Regents Student Award
The Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarships recognize exceptionally talented students who are making contributions in various aspects of student life. The awards honors excellence in the following categories: Leadership and Advocacy; Outreach and Engagement; Innovation and Creative Activity; and Academics, Scholarship, and Research.
2025, Abdulmajid Alrefaie, Ph.D. Candidate
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
Abdulmajid Alrefaie has demonstrated excellence in outreach and engagement by connecting science, policy, and community service to address societal challenges. Currently a Knauss Policy Fellow for Florida’s 24th District Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, he contributes to developing solutions for critical environmental issues by working on the water portfolio, drafting policy memos, and assisting with hearings and briefings. In this role he engages directly with community needs and collaborates with policymakers to ensure research-based solutions that benefit local communities. His ability to translate scientific research into practical policies highlights the impact of outreach beyond academia. He was also one of the four delegates of Saudi Arabia to the 2022 G20 youth summit in Indonesia, and participated in the United Nations Climate Change conference at COP28. Mr. Alrefaie has been the chair of graduate student council at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and volunteers as an academic mentor with the non-profit organization Nuqsh.