Help our students gain experience, grow skills, and cover costs while they pursue their academic and career goals:
- Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Teaching Assistantships
- Graduate Research Assistants
- Graduate Assistantships
- Living and Learning Scholarship (Coming Soon)
“For students like me, these opportunities make a lasting impact.” – Ayushi
“The funding was pivotal in equipping me to excel as a researcher and educator.” – Lingyao
“The funding allowed me to work high-impact projects, [and] strengthen my skills as a mentor and leader.” – Zihui
We appreciate your donations and support for the next generation of project managers. Meet them below!
Ayushi Patel | Lingyao Li | Zihui Ma
Ayushi Patel
Why did I choose the University of Maryland, Project Management Master’s Degree Program?
My passion for organization and leadership led me to pursue a Master’s in Project Management at the University of Maryland. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, designed to bridge theory with real-world application, felt like the perfect fit for me.
What truly set UMD apart was its strong industry connections, particularly its collaboration with PMI chapters, which provides invaluable access to a global network of project management professionals. Additionally, discovering the annual Project Management Symposium, a globally recognized event hosted by UMD, reinforced my decision. The opportunity to engage with experts, gain industry insights, and expand my professional network made it clear—UMD was the right choice for me.
Experiences at UMD.
Working as a Marketing and Event Assistant at the University of Maryland Project Management Center for Excellence (UMD PMCfE) has been an incredible experience. It has allowed me to apply what I learn in class to real-world situations. More importantly, it has given me access to opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I have attended and represented the UMD PMCfE at multiple professional conferences, meeting industry leaders, expanding my network, and developing my communication skills. I also had the privilege of participating in the Project Management Day of Service, where I assisted non-profit organizations in their noble causes, making a meaningful impact on the community while learning from industry experts. Additionally, I volunteered at the Project Management Symposium and the Maryland Product Symposium, contributing to marketing efforts and event-day operations. Stepping out of my comfort zone in these roles has strengthened my organizational skills and prepared me to excel in future job roles. Beyond professional growth, these experiences have introduced me to inspiring mentors and thought leaders, shaping my confidence and deepening my passion for project management.
- Master’s Degree: Master of Engineering student in Project Management at the University of Maryland. Expected Graduation is May 2025
- Bachelor’s Degree: Electronics and Communication Engineering, Charotar University of Science and Technology
Why is this funding important?
The sponsorship funding that UMD PMCfE receives makes all of this possible. It supports student involvement in conferences, professional development programs, and the annual Project Management Symposium—initiatives that provide hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom.
For students like me, these opportunities make a lasting impact, helping us grow into well-rounded professionals. UMD PMCfE’s investment in its students through this sponsorship doesn’t just support education; it builds future project leaders.
Lingyao Li
Why Did I choose the University of Maryland?
My passion for organization and leadership leads me to pursue a PhD in Project Management at UMD. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, designed to bridge theory with real-world application, feels like the perfect fit for me. What truly sets UMD apart is its strong industry connections, particularly its collaboration with PMI chapters and other companies in the DMV area, which provides invaluable access to a global network of project management professionals. Additionally, UMD has an exceptional team of advisors, like my advisor Dr. Baecher. Dr. Baecher is a distinguished figure in civil and environmental engineering, renowned for his expertise in risk and reliability of civil infrastructure. His extensive experience in civil and environmental engineering have been invaluable to my academic journey. Overall, the opportunity to engage with experts, gain industry insights, and expand my professional network made it clear—UMD is the right choice for me.
Experiences at UMD.
During my time at the University of Maryland (UMD), I engaged in a variety of roles that enriched my academic and professional journey:
- Research: I had the honor of working with my advisor, Dr. Gregory Baecher, and co-advisor, Dr. Michelle Bensi, during my Ph.D. studies. My research focused on leveraging crowdsourced data and natural language processing to address complex problems. For instance, I conducted studies utilizing social media data for rapid damage assessment following natural disasters and assessing public attitudes during health crises. Over my six years at UMD, I published six first-author papers in renowned journals.
- Teaching: I was fortunate to work with John Cable, founder and former director of the Project Management Center for Excellence at the University of Maryland , and John Johnson, the center’s Strategic Program Manager . Their guidance greatly enhanced my experience in the Project Management Program. Over five years as a teaching assistant, I supported nine courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. My contributions included course design, developing graduate-level courses in project management, and collaborating on MOOCs for the edX platform. My dedication was recognized with the “Outstanding Teaching Assistant” award, placing me in the top 2% of TAs.
- Networking: I was actively involved in the Project Management Center for Excellence, participating in organizing events like the Project Management Symposium. Through my roles, I attended multiple professional conferences to expand my network. These experiences allowed me to connect with industry leaders, gain insights, and develop communication skills.
These multifaceted experiences at UMD significantly contributed to my development as an interdisciplinary researcher and educator.
- Ph.D. Degree: (2015-2021) Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Engineering Management) from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
- Master’s Degree: (2012-2014) Master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China.
- Bachelor’s Degree: (2008-2012) Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering along with Business Administration minor from the Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China.
Why is this funding important?
The funding I received during my PhD from the Project Management Center for Excellence at UMD was instrumental in advancing my academic and professional development. This financial support enabled me to focus on my research, which involved leveraging crowdsourced data and natural language processing to address complex issues such as rapid damage assessment following natural disasters and evaluating public attitudes during health crises. The funding also facilitated my active participation in teaching and service roles, including contributing to course design, developing graduate-level courses in project management, and organizing events like the Project Management Symposium. These experiences not only enhanced my expertise but also expanded my professional network, connecting me with academia and industry leaders and peers. In essence, the funding provided by UMD’s Project Management Center for Excellence was pivotal in equipping me with the necessary resources and opportunities to excel as a researcher and educator.
Zihui Ma
Why Did I choose the University of Maryland, Project Management Master’s Degree Program?
I chose the University of Maryland’s Project Management Master’s Degree program because of its strong reputation in civil engineering, robust academic resources, and access to top-tier faculty, like Professor Baecher. The program’s focus on cutting-edge topics such as risk management, engineering economics, and BIM technology aligns with my career goals. My experiences in risk management research, project cost estimation, and system analysis at UMD provided a deeper understanding of the complexities in project management. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a PhD, as I realized the potential of combining research with practical applications to improve decision-making and advance the field. UMD’s environment of innovation and research has solidified my commitment to furthering my expertise through doctoral studies.
Experiences at UMD.
In my MS program at UMD, I served as a teaching assistant for ENCE661, Project Cost Accounting and Finance. This role allowed me to deepen my understanding of project management principles while honing my teaching and communication skills. I was also involved in the “Reliability-Based Modeling for the Missouri River Dam System” project, funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where I applied management techniques to assess the reliability of infrastructure systems. This research was pivotal in shaping my decision to pursue a PhD.
During my PhD, I expanded my research focus to risk management and disaster resilience, particularly concerning natural hazards. One of my key projects involved analyzing the performance of project risk managers using ex-post methods. Supported by collaborations with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, this project contributed to the development of performance evaluation frameworks for construction risk management. Notably, it received the 2024 Arthur M. Wellington Prize and the 2024 Thomas Fitch Rowland Prize. My research on improving wildfire response resilience was featured in Civil Remarks Magazine and Engineering at Maryland Magazine. Additionally, I worked on several other funded projects, including evaluating healthcare accessibility during hurricanes and assessing infrastructure vulnerabilities, which broadened my expertise in managing social-ecological-technical systems.
Following my PhD, I transitioned to a postdoctoral role at UMD, where I continued to focus on AI-driven decision-making. I am currently involved in a DoD-funded project applying system-of-systems architectures for wind-farm planning. This role further enables me to apply my research to high-impact, real-world situations and continue collaborating across disciplines. These experiences have not only enriched my research but also strengthened my skills as a mentor and leader in management, preparing me for advanced research and leadership roles in the future.
- Currently a Postdoc Research Associate at the University of Maryland
- Ph.D Degree: Civil Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, completed in 2024
- Master’s Degree: Master of Engineering student in Project Management at the University of Maryland. Graduated is May 2020
- Bachelor’s Degree: Civil Engineering, San Francisco State University
Why is this funding important?
The funding I’ve received has been crucial for advancing my research and tackling complex challenges in project management, risk assessment, and disaster resilience. It has enabled collaboration with key agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing me to work on high-impact projects that require significant resources. These funds support the development of innovative models, fieldwork, and the integration of advanced technologies like AI and machine learning. Ultimately, they allow me to contribute valuable insights that enhance safety, resilience, and sustainability in infrastructure systems.
