The world is changing at break-neck speed. This month, we are honoring two UMGC alumnae who are stepping up to today’s rapidly evolving challenges and making a difference in their industries and communities.
“At UMGC, we’re proud to celebrate our many alumnae who are meeting our current challenges head-on and leading sustainability efforts across environmental, educational, economic and social justice movements,” says UMGC Associate Vice President Nikki Sandoval. “They’re truly an inspiration to us all.”
Meet two outstanding alumnae who are making a meaningful impact—and transforming their communities for the better.
Robin Burns ’20, ‘25
Cultivating the next generation of cyber professionals
Degrees: Cybersecurity Technology Certificate, Master of Science in Cloud Computing and Computer Networking
Profession: High school cybersecurity and networking teacher in Calvert County, Maryland
When she graduated with her bachelor’s degree, Robin Burns was expecting to combine her passion for education and sports in a career in physical education. The job market threw a wrench in her plans, though, and she had to rethink her goals just as she was starting her professional life.
“I never would have imagined teaching networking and cybersecurity,” she explains. “My dad was a telecommunications specialist for a major university, and I had no interest in following in his footsteps. Fast forward 20 years, and I am literally teaching what he did!”
Today, Burns is a high school cybersecurity and networking teacher in Calvert County, Maryland. She’s currently in her seventeenth year of teaching and in her ninth year of teaching cybersecurity and networking.
“My students are enrolled in a two-year Career & Technology Education (CTE) program and will have an opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials, such as Cisco’s Certified Support Technician (CCST) and CompTIA’s Tech+, Net+ and Security+,” she notes.
Working with teenagers is not without its challenges. First, she has to find creative ways to engage them in the learning process despite the digital distractions that surround them so they can develop the skills they need to think critically, problem solve and persevere. Burns is inspired and fulfilled by watching her students learn and grow.
“It could be as simple as seeing that ‘ah-ha’ moment when the student is finally able to grasp a difficult concept or accurately complete a hands-on skill to even bigger moments like them passing a certification exam or winning a state or national competition,” she says.
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, so Burns works hard to stay current on industry trends. She’s committed to life-long learning and attends conferences, is an active member of cybersecurity and education associations, and participates in a wide range of professional development opportunities in both fields.
After earning a master’s degree in special education and administration, she earned a graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Technology from UMGC and a second certificate from another university.
“I then returned to UMGC to complete a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology,” she adds. “I have also added industry certifications from Cisco, ISC2 and CompTIA, and I am currently working on my National Board Certification in CTE.”
Throughout her career, she has been fortunate to have had amazing mentors to lean on for support and guidance, and she strives to play that role for her students and colleagues. In fact, she was recently nominated for an award, and several of her former students wrote letters of recommendation on her behalf.
“Teaching is rewarding but it can be grueling, but I always show up and try my best,” she says. “To hear from my students that they recognized my hard work and dedication and view me as exceptional and among the best was gratifying.”
Antionette Morton ’16
Helping community members achieve financial wellness
Degrees: Master of Science in Management
Profession: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Educational Systems Federal Credit Union
Antionette Morton’s career didn’t happen by accident. As senior vice president and chief financial officer at Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, she’s in a high-profile, strategic leadership role, but she actually started her career in accounting.
“I have been very intentional in planning and preparing for the role of CFO,” she says. “I attended UMGC for my master’s degree to expand my knowledge in the area of finance. I had a strong background in accounting, but I had limited exposure to finance. Understanding that I wanted to become a CFO one day, I knew that I needed to fill the gap.”
It turns out, a favorite hobby of hers helped also prepare her for the professional success she enjoys today.
“The one skill that I have unrelated to finance that has been most valuable in my career is being a puzzle solver,” she explains. “Being able to solve puzzles means that you can see the big picture. It means dissecting everything in front of you and applying logic. It means approaching things with a curious nature and being dedicated to putting in the time it takes to solve the puzzle. It also means being flexible and pivoting as needed if one approach doesn’t work and not being afraid to ask for help when needed.”
This skill set comes in handy as she manages competing priorities and juggles the immediate day-to-day needs of the organization with its long-term strategic initiatives.
“The challenge is finding the balance between being accessible for collaborative engagement while also finding time to set strategy and execute,” explains Morton. “Ensuring that I dedicate meaningful time for strategy, collaboration and execution requires intentional prioritization every day.”
In her role, she is able to make a significant impact on the credit union’s members and the communities they serve by making financial wellness and stability accessible to them.
“There is nothing more rewarding than hearing about a member getting their first home loan or getting a scholarship through our Support Education Foundation,” she says.
Morton stays at the top of her game by engaging with leading organizations and conferences within the financial services industry, staying up-to-date on the latest industry news and engaging with her peers to share insights with one another. Mentoring has also played a pivotal role in the evolution of her career, whether it’s formal or informal, and she encourages up-and-coming professionals to lean into them as well.
“My unofficial mentors have poured into me with either words of encouragement or through harsh truths and realizations that I needed to hear at the moment,” she reflects. “I would encourage everyone to have a mentor.”
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