UMGC students balance military life, learning, and long-term goals
For many servicemembers, education does not wait for a pause in duty. It happens between deployments, during relocations, and across time zones.
More than 60 percent of University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) students have an affiliation with the U.S. military, whether on active duty, as veterans and military spouses or dependents. For generations, UMGC has built flexible higher education around that reality.
Flexibility at the pace of service
Jacob Dowler ’26, graduating with a bachelor’s in cybersecurity technology, first connected with UMGC in Europe when he decided to start taking classes while on assignment. Today, Dowler is stationed with the U.S. Army in North Carolina.
For much of his career, he has been on the move, and he expressed appreciation for the flexibility and portability that UMGC offers, wherever he has been called to serve.
“One thing I love—it is a lot easier to take classes,” he said. “My first year in Germany, I went to Albania for rotation and was able to also complete courses while there.”
That continuity is especially vital for students on active duty like Nathaniel Floyd ’26, who is graduating with a master’s in cyber operations. Floyd currently serves as a senior advisor on cybersecurity, warfare, and emerging digital threats in the U.S. Army.
“One of my proudest moments during my journey was learning to remain flexible while deployed,” he said. “The flexibility allowed me to continue progressing academically, complete my degrees with a 3.9 GPA, and prove that service and education can move forward together.”
Alongside online and asynchronous coursework, students are supported by advisors, faculty, and staff who understand the irregular schedules and demands of military service.
Nathaniel Floyd ’26 MS, Cyber Operations
Support that steadies the path
Returning to school after an extended break, Jerrin Neal ’26, graduating with a bachelor’s in accounting, initially approached that support with skepticism. A retired U.S. Marine, Neal was unsure whether one-on-one assistance would extend beyond formal requirements.
He quickly learned otherwise.
Neal described how guidance from his success coach became a force multiplier. Success coaches offer individualized support to every student, helping them navigate academic planning, benefits, and long-term goals.
“It was very important,” he said. “I was immediately offered suggestions on how to maximize benefits and to plan out the future to fully know what was happening.”
Floyd echoed his experience.
“Great staff at UMGC will work with you,” Floyd said. “They worked with me throughout my time there.”
Experience recognized, futures shaped
Credit for military training and advancement can provide momentum toward a degree, while also honoring prior learning. Neal noted that the process was efficient and likely reduced his total time-to-degree by several semesters.
Dowler shared a similar experience, citing various advanced trainings completed with his military cohort that translated into academic credit. UMGC’s credit for military rank program, he said, granted credit equivalent to several classes, saving him significant time.
As graduates arrive in Adelphi, Maryland, for Grad Walk—an intimate, in-person commencement experience—there is time to reflect on how education shapes both their current careers and their futures.
For Floyd, earning a graduate degree has delivered immediate professional advantages.
"It puts me ahead to get promoted," he said. "But it’s also great for technical expansion directly related to your work."
Floyd plans to retire from the Army at the end of next year and already sees doors opening, with opportunities ranging from major technology companies to defense contractors.
Dowler also sees education as cumulative progress.
“It does improve your prospects,” he said. “Every credit hour is a path to promotions.”
Military service and successful adult learning both demand discipline and a willingness to endure while building toward a brighter future.
For Dowler, the stakes are personal as well as professional: a daughter on the way, a new position ahead, and a move to a new town in the not‑too‑distant future.
“UMGC makes it possible to continue your education from wherever,” he said. “The skills and knowledge you gain can help improve both your career and your ability to provide for the people who depend on you.”
Neal echoed that sense of persistence and payoff, offering a final reflection on returning to school after a break.
“Don’t let a pause in your education or a major life transition deter you,” he said. “My second start was where I truly excelled.”
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Jerrin Neal ’26 BS, Accounting