App Dev Club Takes Top Honors at 12th Annual Do Good Challenge Finals

App Dev, a Department of Computer Science student organization, was honored at the 12th Annual Do Good Challenge Finals, where it received a $5,000 first-place Do Good Challenge Award and the $2,500 Finalist Audience Choice Award. Six purpose-driven student teams competed for a share of more than $20,000 in the challenge. The event took place at the Kay Theater of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, where hundreds of students, staff, faculty and community members gathered. Two club administrative members, Matthewos Gashaw and Samai Patel, were present during the award ceremony and received the honors on behalf of the organization. 

App Dev Club has more than 350 registered members, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world software development. The organization takes a dual approach to social good, offering University of Maryland students practical experience crucial for securing internships in the competitive tech industry while also developing software for socially impactful corporate projects.

In one semester, the club provided 46 underclassmen and three juniors with invaluable tech and networking experience through boot camps and projects, helping 28 students secure summer 2024 internships.

The evening featured inspiring student teams in a Do Good Showcase, alumni cameos and video features from the Change the World digital exhibit, with trailblazing finalists sharing their stories.

The 2024 finalist teams were selected from campus organizations tackling issues like hate-fueled violence and launching CPR and first aid training centers globally. University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines opened the show, speaking about UMD’s inspiring students.

The competition began with the project track, introduced by Armani McMillan, CNML ‘21, founder and executive director of IMPACTdmv. McMillan shared her story of overcoming obstacles in higher education, emphasizing how her organization has helped 60 seniors secure over 650 college acceptances and $20 million in scholarships.

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