Honors Humanities Student Noora Ghahremani ‘26 Builds Community, One Initiative at a Time

Noora Ghahremani ’26, an Honors Humanities student at the University of Maryland, is shaping campus and local communities through a series of thoughtful initiatives and leadership roles. Her dedication comes from her desire to create welcoming spaces for students of all backgrounds, a drive she continues to channel across academic, cultural, and service organizations. This week at the Honors College’s Fall Citation Ceremony, Ghahremani will receive the Portz Award, given to one student in each Honors program who combines exceptional academic achievement with outstanding service or accomplishments outside the classroom.

As a double-degree candidate in English Language and Literature and Psychology, with three minors, Ghahremani’s academic record matches her commitment outside the classroom. She has played a pivotal role in this university’s Spanish Club, expanding membership more than tenfold by reshaping its culture to embrace learners of all levels and backgrounds. The effort earned her a departmental award and ensured the club’s sustainability after she stepped down from leadership.

Her work with the Iranian Student Foundation reflects a similar focus on inclusion and service. In response to not feeling engaged as a freshman, Ghahremani took on progressively larger roles, eventually becoming Philanthropy Chair. Under her guidance, she set new fundraising records for causes such as supporting mothers in poverty, increasing totals from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and participation surged at community events. She remains an advisor to the club, helping ensure its growth and impact continue.

Ghahremani’s commitment to making a difference extends to the classroom and the broader campus. As a teaching assistant in English and Psychology, she offers mentorship and academic support to young students to develop their language skills. Of particular note are her character development classes for children, where she helps students—many from her Maryland community—build foundational values and navigate social pressures. The curriculum she has created for these sessions draws from her own experiences and mentorship growing up, focusing on discussion and real-life scenarios across diverse backgrounds.

Ghahremani also currently serves as the President of the International English Honor Society, where she organizes and leads chapter meetings, coordinates induction ceremonies for new members, and has secured grants to fund the chapter’s first-ever literary publication.

Finally, her leadership also supports Honors Humanities directly, such as her work as the program’s communications intern and magazine editor. As a lead Honors Ambassador, she builds connections among students and staff, mentoring new ambassadors and hosting creative social events. Ghahremani credits the Honors Humanities environment for cultivating her curiosity and commitment to research and creative inquiry, skills she sees as essential for both her pre-law ambitions and her ongoing dedication to service.