private tutors. Whether it was finding scholarships, study aids, or even navigating college applications, there was no one guide that fit my circumstances. As I struggled to find and utilize resources effectively, I realized that there were many other students facing the same challenges. Helping others means more when you really get what they're going through and you're serious about fixing things, not just talking about it. My way of leading is making sure students like me feel valued, heard, and backed by their community. On campus, I'm the first-year representative in student government where I serve as the voice for 5,000+ first-year students. I also work with the legislature to come up with ideas to get students involved and give them the resources they need. I engage with faculty and students across my constituency and work hard to turn their problems into real solutions. The most rewarding part of my position is being a part of an amazing team of passionate legislators across multiple disciplines to push the SGA's goal of being the premier representative of the student body on campus. I am especially fond of my fellow committee members in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, along with the Sustainability Committee. Connecting with them and using our team's skills to draft bills, submit finance requests, meet with admin, and coordinate events for the student body are the best parts of being a part of SGA and part of why I will commit to in for my entire undergraduate experience. From sponsoring bills demanding price transparency from the registrar to hosting mental health events during finals week, I've learned to be caring but also practical. I ask questions and make sure promises are kept. This makes me a better communicator, decision-maker, and more confident in working with the university I call home. I don't just want to speak for students. I want them to feel good about speaking up for themselves. Whether it's recruiting members for the Women's Empowerment Institute, organizing informational sessions for my educational start-up Alina's Study Hub, or in my future career as an entrepreneur who fixes educational inequity, I aim to be a connector in a fast-paced environment that tends to leave people feeling left out. Leading and speaking up aren't just things I do. They're things I'm committed to. I believe that when students are heard and supported, everyone wins. Being a leader doesn't mean wearing a suit and tie and telling people what to do. It means being the one suited to tie things together and get things done. Having this scholarship would be about something greater than alleviating financial stress. It would be about being able to focus on creating a positive academic experience—taking part in business clubs, internships, and further scaling Alina's Study Hub—without having to worry about taking out loans to cover the cost of textbooks, meals, and transportation on a daily basis. It would be about being able to say yes rather than no to opportunities because I can't afford them.

To me, leadership isn't about having a fancy title or corner office. It's about using your voice to help people, especially those who aren't heard. As a first-generation college student and eldest child of immigrants, I've learned that speaking up is most important when it comes from real experiences and consistent effort. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I often felt isolated when it came to accessing educational opportunities. Many of the tools and resources that seemed to be readily available to others were either out of my reach or simply not accessible. I couldn't afford the monthly subscriptions or the private tutors. Whether it was finding scholarships, study aids, or even navigating college applications, there was no one guide that fit my circumstances. As I struggled to find and utilize resources effectively, I realized that there were many other students facing the same challenges. Helping others means more when you really get what they're going through, and you're serious about fixing things, not just talking about it. Seeing my peers held back by these inequities inspired me to create Alina’s Study Hub, a platform that now serves over 2,000 students with scholarship databases, study tools, and mentorship. My goal is to level the playing field so students in my community can thrive academically and pursue their dreams; all reasons why I chose to study business. As a business major, I aim to scale Alina’s Study Hub into a sustainable organization. My coursework in entrepreneurship, finance, and operations management at UMD will equip me with the knowledge and resources needed to develop innovative solutions for educational challenges. For example, I envision partnering with the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship, local businesses, and nonprofits to provide laptops, tutoring, and college readiness workshops to underrepresented communities. I also hope to expand into financial literacy programs that will empower families to budget, save, and invest to aid in breaking the cycles of poverty. Leading and speaking up aren't just things I do. They're things I'm committed to. I believe that when students are heard and supported, everyone wins. Being a leader doesn't mean wearing a suit and tie and telling people what to do. It means being the one suited to tie things together and get things done. Having this scholarship would be about something greater than alleviating financial stress. It would be about being able to focus on creating a positive academic experience—taking part in business clubs, internships, and further scaling Alina's Study Hub—without having to worry about taking out loans to cover the cost of textbooks, meals, and transportation on a daily basis. It would be about being able to say yes rather than no to opportunities because I can't afford them.

Prince George’s County is full of promise yet many students encounter hurdles to success due to overcrowded classrooms, underfunding, and limited access to advanced courses. In 2023, only 33% of PGCPS students demonstrated math proficiency compared to 50% across the state. This gap widens as access to college prep resources diminishes, leaving talented students unprepared for higher education and lifelong careers. Seeing my peers being held back inspired me to create Alina’s Study Hub, a platform that now serves thousands of students with scholarship databases, study tools, and mentorship. My goal is to level the playing field so students in my community can thrive academically and pursue their dreams without breaking the bank. But a platform run by one person can barely hold a candle to the impact that real legislation can have on students not only in PG County but in the entire state of Maryland. As a member of the Maryland General Assembly, I would be focused on legislation that creates equal funding, higher quality education, and getting the resources necessary to close the academic opportunity gap, particularly in areas where there is limited funding available for public schools. This legislation will end the days where the quality of a student's education is dependent on their zip code. I would work with fellow legislators to secure funding for increasing classroom sizes, providing students with access to Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, dual enrollment programs, and fee waivers for College Level Exam Placement (CLEP) exams. It is also important that we are providing access to free college readiness resources for all students ( free tutoring, SAT and ACT courses, Financial Aid Counseling) in publicly funded schools. I would also work with legislators to secure funding for AI implementation in the classroom in a way that serves as an aid to learning, not a replacement. Adaptive Learning AI should be utilized by teachers to create lesson plans that cater to the individual needs of each student rather than a one size fits all approach. Predictive AI can be used by board members to analyze patterns and predict trends amongst different students and generative AI can help fill the gaps to ensure every student has equal access to opportunities. Utilizing AI can also help alleviate problems that our county’s education system faces due to staffing shortages such as increasing classroom sizes, providing students with access to Advanced Placement (AP). International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and dual enrollment programs. In the latest state testing results from 2025, PGCPS saw proficiency in math and English language Arts through MCAP scores. While PGCPS is seeing an upward trend, these numbers can be amplified with AI implementations into the curriculums. Additionally, this technology can also help students who are learning English as a second language, mentally or physically disabled, or coming from an economically disadvantaged background. Education is the foundation of opportunity, and I believe students like me in Prince George’s County deserve every chance to succeed. With my passion for service and the skills I will gain through my degree, I am committed to building a legacy of equity, empowerment, and hope for future generations.

To me, leadership isn't about having a fancy title or corner office. It's about using your voice to help people, especially those who aren't heard. As a first-generation college student and eldest child of immigrants, I've learned that speaking up is most important when it comes from real experiences and consistent effort. Helping others means more when you really get what they're going through and you're serious about fixing things, not just talking about it. My way of leading is making sure students like me feel valued, heard, and backed by their community. On campus, I'm the freshmen representative in student government where I serve as the voice for 5,000+ first-year students. I also work with the legislature to come up with ideas to get students involved and give them the resources they need. I engage with faculty and students across my constituency and work hard to turn their problems into real solutions. From sponsoring bills demanding price transparency from the registrar to hosting mental health events during finals week, I've learned to be caring but also practical. I ask questions and make sure promises are kept. This makes me a better communicator, decision-maker, and more confident in working with the university I call home. I don't just want to speak for students. I want them to feel good about speaking up for themselves. During my first year at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, I focused on developing my teamwork and leadership skills to go from a passionate advocate to a systemic changemaker. Whether it's recruiting members for the UMD Future Business Leaders of America, organizing informational sessions for my educational start-up Alina's Study Hub, or in my future career as an entrepreneur who fixes educational inequity, I aim to be a connector in a fast-paced environment that tends to leave people feeling left out. Leading and speaking up aren't just things I do. They're things I'm committed to. I believe that when students are heard and supported, everyone wins. Being a leader doesn't mean wearing a suit and tie and telling people what to do. It means being the one suited to tie things together and get things done. My most ambitious career goal is to launch a management agency that supports creators who don’t fit the normal “influencer mold”. Instead, they create meaningful content driven by values, not views. I’ll provide them with a platform while managing partnerships with large companies seeking authentic storytellers to spread their message. I hope to redefine digital partnerships by moving away from surface-level promotion and toward impact-driven collaboration. But above all else, as I get ready for my second year of college, I'm committed to using my education to give back to my community. I understand the struggle that students from low-income, immigrant, and minority families face, and I plan to leverage the tools and resources I gain in college to create more opportunities for them. I also bring a personal aspect as someone who goes through these struggles actively today. My mother always tells me “echale ganas” or give it your all, and that’s a mindset I carry with me daily. Whether through Alina’s Study Hub or other community initiatives, I want to make sure that education is a path to success for all people, not just a select few. In the long term, I will be pursuing a business degree with the hope of applying this knowledge to combat pressing global issues like financial illiteracy and educational inequality. My mother's lessons make me realize that success is not just about achieving your own goals, but about helping others achieve theirs. By combining my education with my passion for community service, I hope to create a lasting, positive impact around the world.

To me, leadership isn't about having a fancy title or corner office. It's about using your voice to help people, especially those who aren't heard. As a first-generation college student and eldest child of immigrants, I've learned that speaking up is most important when it comes from real experiences and consistent effort. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I often felt isolated when it came to accessing educational opportunities. Many of the tools and resources that seemed to be readily available to others were either out of my reach or simply not accessible. I couldn't afford the monthly subscriptions or the private tutors. Whether it was finding scholarships, study aids, or even navigating college applications, there was no one guide that fit my circumstances. As I struggled to find and utilize resources effectively, I realized that there were many other students facing the same challenges. Helping others means more when you really get what they're going through and you're serious about fixing things, not just talking about it. My way of leading is making sure students like me feel valued, heard, and backed by their community. On campus, I'm the freshmen representative in student government where I serve as the voice for 5,000+ first-year students. I also work with the legislature to come up with ideas to get students involved and give them the resources they need. I engage with faculty and students across my constituency and work hard to turn their problems into real solutions. From sponsoring bills demanding price transparency from the registrar to hosting mental health events during finals week, I've learned to be caring but also practical. I ask questions and make sure promises are kept. This makes me a better communicator, decision-maker, and more confident in working with the university I call home. I don't just want to speak for students. I want them to feel good about speaking up for themselves. Whether it's recruiting members for the UMD Future Business Leaders of America, organizing informational sessions for my educational start-up Alina's Study Hub, or in my future career as an entrepreneur who fixes educational inequity, I aim to be a connector in a fast-paced environment that tends to leave people feeling left out. Leading and speaking up aren't just things I do. They're things I'm committed to. I believe that when students are heard and supported, everyone wins. Being a leader doesn't mean wearing a suit and tie and telling people what to do. It means being the one suited to tie things together and get things done.