Announcing the Six Dynamic Teams Selected as 2023 Do Good Challenge Finalists

The Do Good Institute is excited to announce the six finalists of this year’s Do Good Challenge. The teams were selected from groups and organizations across campus that are tackling issues ranging from combating isolation in the elderly community to helping families impacted by cancer. 

Teams include students from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, A. James Clark School of Engineering, and School of Public Policy. In addition, students are involved in programs across campus including, Design Cultures and Creativity, CIVICUS and University Honors.

On April 24, finalists will share more about their work and impact with an audience of hundreds and a panel of expert judges at Riggs Alumni Center to compete for a share of more than $20,000. Meet this year’s  Finalist teams:

Project- Track Teams

Kesem at University of Maryland is one of more than 130 student-led chapters across the nation that serves families impacted by cancer. Kesem at UMD provides year-long support including care packages, monthly calls and more to children ages 6-18 in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Their flagship program is a free week-long summer camp meant to bring kids of similar circumstances together. This past summer, Kesem hosted a record-breaking 62 campers and through community partnerships were able to bring 45 counselors as well. This summer, they already have 80 registered campers. On Giving Tuesday, they raised more than $50,000, which will allow them to serve even more children and families in the future. Since the group started, its 400 student volunteers have dedicated an estimated 85,000 service hours to the cause.

• Jack Yang, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Pictured top left) 
• Kaitlyn Kim, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences; CIVICUS Living and Learning Program (Not pictured) 
• Nick Johnson, A. James Clark School of Engineering (Pictured top left)

Preventing Sexual Assault (PSA) is the only student organization on campus dedicated solely to protecting and uplifting survivors, as well as acting as the voice for students in all matters related to Title IX and power-based violence. The 100+ members of the group conduct education and prevention programs to create safe spaces for survivors and facilitate conversations with UMD Administration and all Greek life organizations on campus. PSA sits on the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee and Title IX Advisory Board and works toward the prevention of sexual assault on campus by combating rape culture and advocating for policies that address sexual assault. The organization raises awareness and funds through events such as the Occupy McKeldin 12-hour sit-in, which garnered 1,000+ attendees in 2021, and a "Slut Walk" to end victim-blaming, with 150+ students participating in the most recent walk.  

• Anna Gerstein, School of Public Policy (Not pictured) 
• Damiana Colley, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (Pictured top middle) 

The 2nd LT Richard W. Collins III Foundation was established to defeat the intolerance and fear that robbed the Collins family of their beloved son, and promote scholarship and mentoring to ensure the success of young people of color. The Foundation successfully lobbied the Maryland General Assembly for the enactment of the 2nd LT Richard W. Collins III Hate Crime Law as well as the 2nd LT Richard W. Collins III Scholarship Program Legislation, which provides $1 million in annual scholarships, with 700+ Maryland HBCU students receiving scholarship funding since 2019. Through partnerships, the Foundation brings together ROTC students from historically Black colleges and predominately white institutions for outdoor leadership exercises aimed at fostering community. 

• Dawn Collins, Nonprofit Management and Leadership Graduate Certificate Candidate, School of Public Policy (Pictured top right) 

Venture- Track Teams

Repurpose Farm Plastic LLC is designing a small-scale cleaning technology specifically for plastics used in agriculture. Plastic films and tubing are essential for farming, but at the end of the season, most of these materials end up in landfills, burnt in the field or buried in the soil. Repurpose Farm Plastic LLC is creating a process to collect and clean agricultural plastic waste at UMD farms and beyond -  and has already been able to save 2 tons of plastic from landfills. Repurpose Farm Plastic took first prize in the UMD 2020 AgEnterprise Challenge and has been accepted into the National Science Foundation I-Corp Program, the Mokhtarzada Hatchery (tech accelerator program), and received an $18,000 Sustainability Grant to continue to develop their machine that aims to help recycle some of the 1,800 tons of plastic waste produced by Maryland farmers each year. 

• Krisztina Christmon, Ph.D. Entomology, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Sustainabli is a startup that creates B2B sustainability solutions for research labs, focusing on cost-effective fume hood management tools to reduce energy waste and carbon emissions. After a year-long pilot with 28 fume hoods in the chemistry department, the startup saved the university nearly $15,000. Sustainabli is working with campus administration on potential plans to expand their tech, which could potentially reduce UMD’s annual carbon footprint by more than 1,000 metric tons, or 1,500 MWh reduction in energy waste and nearly $100,000 in savings annually. They have raised $10,000 in non-dilutive grants, participated in three Accelerator programs, including NSF I-CORPS, and developed partnerships with the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, My Green Lab, and three universities. 

• Kevin Tu, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences; College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Honors College (University Honors); and 2021 Do Good Challenge winner (Pictured bottom middle) 

WISE Cities, LLC is a female-run startup focused on designing accessible technology to address the issue of social isolation among the elderly. The company's first app allows seniors to form local groups and gives community centers and local businesses the opportunity to connect with this typically hard-to-reach audience. WISE Cities was selected for a pilot opportunity with the City of Fairfax through the Smart City Challenge, which provides them direct access to a community interested in their service. They have connected with almost 200 community centers, businesses, governments, and networks to refine their product and have received $20,000 in grants, credits and resources through the Dorm Room Fund, AWS Activate, Google Cloud and others. The product has been featured on MSN and Patch and has gained support from the National Village to Village Network, which helps people age in place.

• Katherine-Aria Close, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; College of Arts and Humanities; Honors College (Design Cultures and Creativity) (Pictured bottom right) 
• Marie Brodsky, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Not pictured)  

The Do Good Challenge Finals will be held at Riggs Alumni Center on April 24. Starting at 6pm, visit the Do Good Showcase where you can meet and connect with our Do Good students, alumni and friends and have the opportunity to hear from students who are taking action and vote for your favorite showcase team. Then, at 7pm, watch and cheer on as finalist teams pitch their project or venture and the impact they've created for a chance to win a share of more than $20,000! Learn more and stay up to date at go.umd.edu/challenge23.