Graduating Senior Jenna Aidikoff A Born Leader

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Only one graduating college student in the state can win the prestigious Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence Award. This year, Baltimore's Daily Record gave that award to senior Jenna M. Aidikoff - a bioengineering major at the University of Maryland. She will also be one of the first students to graduate with a minor in Leadership Studies from the College of Education.

Aidikoff was publicly honored at a ceremony May 11 at the Baltimore Symphony Hall. The award includes a $3000 scholarship.

In its article announcing the award, the Daily Record wrote, "While her bioengineering major and impressive GPA say plenty of her intelligence, discipline and work ethic, it is her civic involvement that speaks volumes."

Aidikoff was selected for her exceptional scholarship in engineering, education, and at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore where she conducted research on Down Syndrome. She has mentored countless undergraduate students on campus as well as at Camp Pals, a community for those living with Down Syndrome. Aidikoff has also displayed a deep commitment to the University of Maryland community through her leadership in the Student Government Association, with the O.N.E. UM Student Leaders Conference, as a Resident Assistant, and as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.

Jenna is a bright young lady," says Fischell Department of Bioengineering professor and undergraduate program director Adel Shirmohammadi. "Besides her outstanding academic achievements, she is a kind individual with a passion for the well being of others. Her performance in my Senior Capstone Design Course was outstanding. She always showed leadership qualities and had a smile on her face regardless of the challenges of the day."

"Jenna's ability to mentor others, create sustainable long-lasting change, and be an accomplished scholar make her the perfect recipient for this honor," says Ramsey Jabaji, the university's Coordinator for Leadership Development Programs. "Jenna is a wonderful testament to the University of Maryland and its commitment to multiculturalism, scholarship, and community engagement. Her ability to mentor her peers to be social change agents is remarkable and I have met only a few students who approach her level of character, maturity, and intellect during my time as an educator."

After graduating, Aidikoff plans to accept a consultant position with Citrix Systems, Inc., which specializes in applications delivery for virtualization and remote access.

Students from the University of Maryland have won the Circle of Excellence Scholarship award given by the Daily Record three out of the last seven years.

Maryland's Top 100 Women - 2009 (pdf)

Fischell Dept. of Bioengineering Release
College of Education Story

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