Maya Degnemark 25B
In my first two years, I seized every opportunity to make an impact. As Vice President of Finance for the Student Programming Council (SPC) and the Indian Cultural Association (ICA), I managed over $1 million in funds, advised 100+ students on financial strategy, and raised $65,000 for Emory’s largest off-campus event, Diwali, which hosts over 850 attendees each year. I also spearheaded soon to be published research on weight-neutral approaches to preventing Type 2 Diabetes at the Woodruff School of Nursing, led campus tours and panels as a Student Ambassador, served as a teacher’s assistant for 4 Goizueta Business School courses, and participated on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board to positively influence life in the classroom. Outside of school, I founded and led two eating disorder support groups and interned at B.T.R. NATION, a functional snacking company. Despite my heavy commitments, I built long-last friendships, deepened my connection to my culture, and maintained a 4.0 GPA.
During my sophomore year, I was honored to be named one of four 2025 Woodruff Dean’s Achievement Scholars, receiving a full-tuition scholarship for my remaining time at Emory. While the financial support had a significant impact on my family and me, I never anticipated how deeply the program’s community would come to shape my experience. Over the past two years, I’ve participated in more than 10 Scholar-Led Events (SLEs), hosted two prospective scholars during Selection Week, mentored first-year students (both formally and informally), and contributed to the integration of company networking sessions into the program. This scholarship has been the greatest honor in the world, and I am incredibly grateful for the security and validation it has provided. Beyond this, the support I have received from staff and upperclassmen has allowed me to pursue my passions with confidence, and in turn, I am committed to offering the same guidance to others within the community now and post-graduation.
This motivation carried into my junior year, where I stepped into even larger leadership roles and focused on building community in the same way others had done for me. I served as Co-President of the ICA, managing a 40-person board, fundraising $70,000 for ICA Diwali, and overseeing the organization of 15+ events. That same year, I also served as the New Member Educator for SPC, where I had the chance to lead recruitment, and select and mentor the next generation of leaders. Many of these students were just arriving on the Atlanta campus from Oxford, or stepping into college life for the first time, and offering the kind of support and guidance I had once needed myself was truly one of the most rewarding parts of my year. I also made intentional efforts to bridge my leadership roles with the Woodruff Scholar Program—creating a recurring ICA Diwali SLE and actively welcoming more scholars into SPC to diversify and strengthen the organization.
As a senior, I am the Executive Vice President of SPC, one of the most demanding student held roles on campus. I dedicate 15-30 hours each week leading this organization, overseeing a budget of over $1 million, supporting 65 members, and coordinating 30+ events annually. Additionally, I’m in charge of finances for Wonderful Wednesday, a pivotal role in preserving this cherished tradition that has been celebrated since 1967. In both of these roles, I work closely with Campus Life Deans and SILT leaders to enhance student engagement and a sense of belonging.
The experiences I have had as a scholar and campus leader have transformed me from a shy and uncertain freshman into a confident and accomplished student leader. I am grateful to Emory for providing me the opportunity to make a positive impact in my community, and to the Woodruff Scholars Program for seeing potential in me and inviting me into the community. I will forever carry every opportunity I’ve received with me, and as I join Deloitte Consulting this fall, I will leverage my experiences to become an active alumni leader and support Woodruff Scholars as they navigate Emory and beyond.