Adelphi, Md. (March 11, 2025)--University of Maryland Global Campus and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families have signed an agreement that will help each organization communicate their shared goal to empower veterans and military families.
“Both the university and the department provide benefits, services and support for the large number of Maryland veterans,” said Keith Hauk, UMGC’s Vice President of Stateside Military Operations. “The Department will help encourage veterans to take advantage of the university’s academic programs, while the university will publicize the Department’s services among our students.”
With more than 8,300 active service members, veterans and their families from Maryland enrolled in university programs, UMGC has a ready audience to promote the Department’s programs that include benefits, health programs, community care, support for the homeless, suicide prevention and education support.
“Our commitment is to provide meaningful opportunities for Maryland veterans and their families,” said Secretary Anthony Woods, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. “Through the partnership with the University of Maryland Global Campus, we are offering access to higher education, helping them advance their careers, and enhancing their overall quality of life. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to supporting those who have served, and together, we are helping build brighter futures for our heroes.”
In return, the Department will publicize with veterans and their families educational resources provided by the university as well as university events aimed at veterans. UMGC offers more than 135 academic programs in workforce-relevant areas such as cybersecurity, business, data analytics, healthcare management, information technology, and nursing.
The university also offers coaching and counseling with personnel that are specifically trained to work with military-affiliated students and staffs the Hildebrand Veterans Student Lounge at the Dorsey Station (Md) Education Center. The Vessey Virtual Student Union is an online resource that is also available 24/7 to military-affiliated students.
UMGC will serve as a partner in the Department’s Maryland Joins Forces (MJF) initiative that is mobilizing partners across many sectors.
That initiative seeks to reduce veteran and military spouse unemployment and make it easier for spouses to transition in the state without career disruptions. It wants to make sure that no military-connected family experiences food insecurity or homelessness. It promotes education so that veterans and their families gain the skills and credentials they need to advance their careers. It wants military-connected families to live healthier lives, both physically and mentally. And, it seeks to promote volunteer opportunities so that military families can serve with non-military families to reduce the civil-military divide.
“All of these are goals that the university shares,” Hauk said, “and we already are doing our part in providing services, events and information for our thousands of military families around the world who have come to the University to accomplish their educational goals and advance their careers.”
The partnership is designed to build trust in communities engaging in efforts to improve outcomes for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors receiving services and benefits from both the Maryland department and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
About University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was established in 1947 to serve adults in the workforce and the military. Today, UMGC enrolls some 90,000 students annually, offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, as well as certificates in more than 135 fully online and hybrid programs and specializations.
UMGC now offers classes to military service personnel and their families at some 175 locations in more than 20 countries. More than half of the university’s students are active-duty military personnel, their families, members of the National Guard and veterans.
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