Leading the Way: Gabriella Anthony ’26

By Laura Farmer

Gabriella Anthony ’26 still remembers moving to Baltimore in 2015 at age 10 with her mother and sister. They left their close-knit community on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia in search of new career opportunities. Back home, Gabriella spent her days playing outside with friends and family. In Baltimore, she encountered a very different reality. Their family had arrived during a period of unrest in Baltimore, following city-wide protests that took place following the death of Freddie Gray.

“It was a hard transition, culture-wise,” she recalls. “When I got here, the riots were still happening. We couldn’t go outside for recess. There were curfews. I had left my family and friends behind. There was less freedom and I struggled to wrap my young mind around all the violence that was happening in the city.”

Despite those challenges, Gabriella adapted. That resilience would later define her journey, not just to college, but through it.

Discovering Engineering

Gabriella’s introduction to engineering came gradually. Her mother, a chemical engineer from Cuba, planted the seed early, though Gabriella didn’t fully understand what that meant at first. That changed at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where she joined the Project Lead The Way program, which gave her early exposure to real-world engineering concepts through hands-on learning experiences. Math had always been a strong subject for Gabriella, so she thrived in the curriculum.

“I didn’t really know what engineering was, but I just chose to do it,” she says. “Then I really enjoyed all the classes and decided to stick with it.”

Finding Maryland

Gabriella’s promise as a young engineer made her a standout candidate to colleges. One of her high school advisors encouraged her to check out the University of Maryland. She scheduled a last-minute visit just days before decision day. What started as a simple, self-guided tour turned into something more meaningful.

“We just ran into people—staff, faculty, students—and everyone was welcoming and helpful,” she says. “I really felt like it would be a good place for me.”

That day, she made her decision.

Building Confidence and Community

It’s been many years since Gabriella’s first visit to campus. In May 2026, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. As she reflects on her college experience, she describes it as both challenging and transformative. Like many engineering students, the academic adjustment was significant.

“In high school, you can kind of get away with just doing your homework,” she says. “In college, you really have to learn how to manage your time and block out time to study.”

She credits Keystone with helping ease that transition. The program provides beginning engineers with an enhanced educational experience, recognizes outstanding teaching, and serves as a national model for increasing engineering student retention and graduation rates.

There are so many engineers from different backgrounds. UMD really does a good job of having spaces where you can feel supported. Having donors invest in me allowed me to see my full potential in college. I’m just super grateful.

Gabriella Anthony ’26

“I had really good professors for those first couple of core classes,” she says. “And the tutoring hours were very convenient, which made the transition easier.”

But academics were only part of the story. Gabriella found community across campus, especially in organizations that supported diversity in engineering.

“There are so many engineers from different backgrounds,” she says. “UMD really does a good job of having spaces where you can feel supported.”

She participated in groups like the Black Engineers Society and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Women in Engineering (WIE) Program, which helped her build connections and find belonging.

Leading On and Off the Stage

Over time, Gabriella moved from being a participant in these organizations to finding her voice as a leader. She even served as president of the Mechanical Contractors Association student chapter.

Despite the demands of engineering coursework, she continued her lifelong passion for dance. After growing up dancing in Baltimore through a free youth program, she joined the University of Maryland’s competitive hip-hop team, Dynamic Dance, and served as its director during her senior year. Dance provided both a creative outlet and a strong sense of community. She also helped lead the team’s annual campus competition, which draws performers from across the region.

The Power of Opportunity

Many of the opportunities that have shaped Gabriella’s Maryland experience have been made possible through donor support. Scholarships have allowed her to attend the University of Maryland without the financial burden of working to cover tuition, giving her the time and flexibility to fully engage in campus life. Philanthropic investments in the Clark School also help sustain the student organizations, leadership experiences, and hands-on learning opportunities that have enabled Gabriella to build her network, develop new skills, and explore her interests. Together, these investments create the experiences, connections, and opportunities that help students thrive during college and prepare for successful careers after graduation.

“I never had to pay out of pocket for school,” she says. “That allowed me to dedicate my time to doing other things.”

These experiences beyond the classroom became central to her growth.

“It would not have been possible for me to be director of the dance team or a Clark Ambassador without that support,” she says.

Looking Ahead

After graduation, Gabriella began a full-time role with a company she connected with through the Mechanical Contractors Association. Reflecting on her journey, Gabriella remains focused on gratitude.

“Having donors invest in me allowed me to see my full potential in college,” she shares. “I’m just super grateful.”

Published June 25, 2026