Three BSOS Terps Named 2026-2027 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars

Of the 18 high-achieving University of Maryland seniors who were named 2026-2027 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars, three are BSOS majors.

Not only does the Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars program recognize the achievements of the selected undergraduates, it also gives the students the opportunity to recognize both the mentorship and impact of their K-12 teachers, and University of Maryland faculty.

The BSOS seniors and their K-12 teachers and faculty mentors are listed below:

Vardaan Srivastava

Economics and Government & Politics
Teacher Mentor: Emily Roberts*, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, Md.
Faculty Mentor: Clay Ramsay, Center for International and Security Studies Maryland (CISSM)
*Ms. Roberts was named a teacher mentor by Merrill Scholars in 2019-20 and 2024-25.

Isabel Roldan

Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice
Teacher Mentor: Marta Lucía Arévalo Rabe, Colegio APDE Entrevalles, Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala
Faculty Mentor: Linda Zou, Department of Psychology

Liesl Tran

Hearing and Speech Science
Teacher Mentor: Jennifer Hundertmark, Resurrection Lutheran School, Cary, N.C.
Faculty Mentor: Rochelle Newman*, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences
*Professor Newman was named a faculty mentor by a Merrill Scholar in 2011-12.