Signing Ceremony Held to Recognize University of Maryland University College as New Higher Education Partner at HEAT Center

From Harford Community College:

Representatives from Harford Community College (HCC) and University of Maryland University College (UMUC) participated in a signing ceremony at the Higher Education Center @ HEAT in Aberdeen on July 14 to recognize UMUC joining six other institutions as a HECC higher education partner.

In attendance at the ceremony from UMUC were Dr. Susan C. Aldridge, Ph.D., President; Marky Campbell, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances; James Selbe, Vice President of Military Operations; Lisa Romano, Associate Vice President of Community Relations; Marie A. Cini, Vice President and Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies; and Cathy Sweet-Windham, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Dennis Golladay, Ph.D, President; John Mayhorne, Dean, Business, Computing, and Applied Technology; Lisa Rainey, Assistant Vice President for Instruction; Marlene Lieb, Associate Vice President for Continuing Education and Training; and Teri Morris, HEAT Coordinator represented Harford Community College at the ceremony.

Founded in 1947, UMUC is one of 11 accredited, degree-granting institutions in the University System of Maryland (USM). Offering a broad range of cutting-edge classes, UMUC has earned a global reputation for excellence as a comprehensive virtual university focusing on the unique educational and professional development needs of adult students. Headquartered in Adelphi, MD, UMUC has classroom locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, Europe and Asia, and provides award-winning online business degree program to students worldwide.

“UMUC is proud to offer on-site instruction at the Higher Education and Applied Technology Center (HEAT) in Aberdeen for students in cybersecurity and human resource management,” said UMUC President Susan C. Aldridge. “This represents a perfect opportunity for UMUC to further its mission of providing access to quality education for adults, and we look forward to joining other fine institutions at HEAT in serving the education needs of Harford County residents and helping manage the increased demand associated with the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative.”

“This is an auspicious occasion for this region. Because of UMUC and Dr. Aldridge, we are able to bring programs this region really needs, such as cybersecurity, to the Higher Education Center @ HEAT,” said Dr. Golladay.

The courses UMUC offers at the HEAT Center lead to B.S. degrees in cybersecurity and human resource management. The major in cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets. The human resource management major provides 21st-century skills and knowledge of human resource functions, including human resource planning; recruitment, selection, placement and orientation of employees; training and career development; labor relations; management of performance appraisal, compensation and benefit programs; and development of personnel policies and procedures.

College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland at College Park, and the University of Phoenix are also HECC educational partners.

The Higher Education and Conference Center @ HEAT provides expanded higher education access to the citizens of northeastern Maryland. Baccalaureate and graduate programs are offered by colleges and universities in support of the educational needs of the region. HCC coordinates the academic programs and maintains the facility. Partnering institutions provide the faculty, establish the requirements of their individual programs, and set their own tuition rates. Students enroll directly with the partnering institutions, which collect all tuition and fees and confer all degrees.

Dr. Susan C. Aldridge, Ph.D., President, University of Maryland University College, and Dr. Dennis Golladay, Ph.D, President, Harford Community College participated in a signing ceremony at the Higher Education Center @ HEAT in Aberdeen on July 14 to recognize UMUC joining six other institutions as a HECC higher education partner.