UMGC Global Media Center Author: Avigayl Feinberg

View all blogs and articles written by Avigayl Feinberg

No articles found.
Rachel Donnatien (Bel Air, MD): 2022 Pillars of Strength Scholarship Recipient
Trevor Donnatien had already left the Army by the time he met Rachel. The man she describes as “the rock of our family” embraced her children when they married, and the couple has a 7-month-old girl and another child on the way.
MichaelVyas.jpg
Michael Vyas Overcomes Preconceptions as Caregiver to His Wife, Rachelle
Press Releases
Being a man taking care of a wounded veteran woman often takes some explaining, said Michael Vyas, one of the four men who were awarded Pillars of Strength scholarships for the first time this year.
Melissa O’Connell (Baltimore, MD): 2022 Pillars of Strength Scholarship Recipient
When Melissa was introduced to Edward O’Connell in 2005, he was a highly decorated petty officer first class, who served as a Cryptologic Technician Network specialist for Naval Information Warfare Activity at the Office of Naval Intelligence at Fort Meade. He was one of the first 100 cryptologic technicians in the U.S. Navy and a man in demand.
Abigail Compton (Culpeper, VA): 2022 Pillars of Strength Scholarship Recipient
As long as she can remember, Abigail Compton has loved caring for others, but the birth of her first child and her husband’s deployment to Afghanistan meant leaving a career behind to become a stay-at-home mom. And then life changed.
Mary Gipson
MG Gipson is Pursuing Her Passion in the Music and Dance Industry
Press Releases
Maryland resident has been her father’s primary caregiver since high school. After excelling at her job at a music venue, she is using her Pillars of Strength Scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree and advance her career.
David Williams
Caring for Sister Inspires David Williams to Seek Degree in Healthcare
Press Releases
David Williams struggled with the culture shock after moving from rural north Florida to suburban Maryland when he also became his sister’s caregiver.
Amber Cerchione (Springfield, VA): 2022 Pillars of Strength Scholarship Recipient
Amber Cerchione never expected to become a caregiver. She met her husband later in his military career and didn’t know what happened in his prior deployments. It wasn’t something they talked about.
Caitlin Bacus (Abilene, TX): 2022 Pillars of Strength Scholarship Recipient
After seven years of excruciating physical illness former Marine Sgt. Paul Bacus has finally returned to the labor force. His wife, Caitlin, has exchanged her role as caregiver to college student, to eventually help assisting veteran servicemembers to find jobs. A Pillars of Strength Scholarship to UMGC will make that aspiration possible.
Lyra Helms
Lyra Helms to Connect Degree in Cybersecurity with Experience in Healthcare
Press Releases
Already holding a master’s degree in occupational therapy, the Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident aspires to another master’s degree in cybersecurity management and policy.
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 112
  5. 113
  6. 114