Meet Our Student Ambassadors!

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is the direct connection my work has to protecting people's lives.

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I chose FPE because it’s such a small group of people working to develop a discipline that’s so essential. FPE gives me the opportunity to collaborate with many different and fascinating fields, because fire is everywhere.

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I most value my tight-knit cohort and the abundance of on-campus FPE support and resources.

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? On campus most of my time is spent as a student. I also have some unique fire protection related courses, like my sound suppression lab this semester.

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I can often be found with friends, in the woodshop, or biking around campus for fun.

What is the best thing about UMD? My favorite thing about UMD is the size of the campus. I love how many different people there are to meet, but I also appreciate how easy it is to make a large campus feel small and personal. It offers the best of both worlds, the opportunities of a big school and the community of a small one. For example, FPE, Flexus, and Virtus are small groups of engineering students that make up most of my friends, but I’ve also met plenty of people outside those groups.

Any last words for prospective students? I hope you come to UMD! Check out Flexus and Virtus if you haven’t already, and go Terps!

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is how useful the major is. FPE is integrated into all walks of life, and every engineering discipline. There will always be a need for FPEs, as we save lives and prevent major life of loss and property. There are many opportunities for people through internships, research, co-ops, and jobs.

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I was always drawn to Engineering, but FPE had a community and purpose that really spoke to me. I wanted to have a direct impact on the lives of others and be challenged in new ways. In addition, FPE connects many different majors and I wanted to see how these majors interact.

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I really value the community in FPE. The major is very small so you get to know everyone, and all the faculty care about you as a student and a person. Everyone you meet will support you and they all want you to succeed. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? I am involved in SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers,) Alpha Phi Omega (the community service fraternity,) and Women in Engineering.

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I can usually be found in my apartment, JMP, the STEM library, or ASY.

What is the best thing about UMD? The best thing about UMD is all the opportunities it has to offer. There are so many ways to be active in your community, ways to find people with common interests, and a diverse range of majors.

Any last words for prospective students? Make sure to show your face! Be active, ask questions, go to office hours, and make the most of your time at college.

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is how close-knit the community is. Everyone in the department, students, professors, and staff, is so welcoming and supportive. It really feels like a family within a big university. 

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I chose FPE because it combines my passion for helping others with my love for math and science. I was drawn to how directly this field impacts people’s safety and to its uniqueness compared to other engineering disciplines. 

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I value the FPE department's strong reputation in the industry. Being part of this program instantly connects you to professionals who recognize and appreciate the quality of UMD’s FPE students. It’s rewarding to know that simply being in the department opens doors and shows that you’re part of a community that’s highly regarded in the field. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? Outside of classes, I like staying involved through business clubs and Greek life. It’s such a fun way to meet new people, try new things, and feel like a bigger part of campus life beyond engineering. 

When you’re not in class or serving the Department, where can you be found? I can be found at McKeldin or hanging out with my friends! 

What is the best thing about UMD? The best thing about UMD is how big the school is. There are so many opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and find your place here. 

Any last words for prospective students? Don’t be afraid to explore something new. FPE is such a unique major with a welcoming community and endless opportunities. You’ll learn a lot, make great friends, and truly feel like you’re making a difference! 

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is that there are always new, ever-expanding problems to solve. With new technologies, there are always new considerations that need to be taken into account regarding fire hazards. We can see this especially with batteries and energy storage systems, but it also appears in new materials being used to make everyday items like furniture and flammable technologies being used in homes.

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I chose FPE because I found it the most interesting out of any of the other engineering majors. It’s very unique and really interesting when you start exploring the different avenues in fire protection. I also appreciate the fact that FPE is engineering for the betterment of people and the environment. 100% job placement doesn’t hurt either.

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? What I most value from my time in FPE is the people I’ve met in the major. As a commuter, I was worried about making friends at UMD. Being a part of a community like FPE helped because I was able to find a place where I felt I belonged on campus. Because the community is so tight-knit, alumni often come to campus, and I’ve been able to connect with them not just in a professional sense, but personally as well. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? Inside the department, I am the Treasurer of the UMD Society of Fire Protection Engineers chapter. Outside the department, I am on the Operations Board and Head Barista for UMD Coffee, which makes free specialty coffee for the student body. I am also involved in UMD’s bird club which is really fun.
    
When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I can usually be found at JMP in the FPE lounge; if not, I’m working out or swimming at Eppley, or perhaps at Vigilante Coffee getting some caffeine in me.

What is the best thing about UMD? The best thing about UMD, in my opinion, is the variety of birds that can be found on campus. Despite being pretty urban, there are so many different types of birds, from basic robins and mockingbirds to ravens and bald eagles. Lake Artemesia nearby is a hotspot for waterfowl and can be packed with interesting birds during peak migratory seasons. It truly makes me happy walking around campus and seeing various birds flying around and trying to identify them.

Any last words for prospective students? Joining FPE has been a choice I’ve never once lost confidence in. It’s a super fun major with so many opportunities for jobs and internships, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. You’ll meet some great people who will be there to support you throughout however long you decide to spend at UMD and beyond.

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite aspect of FPE is the infinite application. As long as we keep breathing oxygen, fire can happen anywhere. In outer space, under water, in a tunnel, you name it and FPE is needed there. 

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I initially heard it from my high school engineering teacher of the amazing travel opportunities. However, what really stuck out to me was the direct impact I could make in people’s lives. My first FPE professor, Christopher Hallock, said “As an FPE consultant, I could go by a hospital and say I’ve worked on this building to keep people safe”. 

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I value the wonderful community here. I’ve never felt more welcomed and felt belong than here with my fellow classmates. For instance, the Welcome Picnic BBQ this year was absolutely packed and just like my dear friend Ryan said, “this is the FPE community everyone is bragging about”. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? I conduct research with my fellow classmates to understand and address real world fire incidents. For instance, we determined the most effective and efficient quantity of water suppression payload used with drone technology. Furthermore, I synthesized and organized data of Christmas tree fires to understand the quantitative differences between dry and moist pine trees. 

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I volunteer at my local fire department as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT). I love giving back to the community, and my line of work additionally provides direct field experience with structural and vehicle fires. 

What is the best thing about UMD? The best thing about UMD is the diversity here. With so many different backgrounds and perspectives, I’m constantly learning new things and inspired to engineer creative ideas and designs. 

Any last words for prospective students? FPE is a great field with even greater and amazing people. We are an engineering field that is so welcoming that it helps out other majors. Take the first step and be ambitious, you won’t regret it! Don’t wait to be great, you’re already great right now.

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is how close-knit the community is. As long as it’s not the morning I love talking and working with other people. I’ve met so many amazing people that I would not have met if I wasn’t in FPE and this goes for all the professors and advisors too!

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? I chose FPE over other STEM majors because I could actually see myself enjoying studying and working in the FPE field. The field of fire protection engineering is very interesting because of how unique it is. 

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I value how easy it is to talk to people in the FPE Department. Everyone in the department is very approachable and very professional. I enjoy getting to talk directly with my professors and advisers to help me on the best path possible. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? I’m a part of the TerraPins bowling club on campus, which is a really fun thing to do that’s not related to anything else I do. There’s so many clubs which are great ways to branch out and meet new people. 

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I love going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and anything involving music. Live music is one of my favorite things to go see or be a part of. 

What is the best thing about UMD? There is always something for you and events going on around campus. Whenever you have free time you can always find an event or club meeting which makes it easy to find what you love and make lots of friends. 

Any last words for prospective students? UMD is a school that has everything. It has incredible academics, like the Fire Protection Engineering Department, great D1 sports, and a very active campus. It is very uncommon to find a school that has some of everything like UMD has.

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is how much it can evolve. As time goes on, new technological advances are made and with that, new fire hazards. 

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? Learning about all the safety systems as well as fire itself seemed super interesting, and now I can safely say that it truly is! 

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? The Department’s huge flexibility. I can always schedule an advising meeting or talk to professors on the fly in emergencies. Normally I let them know in advance though, because that’s the right thing to do. 

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? For my first two years, I was a part of the Flexus and Virtus Living Learning Communities. I chose to become a board member, where we partnered with Women in Engineering to host fun activities, information sessions, and educational opportunities. Despite graduating from the program, I still take time to help out in any way I can when possible. 

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? In my free time I like to hang out with friends, either by playing board/video games or going out. I also like to hit the gym in the mornings with the goal to become like John Cena. Some clubs that I like to participate in are American Nuclear Society because I am pursuing the Nuclear Engineering minor and Beekeeping Club, because it’s just fun!  

What is the best thing about UMD? The dining halls. They’re pretty spread out through the campus and have Michelin star quality food. Okay I exaggerate, but you get what I mean. South Campus Dining Hall is my favorite, it’s never too crowded and they have a wide selection of cuisines. People say I eat a lot for a skinny guy, but what can I say, I just love food!

Any last words for prospective students? I highly recommend it if you’re considering UMD to check out Flexus and Virtus. I learned a lot of important skills and met a lot of amazing people through the program. Hope to have you join us as a fellow Terrapin!

What is your favorite thing about FPE? My favorite thing about FPE is how versatile the degree is. I know saying I have a ‘unique’ major scares some people, but you can truly apply FPE to every part of your life. As long as a fire can happen in that area, you can work in it!

Why did you choose FPE over other STEM majors? My original plan was to go to a smaller school because I wanted that feeling of knowing everyone in my classes. I chose FPE specifically because it was such a small program and I don’t miss out on the benefits of a bigger school (location, resources, major diversity, etc.).

What do you value most about the Department and your time with FPE? I value my relationships with my peers, advisors, and professors the most. Relationships started during college are very important, even as you transition into the workforce. Having that connection with professors and students who may have worked in the field you want to go in is vital because it provides a source of information.

How else are you involved in the campus, either in or outside the Department? I am a part of the Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) here on campus!

When you’re not in class, or serving the Department, where can you be found? I can be found crocheting, baking, or hanging out with my roommates.

What is the best thing about UMD? Aside from academics, the proximity to Washington D.C. is so cool. My roommates and I love to take the 30 minute metro ride into the city to walk around, enjoy the cherry blossoms, and find new cafes/restaurants!

Any last words for prospective students? One academic tip – using your resources is the best way to ensure success in your courses. The ones I have used the most are Professor/TA office hours, Guided Study Sessions (GSS) and Keystone Tutoring! One general tip – the best time to take the metro is on the weekends because they have a lower fare!