Sharing the Love, Celebrating the Heart of UMGC – Our Global Community

January 28, 2026

This month, we’re celebrating the heart of UMGC—our global community. Across time zones, careers, and life journeys, students, alumni, faculty, and staff shared notes of appreciation that reflect what makes UMGC unique: support, flexibility, and people who genuinely care. Here are a few love-filled reflections from across the UMGC family.

Global Community

I love that I had support from my whole family AND the whole campus during my journey. There was always someone rooting for me to succeed.

Jamie Allen '24 Finance, Jarrettsville, MD, USA

UMGC is very supportive, making learning feel doable and worth it. [My degree allowed me to] level up my career on my schedule!

Kia Alston '25 Health Services Management, Edgewood, MD, USA

What I love most about UMGC is its positive impact on both my professional and personal growth. It has empowered me to achieve my academic goals and inspired me to engage in activities that foster learning and service.

Bernadette Anacta '25 MBA, Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain

UMGC allowed me to go back to school 25 years after dropping out and finish my bachelors degree. Being able to attend classes online, while still working my federal job was a blessing. It wasn't easy, but the tassel was worth the hassle!

Michele Appello '21 Management Studies, Ashburn, VA, USA

I love everything about UMGC. The flexibility, the supportive faculty and staff, resources that actually help and the memories I made all these years from the beginning all the way to my graduation day that I will remember forever.

Alexandra Arvaniti '25 Cybersecurity Technology, Rouses Point, NY, USA

I love the UMGC family, we support and encourage each other so much here. There is no place like this, it is home.

Veronica Barton '17 Finance Management, Easley, SC, USA

I love how organized UMGC is to allow me to succeed. From the infrastructure to connect online, to success coaches offering continuous support, to amazing professors teaching latest trends and relevant skills, it was the best investment in my career. Thanks!

Mariel Behr '24 MBA, Baltimore, MD, USA

The flexibility of being able to work and attend classes with a diverse group of people. The instructors were understanding of personal situations and assisted when needed.

Regina Boudrey Harris '24 MBA, Ocean City, MD, USA

I love how flexible and accessible UMGC makes higher education. I also love being a part of a large network of alumni who have taken the same journey.

Anastasia Boutte '24 Computer Science, Windsor Mill, MD, USA

What I love about UMGC is how it makes education truly accessible and supportive, especially for busy adults like me who need flexibility without sacrificing quality.

Kevin Burton '23 Cybersecurity, Bowie, MD, USA

UMGC truly cares about their students' success. From the wide variety of programs to choose from to the passionate and committed faculty, UMGC aims to set learners up for success in their future endeavors.

Riniya Countiss '21 Human Resource Management, Great Mills, MD, USA

I love and appreciate the consistent, challenging courses offered that motivate me to continue my education and career advancement!

Richard Cruz '25 Computer Networking, Orlando, FL, USA

UMGC never gave up on me or locked me out of the opportunity to achieve my dreams even after a traditional path had passed me by.

Samantha Howard '22 Communication Studies, Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

I love the amazing professors and advisors and the wonderful support provided both before and after graduation.

Nichelle Johnson '20 Business Administration, Windsor Mill, MD, USA

I admire UMGC's dedicated faculty, responsive customer support, and exceptional student advising team for consistently empowering learners with clarity, care, and academic excellence.

Adam Maaz '21 Cybersecurity, Dumfries, VA, USA

I love that UMGC's program allowed me to achieve my personal goal to graduate before my children finished college. My success coach was a great accountability partner and they provided me with the resources I needed to succeed.

Ronnette Meyers '25 Business Administration, Washington, DC, USA

I loved the chance to go back to school again. The school did help me to focus, and this foundation I built is an everlasting effort to be an ambassador for my children, my country, and its allies.

Anthony Miller '25 Political Science, GieÃŸen, Hesse, Germany

I love the entire UMGC team. From the alumni and all they are doing within the community, the professionalism, the kind and patient staff, and the student body very diverse backgrounds—it is a great learning environment.

Tina Moore '25 Digital Forensics Cyber Investigation, Kleinsendelbach, Bavaria, Germany

I love the flexibility that UMGC offers to allow students of all phases in their lives to pursue higher education.

Omolara Oyegunle '24 Business Administration, Brandywine, MD, USA

The opportunity of growth from the lessons and seeing how they can apply into both career and personal growth. My education felt achievable and I'm grateful.

Immanuel Patton '22 Public Safety Administration, Brooklyn, MD, USA

The joy of watching my mom share in my graduation was indescribable. This degree was just as much hers as it was mine. As a second-generation graduate, this moment was everything.

Priscilla Scott '17 Management Studies/HR Management, Fort Washington, MD, USA

UMUC – now UMGC – challenged me to reach beyond even my own high expectations, leading me to refine and advance my career beyond the scope of anything possible without my studies and attained degree. Thank you UMGC!

Sandra Sellars '99, '05 Computer and Information Science, Silver Spring, MD, USA

I love the staff and the thoughtfulness behind the resources as well as the treatment of me and my fellow veterans.

Keith Speights '25 Cybersecurity Technology, Abingdon, MD, USA

What I appreciate most about UMGC is its unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity, fostering a dynamic learning environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds.

Emelda Tamoh '25 IT Project Management, Lanham, MD, USA

As a UMGC graduate, what I loved most was the flexibility and real-world focus of the program. UMGC provided a supportive learning environment that allowed me to balance life while gaining practical skills I can apply directly to my career. I'm proud to be an alum and grateful for the foundation UMGC helped me build.

Cameron Taylor '25 Human Resource Management, Brooklyn, MD, USA

Whether through a simple thank you, a story of perseverance, or a shoutout to someone who made an impact, these messages remind us what UMGC is built on: community. Today, and every day, we’re grateful for the dedication, resilience, and generosity that our learners, alumni, faculty, and staff bring to the UMGC experience.