Impact of a Scholarship: Malina Howard

The University of Maryland encompassed every aspect that Malina Howard wished for in a university; this school not only fulfilled but exceeded her expectations and gave her a college experience that she will never forget.

Growing up, Howard resided in Ohio, where she participated on a basketball team coached by her father and continued onto a more competitive AAU team. She began to play at the same level as girls three to four years older than her, and as years progressed, basketball became more and more important to Howard.

“All those experiences from AAU into high school basketball and the relationships I built along the way allowed me to realize how much of it has impacted my life and where I am right now,” Howard says.

During the recruiting process, Howard had her eye on the University of Maryland ever since Head Coach Brenda Frese attended her first-ever high school basketball game. “That was something that kind of stuck with me; she was there since day one. The fact that the head coach who had just come off of winning the National Championship a few years prior came to my game really made Maryland stand out over any other schools.”

Howard will never forget her first official visit to Maryland, where she ultimately decided that College Park was the place for her. 

“I was sitting alone with the coaches at center court, and the lights were all turned off.” They discussed what impact Maryland would have on her life in basketball, academics, and life afterward. “I just had that feeling, and I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

At that moment Howard officially committed to the university and has been a devoted Terp ever since.

Howard hoped to attend a university where she could prioritize both athletics and academics; Maryland made this very possible for her.

“Coach B was always so supportive; she knew exactly what I needed as a player while balancing my academics as well.” 

Howard appreciates her coach’s understanding of other life structures and how that impacts her players on the court.

There are many memories that Howard made during her time as a student-athlete, one being the team’s win against Louisville at Louisville, allowing them to advance to the Final Four. “It gives me chills thinking about that; I remember hugging one of my senior teammates, Alicia, and screaming that we were finally taking the seniors to the Final Four.”

Howard also recalls the moments she and her teammates spent bonding in the locker room. “We would go from talking about life in that locker room to having dance parties and they were all just really fun experiences,” Howard mentions. She also cherishes the long hours she spent with her teammates on road trips traveling to away games.

Howard has kept close ties with former teammates; she enjoys the group chat they occasionally use to check in on each other and catch up. It has been exciting for the Terp alum to continue watching the girls who are still playing, and she tries to attend women’s games every chance she can. “Even after I graduated, watching some of my teammates get drafted into the WNBA was just awesome,” Howard adds.

After graduating, Howard took on the Big Ten Fellow Role, where she worked with the academic department and ran the life skills development program. This position immensely aided in Howard’s preparation for medical school. “I was able to go and shadow at a clinic once a week during my time working, and I was also able to volunteer at a hospital. Maryland helped me with those connections while also acting as a resume builder for applying to medical school,” Howard acknowledges.

Howard received a tremendous amount of support while in this position. “My going away present was a stethoscope that had my life motto engraved on it, ‘push positive vibes.’ ” She uses the stethoscope to this day and is always reminded of where she came from. 

“I’m not only modeling and representing my current medical school, but I will always be a Maryland student-athlete and continue to bring about awareness to the athletic program,” Howard mentions in regard to the pride she feels carrying around her personalized stethoscope.

Currently, Howard attends the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is on track to become a doctor. She has a great interest in family medicine, and more recently has considered sports medicine.

“I think the things I want to do with my career, not only as a physician but working and giving back to students, was shaped by those years I was involved with athletics; I realized how much I love mentorship.”

Not only is Howard thankful to be a part of such a great medical program, but she appreciates staying close to the people and the campus that will forever be her home. “A big part of choosing Maryland as a medical school was still being close enough that I could interact with the amazing people I met during my undergrad.”

Howard keeps close ties with former teammates who are also currently enrolled in medical school, one being Kristen Confroy who is a student at Wake Forest. “I actually just found out a few days ago that we’re both completing an away rotation during the same month, both at UNC.” Howard is thankful to relate to Kristen about medical school and enjoys going through the process with her. 

Women’s Soccer’s Darby Moore also works alongside Howard with the pre-health office at the University of Maryland by giving back and encouraging people to follow their dreams. Howard and Moore attend the University of Maryland Medical School together and are both class presidents for their year.

Looking back, Howard realizes how the idea of leadership immensely bled into her life as an athlete, from community service engagement to the administrative side. 

Howard is forever thankful for her scholarship as it took the financial struggles of getting a further education off her family’s back.

“Medical school is extremely expensive, so being able to knock out that debt of undergrad to a degree made the whole idea of going to medical school a little less financially daunting.” 

Howard also appreciates the people she got to meet by being on scholarship and the moments she spent connecting with them. “I loved all the scholarship dinners; meeting the people and understanding why they donate to Maryland gave me a breadth of knowledge that was different.”

The Terp gives a specific shoutout to Scott Wilson, Howard’s Director’s Circle scholarship donor. “He is one of the most supportive people in my life, his family is so phenomenal, and he has helped introduce me to so many people.”   

She emphasizes her love for all athletic supporters in general. “You don’t realize the impact you have as an athlete on other people. I am so thankful that they care about me not only on the court, but also as a person and what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.”

Looking back, Howard is proud of her accomplishments at Maryland but advises all future athletes to lead and make an impact wherever they are. “Leaving a place better than you found it is another one of my life mottos. That’s why I ran for class president; I wanted our school to be a better place after our class graduates.” 

Howard feels that many Terps do in fact have this mentality and she is proud to work alongside those who make the people around them better, while also still continuing to grow themselves.