New Award Celebrates Advancement as a Team Sport at UMD
September 02, 2026
By: Jessica D. Wilson
The Division of University Relations is tasked with spearheading the effort to raise $2.5 billion for Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless. But they know very well they cannot do it alone.
While more than 200 people work in UR, the team needs to partner with many people outside the division–whether at the university or in the community–to accomplish this fundraising goal.
Effective partnerships between UR and the community have existed for decades but the first year of the Forward campaign, UMD’s most ambitious fundraising initiative to date, has afforded an opportunity to elevate these efforts. To celebrate those in the community who provide cross-campus support for University Relations, the division has launched the Partner-in-Advancement Award.
The award recognizes individuals whose collaboration, leadership and commitment have advanced UMD’s mission through development, engagement, stewardship, alumni relations, data infrastructure and/or communications. Six people were selected to receive the inaugural award this year.
“When we are doing our work effectively it’s because the university's community is coming together in support of our mission to grow philanthropy and engagement across our campus,” said Vice President of University Relations Jim Harris. “The people selected this year really demonstrate how advancement is a team sport and how many people outside this division have a role in the work we do every day.”
The recipients were chosen from a competitive pool of nominees and recognized at the UR Summer Summit on Sept. 1, 2026. As part of the award, they were given the opportunity to select a University of Maryland College Park Foundation fund to receive a $1,000 contribution.
The Partner-in-Advancement Award recipients are:
Ashley Bair, Assistant to the President and Director of Protocol and Events, President's Office
Bair is a trusted and instrumental liaison within the Office of the President, leading campus-wide initiatives and events that contribute to meaningful alumni and donor engagement. She is a strong partner in preparing the president to be sure advancement objectives are met. She works with the University Relations team on presidential acknowledgments as well as personalized outreach to the university’s highest-level donors and prospects. This past year, these included 213 personalized thank-you letters signed and sent from President Darryll Pines, 532 holiday cards signed and sent from President Pines and Vice President Jim Harris, 15 presidential impact reports and 22 milestone birthday packages. Bair serves in a leadership role, partnering with the Office of Special Events on over 20 events in FY26 alone. Many of our donors experience the university’s excellence because of Bair’s thoughtful work to support our advancement mission. Bair will give her $1,000 gift to the Keep Me Maryland Fund.
Megan Gebregziabher, Director of Operations and Chief of Staff in Provost’s Office, Division of Academic Affairs
Gebregziabher is a pivotal partner within the Office of the Provost. She regularly facilitates opportunities for UR leadership to interact with university deans on important initiatives and events. She was instrumental in the development and socialization of the multidisciplinary fundraising structure stemming from the Provost's assigned working group, allowing deans and their units to receive proper credit for collaboration on leadership initiatives for the Forward campaign. She served an integral role in both the Forward campaign public launch event and the inaugural Maryland Women’s Society event. UR’s alignment with campus leadership and our university’s most important strategic aims is in no small part due to Gebregziabher’s tireless service to the Office of the Provost and UMD. Gebregziabher has chosen the Maryland Women’s Society as the recipient of the $1,000 contribution.
Doron Levy, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Director of the Brin Mathematics Research Center, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
As a faculty leader in CMNS, Levy has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for the Department of Mathematics, CMNS and initiatives across campus. Most recently, he partnered with development officers from CMNS and ARHU to develop proposals for Misha Brin honoring the legacy of his late wife, Eugenia. Levy’s insight and donor-centered approach were critical to the success of these proposals. Notably, none of the funding directly benefited the Department of Mathematics. Despite this, he spent many hours strategizing and refining these CMNS and ARHU “asks.” Levy is an outstanding example of a partner committed to institutional impact over departmental gain. Levy will give his $1,000 gift to the Student Mental Health and Well-Being Endowment.
Javier Mena, Assistant Director of Regional Recruitment and Alumni Relations, Undergraduate Admissions, Enrollment Management
Mena is an enthusiastic and trusted ally in the admissions office who has earned the confidence of many UR colleagues and helped to expand volunteer opportunities for alumni. He has facilitated alumni support for student recruitment efforts, welcoming them as representatives at regional college fairs and volunteers during open house events. Through these efforts, more than 400 alumni, annually, engage in admissions-related volunteer activities. Mena also serves as a proactive and thoughtful liaison to alums and donors as they navigate undergraduate admissions application process and schedule campus visits, addressing any questions or requests that arise with urgency and attention. To have a dependable and dedicated UMD ambassador for families and students brings immense value to UR. Mena will give his $1,000 gift to the Latinx Student Advocacy Scholarship.
Nelson Riley, Multi Trades Supervisor II, Facilities Management
Riley is an indispensable representative for Facilities Management to teams across University Relations. For the Office of Special Events in particular, he consistently goes above and beyond his duties, including accommodating last-minute requests. Riley is never daunted by large or complicated tasks. He remains incredibly responsive and regularly offers additional hours beyond his typical workday to support the UR team. Riley is incredibly knowledgeable in addition to being incredibly friendly. He is the definition of team player, with an expanded definition of what “team” means to him. Riley will give his gift to the Green Maryland Gift Fund.
Nicole Roop, Program Director, Undergraduate Student Affairs, A. James Clark School of Engineering
Roop is involved in every aspect of the scholarship process at the A. James Clark School of Engineering. She works with Engineering students, faculty, and Engineering and UR staff to ensure both donor intent and scholarship criteria are met across 8 departments and 2 programs each year. Roop has helped build a culture of stewardship in the Clark School by guiding students through the scholarship acceptance process, including their preparation of biographies, photographs and personalized thank-you letters. With her leadership, the Clark School awarded over 800 students more than $4 million in scholarship support during the 2025-26 academic year. Roop’s work exemplifies excellence in scholarship administration and supports UR’s ongoing efforts to show impact and steward donors. Roop will split her $1,000 gift to two funds, the Fourney Scholarship Endowment and the Dally and Fourney Outstanding Instructional Support Endowed Student Prize in Engineering.