2024-2025 Executive Board

Headshot of the president of USGA Jillian Baker

President

Jill Baker
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.president@umaryland.edu
Program in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Graduate School

Jillian Baker is a 5th-year PhD student at the Graduate School. She earned a BS in Forensic Science from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA before earning her MS in Biology from Towson University in Towson, MD. Currently, Jill serves as the President for the USGA following her previous year of service as the Secretary. In her role as President, she hopes to enhance communication between USGA and students, increase student voices and hopefully host some fun events throughout the year. When she is not busy studying, Jill enjoys playing field hockey for VOLO, hanging with her MMI cohort, cross-stitching and listening to audiobooks.

Rachel Ritter

Vice President

Rachel Ritter
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Undergraduate School of Nursing
rmritter@umaryland.edu

Rachel Ritter is a senior year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at the School of Nursing. Rachel earned an ADN Degree in Registered Nursing from Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland. Currently, Rachel works as a Registered Nurse and practices her practicum in Community Health at University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore. As a Vice President, Rachel hopes to represent underserved populations and advocate for the campus at community at large. Rachel is honored to be the chair member of the USGA's Campus Advocacy Committee. When Rachel is not busy studying, she enjoys playing video games and playing with her dog Rosie, and cat Luigi.

Rachel will be graduating in December 2024 so the USGA Vice President (VP) role will be vacant after December. If you are interested in the VP role after December, please reach out to USGA president, Jill.

Headshot of the treasurer of USGA Patrick Amadi

Treasurer

Patrick Amadi
Pronouns: He/Him/His
umb.usga.treasurer@umaryland.edu 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
School of Nursing

Patrick Amadi is a 4th year BSN student at the school of nursing UMSON. Currently, Patrick works in an ER as a student nurse at Luminis Health. As a treasurer at USGA his goal is to learn more on finances and budgeting and support as an active member of the USGA. When he is not studying, Patrick enjoys movies and sleeping.

 

Kelly Grover

Secretary

Kelly Grover
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health
School of Nursing
umb.usga.secretary@umaryland.edu 

Kelly Grover (she/her) is a third-year DNP student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, specializing in psychiatric-mental health. She has a BS in resource economics, focusing on business management, and nursing from the University of Maryland system. She is an emergency room psychiatric nurse and a graduate research assistant with UMSON. As a Secretary and Graduate Delegate, she aims to ensure timely documentation and communication for the group and accurately represent the student body's interests, positively impacting policies. When not studying, she enjoys playing with her two-year-old Cocker Spaniel, hiking, participating in and watching sports, and volunteering.

 

Headshot of the programming chair of USGA Princess Afe

Programming Chair

Princess Afe
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.programming@umaryland.edu
Bachelors of Science in Nursing
School of  Nursing

Princess Afe, from Prince George's County, Maryland, is a third year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Princess studied at PGCC and Howard University. Princess is in the Army, works as a CNA in a senior nursing facility and is a home health aide to the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. As Programming Chair, Princess strives to create engaging, inclusive events and initiatives that foster community, promote leadership opportunities, and enhance the student experience. Princess aspires to diligently ensure a diverse range of programs that cater to the interests and needs of the student body as a whole. Through her leadership, she aims to inspire others to take an active role in shaping the campus environment and community. When Princess is not busy studying, she enjoys exercising, driving, basketball, football, anime, nature, reading, and resting.

Headshot of the advocacy director of USGA Rochelle Matheson

Advocacy Director

Rochelle Matheson
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.advocacydirector@umaryland.edu
Dept. of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitative Science
School of Medicine

Rochelle Lauzon-Matheson is a 2nd-year Physical Therapy student in the School of Medicine. She earned a BS in Biology from Towson University in Towson, MD. Currently, she also volunteers with the Vestibular Disorders Association as one of their Ambassadors. As the Advocacy Director for the USGA, she hopes to bring more awareness to policies and legislation that may affect students at UMB, and get students active in advocacy. When Rochelle is not busy studying, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children, and getting outdoors whenever possible!

Headshot of the webmaster of USGA Jessica Cornell

Webmaster

Jessica Cornell
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.webmaster@umaryland.edu
Program in Molecular Medicine
Graduate School

Jessica is a second year Ph.D. student in the Molecular Medicine program. She earned a M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biomedical Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and earned a B.S. in Biotechnology from James Madison University in Virginia. Currently, Jessica's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of metastatic breast cancer in order to better treat the disease. As USGA Webmaster, she hopes to provide a comprehensive and easy-to-navigate USGA website for all students to promote community and communication at UMB. In addition to being the Webmaster for USGA, Jessica also serves as the Secretary for the Graduate Program in Life Science's Student Advisory Committee, the Molecular Medicine Representative for the Graduate Student Association, the PR Coordinator for Neuroscience Outreach and Volunteer Association, and the UMB Co-Managing Director of the DC/Baltimore Nucleate chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, cooking, and drawing.

 

Headshot of the DEI Officer of USGA Kwanza Graham Syke

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer

Kwanza Graham Sykes
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
umb.usga.equityofficer@umaryland.edu
DEI Leadership
Graduate School

Kwanza Graham-Sykes is a 1st year MS-DEI Leadership student at the School of Graduate Studies. She earned a BA in Organizational Management, and a MA in Healthcare Administration from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland. Currently, Kwanza also volunteers on the Learning and Education Committee at The American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA). With nearly two decades of experience in human resources and operations, and now as a MS-DEIL student, Kwanza is driven by her passion to put theory into practice to advance diversity, equity and inclusion among the student body at UMB. When Kwanza is not busy studying, she enjoys spending time with her husband and six-year son, long walks and regular trips to the spa.

Headshot of the advisor of USGA Cynthia Rice

USGA Advisor

‌Cyndi Rice
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
USGA Advisor, Director of Student Development and Leadership
Email: crice@umaryland.edu
Phone: 410-706-7117

With more than 25 years of experience at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Cyndi has worked at UMB since graduating from the School of Medicine’s Radiologic Technology program. Cyndi loves advising student organizations and helping students develop into well-rounded, holistic, and professional student leaders.

If you have an issue that you would like to be addressed by the USGA, contact us here!