From the Nominator

Terps Under 30 was first implemented in 2018 as a TED-talk style program that aims to provide students and recent graduates the opportunity to connect, network, and share their fearless ideas. This annual, signature event is planned, coordinated, executed, and evaluated by the Student Alumni Leadership Council. Terps Under 30 employs a multifaceted program approach. The event begins with a networking reception, continues with the TED-talk style program and facilitated Q&A, and ends with a networking dessert reception. This program highlights three successful UMD graduates, under the age of 30, in their field of interest, and brings them back to our university's campus for a TED Talk-style program and panel discussion. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers, and hear how campus experiences shaped their careers and lives. There is also a networking component for undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff to build meaningful connections with each other that will hopefully last long after the event.

From the Judges

Terps Under 30 is an exceptional program because it clearly meets the objectives of the organizing student group by both developing an awareness of the alumni community, and connecting students with alumni. This program incorporates networking, which benefits all student attendees, while simultaneously finding a way to highlight prolific young alumni as speakers in an engaging format. Students are inspired by the young alumni speakers, while the young alumni feel reconnected to the university. The program provides a clear pathway for students to understand how they can give back and support the university through their time and talent as young alumni. The program provides a unique twist to the need for networking programs, and while it’s a relatively new event, it’s likely to experience continued growth and success in the coming years. This program can be scaled for use at other universities, and in fact, already has been. Even if “TedTalks” become a thing of the past, the format will continue to serve the needs of the student population going forward.