Announced in fall 2023, The Provost’s Do Good Innovator Awards sought to recognize faculty and staff members across UMD’s Do Good Campus who have been hard at work tackling the grand challenges of our time. 

From left to right: Larry Washington, Jacqueline Dwyer-Xec, Archana Khurana, and Doron Levy Images courtesy of same.

The Innovator Awards highlight the incredible members of our campus community who create, nurture, expand and amplify social impact throughout education, programs and research, both inside and outside the classroom. Over the past academic year, members from the Do Good Campus Strategic Leadership Council received nominations from across their unit and selected up to three awardees. Congratulations to the awardees from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences!

Jacqueline Dwyer-Xec, Administrative Coordinator, Mathematics

Dwyer-Xec is the face of the Department of Mathematics, using her office to create an environment where every student feels they can belong. For several days at the start of the semester, Dwyer-Xec sets up a table at the entrance decorated with balloons in Maryland colors, greets students as they enter, hands out candy and hand sanitizer, and gives directions to their classrooms.

Archana Khurana, Senior Lecturer, Mathematics

Khurana received almost two-thirds of the college’s nominations, all from students who recognize her compassion, going the extra mile to support students and creating an engaging learning environment. This recognition is even more impressive considering STAT100 has more than 300 students. As one student stated, "She exemplifies diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging."