Contact Us

Michelle N. Udeli, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Program Director
301-314-9880
mudeli@umd.edu

Michelle N. Udeli brings to the Maryland Promise Scholarship Program over 10 years of experience working with student populations in both K-12 and higher education. She is passionate about applying what she has learned from her time in academia and through both her personal and professional experiences to mentor and support high-potential students in the following ways: assisting with retention initiatives, academic coaching, providing access to beneficial campus resources, and developing programming to promote a sense of belonging at Maryland. Through the development of personalized intervention, Michelle plans to promote student persistence and graduation timeliness.

Prior to her role in with MPP, Michelle served as the Program Coordinator for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation's (LSAMP) Summer Bridge Program and Undergraduate Research Program for the Center for Minorities in Science & Engineering (CMSE), housed within the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland.

Michelle holds a B.S.E. in Earth Systems Science & Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Minority and Urban Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Michelle is a proud product of the Detroit Public Schools system, and is passionate about both supporting and mentoring high-potential and low-income students for whom she closely relates.

Denis Garcia Reyes, M. Ed. (he/him/his/el)
Program Coordinator
301-405-2341
dgreyes@umd.edu

Denis Garcia Reyes brings over 5 years of prior experience in student affairs to the Maryland Promise Scholarship Program. His expertise spans various areas, including first-year experience programs, career development, admissions, academic advising, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Throughout his career, Denis has demonstrated a passion for student development, retention, and persistence, leveraging program development, advising, and supervision to foster identity and leadership/career growth.

Prior to joining the MPP, Denis served as a Hall Director at Virginia Commonwealth University, overseeing a diverse community of first-year and returning students.

Denis Garcia Reyes holds a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA, and an M.Ed in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont. Originally from Lynn, Massachusetts, and a proud first-generation college graduate of Latino background from the Lynn Public Schools system, Denis is deeply committed to supporting students from all backgrounds in their journey toward graduation. He draws upon his own experiences to nurture the leaders and change agents of tomorrow.

Freddie Dufresne, M. Ed. (they/them/theirs)
Coordinator
301-405-8327
fdufre@umd.edu

Freddie brings 5 years of experience as a K-12 teacher and student affairs practitioner to the Maryland Promise Program. Freddie’s expertise in instruction and student organization advising aids them in supporting scholars in both academic and co-curricular settings. Their skill in event coordination and community building gives them the ability to cultivate environments where students can foster care, connection, and resilience.

Prior to joining the MPP team, Freddie taught Spanish at Frederick County Public Schools before serving as the Graduate Coordinator for LGBTQ+ Student Involvement in UMD’s office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy while studying for their Master’s of Education in Student Affairs.

Freddie holds a B.A. in Foreign Languages from Towson University and a M. Ed. in Student Affairs from the University of Maryland, College Park. As both a graduate and former teacher from Frederick County Public Schools, Freddie understands the importance of not only service to one’s community but valuing the experiences and perspectives of each individual within it.