I had the pleasure of speaking with my fellow cohort member, Eileen Chen, for this month’s student spotlight. Chen is a sophomore finance and information systems major in Cohort 41. She was nominated by fellow cohort member, Abhinav Mukherjee.

Eileen Chen, a member of Cohort 41

Alongside her many academics, she spends her time in numerous organizations and activities. From the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, Alumni Chair in Women in Business, Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA), a peer mentor for the Public Leadership Scholars Program, and a Project Management lead for the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC), there isn’t a moment when Chen isn’t active!

Chen and her pledge class from Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity

With all these different commitments and the leadership positions that she holds within them, she highlights the importance of time management and striving towards a good work-life balance. “With being involved in so many commitments, it’s important to also save time for the benefit of your personal health.” She enjoys going to the gym, taking walks, baking and cooking amongst other things. 

Chen alongside her AKPsi pledge buddy and fellow QUEST Cohort 41 member, Abhinav Mukherjee

Upon asking Chen if there were any upcoming events or things to look out for from her extracurricular involvements, she was enthusiastic to share some with fellow QUESTees: CSVC hosts lunch and learns for students to get to know social entrepreneurs, the Impact Consulting Fellowship (ICF) provides hands-on, pro-bono work for students, and the CSVC also offers a course through the Smith School. She emphasized the importance of getting involved and experience from the many opportunities that the Smith School of Business and UMD offers. For her, these involvements in service and social impact have led her to realize that she doesn’t just want a corporate job, but to have an impact on the community.

Chen volunteering her time at a Women in Business tabling event

Although still pretty new to QUEST, Chen has appreciated all the connections that it has given her, especially fellow QUESTees who are also in her fraternity. She says that it has allowed her to meet people that became her mentors and helped her. By starting as a peer mentor in her Scholars program, she hopes to do the same for others in QUEST.