Emily Melluso
B.A., Biological Sciences; B.A., Sociology
Magna Cum Laude
Hometown: Union Bridge, Maryland
Plans: M.A., UMBC
My experiences have shown me the importance of self-determination and the need for students to recognize their own power within their communities and beyond them.
Emily Melluso arrived at UMBC with a broad vision of serving communities facing challenges. Over the course of her undergraduate years, she refined that vision and strengthened her commitment to social justice work through on-and off-campus experiences that helped her “consider the ways in which people struggle at UMBC and in our neighboring communities in Baltimore City.”
Melluso has served fellow students through such leadership and mentorship roles as an SGA ProveIt! coordinator, IHU peer facilitator, STRiVE coach, resident assistant, and Imagining America undergraduate fellows coordinator. This year she co-led the “Seeing Baltimore” alternative spring break trip, which connected students to social justice work in the city.
In recognition of her academic excellence, Melluso has been recognized as a member of Alpha Kappa Delta (the international honors society for sociology) and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. After graduation, Melluso will pursue a master’s in applied sociology at UMBC while continuing her community education and organizing work in Baltimore.
Portrait by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
