Ashani Ross
2021 Neilom Scholar
Ashani Ross is a Junior Pre-Medicine Bioengineering major at the University of Maryland-College Park. She is passionate about fighting the disparities present in women’s health when relating to women of color. Her professional interests involve advocacy for minority women in the medical field, lower maternal mortality rates in women of color, obstetrics, and gynecology.
She serves as the Academic Excellence Chair at UMD’s National Society of Black Engineers Chapter, where she provides resources to all Black students in STEM to succeed in their academic endeavors. She also hosts weekly study sessions, and manages scholarship opportunities for STEM majors.
Ashani interned at the nonprofit African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA) during Summer 2021 through a Neilom Social Impact Internship. She wrote weekly articles focusing on important breast cancer and COVID-19 topics for the organization’s blog, and created content for all of AWCAA’s social media platforms, including being part of a COVID vaccine clinic video. She also worked closely with staff members in planning two COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
“I would definitely recommend other students to engage with nonprofits. It is so valuable to see what goes on behind the scenes and to be able to play such a vital role in the organization! It is also a great opportunity to network and connect with people that will help you along with your professional career.”
Learn more and connect with Ashani on her LinkedIn page.