Doctoral student Nohely Alvarez and architecture graduate student Gesine Pryor Azevedo have been named 2020-21 Outstanding Graduate Assistants by the University of Maryland’s Graduate School.
The Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award recognizes and honors the outstanding contributions that graduate assistants provide to students, faculty, departments, administrative units and the university as a whole. The award celebrates the top 2% of approximately 4,000 UMD graduate students who serve the campus as administrative, research or teaching assistants in a given year.
Alvarez, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design, has been a graduate assistant for the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation for two years, working with Associate Professor Willow Lung-Amam in the community of Langley Park, a majority-immigrant neighborhood adjacent to campus that faces issues of equitable housing, social justice and displacement.
“Nohely has demonstrated not only her keen research skills, but also theoretical insight and deep sensitivity and attention to the needs of residents, particularly those most marginalized,” said Lung-Amam. “She has also proven to be a remarkable team player, and willing to jump in to do what is needed to make the project a success. On a personal level, Nohely is simply a kind, delightful and thoughtful person who is a joy to think and work alongside.”
Gesine is a second-year Master of Architecture student and has been a graduate assistant for two years. She has been integral to the MAPP community as an undergraduate advisor, adeptly pivoting her work online this past year to serve students as they navigated online learning.
“Gesine has been a fantastic support and guide for our undergraduate community,” said Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Architecture Madlen Simon. “She truly steps up to the challenge in everything she does and is a joy to work with. We are thrilled by this recognition.”
Learn more about the Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award on the University of Maryland Graduate School website.