Robert Yuan
Robert Yuan is Professor of Microbiology at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research on the molecular biology of restriction and modification in bacteria led to the discovery of the first restriction enzymes, an essential tool in genetic engineering. He is also director of BioTechnology International/Business Development Group (BTI/BDG), a consulting group that carries out biotechnology assessments worldwide for government agencies and private firms. In addition to his research in molecular biology, Yuan is an expert in international biotechnology. Over the past ten years, he has done extensive work in biotechnology in Asia for the governments of the United States and a number of Asian countries. Yuan has been involved in curriculum development both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The restructuring of a series of biology courses at the University of Maryland has been based on two concepts: the virtual workplace (educating students in the conceptual processes and skills required in a modern working environment) and journey without maps (cooperative learning with students from different social and cultural backgrounds). He has worked with the NRC on educational projects, and has served as a consultant to the Royal Thai Government in the restructuring of its science and engineering graduate education.

Marilee Lindemann
Marilee Lindemann is an Associate Professor in the Department of English. She received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 1991 and came to the University of Maryland in 1992. Her publications include: Willa Cather: Queering America and editions of Cather’s novels, Alexander’s Bridge and O Pioneers! She also has essays in New Essays on Willa’s Cather’s My Antonia, Modern American Women Writers, and Engendering the Word: Feminist Essays in Psychosexual Poetics. Lindemann has been awarded research grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Association of University Women, and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. She has been coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Studies Area Group in the Department of English since 1993 and served as co-chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Staff and Faculty Association in 1997-98.

Marsha Guenzler-Stevens
Marsha Guenzler-Stevens graduated with honors from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1978, having studied biology and political science. She earned a Masters degree in Personnel Services and Counseling from Miami University in Ohio and her doctorate at the University of Maryland in Higher Education Policy and Planning and Administration. She has spent all of her professional career working in the field of Higher Education and has worked in the areas of admissions, residential life, student affairs administration, academic affairs, and Greek life. Currently, Guenzler-Stevens serves as Director of Activities and Associate Director of the Stamp Student Union, supervising the Campus Programs staff. In 1993, Guenzler-Stevens was recognized as the Outstanding Associate Staff Member at the University of Maryland at College Park and in 1995 she was named one of the institution’s “Women of Influence.” Outside of the University, she consults in areas of organizational development, motivation, and management training. She also speaks nationally on such topics as student leadership development, human dignity, and the enhancement of the college fraternity. David Jones
David Jones has been employed at the University of Maryland for 24 years in the Physical Plant. Jones was born, raised, and educated in Prince George’s County. He has been studying Spanish for four years and is currently the secretary for the Hispanic Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Association (HFSGSA). This is Jones’ third year in this position. He is also an advisor to the Latino Student Union and the Hispanic Heritage Coalition. Jones has served on the Physical Plant Diversity Committee for the past six years and has served on the OMSE selection committee for the Academic Achievement Awards (for Latino Student Award) for the third year.

Kartik Sheth
Kartik Sheth is a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland. Sheth was born in Bombay, India and emigrated to the United States in 1986. Sheth received his education from Grinnell College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics. Additionally, he spent one term at the University of Lancaster during 1992 and another term at the University of Minnesota. Sheth received his Masters in Physics and Astronomy here at the University of Maryland. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Astronomy. Currently, Sheth volunteers his time as a science tutor at H.D. Cooke Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant, Washington D.C. and as a Sexual Harassment Prevention Trainer with the Office of Human Relations Programs. Additionally, Sheth has served on the CQI Committee: Teaching TAs to Teach.

Sameena Mulla
Sameena Mulla was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in a multicultural community. Mulla grew up receiving a bilingual education at James F. Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Washington, D.C. After eight years at Oyster, Mulla moved on to public middle and high schools, graduating in 1995. She considers her home neighborhood, Mt. Pleasant, to be more of a classroom than any conventional school she attended. Mulla joined the University of Maryland in the fall of 1995, and has always lived in the International House. By living in the “I-House,” she believes that students discover that community is our greatest resource and exists as a very real forum for dialogue and exchange. Next fall, Mulla will pursue a Masters in Anthropology at the New School of Social Research. Promoting diversity will remain a central feature of her life.