2018 Best & Brightest: Sarina Haryanto, University of Maryland (Smith)

Sarina Haryanto

University of Maryland (Smith)

“A social change advocate and aspiring educator who lifts spirits and creatively breaks down barriers.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am learning how to play the Balinese gamelan in a music class at UMD.

Hometown: Potomac, Maryland

High School: Winston Churchill High School

Major: Supply Chain Management

Minor: Sustainability Studies

Favorite Business Course: I can’t pick one favorite, so here are my top four:

  • Introduction to Design and Quality
  • Special Topics in Business and Management; Innovating the Higher Education Business Model
  • Special Topics in Management and Organization; Business Models and Methods to Affect Social Change
  • Social Innovation Practicum: Consulting and Venture Creation

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Peer Innovation Coach at the Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIE); Impact Ambassador at the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC); Quality Enhancement Systems and Teams (QUEST) Honors Program Teaching Assistant; Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar, Summer Alternative Breaks Trip Participant; Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Spring 2017 Inductee; Active Terps Brand Ambassador and Water Safety Instructor at University Recreation and Wellness (RecWell)

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • Design Project Intern at the Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AIE), University of Maryland
  • Supply Chain Intern at CAVA Support Center (DC)

Where will you be working after graduation? Tbd (This doesn’t mean that I don’t have plans yet…You can ask me in May)

Who is your favorite professor? Dr. Pamela Armstrong, Dr. David Kirsch, and Dr. Sandra Loughlin are my favorite professors because they delivered challenging and creative learning experiences.

In Introduction to Design and Quality, I appreciated how Dr. Armstrong assigned multiple projects for students to practice applying what we learned about product design and process improvement. In my Social Innovation Fellows classes, the personalized instruction and lack of hierarchy were invaluable to my transformative learning experience. The intellectually stimulating social innovation class discussions inspired me to create my future. In my Innovo Scholars class, Dr. Loughlin encouraged us to research, analyze, and reflect as part of our class engagement.

I like how both professors designed a learning environment for me to embrace a growth mindset and apply course concepts to meaningful work!

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I enjoyed the experiential learning opportunities offered in the Smith School. Taking classes outside of my major was one of the best decisions because these experiences introduced me to alternative perspectives, as well as topics in higher education innovation and social impact. Interacting with the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC) has also been the highlight of my undergraduate experience, inspiring me to address social and environmental challenges through business.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Business is all about creating value, which is not limited to financial returns. You can employ business principles to create social and environmental impact, and that kind of prosperity is truly meaningful.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Take inventory of your life and recognize the people, places, activities etc. that align with your values. When you are aware of yourself and surroundings that benefit you and the world, you can be so much more productive and thrive. Consider your intentions of majoring business, learn beyond the classroom, and build community.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…educational psychology or philosophy. I am drawn to process of learning and love exploring the “education supply chain.”

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I am surprised that majoring in business sometimes challenged my values and self-confidence, so I made the extra effort to acquire knowledge on information that I wish I learned in school. I have my become more comfortable attending off-campus events and conferences on my own to improve myself, a project, or another thing in life. Majoring in business has also made me aware of the opportunity to incorporate social and environmental topics into the undergraduate business curriculum.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am proud of my ability to teach swim lessons because it has made me realize how much I enjoy cultivating the potential in others. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching occurred when a student and/or their parent approached me at the start of the next round of lessons asking if I could be their instructor again. I loved seeing children demonstrate their progress in the pool to their family and friends. The love of teaching I first experienced as a swim instructor has led me to more opportunities where I can have fun supporting the people around me.

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the business school? I would love to change the business school curriculum to reflect social and environmental issues in business because this content is currently not receiving the attention and coverage it deserves. Participating in Social Innovation Fellows, attending the Social Enterprise Symposium, and reading the CSVC “Here & Now” newsletter have all positively shifted my mindset and fueled my zeal for business doing good in the world.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Namitha Ramakrishna because she applies her business skills and devotes her time to service-learning and gender diversification in tech. While volunteering outside of the business school, we discovered that we both major in supply chain and share interests in data and social justice. She is a wonderful friend, and I am amazed at how she contributes to the UMD community through her involvement in Technica and Alternative Breaks.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would want to thank my sister for my success because her kindness, compassion, and youthful energy give me the strength to be flexible and grow every day. Although she is nine years younger than me, she motivates me to practice curiosity, ask for help, and be present.

What would your theme song be? Beautiful Life by Ace of Base because I love dance-pop music, and the lyrics remind me to show up and appreciate life.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

  • Visit the Green School in Bali, Indonesia
  • Write a book

Favorite book: Quiet by Susan Cain, Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Favorite movie: Inside Out

Favorite vacation spot: Japan

What are your hobbies? Attending dance fitness and barre classes, going to bookstores and cafes, reading books and articles, listening to Latin and classical music

What made Sarina  such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?

“Sarina is one of the most accomplished and decorated students to graduate from the Smith School. But you wouldn’t know it from talking to her. After talking to Sarina, you are most likely to get ideas: a recommendation to an interesting off-campus event or a pointer to a website with resources perfectly aligned with your interests or an introduction to a class you should take next semester. Sarina seems to know everyone and everything, especially if it relates to her twin passions – education and social enterprise. A barista once mis-spelled her name “Sirina,” and we have wondered if perhaps Sarina was the inspiration for our favorite digital reference specialist! Even more impressive than Sarina’s amazing stock of knowledge, however, is her ability to apply it. She has discovered and taken advantage of almost every special program here at the Smith School and at the University of Maryland and then shown the rare ability to help these programs learn from each other. We will all miss her next year and wonder (with a tiny hint of jealousy) which organization or institution will next benefit from the Sarina effect.”

David A. Kirsch
Associate Professor, Management and Organization
Faculty Champion, Social Innovation Fellows
Robert H. Smith School of Business

DON’T MISS: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2018 — THE COMPLETE LIST