The OMSE Academic Excellence Society (OAES) was established by Dr. Christopher Lester, the director of OMSE at the University of Maryland, in the spring of 2008. It received endorsements from the OMSE team, as well as from Dr. Cordell Black, Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity; Dr. Nariman Farvardin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost; and Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Executive Director of the University Career Center.

The purposes of the Honor Society according to the constitution are:

• To recognize, foster, and reward academic excellence.
• To promote and encourage leadership with the highest ideals of integrity, honesty, service, and exemplary ethical standards.
• To promote and encourage stellar career and professional development and opportunities among OAES members
• To promote and encourage intellectual, academic and study abroad scholar opportunities among OAES members
• To establish and maintain close relationships and mutual understanding between faculty, staff and students
• To foster an awareness of community service as a crucial resource to developing a more just, compassionate, and empowering society.
• The membership in OAES is composed of undergraduate multi-ethnic students who have achieved a high level of academic excellence.

To be eligible for membership, students must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed 30 semester hours in undergraduate credit courses
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5
• Be currently enrolled as a full-time student in good standing at the University of Maryland

CONTACT: Claudia Michaud, Graduate Assistant