UMGC Global Media Center Author: Mary Dempsey

Mubarak Ibrahim was three classes into his Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology degree at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) when his wife, Hellen, decided to enter the same program. Mubarak and Hellen will receive their diplomas together.

David Rodich had a successful career that had sent him across the United States and around the world. The one thing he didn’t have, as he settled into retirement, was a bachelor’s degree. After a 50-year hiatus in his education, he will change that during this month’s commencement at UMGC when he receives his degree in political science.

Early in his military career, Michael Zotoo, a native of Ghana, set two goals for himself: become a U.S. citizen and get his bachelor’s degree so that he could put himself on the path to become an officer. He enrolled at University of Maryland Global Campus, where he is graduating top of his class—with magna cum laude honors—with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

LeTonya Butler is graduating from University of Maryland Global Campus with a master’s degree in leadership management specializing in criminal justice. But the journey wasn’t a straightforward one. En route to her degree, she had to beat cancer—not once, not twice, but three times.

Sonseeahray "Ray" Adams has just completed a master’s degree in health care administration from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). The achievement comes nearly a decade after the first step in her journey to keep her promise to her mother.

At UMGC’s December graduation ceremonies, at least two mother-son teams will receive diplomas on the same day. Carolyn Patton and her son, Immanuel, said that studying in tandem was a bonding experience. Cindy Velazquez-Chhim and her son, Enrique Pineda, agreed.