Inaugural Cardin Scholars cohort highlights wide-ranging civic scholarship 

The Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse, in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry, has selected the inaugural cohort of Cardin scholars for 2026, recognizing four undergraduate students whose research projects reflect a strong commitment to civic engagement, democratic values and community impact across academic disciplines.

Selected from a competitive pool of applications representing four of Towson University’s colleges, the cohort members demonstrate the breadth of civic learning and public-facing scholarship fostered through the Cardin Center.

Each student scholar will receive a $5,000 stipend, and work closely faculty mentors. 

“This inaugural cohort highlights the many ways civic engagement and democratic practices are embedded across disciplines—from the arts and sciences to business and global studies,” says Tameka Porter, political science faculty and interim executive director of the Cardin Center.

Cardin Scholars 2026

Asia Trogdon, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics

Trogdon's faculty mentor, Erin Harberts, notes, "Asia's high level of persistence, motivation, organization and leadership will take her far and greatly benefit the success of the research projects that she is working on."

Project Title: Measuring Antibody Isotype Responses Following Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry Adjuvanted Allergen Immunotherapy in Mice Allergic to German Cockroach Antigen

Project Overview: Trogdon’s research connects to civic health through its relevance to asthma and respiratory illness prevalent in urban environments, including Baltimore City.

Nathan is one of the most intellectually serious and civically committed undergraduates I have mentored at Towson University. 

Michele Calderon, faculty mentor

Nathan Hillman, College of Liberal Arts

Michele Calderon, Hillman's faculty mentor, says, "Nathan is one of the most intellectually serious and civically committed undergraduates I have mentored at Towson University."

Project Title: Experiential Global Civic Learning and Political Engagement

Project Overview: Hillman’s work supports local and global efforts to increase students’ willingness and capacity to participate in civic initiatives.

Keerthana Sujesh, College of Business and Economics

According to Natalie Scala, Sujesh’s faculty mentor, "Keerthana demonstrates strong ownership of complex security-driven research tasks, careful attention to detail and the ability to translate ambiguous requirements from the county into well-scoped research deliverables.”

Project Title: Improving Poll Worker Training Through Mobile Technology

Project Overview: Sujesh’s research will contribute to the integrity of elections in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and assist in designing a training application for poll workers that can potentially be used in other state and national polling locations.

She is bold and brave and clear eyed. She has important stories to tell and a deep-seated need to tell them with as much conviction as she is able through the medium of her art.

Amanda Burnham, faculty mentor

Melany Cornejo, College of Fine Arts and Communication

Cornejo's faculty mentor, Amanda Burnham, notes, "Melany is the real deal. She is bold and brave and clear eyed. She has important stories to tell and a deep-seated need to tell them with as much conviction as she is able through the medium of her art."

Project Title: Waking Up from the American Dream: Representing the Latino and Immigrant Experience Through the Visual Arts

Project Overview: Cornejo’s project explores how visual art can communicate socio-political issues—particularly immigration—to foster empathy, understanding and cultural appreciation.