Cece Ukejianya (Q26)

One thing is certain about Maryland Terps, we have A LOT of school pride! You can count on finding someone wearing red, black, or gold, and there is always a new sacrifice for our favorite turtle, Testudo! While we have a very spirited campus, QUEST is proud to say that Cece Ukejianya of Cohort 26 has the most Maryland pride! Yes, that’s right, Cece recently won the Spirit of Maryland Award!

Each year, faculty and administration nominate students who they feel best represent our university for the Spirit of Maryland award. After nomination, students are invited to apply for this award. Through this application, administration chooses ten finalists who participate in a series of interviews and events. Subsequently, two winners are chosen. Specifically for Cece, Dean Victor Mullins of the Smith Business School recognized her talents and recommended her for this prestigious honor.

The Spirit of Maryland Award not only celebrates who has the most Maryland pride, but also recognizes the student who best embodies our University’s goals in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and leadership. “I was in disbelief when I won just because there are so many great leaders on this campus who I look up to for a certain skill or character trait that I one day hope to embody,” expressed Cece.  While she said it was a nice surprise, Cece points out that “no leader does what he or she does for recognition, rather any true leader does what he or she does because of their passion, drive, and motivation to better a cause he or she believes in and finds enjoyment through benefiting.” Cece says that while it is great to see how you are impacting the community, you know you have truly touched others when they “recognize how you specifically contribute to society. That’s how you know what you did was real.”

Cece is part of the academic committee in the Deans Student Advisory Council (DSAC), the President of ABA, Vice President of the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Honors Fraternity, Sargent of Arms for Phi Chi Business Fraternity, and Chaplin of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

We are so proud of Cece for all that she has accomplished. We know that after her graduation this spring, she will continue to demonstrate quality leadership within her community, and we wish her good luck in her future endeavors.

Cece with President Loh after being awarded the Spirit of Maryland award