Program Administration
College Park Scholars
- Executive Director: Dr. Greig Stewart
- Associate Director for Student Affairs: Ms. Martha Baer Wilmes
- Assistant Director for External Relations & Development: Mr. Kevin Baxter
- Business Services Specialist: Ms. Carolyn Seward
- Administrative Assistant: Ms. Nancy Metrenas
- Coordinator for Community Involvement: Ms. Tabetha R. Hohneke Mwita
- Coordinator for Student Leadership: Ms. Marybeth Drechsler
- Graduate Assistant for Admissions & Registration: Ms. Heather Bartholomew
Dr. Greig Stewart
Executive Director, College Park Scholars
gstewart@umd.edu
Since 2003, Dr. Greig Stewart has been the Executive Director of College Park Scholars, assuming this position after having served as the Associate Dean for the University's Philip Merrill College of Journalism since 1987. He holds an affiliate faculty appointment with the Counseling and Personnel Services Program in the University of Maryland's College of Education. In 2006, Stewart participated in a Fulbright fellowship in Germany and the Czech Republic. Prior to his appointments at Maryland, Stewart held several student affairs positions at The American University and The Catholic University of America.
Stewart earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts with a major in sociology; his masters degree in counseling and student personnel at the University of Maryland; and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Development from The American University. His dissertation research examined college student achievement, using the Lipman-Blumen and Leavitt Achieving Styles model.
Given his personal and research interests in community service, Stewart has written and consulted on Service-Learning and values development. The State of Maryland has benefited from Stewart's scholarship and commitment to community service through his contributions to the Maryland Service Exchange as one of its inaugural deans. Stewart has also contributed to the literature on higher education living-learning programs.
While serving Maryland's journalism program, Stewart taught the introductory journalism course and a professional seminar on teaching to its first-year doctoral students. He also coordinated the college's for-credit internship program. Stewart's teaching career began in North Africa (Morocco) as a Peace Corps volunteer, where he taught English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Ms. Martha Baer Wilmes
Associate Director for Student Affairs, College Park Scholars
mwilmes@umd.edu
Ms. Martha Baer Wilmes is one of our campus' most dedicated Terps. Martha received her Masters in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland and worked in the Division of Student Affairs here until joining the College Park Scholars central staff in 2003. In addition to her work in Scholars, Martha advises the University of Maryland chapter of the National Society of College Scholars. Outside of work she enjoys camping, swimming, and time with her children.
Mr. Kevin Baxter
Assistant Director for External Relations and Development, College Park
Scholars
bax@umd.edu
Mr. Kevin Baxter has a diverse set of responsibilities within the Scholars community. Together with the Business Services Specilaist, Kevin manages the budget and financial activities within College Park Scholars. Kevin also provides leadership to several of the signature events associated with College Park Scholars each year. Kevin helped to develop "Scholars in New York" in 2003; an event that now draws more than 500 participants to the "Big Apple" each spring.
In addition to coordinating special events, Kevin also serves as the President of the College Park Scholars Alumni Association Board of Directors. In this capacity, Kevin provides support and leadership to the many activities and initiatives of the Alumni Association. Kevin also serves as the Development Officer for College Park Scholars and works to identify private support to fund special events, initiatives, and scholarships. Finally, Kevin's office serves as the communications hub for Scholars as he directs the outreach connecting the program to alumni, parents, current students, and faculty/staff.
Kevin has been with College Park Scholars for more than thirteen years in total, although this is his tenth year as a member of the program's administration. He is an alumnus of the Advocates for Children program in College Park Scholars, and also served the community as a Resident Assistant in Cumberland Hall for two years. During his years as a Scholar, Kevin founded the "Step to Bat for Kids" Charity Softball Tournament ~ an event that has raised nearly $20,000 for charities and organizations that serve children and families, and which still occurs each May in Scholars.
Kevin has also taught several courses within the Advocates for Children and Life Sciences programs, and supervises a talented team of interns and student employees. He was named Resident Assistant of the Year in 1999 and was named the Outstanding Student Employee of the Year by the University of Maryland in 2001. Kevin spends his free time traveling with his wife, Erica (a favorite destination being Walt Disney World), serving as Commissioner of the Baxter Golf Association, and visiting with friends and family. He earned his B. A. in History in 2001 from the University of Maryland and his M. B.A. from the University of Maryland, University College in 2008.
Ms. Carolyn Seward
Business Services Specialist, College Park Scholars
cseward@umd.edu
Ms. Carolyn Seward comes to Scholars after working at the University of Maryland for 28 years in various administrative positions. She has become a Business Services Specialist after her most recent experiences at the Vet school exposed her to this new line of responsibilities. Carolyn hopes this will be a rewarding adventure for her and that it will allow her to gain more experience and knowledge in the field she has chosen. She is looking forward to this new opportunity in College Park Scholars.
Carolyn spends her free time working out at the gym, traveling, gathering with friends on the weekends, and spending time with her sweet little shih-tzu, Chelsea.
Ms. Nancy Metrenas
Administrative Assistant, College Park Scholars
nmetrena@umd.edu
As the Administrative Assistant for the Scholars Community, Ms. Nancy Metrenas keeps the other members of the faculty and staff smiling. Nancy coordinates the efforts that come out of the central office and serves as the keeper of the majority of the information that makes its way around the offices. She is the front line of Scholars and enjoys being a part of the community very much.
Ms. Tabetha R. Hohneke Mwita
Coordinator for Community Involvement, College Park Scholars
thohneke@umd.edu
As the Coordinator for Community Involvement, Tabetha works primarily with Lakeland STARS, but she also lends a hand with Orientation and Service Day. Tabetha recently completed the University of Maryland's master's program in Higher Education and is now working toward a degree in Curriculum Theory and Development. Originally from the Midwest, Tabetha attended Ripon College in her home state of Wisconsin and earned her bachelor's degree in Art and German.
Ms. Marybeth Drechsler
Coordinator for Student Leadership
marybeth@umd.edu
Marybeth Drechsler is a College Park Scholars graduate assistant, and she serves as the Coordinator for Student Leadership. In this capacity, Marybeth is co-advisor to Scholars Student Advisory Board and advisor to the newly established Peer Mentors program. She also spends time working closely with her Scholars Student Affairs colleagues on signature events such as Service Day and Orientation.
Marybeth joined the Scholars community in July 2006 after working as a learning community residence hall coordinator at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Having previously received an M.S. in College Student Personnel from the University of Central Missouri and a B.A. in American Studies from Millikin University, Marybeth is presently pursuing her doctorate in College Student Personnel in the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services.
Ms. Heather Bartholomew
Graduate Assistant for Admissions and Registration
heatherb@umd.edu
Heather Bartholomew serves as a Graduate Assistant with College Park Scholars. After receiving her citation in the Media, Self & Society program in 2007, she now assists with the Scholars recruiting and admissions process. Heather was previously active in the Scholars Ambassadors program and with the Scholars Alumni Association. Heather attended the University of Maryland where she graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in Government & Politics. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Policy at Maryland, specializing in social policy.
