For 34 years, the UMGC Alumni Association has been honoring the best and brightest in the UMGC community with the UMGC Alumni Awards. This program recognizes some of our most successful alumni for their achievements, service and engagement in their careers and communities.
This year’s nine award recipients will be honored in a special ceremony at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in October.
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 2024 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.
2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
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The Honorable James D. Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary VETS
Bachelor of Science in Political Science ‘11
The Honorable James D. Rodriguez, MA, is the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). He is responsible for preparing America's veterans, service members and their spouses for meaningful careers. In Fiscal Year 2023, over 2,400 DOL VETS staff, contractors and grantees served more than 430,000 veterans and military spouses across all Agency programs.
Mr. Rodriguez is an executive leader and proud veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the U.S. government and corporate sector, along with 21 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He possesses a comprehensive background in program management, interagency collaboration and policy development.
He also has extensive senior-level experience building and managing multi-million-dollar budgets and large, diverse teams while meeting the expectations of the President of the United States and large corporate enterprises. He has also demonstrated experience with developing and leading large-scale international and national programs with a commitment to operational excellence, risk management and quality assurance.
Mr. Rodriguez’s recent executive experience includes leadership roles within Deloitte LLP’s Government and Public Sector practice and BAE Systems, Inc. Government Relations department. He also previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Office of Warrior Care Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from 2014 through 2017.
2024 Executive Business Leader Award Recipient
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Janet Dade
Chief Information Officer Executive Certificate '08
Master of Science in Technology Management & Information Systems & Services '09
Janet Dade is a seasoned professional with over 28 years of extensive experience in the IT industry, consistently demonstrating visionary leadership and a commitment to technological innovation. Throughout her career, Ms. Dade has held pivotal roles that have enabled her to drive transformative change across various organizations, developing strategies that enhance operational efficiency, communication, and user experience.
In her current role as Vice President of Washington IT at the American Chemical Society (ACS), Ms. Dade leverages her expertise to support the organization’s global membership of over 200,000 individuals. Her influence extends beyond ACS, as she is deeply committed to advancing diversity in the tech industry by mentoring future leaders and creating pathways for underrepresented groups. As a proud UMGC graduate, she values the skills and insights gained from her university experience. Guided by the principle of "improving the human experience through technology," Ms. Dade continues to make meaningful contributions to her profession and the broader community.
2024 Edward A. Parnell Outstanding Alumnus Service
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Dr. William Dunn
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management ‘06
Management and Leadership Certificate '06
As the Founder and President of The Dunn Foundation, best-selling author, principal owner of Iamdunn Cleaning Solutions and adjunct professor at Montgomery College, Dr. William Dunn was awarded the 2024 Joseph Biden’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Service.
A former professional athlete and military war veteran, Dr. Dunn is committed to serving others. The Dunn Foundation has provided over 10,000 families across the U.S. and over 32 countries with free resources. It also leads several annual initiatives, including a free HBCU College Experience Tour, Back to School Giveaway, Turkey Giveaway, Warming Hearts for the Homeless and a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.
2024 Achiever Award Recipients
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Alexander Abel
Associate of Arts in Business Management ’23
Alexander Abel cares about the environment and is making an impact by leading change. Recently named a Langenberg Legacy Fellow by the University System of Maryland, Mr. Abel developed “Sprouting Sustainability,” an action-oriented project at the UMGC Asia Campus to address threats to the environment through sustainable university swag, faculty environmental spotlights in one class in each course, and launching a chapter of the Environmental Awareness Club.
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Gary D. Anderson
Bachelor of Arts in Government Studies ‘94
Gary Anderson shared powerful insights as an alumni panelist at the UMGC Navigating the Modern Workplace conference. After earning his bachelor’s degree from UMGC in South Korea while stationed there in the U.S. Air Force, he continued to serve his country working at the U.S. Department of State in positions including Deputy Executive Director, Office of the Secretary. Through this work, he has immersed himself in communities around the globe, including the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Bangladesh. He currently resides in Qatar. All the while, he has made it a priority to share his career and leadership tips with his fellow UMGC community.
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Shane Feldman
Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Financial Management ’05
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management ’07
Shane Feldman leads by example and encourages others to lead differently. He established a nationwide consulting firm, Innivee Strategies, Inc. where his team provides transformative organizational, leadership, and strategic consulting services that directly benefits organizations that serve communities and populations. Mr. Feldman previously served as the COO for the National Association of the Deaf, executive director for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., and director of strategic partnerships and development for the Communication Service for the Deaf.
Mr. Feldman has an exceptional history of advocating for the civil rights of disabled and deaf, hard of hearing people. He can be found consistently volunteering on board and initiatives that have had a statewide and national impact.
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Samantha Howard
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies ‘22
Samantha Howard is committed to helping others succeed. Over the past year, Ms. Howard participated as a leading volunteer and panelist at six university activities supporting her UMGC community. As a non-traditional, first-generation college student, she started her educational journey at a community college in her late twenties. Although it took Ms. Howard an additional 11 years to earn her bachelor’s degree, she never wavered on her goal, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.
Today as the Latino Affairs Liaison for Prince George’s County in Maryland, Ms. Howard serves as a crucial link between the government and the vibrant Latino community in the county. She is the bridge between cultures, a champion for equity and a catalyst for positive change.
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Corey Mackey
Bachelor of Science in Human Resources ’20
Master of Business Administration ‘22
Corey Mackey is an innovative professional that is committed to building relationships that can make a positive impact for others' success. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Mackey continued to serve his country working in Command Presentation at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. He shares his educational journey with UMGC students and often donates his time and talent as DJ Nola through his business, offering community service for the USO, MWR, Red Cross and others. Mr. Mackey played a key role in organizing the first kindergarten graduation celebration for the Kaiserslautern military community. This is now an annual tradition supporting the largest American military community in Europe. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., which promotes brotherhood, scholarship, and service.
Emily Souder
Bachelor of Science in Psychology ‘09
Emily Souder is an avid alumni career mentor volunteer. She has provided career coaching to more than 70 students and alumni through the UMGC Community Connect program, sharing her valuable career insights and tips for success.
As a therapist and owner of a private mental health practice, Ms. Souder provides high-quality, virtual mental health counseling services to adults in Ohio and Kentucky, and she specializes in serving veterans, military, first responders, and their families struggling with the effects of trauma and PTSD. Ms. Souder recently talked about the rewards of the mental health field in an Alumni Association article and serves as a role model for her fellow UMGC community, consistently receiving high reviews from mentees who appreciate her thoughtful and detailed feedback.
Congratulations to all of the 2024 UMGC Alumni Award Recipients! To view last year's recipients, click here.