Talk to Robert Negley, advanced testing military education coordinator for University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), and one theme comes through immediately: everything starts with relationships.
For Negley, student support isn’t a set of transactions; it is a daily practice built on presence, trust, and connection. That people-first approach, paired with practical innovation, is driving real momentum at two UMGC in Europe locations in Belgium where Negley supports military learners: NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and Chièvres Air Base.
Raised in a military family, Negley understands the unpredictability of life in service, including rotating schedules, relocations, and other demands that don’t always mesh with traditional higher education. “I adjust to them,” he said. “My goal is to make UMGC visible, accessible, and relevant for people whose lives don’t follow the standard model.”
Removing barriers to opportunity
Transportation posed constant challenges for deployed students, and Negley responded with a simple and straightforward solution that had a dramatic impact. Onsite classes were held at SHAPE, while many junior service members lived in the Chièvres barracks 20 minutes away. Few had access to a personal vehicle or shuttle, and Negley realized that students were sometimes skipping class because they simply couldn’t get there, not for lack of interest.
Taking to heart the UMGC president’s charge to “get it done,” Negley partnered with the housing office to convert unused space in the barracks into a fully functioning classroom. Now, students can attend UMGC classes just steps from their rooms. “They can literally go home, change, and walk down the hall,” he said.
The impact has been transformative. Since Negley joined the team, the SHAPE/Chièvres community has seen a 15% increase in students over the past year. Fall enrollment grew 21%. Term-over-term enrollment is rising by an average of 3%. Onsite credit hours have increased by 50%, and onsite course offerings are up 41% per term. A simple, learner-centered solution has become a major driver of UMGC’s growth in the region.
Connecting with learners and building a pipeline
Negley’s influence extends well beyond formal advising. In small military communities, everyday interactions matter, and he embraces them. “Most of my best conversations happen at the gym, the BX [base exchange], the commissary,” he said.
These informal touchpoints often open doors for students who are hesitant about returning to school or unsure they can succeed given their military commitments. Negley listens, follows up, and remembers the details that matter: a new baby, a promotion, perhaps a recent training course completed.
That trust allows him to guide students into the right next step, whether simplifying a lengthy syllabus using AI tools, connecting students with advisors, or recommending a first course.
Negley also invests in students long before they enroll. At SHAPE American High School, he helps expand dual-enrollment opportunities by tapping into relationships he built years earlier as a substitute teacher. Through counselor partnerships, principal engagement, and presence at newcomer orientations, he ensures families learn early what UMGC can offer their students.
Innovating for a military environment
Recognizing that military schedules shift constantly, Negley also restructured onsite offerings to include more four-week courses, which has allowed students stationed in Belgium to take a class during stable periods in their duty rotations.
He also launched Meet the Professor, a pre-semester networking event that offers students the opportunity to build confidence, ask questions, and choose courses that fit their needs. For students Negley advises, these small innovations help reduce anxiety and result in a stronger and more supportive pathway into and through higher education.
Building success through a culture of support
While the numbers reflect UMGC’s momentum, Negley measures success by something more personal: confidence. “If I can get someone into one or two good classes, that fear starts to fade,” he said. “They come back and the momentum builds.”
Negley emphasizes that this progress is only possible because of strong collaboration and support. U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Educational Services Officer Randy McNally is a key partner in nearly every initiative. Negley also credits UMGC in Europe Assistant Director Ashley Williams and Regional Director Michael Gillespie for consistent support and advocacy. “Their backing empowers me to stay creative and focus on what our learners need most.”
Together, that shared commitment is strengthening the learning landscape at SHAPE and Chièvres one relationship, one conversation, and one practical innovation at a time.
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