Asia Malik, MS, MBA, LCPC, is a mental health professional and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding access to culturally responsive mental health care. Her work sits at the intersection of therapy, community education, and social awareness, with a focus on addressing systemic barriers to mental wellness in underserved communities. Asia currently works as a Care Manager in the UMD Counseling Center, helping students connect with academic and long-term mental health resources. She is a solo practitioner and an aspiring social entrepreneur. Additionally, she is a contractor therapist at an OMHC that serves underserved populations. She delivers engaging presentations on mental health awareness, emotional wellness, stigma reduction, and community-centered approaches to care. Drawing from clinical practice and program development experience, Asia connects evidence-informed mental health concepts with real-world applications. Her presentations emphasize the importance of prevention, early intervention, and practical strategies that individuals, organizations, and communities can use to support mental well-being.

Dr. Marcal Graham spent much of his youth growing up in North Philadelphia and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from La Salle University and both his Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. Dr. Marcal Graham has been the Director of the University of Maryland Educational Opportunity Center (UM-EOC) for a decade. Dr. Graham brings over 20 years of experience in the field of Educational Leadership and Administration. He has dedicated much of his life to helping students and adults overcome academic and professional barriers. Dr. Graham has also partnered with several non-profit and community-based organizations in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Dr. Graham worked with several K-12 charter schools in the District of Columbia and focused primarily on data analysis, assessment, and leadership.

In addition, Dr. Graham worked as an analyst in the Accountability Department for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina where he trained teachers, principals, and area superintendents on how to analyze and evaluate data at the classroom, school, and district level. He also had the opportunity to become a Strategic Data Fellow at Harvard University for a year while working with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

Dr. Graham has self-published three (3) books around the concept of self-empowerment and has developed his own growth mindset theory model (MOVEME). He is currently working on his fourth book, entitled Reclaim Your Career and Life: I Would Rather Die Dancing than Sitting at My Desk.

Dr. Vicki Johnson is Founder and Executive Director of ProFellow, the world’s leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships and graduate funding. She is a four-time fellow, top Ph.D. scholar, Fulbright recipient, and an award-winning social entrepreneur. She is the creator of the Fully Funded Course and Mentorship Program which has helped hundreds of graduate school applicants get accepted to top master’s and PhD programs and achieve a cumulative $30 million in merit-based funding. Dr. Johnson is author of the forthcoming Wiley book: “Why You: 7 Strategies to Transform Your Story Into a Competitive Advantage.”

Brent Hernandez serves as Director of Graduate Student Services where he oversees the Graduate School’s recruitment, admissions, graduate diversity and inclusion, and graduate student academic services teams. Prior to arriving in the Graduate School, Brent served as the Director of Student Services in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. In that role, he oversaw graduate and undergraduate academic advising, recruitment and admissions, scheduling, and commencement for the college. Brent also oversaw admissions, recruitment, and orientation for the College Park Scholars living-learning community for 9 years. Prior to College Park Scholars, Brent served as an academic advisor and recruitment coordinator in the Office of Letters and Sciences.

Brent Hernandez received a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans in 2001. Brent earned a Masters of Arts in Classics at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2003 and served as a high school Latin teacher in 2003-2004 at Friendship Edison Collegiate Academy in Washington, DC. He is currently pursuing a PhD in the College of Education’s Teaching, Learning, Policy, and Leadership Urban Education program.

Dr. Kimberly D. Whitehead is Acting Chief of Academics at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), where she previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Executive Dean. At Medgar Evers College, she was Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff, leading strategic planning, expanding fundraising, and building partnerships with JPMorgan Chase, Con Edison, and Voya Financial, securing foundation support for the “Spring Forward” program and co-led the Brooklyn Recovery Corps, providing paid internships to aid community recovery through a $20.4 million New York City grant. Earlier, she served as Vice President and Chief of Staff at the University of Maine, where she advised the president, managed operations, and supported the state’s economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she served as the Provost for Academic Affairs.

Linda Macri is the Director of Academic and Professional Development in the Graduate School and has directed the Graduate School Writing Center since 2014. From 2005-2013, she served as the director of the Academic Writing Program in the English Department. She earned a PhD in English Literature with a focus on rhetoric and composition at the University of Maryland and her undergraduate degree, also in English Literature, from Columbia University. She is a former co-chair of the Consortium on Graduate Communication. At the Graduate School, she offers a range of workshops for graduate students about effective academic communication.

Dr. Justin Grimes is an accomplished educator, author, and consultant dedicated to helping professionals navigate graduate school and career transitions with clarity and confidence. A Little Rock native, he is the founder of Apply to Graduate School and author of 20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School.

Dr. Grimes holds a BSBA in Computer Information Systems and an MS in Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas, as well as a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia. Inspired by his own academic journey—advancing from low test scores to three degrees——he develops actionable workshops, coaching programs, and tools that bridge the gap between higher education and professional growth. Through his firm, Stick With It, LLC, and various partnerships, Dr. Grimes empowers individuals to turn uncertainty into strategic plans for career advancement.

He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a trusted advisor for organizations building talent pipelines through graduate education. Dr. Grimes is a devoted husband to Dr. Tameka Grimes and a proud father to his daughter, Jaylen. Whether leading executive sessions or coaching aspiring students, he delivers purpose-driven solutions to help individuals move from uncertainty to action.