Whether delivering life-saving medicines or conducting search-and-rescue missions, drones and autonomous technologies are everywhere—and University of Maryland Global Campus’s (UMGC’s) pioneering undergraduate Certificate in Drones and Autonomous Systems is positioning students at the forefront of a technology that is reshaping the future.
Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Captain Tony Galladora is an instructor in the program, sharing practical field knowledge and drone expertise with his students.
“My job [with MCPD] is to bring our Air Support Unit, which is all of our drones and our real-time crime center together, into a unified division and make sure all the pieces are working together to keep our community safe,” Galladora said.
MCPD introduced drones in 2020 and quickly became the first Major Cities Chiefs Association agency to implement a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. At first, the agency used the technology largely for crime-scene mapping, and as both equipment and staff capabilities grew, the department expanded the role of drones in its operations.
“Now we use interior drones on high-risk search warrants to search for people. Instead of going in immediately, we’re able to send drones first to help reduce the risk to everyone,” Galladora said.
In the county’s high-call areas, rooftop-deployed drones can launch even before officers respond to 911 calls. With live video and rapid arrival times, they give officers situational awareness that once took valuable minutes to obtain.
Galladora’s experience extends beyond local law enforcement. As assistant planning manager for Maryland Task Force 1 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), he helps coordinate logistics and plans for disaster response—and again, drones increase both safety and efficiency.
A UMGC graduate himself, Galladora earned a Master of Science in Homeland Security in 2020. Now, as an adjunct assistant an adjunct assistant professor, he teaches two courses in the new certificate program: Drones and Autonomous Systems (300), and Applications of Drones and Autonomous Systems (305).
Today, MCPD officers can also benefit from a new collaboration between UMGC and the department, giving them a pathway to advance their education and careers. The partnership aligns with UMGC’s mission to provide skills-based, workforce-relevant learning opportunities that support adult learners.
“I think it also helps my colleagues continue on, where they can use those credits from the academy as a base to build toward their full degrees,” Galladora said.
For UMGC students, Galladora brings both expertise and perspective—showing how drone technology is reshaping public safety and how education can open doors for those doing the work on the ground.