Each fall, the UMGC Alumni Association honors the best and brightest in our community with the UMGC Alumni Awards. While each celebration has been memorable, this year’s is just a little more special thanks to a major milestone.
“In 2025, the UMGC Alumni Association is celebrating 35 years of cultivating lifelong relationships between the global alumni community and the university,” says UMGC Associate Vice President Nikki Sandoval. “We are proud to be part of UMGC’s rich history and of the work we have done to enhance, support and promote UMGC and our student, faculty, staff and alumni around the world.”
The UMGC Alumni Awards is an important part of this tradition and recognizes some of our most successful alumni for their achievements, service and engagement in their careers and communities. This year’s award recipients will be honored on October 16, 2025 in a special ceremony at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
About the Alumni Award Honors
Alumni Award recipients are honored for the commitment they make to enriching the UMGC community through their intellectual, social, cultural and service contributions. The four award categories include:
- The Distinguished Alumnus Award, which is the highest alumni award granted at UMGC. It was created in 1976 to recognize an alumnus who has realized outstanding personal and professional achievements while demonstrating exemplary service.
- The Executive Business Leader Award, which honors those who have served in a leadership role in their community and promote involvement in the university.
- The Edward A. Parnell Outstanding Alumnus Service Award, which recognizes a UMGC alumnus who has shown exemplary volunteer service over the course of the current year.
- The Achiever Award, which pays tribute to UMGC alumni and community members who have made a significant contribution to supporting the alumni community and university's mission.
Introducing the 2025 Award Recipients
Learn more about this year’s inspiring honorees and how they are making a significant and positive impact to their industries and communities through services, excellence and innovation.
2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
Monica Dillingham Pemberton ’00, ’16
VP & Chief Information Officer, American Council on Education
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management
Master of Science in Computer/IT Administration and Management
As vice president and chief information officer at the American Council on Education, Monica Dillingham Pemberton leads technology strategy to drive innovation, security and organizational growth. With over 30 years of experience across government and higher education, she has held leadership roles at the General Services Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and National Association of College and University Business Officers, where she led pivotal technology transformation initiatives.
An Afro-Latina leader in tech, she is committed to mentoring and advancing equity, serving on the boards of the Association of Women Technology Champions and the ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council. Recognized as a 2023 Diversity Women Media Elite 100 honoree and a 2025 Black Leaders Worldwide Women to Watch, she champions technology as a catalyst for inclusion and economic empowerment and continues to make valuable contributions at the intersection of information technology, higher education and associations.
She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of leaders. “If I have learned anything in my 30-year career, it is that success means nothing if I don’t turn around and help others find their way. That is why I dedicate myself to advocating for girls in technology, for young Black and Latina technologists, and for anyone who has ever been told they don’t belong in this space,” she says.
2025 Executive Business Leader Award Recipient
Steve Cox ’02, ’05
President & Chief Executive Officer, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries
Master of Science in Marketing
Master of Business Administration
With over 18 years of executive leadership and 23 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, this communications leader has built a career on connecting people and purpose. As President and CEO of Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI), he channels his passion for effective communication into action — helping over 30,000 people access job services and 6,000 secure employment.
He has expanded the organization’s reach, provided job training, career services and support to help people build better lives. In 2023, RGI was named Large Business of the Year by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. His leadership empowers individuals facing barriers to employment, proving that strategic communication and inclusive leadership can transform lives and communities.
2025 Edward A. Parnell Outstanding Alumnus Service
Ashley Esposito ‘21
Bachelor of Science in Software Development and Security
MBA Candidate
Baltimore Unity Hall Executive Director Ashley Esposito is a nonprofit leader, multidisciplinary artist and dedicated volunteer leader. She serves on the school board steering committee for Local Progress, a member of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs’ Education/Social Workforce Development Committee. She has also served as a fellow with School Board Partners and Big Picture Learning’s Ashé Leaders, in addition to being appointed to the Strategic Planning Committee.
As the first mom elected at-large to the Board of School Commissioners for Baltimore City Public Schools, she brings a powerful parent voice to this volunteer role. She has chaired the Policy Committee and served on the Safety & Wholeness Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee, championing inclusive policies, student wellness and community-driven solutions.
2025 Achiever Award Recipients
Zachry Flores ’18, ’19, ’20
Program and National Test Center Coordinator, UMGC Europe
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice
Master of Business Administration
Zachry Flores, an Army veteran with over 18 years of leadership experience, earned three degrees while working in Germany and supporting leadership development organizations. A passionate advocate for higher education, he co-founded the Student Veterans of America Club at UMGC Europe and hosted a UMGC Presents online seminar to connect the university community with veteran insights and resources.
Now serving as Program and National Test Center Coordinator for UMGC Europe, Flores leads by example — advancing UMGC’s mission by helping others succeed and promoting education as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
Ebony McArthur ‘18, ‘20, ‘23
Broker, The McArthur Realty Group
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Master of Business Administration
Doctor of Business Administration
As broker of the McArthur Realty Group, Ebony McArthur is a top-producing broker, licensed real estate investor and independent insurance agent committed to helping others succeed. A published author and mentor, she empowers others to build wealth through real estate, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
As founder of McArthur Group Community Outreach, she leads efforts to educate underserved communities and veterans on budgeting, homeownership and financial planning. McArthur regularly hosts community events and shares insights with the UMGC community. She also volunteered with UMGC Global Give in 2023 and 2025, further demonstrating her commitment to service and financial empowerment.
Matthew Ruchie ’21
Logistics Coordinator, UMGC Europe
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Matthew Ruchie, a UMGC alumnus and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, earned his degree while serving in Germany. Passionate about supporting fellow service members, he co-founded the Student Veterans of America Club at UMGC Europe and hosted a UMGC Presents online seminar to connect the community with veteran insights and resources.
Now serving as a Logistics Supervisor at UMGC, Ruchie continues to advocate for higher education and helping others succeed. His dedication reflects a deep commitment to UMGC’s mission of empowering learners worldwide.
Nicole Rodrigues ’22
Associate Director of Clinical Data Management, AnaptysBio
Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration
Nicole Rodrigues combines her passion for data science with a commitment to service. As associate director of clinical data management for AnaptysBio, she supports global clinical trials that advance innovative therapies and improve patient outcomes.
A proud UMGC alumna, Rodrigues gives back by mentoring students and alumni through the My Volunteer Program, sharing insights on several panels and focus groups, and participating in UMGC Global Give. Her work and volunteerism reflect a deep dedication to healthcare innovation and community impact, demonstrating how data science can drive change both in the lab and beyond.
Nobukazu Tanaka ’24
Truck Driver
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
After a natural disaster disrupted his trucking career, Nobukazu Tanaka turned to education to transform his life. Inspired by NHK radio’s English programming, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UMGC — studying online from his truck cabin and using rest stops as his classroom. At 51, he led by example, proving it’s never too late to learn.
Tanaka is back in the driver’s seat with a new trucking position in Japan. A passionate advocate for higher education, Tanaka also works to bridge cultural and communication gaps between local nationals and military families, embodying UMGC’s mission to make education accessible and impactful across borders.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 UMGC Alumni Award Recipients! To view last year's recipients, click here.