Homecoming 2025: Illuminating Our Journeys

In its eighth year, Homecoming is an opportunity to celebrate and unite the greater community while creating a sense of university pride. This year, once again, proved that Homecoming has evolved into a powerful networking opportunity for our UMGC community to further illuminate connections on a much broader global scale. 

In addition to networking opportunities between UMGC students and alumni to increase personal and career growth, select students were able to connect with their UMGC Success Coaches – a staff role established to remove barriers for students to help them reach graduation. The ability for students to meet their Success Coaches and to also connect with each other through a common interest via one of the 17 UMGC University Clubs, further helped to unite the University’s global footprint to develop and strengthen the community at this year’s Homecoming celebrations. 

“Homecoming gives us the opportunity to commemorate the very special bond we have with our UMGC community inviting them to engage with us each fall,” says UMGC Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations Nikki Sandoval. “It reinvigorates our sense of belonging as we come together as one UMGC to make—and celebrate—our meaningful connections.” 

Also, during Spirit Week and throughout the Homecoming season, university special phone greetings were created to further engage not only the alumni and student communities, but to demonstrate school pride to prospective students too. Spirit Week alone garnered 25,127 social media impressions with a record 9.5% engagement rate on social media, spreading the value of a UMGC education. 

Spirit Week 2025 also offered the UMGC faculty and staff community an opportunity to come together around the globe. Brought together by the university Staff Advisory Councils, each day featured a theme and activity Photo Contest posted on the university’s internal intranet site The Source. This activity not only increased awareness of Homecoming networking activities to share with students but also increased awareness of resources and support offered by the Staff Advisory Councils and other internal departments. Homecoming 2025 Faculty and Staff Spirit Week received 116 photo submissions yielding 523 votes and 52 people engaging in the trivia challenge. The global community produced more than 1,900 total views on UMGC’s Intranet site The Source.

Today, he serves as President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, leading Georgia’s largest and most impactful youth mentoring organization. A dynamic speaker, author, and leadership coach, Johnson empowers students and professionals to unlock their full potential. Named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEOs, Johnson brings a powerful message of mentorship, purpose, and community impact

“All young people have potential. It’s our responsibility to defend it,” shares Johnson. “So, my challenge to you all as you walk through life and continue on illuminating your journeys, how are you showing up and helping young people get to the next level?”

The Homecoming 2025 Germany Celebration was hosted on Oct. 24 at the Armstrong’s Club, and the Homecoming 2025 Japan Celebration was hosted on Oct. 24 at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. This year, both the Germany and Japan Celebrations honored local 35th Alumni Association Award recipients for the accomplishments these graduates are contributing back to the alma mater and for the accolades they are making in the communities in which they live and work. The global members of the UMGC community enjoyed both fun-filled evenings of opportunities to connect with fellow classmates and alumni while growing their network. 

Those who wanted to join the party but weren’t able to do so in person had the opportunity to celebrate virtually from Oct. 6-31.

The 2025 Virtual Global Celebration offered students and alumni the opportunity to hear inspiring words from UMGC President Dr. Fowler, as well as attend Luminary Hour: Impact & Connections on Thursday, Oct. 9. At this event, they enjoyed career conversations with featured alumni presenters, sharing tips about business, cybersecurity, education, information technology, renewable energy, small business, and more.

Attendees enjoyed other live virtual experiences, too, including line dancing, travel, fashion, trivia, and more, as well as a leaderboard competition for a chance to win exclusive UMGC swag. They also expanded their networks by connecting with one another and had the chance to learn about UMGC community benefits, career resources, and ways to continue to connect with one another year-round.