Oluwatobiloba Oloye

He/Him
Class of 2026
Major: Civil & Environmental Engineering

What inspired you to become a ClarkLEADER?
I was inspired to become a ClarkLEADER because of the impact previous ClarkLEADERS had on me when I attended ClarkLEAD last year. I remember being anxious what my future at UMD would be like especially in a challenging major like engineering. However, at ClarkLEAD last year, the ClarkLEADERS did very well to make me feel comfortable and encourage me to do my best. I went from feeling powerless to feeling like I could make a difference, so now I’d like to pass that to incoming Clark Students to inspire them to do their best, enjoy the challenge, and make change. So, being a ClarkLEADER to me, means taking initiative, breaking the cycle of normalcy, and inspiring change in my community.

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
As an incoming freshman, I didn’t know what to expect out of the Clark school, and I was worried about the people I would meet along the way. ClarkLEAD and its ClarkLEADERS fostered dialogue between new students - dialogue that would eventually lead to friendships and partnerships that have helped me acclimate to life in the Clark School of Engineering.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering students? 
Persistence despite setbacks and failures breeds growth. Engineering can be a challenge but make sure to have fun and start your work early.

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you are involved with on campus?  
I am a part of the QUEST Honors Program, College Success Scholars, and Black Student Union.

What is a cool engineering experience you've had? 
A cool experience I've had was building a Machine Learning Robot in ENES100. I had no idea what was going on in the beginning but in the end, my team and I ended up winning awards for innovation and hard work.