This spring saw another crop of students graduating from schools around the world, many of whom likely started out staring at the monumental task of earning a degree and wondering if they could do it. Now, having donned their caps and gowns and received their diplomas, handshakes, and cheers from loved ones, that task is now their monumental achievement.
We caught up with several of this year’s UMGC graduates and got their personal perspectives on their experiences going back to school. We’re sharing their insights with you, so that you might benefit from their words of advice and encouragement and make that achievement one of your own. The grads we spoke to are
- Teri Chason, BS, Psychology
- Angie Hines, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Ashley Ingram, MS, Management with a concentration in Project Management
- Joe Mercer, BS, Psychology
- Petrina Waddy, BS, Health Services Management and BS, Psychology
What surprised you most about your college experience? About online learning?
CHASON: I was the most surprised by how much I loved learning, especially writing. Online learning seemed to come naturally to me. The flexibility was amazing!
INGRAM: For me, it was the immediate applicability of the curriculum. I was taking advanced private-sector frameworks and translating those exact lessons directly into my work within federal oversight at the Department of Defense—often the very next morning.
MERCER: What surprised me was discovering how much I would grow personally—not just academically. I expected to gain knowledge, but I didn’t expect to gain so much confidence, resilience, and self-awareness along the way.
WADDY: I was surprised by how engaging online learning could be. I expected it to feel isolating at times, but through discussions, collaboration, and feedback, I made strong connections and discovered in myself the persistence, adaptability, and self-discipline that I had not fully recognized before.
Do you have any advice for folks who may be new to online education?
CHASON: My advice to those nervous about an online experience is just to give it a try! The worst thing that would happen is that you decide it’s not for you—and that is fine! At least you tried. My guess is that you'll love it!
HINES: I would say start—even if the timing does not feel perfect. There is rarely a perfect time to go back to school, especially when you are balancing work, family, caregiving, and life. I would also tell new online students to read everything, track deadlines, communicate early, and document what you need. Online learning gives you flexibility, but it also requires discipline and self-advocacy. Most importantly, do not assume you have to do it alone. Build relationships with classmates, ask questions, and use the resources available to you.
INGRAM: Treat your current workplace as your primary strategic laboratory. Instead of viewing your assignments as isolated tasks, view them as active solutions to your organization's real-world needs. When you apply coursework directly to your day job, it stops feeling like an academic burden and starts acting as a professional accelerator.
WADDY: My advice to anyone new to online education would be to stay organized, ask questions when needed, and not be afraid to use the resources available to you. Online learning requires discipline, but it also provides flexibility and opportunities for growth that can be life changing.
Why did you decide to go back to school?
CHASON: As my kids got older, I wanted to start thinking about my "next chapter." I had 73 undergrad credits and thought exploring an option to complete my BS was a good idea. I never looked back!
HINES: I chose UMGC for the DBA program after having completed undergraduate certificates, my bachelor’s degree, and my MBA here. UMGC had already proven to be the right fit for me, and continuing with the doctorate program here felt like a natural next step.
INGRAM: I graduated from UMGC with my Master of Science in strategic communications in 2023. The impact of that program on my day-to-day work was so profound that when I decided to take the next step in my executive development, returning to UMGC was an easy choice.
MERCER: I liked the flexibility and support it offered for adult learners balancing work, life, and education. I specifically chose my psychology program because of my long-term goal of becoming a professional mental health counselor.
WADDY: After spending more than 25 years in healthcare administration and revenue cycle operations, I wanted a program that would allow me to continue growing professionally while also expanding my understanding of psychology and human behavior. Health services management aligned well with my healthcare background while psychology gave me a deeper understanding of people, communication, and mental health.
Is there anything you wish you had known before your first class?
HINES: I wish I had known that not every UMGC experience would feel the same and how much persistence matters. My certificate, bachelor’s, and MBA experiences were fantastic and prepared me for the next step. The DBA experience was much more difficult, and at times, the process felt heavier than I expected. Staying organized and remembering why I started made all the difference.
INGRAM: I wish I had fully realized from day one that the discussion boards and peer review forums are not just academic checklists—they are live executive simulations. In my final capstone, these forums served as a "stress-test" where peers and professors challenged my strategic recommendations. Once I began treating those interactions as high-stakes board meetings rather than online homework, the depth of my learning multiplied.
MERCER: I wish I had known not to underestimate myself. In the beginning, I questioned whether I could truly handle it all. Over time, I learned that growth happens one assignment, one challenge, and one term at a time. Stay connected, ask for help, and give yourself grace throughout the journey.
WADDY: One thing is how important time management and organization are in online learning. Staying ahead on assignments and creating a consistent routine made a huge difference throughout my journey.
What UMGC resources did you take advantage of?
CHASON: I loved the easy access to articles and many different databases through the online library. I loved the writing help offered!
HINES: Across my UMGC journey, I used the online classroom, library resources, the writing center and research support. I also benefited from stackable credentials, which allowed me to build from certificates to a bachelor’s degree, then to an MBA, and ultimately to the DBA, where my peers became some of my most important resources.
INGRAM: The peer-review ecosystem and the direct mentorship of our faculty were incredibly impactful resources. Additionally, utilizing UMGC’s ePortfolio tools was crucial; it gave me a platform to synthesize separate artifacts of my degrees into a cohesive professional showcase for my leadership.
MERCER: I took advantage of academic advising, online library resources, tutoring support, and career services. I also appreciated the accessibility of professors and student support services. Even in an online environment, there was always help available when I needed guidance, encouragement, or clarification. That level of support made a major difference in my overall experience.
WADDY: One of the UMGC resources that really helped me was the academic advising I got from my success coach, who was assigned to me from the beginning and worked with me throughout my journey to help keep me on track. I also took advantage of the tutoring resources, library databases, writing support, career services, and instructor office hours.
How will your degree set you up for future success?
CHASON: I am working on launching a business and possibly looking into my master’s degree!
HINES: My UMGC degrees have already shaped my career. Each credential helped me grow professionally, increase my confidence, and take on more complex leadership responsibilities. The DBA adds another layer by strengthening my ability to approach higher education challenges through practical and research-informed lenses.
INGRAM: These degrees have fundamentally shifted my identity from a tactical contributor to an executive steward. More importantly, my education gave me a concrete, actionable roadmap for driving institutional change within Federal oversight. I am graduating not just with credentials on paper, but with the confidence and framework to lead complex organizational transformations.
MERCER: My degree has given me more than academic knowledge; it has strengthened my confidence, discipline, and sense of purpose and has equipped me with a deeper understanding of people, communication, and advocacy to make a meaningful impact both professionally and personally.
WADDY: Combining healthcare administration with psychology has given me a broader perspective on both organizational operations and the human side of care, which will help position me for continued growth in healthcare leadership, healthcare IT, behavioral health, and patient-centered services.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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