Ambi Narula Honored with Pride and Advocacy Award

On Monday, May 18, 2026, Fischell Institute Communications and Program Specialist Ambi Narula was awarded the 2026 Pride and Advocacy Award at the 28th Annual Lavender Celebration of Graduates and Award Winners.

Presented by the LGBTQ+ Equity Center, the Pride and Advocacy Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership during the past year and made a positive impact on LGBTQ+ communities at the University of Maryland.

“I’m really proud to be acknowledged for my passion for creating inclusive spaces and fostering community at UMD,” said Narula. “Creating environments where people feel seen, supported and celebrated is something I care deeply about, and I’m grateful to collaborate with so many incredible students, colleagues and campus partners who share that commitment.”

In addition to her role in the Fischell Institute, Narula serves as the rainbow community liaison for the A. James Clark School of Engineering, chair of the Clark School Senate’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, is second-in-command for the Clark School’s Community and Workforce Development Council, co-president of the Pride Alumni Network, and advises UMD’s Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) and Hysterics student groups.

In these positions, Narula leads queer-inclusive programming efforts across engineering and university alumni communities where she organizes engagement opportunities and collaborates with campus partners to foster a welcoming, safe and enriching environment.

“Ambi has been a wonderful addition to UMD’s oSTEM this academic year through her consistent support and feedback for our E-Board and club members,” said Abbey Vanasse, president of external affairs for UMD oSTEM. “She has been a key mentor in my first year as president, and I look forward to having her as oSTEM’s advisor for years to come.”

Since Narula joined as its advisor, UMD oSTEM co-hosted the Queer STEM Alumni Panel alongside Engineering Career Services, the University Career Center, and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences; launched its official LinkedIn page to support professional development; and led a University of Maryland graduate student panel at the 25th Annual oSTEM Conference in Baltimore, marking the first time the chapter attended the conference.

“Ambi’s work is exceptional, and I’m grateful she brings her brilliance to advocating for and elevating the LGBTQIA+ community in engineering and beyond,” said Akua Asa-Awuku, the Clark School’s associate dean for community success and workforce and development, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Fischell Institute affiliate fellow.

In addition to this award, Narula’s positive impact as oSTEM advisor was also recognized by the UMD Equity Center’s Lavender Leadership Honor Society when they named UMD’s oSTEM chapter LGBTQ+ Student Group of the Year.

The Lavender Celebration of Graduates and Award Winners is an annual event that brings the UMD community together to honor and celebrate those who have contributed to making the University of Maryland a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people. The celebration not only recognizes individual achievements but also reaffirmation the collective commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus community.

Published May 19, 2026