What happens when you decide it’s finally time to finish what you started?

In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, Dennise sits down with Samantha Drummond, B.A. ’25, Individualized Study, who returned to UMBC after several years away to complete her degree through the Finish Line program. Samantha shares what it was like balancing full-time work, family responsibilities, and school—and how she stayed motivated through the challenges. From self-doubt to walking across the stage, her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to invest in yourself.

If you’ve ever thought about going back to school, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

👉 Learn more about the UMBC Finish Line program: https://finishline.umbc.edu/

Returning to school later in life can feel intimidating. For cybersecurity professional Jeff Burnett, M.S. '25, it became one of the most valuable decisions of his career.

In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, Jeff shares why he chose to pursue a graduate degree in cybersecurity while already established in the field. After years working in cybersecurity sales, he realized that understanding the technology behind the conversations would allow him to better serve clients and contribute more strategically.

Jeff talks about what it was like stepping back into the classroom in his 50s, learning alongside younger students, and tackling technical topics outside his original background. He also shares how the experience strengthened his confidence, deepened his industry knowledge, and helped him better understand the real challenges cybersecurity teams face every day.

If you are a working professional wondering whether going back to school is worth it, Jeff offers practical insight and encouragement from someone who made the leap. Learn more about

UMBC’s Cybersecurity graduate program: https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/cybersecurity/masters-of-professional-studies-cybersecurity/

#Cybersecurity #CybersecurityCareers #UMBC #GraduateSchool #LifelongLearning #CybersecurityEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment

In this episode, we sit down with Kendall McWilliams, ’20 Chemical Engineering, M.P.S. Biotechnology Student, to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career in biotech.

Kendall shares his journey from chemical engineering into the biotech industry, and why pursuing graduate education was the logical next step. He explains how understanding quality systems, GMP regulations, clinical trials, and business operations transformed how he approaches his work—especially in bringing promising therapies from research to patients.

The conversation also dives into how AI and data modeling are being used responsibly in bioprocessing, why human judgment still matters, and how constant learning is simply part of the profession. Kendall offers honest insight into balancing full-time work with graduate school, navigating different roles within biotech, and staying grounded in the industry’s ultimate purpose: protecting and improving lives.

This episode is especially valuable for working professionals considering graduate study, career-changers exploring biotech, or anyone curious about how science, regulation, and ethics come together in real-world biotech work.

Learn more about UMBC’s M.P.S. in Biotechnology: https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/biotechnology/

Alumni connections can open doors to mentorship, career insight, and long-term professional growth—but only if you know how to build those relationships thoughtfully.

In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, host Dennise Cardona shares practical, approachable strategies for connecting with alumni and turning those connections into meaningful professional relationships. From making your outreach more personal to following up with intention, this episode offers guidance you can apply at any stage of your academic or career journey.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about networking or reaching out, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Annie Byrd, a 2023 graduate of UMBC’s Community Leadership program, shares how her path through equity work, gender and women’s studies, and community partnerships led her to meaningful social impact.

In this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up, she reflects on unlearning, building relationships, and discovering how leadership shows up in everyday life. Annie also discusses her work with the Doula Alliance of Maryland, the first funded doula advocacy group in the state, formed during her capstone experience to advance Black maternal health and expand access to doula care.

If you’re curious about a graduate program rooted in real-world skills, strong community connections, and lasting personal growth, this conversation offers an inspiring look at what’s possible.

Learn more about UMBC’s Community Leadership graduate program.

In this inspiring episode of UMBC Mic’d Up Podcast, host Dennise Cardona, M.A. sits down with Harish Reddy Manyam, M.P.S. '24, a graduate of UMBC’s Data Science program.

Harish shares his remarkable path from arriving in the U.S. with nothing but a dream to becoming an AI governance advisor and healthcare data scientist.

He reflects on:

• Early struggles as an international student

• Key milestones: internships, research, and graduate assistantship • Publishing research with UMBC faculty

• Building a no-code AI chatbot with real-world impact

• Winning entrepreneurial competitions and launching a startup through BW Tech at UMBC

• How UMBC’s supportive community and hands-on learning shaped his confidence and career Harish’s story is one of resilience, community, and the power of preparation meeting opportunity.

👉 Learn more about UMBC’s Data Science MPS program here:

https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/data-science/

#UMBCMicdUp #DataScience #AI #InternationalStudents #UMBC #GraduateSchool #HealthcareAI #Entrepreneurship #AIChatbot #StudentSuccess

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Destiny, a recent graduate of UMBC’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership (EIL) graduate program.

In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, Destiny shares how the EIL program expanded her leadership skills, sparked innovative thinking, and prepared her for a career transition from federal finance to protocol officer. From navigating leadership styles to leveraging marketing strategies, Destiny reveals how the program’s unique blend of entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership empowered her to take on new challenges—both professionally and personally.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a leader within your organization, or simply curious about the EIL program, this episode offers practical insights, motivation, and real-world applications.

Learn more about The Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Leadership M.P.S. program: https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation-leadership/

What happens when two data science grad students turn a class project into a full-fledged edtech startup?

In this episode of UMBC Mic’d Up, we sit down with Sai Manvitha Nadella, M.P.S. '25, Data Science and Sampath Kumar, M.P.S. '25, Data Science, co-founders of AIEdumate, an AI-powered learning platform born from their capstone at UMBC.

This is a must-watch for anyone interested in data science, AI, and launching a tech startup straight from grad school.

🔗 Visit https://aiedumate.com

🔗 Ready to turn your data skills into real-world impact? https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/data-science/