The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is graduating students around the world again, and 62 percent of them are military service members, spouses, and dependents. For more than 75 years, they have been serving those who serve stateside and OCONUS across Asia, Europe, and other places.
Not only does UMGC support its military-affiliated students with greater access to higher education, but it is also an established global community that includes faculty and staff understanding military life.
In fact, traveling faculty have been teaching classes overseas since 1949, after World War II. They have even taught in mess halls or barracks. Some of the locations include Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Ethiopia, Libya, Pakistan, Spain, France, England, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Approximately 3,800 faculty members continue to serve in UMGC’s 170+ worldwide locations.
Not many other colleges and universities can say that.
UMGC’s Unstoppable Stories of Military Students
There is a good reason why UMGC is an award-winning and trusted higher education institution for the military-affiliated learner community. Prospective students can hear it for themselves. UMGC’s library of Unstoppable Stories showcases personal experiences of students and how the school walks alongside the students in support of their goals. These are a few recent stories that describe human experiences beyond the numbers.
UGMC Unstoppable Stories: Dale Dye
Lauren Cardillo sits down with producer, actor, author, retired Marine and UMGC alumnus, Dale Dye, to trace the thread from Vietnam combat tours to Hollywood soundstages. Dale explains how a professor opened the door to writing, how a chance pitch led to three weeks in the jungle with 33 actors, and why doing it right matters when stories shape how audiences see service and sacrifice.
UMGC Unstoppable Stories: Zachry Flores
Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Zachry Flores, military veteran, UMGC alumnus, and current UMGC professor. Zach shares the raw realities of serving as a military police officer, both stateside and overseas, and opens up about his journey before, during, and after his time in uniform.
From childhood dreams of police work to unexpected deployments, Zach’s path was anything but predictable. Even after sustaining a brain injury in the line of duty, he pushed forward, earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a minor in business, and an MBA from UMGC, where he now teaches. His passion for the military runs deep, and he’s devoted his life to supporting those who serve in mind, body, and spirit.
UMGC Unstoppable Stories: Andre Taylor
Host Lauren Cardillo is joined by Andre Taylor, a network engineer, an Army veteran and a UMCG grad and first-generation college graduate. to share his story on seeking higher education while actively serving in the military.
Andre opens up about dealing with various health issues, and how he has not let any diagnosis define his life. He discusses how important it is to focus on the accomplishments in your life and to not dwell on the dark moments in life.
His story is a testament to the power of dedication—proving that no matter where you are in life, you have the strength to build a bright and fulfilling future.
Behind the Scenes
UMGC provides hands-on opportunities and support to its military-affiliated community. Specialized and knowledgeable military advisors and a dedicated military operations team, mainly run by veterans, are currently serving more than 53,000 service members, veterans and their families. The school recognizes credit for prior military education and training and offers reduced tuition rates.
Each year, there is a free MilVet Net event that includes the following:
- An on-site VA Claims Clinic representative to assist with veterans’ benefits (this is a huge advantage)
- Career workshops that provide resume writing assistance, professional headshots, etc.
- Networking and resources with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), support services, nonprofits and employers
Having faculty and staff that understand factors such as housing allowance, how military-affiliated students pay for their education and sometimes need online and hybrid learning formats adds another layer of trust. The military community juggles so many shifting priorities that it can be refreshing to work with educational professionals who honor flexibility and convenience.
“The professors that I worked with were phenomenal when I had to go TDY and I might have been working 20-hour shifts or just doing all kind of craziness and I couldn't really get to my schoolwork in a timely manner. I let my professors know about it, and they were more than willing to work with me.” (Broderick C. BS in Computer Networks & Cybersecurity, U.S. Air Force)
Military-affiliated students who are new to college or are working on leveling up their professional careers have many educational options. When everyone sounds the same about being military friendly, finding the school that is right for the military is about seeing real outcomes.
A total of 9,424 UMGC students are expected to complete degrees or certificates between January 1 and May 30, 2026. That total includes an anticipated 7,880 U.S.-based learners, 830 in Europe and 714 in Asia.
Their accomplishments include:
- 6,623 bachelor’s degrees
- 1,756 master’s degrees
- 24 doctorates
- 637 associate’s degrees
- 384 certificates
