USM Student Regents

Farah Helal

Appointed 2022

Farah Helal is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County(UMBC), completing dual degrees in Political Science and Global Studies. Farah is also a student in the Honors College and a scholar in the Sondheim Public Affairs Program. During her second year, Farah served as the University System of Maryland Student Council Director of Government Relations and the UMBC Student Government Association Director of Government Affairs. These roles allowed her to understand and address several problems facing students, faculty, and staff across the USM.

Farah graduated from Centennial High School, where she served as a representative on the Superintendent's High School Advisory Council and the Superintendent's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. During her senior year, she presented a TEDx talk on the importance of accurate representation in the school curriculum. Farah also spent two years researching the impact of academic stress on Howard County Public School students' mental and physical health and academic success. She presented her findings to thousands of people across the nation. These experiences helped her discover her passion for student advocacy and recognize the importance of student representation in education systems.

Josiah Parker

Appointed 2023

Josiah Parker is a current undergraduate student at Salisbury University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Marketing concentration and a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Multimedia Journalism. Josiah is a graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School's AP Capstone Research program where he delved into the social sciences of learning more about human interaction and connection.

Following his years in college, he attended Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) as a Ratcliffe Scholar student receiving a full-time scholarship during his attendance. Additionally, he served as the school's founding President of the Social Justice Club where he embarked on his journey to discover and make change within the community. Josiah then went on to transfer to Salisbury University where he got ensconced in the University community by becoming a member of SU's student NAACP chapter, Black Student Union (BSU), SU Multicultural Alliance (SUMA), Sociology Front, Philosophy Club, Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), Marketing Excellence Club, Best Buddies program, Food for the Flock initiative to fight student food insecurity, as well as a past commentator for SU Athletics’ Sea Gull Sports Network (SGSN).

Outside of college, Josiah is a Next-Gen Leader for the White House Historical Association (WHHA), which is a private, nonprofit, educational organization with a mission to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the White House as well as to collect and exhibit the very best artifacts of American history and culture.

Furthermore, Josiah is the founder and CEO of his company, Life Vision, which is an apparel brand focused on enlightening and reshaping communities through better relationships, connectivity, ingenuity, accountability, and health. Surprisingly in 2016, Josiah had the opportunity to obtain current-NBA-player Kyrie Irving's jersey which gave him a purpose towards achieving something great in the world. Within his journey, Josiah looks forward to helping people find their purpose by motivating those to work to their highest potential by showcasing their creative skills as he’ll do the same.