Garrett County partnership produces real-world community solutions
Recent high-profile flood disasters, including Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the devastating floods that struck central Texas in July 2025, were stark reminders that flooding remains one of the nation’s most destructive natural hazards.
The threat hits close to home, as portions of Maryland are prone to flash flooding because of their steep terrain and proximity to moisture-rich environments and weather systems.
At University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), adult learners pursuing career-focused education often seek out opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges. For learners completing UMGC’s Master of Science in Environmental Management capstone project in fall 2025 and spring 2026, that opportunity came through a partnership with Garrett County, Maryland.
Students analyzed data, used mapping technology, and interviewed local officials and residents to develop practical tools to help the county assess and communicate flood risks.
The capstone project is the culmination of the master’s program, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout their studies. Across seven teams, 36 students worked alongside faculty and local partners in a coordinated effort with emergency management officials.
Partnerships for problem solving
Flooding accounts for a significant share of natural disaster losses in the United States and remains one of the greatest threats to life and property in Maryland.
In its 2024 update to the county’s hazard mitigation plan, Garrett County identified several priorities in preparing for natural disasters, including a recommendation to identify and prioritize locations facing elevated risk, underserved communities, and vulnerable populations.
While Garrett County, the state’s westernmost, is mostly rural, it is also Maryland’s largest by land area and draws approximately 1.5 million visitors each year. These factors present unique challenges when it comes to sharing critical safety information with residents and visitors who need it most.
Building bridges
Janna Shackeroff Theisen, PhD, teaches environmental science and management at UMGC. Before joining the university, she spent more than two decades working on watershed and coastal areas.
As faculty advisor for the environmental management capstone projects, Theisen worked closely with student teams, meeting with them frequently, acting as mentor, and creating structured assignments. Sabrina Fu, PhD, environmental portfolio director at UMGC, helped connect Theisen with Garrett County’s Molly Ramsey while helping plan the course.
Ramsey serves as the county’s watershed coordinator, and following the county’s 2024 report, she was seeking ways to turn complex information into practical tools that could support both flood-risk mitigation and public outreach.
Setting the stage for students to deliver
Turning research into action requires coordination among many partners. Sponsors like Garrett County’s Ramsey, and faculty advisors like Theisen and Fu, help identify challenges, provide guidance, and prepare students to succeed.
“Our students design solutions to the partner organization's environmental challenge," said Theisen. "Our faculty and partner organization mentor the students’ work, in a consultancy-style master's project, where they gain real-world professional experience, work closely with stakeholders, and build their professional network."
To help address Garrett County’s needs, the seven teams combined multiple data sources, developed technical tools including new mobile applications, and designed educational materials for in-person or online use.
“Janna creates a structure that is both academically rigorous and highly responsive to real-world needs,” Ramsey said.
While balancing coursework with full-time careers, students examined lessons learned from major flood events, including the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene across neighboring Appalachian communities. Their research included interviews with emergency managers and reviews of responses to previous catastrophic floods.
Ethan Gosselin ’26 MS, Environmental Management
Community-based efforts
By applying their technical expertise, the teams developed solutions ranging from advanced mapping tools to communications strategies. But much of their work relied on more traditional approaches: talking directly with members of the community. Some residents in flood-prone areas live far from major transportation routes and have fewer ways to receive emergency alerts. Students explored strategies for reaching those communities, including door-to-door outreach and one-on-one conversations that can build awareness long before a disaster occurs and also improve communication when an emergency arises.
"We work closely with locals," Theisen said, and noted the importance of understanding community context "to design their solutions to the place-based context—including local geography, culture, governance, and history."
The teams coined the term "locally observed flood-prone areas."
These are places that don't show up on flood maps, but longtime residents know they are susceptible to flooding under certain circumstances. The teams were also the first to map other vulnerabilities, including roads with only a single point of access.
Molly Ramsey Watershed Coordinator, Garrett County, Maryland
More than a degree
While the capstone project fulfilled a degree requirement, it also gave students opportunities to address challenges affecting Maryland residents, businesses, and local government agencies.
"[The] capstone placed me in a real professional consulting setting with a real governmental client that would use our results," said Ethan Gosselin ’26, who completed the capstone and graduated in 2026. "This experience provided grounding for the program and reassured me that I made the right choice by entering."
Ramsey said that the work will continue to benefit the county long after the course has ended.
"The students’ work has been both impressive and directly useful for Garrett County," Ramsey said. "These capstone projects have not been academic exercises; they are practical tools that we can bring to the county residents and visitors and inform emergency planning."