Latest news with #UMGC
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
17-year-old Oakdale grad earns bachelor's degree, five associate's
For Oakdale High School new graduate Kenzie Eacho, earning a high school diploma was not enough. Eacho, who is 17 years old, in the month of May earned a high school diploma, five separate associate degrees and a bachelor's degree through the Frederick County Public Schools dual enrollment program. From Frederick Community College, she earned, all with high honors, her: * Associate of Applied Science, STEM Technology * Associate of Arts, Arts and Humanities * Associate of Arts, Arts and Humanities: English Area Certification * Associate of Arts, Social Sciences * Associate of Arts, Social Sciences: Psychology Area of Concentration. Eacho earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, Global Campus (UMGC) — also with high honors. She said in an interview that her FCC classes, usually three a day, were in person. Eacho said her classes at UMGC were asynchronous where the professor would send over the schoolwork rather than have the class meet at a scheduled time over Zoom. 'That was time consuming, but it was rewarding in the end because, obviously, I got a bachelor's degree from them,' she said. She added that she would take six classes in a semester from UMGC, and some classes were an eight-week session that lasted half of the semester, which 'did make it a bit easier.' Eacho said she began dual enrollment in her junior year because she wanted to graduate early — that year. She said after speaking with her counselor, she learned that dual enrollment through FCPS was free. The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is a set of education policies signed into law beginning in 2018 that were meant to be implemented over a decade. One of the goals in the Blueprint is improving college and career readiness, so the Blueprint requires that local school districts pick up the cost of dual enrollment for its students. Eacho said she tested out of some classes during the summer between her junior and senior years. She was earning at least 20 credits from UMGC per semester starting in the fall of her senior year. She added that her mom was supportive and helpful with time management and brainstorming 'what-if scenarios.' 'She was like, 'Well, if you do this with FCC and University of Maryland, Global Campus, then you could get a bachelor's degree by the time you're 17,'' Eacho said. 'I was like, 'I don't think that's going to happen, but we can try. What's the worst case-scenario, I get extra college credits?'' Alongside her classes, Eacho has worked as an insurance authorization specialist for Frederick Health Hospital since January 2024. She additionally began as a lab assistant for the hospital's pathology lab in March of this year. 'It was kind of a snowball effect,' Eacho said. Eacho said that through her classes and work, she has figured out that her goals have shifted from pursuing psychology in therapy and clinical application to a more research-based position. 'I feel like it's always interested me,' she said of psychology. 'Before I got into this degree-seeking thing, I was just obsessed with dreams and dreaming. I read books about it.' Eacho said she is planning to take a year to complete science prerequisites at FCC, and then attend Hood College to earn her Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. She said her favorite class from her experience at FCC was her abnormal psychology class. Eacho said her professor, Deb Morlier, would take the students around campus 'and show us all the resources the school had to offer.' 'So, I learned a lot about diagnosis and psychology and stuff like that,' she said. 'But, I also learned a lot more about the campus because I had no clue that there are so many resources available.' Eacho said her mom, Jennifer Eacho, had a lot to do with her academic successes. 'She's such a great support system, like the best I've ever had in my whole life,' Kenzie Eacho said. 'It's amazing.' Jennifer Eacho said she was proud of her daughter, and that there were days where Kenzie Eacho wanted to give up. 'She would just regroup and recalibrate, and then just kind of push through,' Jennifer Eacho said. 'It's not something I taught her because she's always been a very motivated person.' Kenzie Eacho said she and her mom have planned a cruise for October, and are planning to visit Greece, Italy and Turkey. Jennifer Eacho said she had promised to take her daughter anywhere if Kenzie Eacho accomplished her goal. 'I don't ever really have a lot of direction in my life,' Jennifer Eacho said. 'So, when I see her come up with these goals and really pursue them hardcore, it's inspiring. Of course, it makes me proud, but I wouldn't say I had anything to do with that. She was born that way.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regents committee calls for OK of $69 million for time to pull back spun-off businesses
Leaders of the University of Maryland Global Campus, Asia, congratulate a graduate from during ceremonies in Japan in 2023. UMGC has long provided classes for servicemembers around the globe, but has heavily emphasized its online courses in recent years. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Sheng/U.S. Marine Corps) The University of Maryland Global Campus should pay out $69 million to run out the contracts of two independent businesses it created that came under sharp criticism from legislators and legislative auditors last year. That was the recommendation of the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents Finance Committee, which quickly voted Wednesday to extend the $46 million-a-year contract for UMGC Ventures for another 18 months, while the online university works to pull it and another spun-off unit back in-house. Ventures handles the online UMGC's information technology services, and the university is 'not currently positioned to perform these functions in-house,' the resolution said as justification for the extension. The resolution notes that it does not increase the current contract with Ventures, which handles UMGC's information technology services, but merely extends it a current rates. The contract will start July 1 and run through Dec. 31, 2026, the length of time UMCG officials said it will take reintegrate Ventures and the other independent unit called AccelerEd, a subsidiary of Ventures. 'The requested contract extension does not increase the annual contract from the current value of fiscal year 25,' UMGC President Gregory Fowler told the committee via Zoom. 'But it does provide us with a necessary runway to implement the reintegration services without disruption of these, which are critical IT services as we are trying to move forward.' Fowler said a consulting firm had been hired to craft a reintegration plan and assess the university's relationship with the two units. 'I just want to say thank you for dealing with a difficult situation, and for your summary that you sent out,' committee member William T. 'Bill' Wood said during the brief discussion on the issue. 'That was really helpful to read that and understand,. And congratulations on almost getting through the whole thing.' 'Thank you, Regent Wood,' Fowler said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The move to reintegrate offices came after a critical August 2024 audit completed by the state Office of Legislative Audits (OLA), which stated the online university's creation of AccelerEd and Ventures cost too much money and appeared to skirt normal university procedures. UMGC created the two companies under a University System of Maryland policy called the High Impact Economic Development Activities program. Under HIEDA, campuses in the system are allowed to give preferential treatment to businesses they spin off, under specific circumstances. According to the audit, the campus created Ventures in 2016 as a tax-exempt holding company for UMGC businesses that the university seeded with $15 million. A year later, UMGC spun off its information technology office into AccelerEd. Ventures had $215.3 million in revenues from fiscal years 2017 to 2022, the audit said, but about $198.1 million of that came from UMGC. And of the $198.1 million, about $184 million of those service agreements were made without competitive bids and with little oversight afterward, the audit said. While HIEDA policy doesn't require institutions to seek competitive bids, the audit noted that 'the law does not mandate exclusive use of these entities.' University officials defended the arrangement in the audit, and when they appeared before the joint committee nearly three months later, in a November hearing, they said they still stood by 'the intent' of the program, even if there were issues in how that intent was executed. The university hired Attain Partners of McLean, Virginia, to study the companies, with a plan focused on seven areas that included governance and leadership alignment, communication and change management, finance and budgeting and technology. According to an executive summary Attain presented in May, Ventures and AccelerEd helped create 174 jobs , supported St. Mary's College of Maryland and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, provided $1.5 million in scholarships and established three technology programs. The summary also highlighted legal advice offered by Florida-based Holland & Knight, which has a Washington, D.C., office. It said Ventures met its IRS designations and complied with UMGC rules by conducting business 'on an arm's length basis.' Some members of Ventures' board of directors were not appointed by the university, governor or executive authority, so its board didn't require a quorum, and the university 'has no veto power or ability to reverse decisions,' the consultant's report said. 'It does not appear that Ventures would be subject to audit by UMGC or the University System of Maryland without either volunteering to do so or judicial deliberation,' according to the summary. Among Attain's recommendations was to develop 'a 12–18-month implementation plan to incorporate the necessary frameworks, mechanisms, and structures within Ventures to support the commercialization lifecycle,' and it said that if UMGC absorbed AccelerEd's staff and services back into the university, it 'addresses the majority of OLA audit concerns.' The Finance Committee's recommendation will be presented to the full Board of Regents, which is scheduled June 13 at 8 a.m. at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After critical audit, UMGC will pull back units it had spun off as independent businesses
Gregory Fowler, president of the University of Maryland Global Campus, responds to questions before Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee during a hearing Nov. 13 in Annapolis. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) The University of Maryland Global Campus said Tuesday it will reintegrate offices that it had previously spun off as independent businesses, after a highly critical audit last year suggested that the move was both costly and that it skirted normal procurement procedures. In letters to the campus community and to university and legislative leaders, UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler said the decision came after an outside consultant reviewed the relationship between the online campus and Ventures and AccelerEd, the two independent units it created. 'The final [consultant's] report has been completed, and pending the receipt of appropriate notifications and approvals, UMGC intends to reintegrate Ventures and AccelerEd back into the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), ' Fowler wrote. He said the university expects to notify the University System of Maryland Board of Regents of the proposal at regents' next June 13 meeting. If approved, Fowler said UMGC planned to target July 1 as 'Day One' of the transition, which is expected to take a year to 18 months to complete. Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Anne Arundel and Howard), who served as co-chair of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee that grilled university officials last year on the audit, welcomed Tuesday's announcement as a 'positive development.' 'It makes sense,' he said, noting that the audit 'demonstrated a conflict of interest and a loss of state funds' with UMGC arrangement. Lawmakers grill UMGC officials over ad spending, 'unique' contract system Lam said that he and other legislators questioned 'whether this was an arms-length relationship' between the university and the supposedly independent firms that received virtually all of their business from UMGC. He said the arrangement allowed AccelerEd to 'circumvent normal procurement process.' 'This [bringing AccelerEd in house] is a recognition that this probably should not have happened,' Lam said, noting that the initial decision to separate the IT business from UMGC was probably 'shortsighted and maybe not the best use of taxpayer dollars.' An August 2024 audit by the Office of Legislative Audits said UMGC spun off AccelerEd and Ventures under a University System of Maryland policy called the High Impact Economic Development Activities program. Under HIEDA, campuses in the system are allowed to give preferential treatment to businesses they spin off, under specific circumstances. According to the audit, the campus created Ventures in 2016 as a tax-exempt holding company for UMGC businesses that the university seeded with $15 million. A year later, in 2017, UMGC spun off its information technlogy office into AccelerEd, a subsidiary of Ventures. Ventures had $215.3 million in revenues from fiscal years 2017 to 2022, the audit said, but about $198.1 million of that money came from UMGC. And of the $198.1 million, about $184 million of those service agreements were made without competitive bids and with little oversight afterward, the audit said. While HIEDA policy doesn't require institutions to seek competitive bids, the audit noted that 'the law does not mandate exclusive use of these entities.' University officials defended the arrangement in the audit, and when they appeared before the joint committee nearly three months later, in a November hearing, they said they still stood 'by the intent' of the program, even if there were issues in how the intent was executed. But lawmakers pressed university officials about the use of millions of dollars through HIEDA. The university subsequently hired Attain Partners of McLean, Virginia, to conduct an assessment of 'our relationship to UMGC Ventures and AccelerEd.' A final version of that report has been delivered, a copy was not immediately available Tuesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 'Please know that we are committed to managing the transition thoughtfully and transparently every step of the way,' Fowler wrote. 'I assure you that we deeply value the contributions of every team member – at UMGC and AccelerEd – and will proceed with the utmost respect and care for all involved.' Fowler said he planned to share more details with the campus community at a July 1 'global town hall.' 'I know that change can bring uncertainty, and questions are sure to arise about how this transition could affect individuals or teams across our operations,' Fowler wrote. 'And as always, I thank you for the work you do on behalf of our learners and in support of our mission.' – Maryland Matters reporter Danielle J. Brown contributed to this story.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JACKY CHEUNG BREAKS RECORD WITH 1000 SHOWS ACROSS 10 TOURS, A MILESTONE IN CHINESE MUSIC HISTORY
BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2025 /CNW/ -- Jacky Cheung, known as the "God of Songs" in the Chinese-speaking world, reached a historic milestone on February 23 by completing his 1,000th concert. This performance, held in Haikou as part of the "Jacky Cheung 60+ World Tour," also marked the 218th show of this current tour. Cheung is now the first Chinese artist ever to surpass the 1,000-concert milestone. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the management team of Universal Music Greater China (UMGC) attended the concert and presented Cheung with a special gift, honoring his remarkable influence and legacy over the past four decades. Jacky Cheung's ten world tours represent a legendary musical journey that spans 38 years. Beginning in 1987 with his first solo tour, the "Jacky Cheung 87 Concert" from Hong Kong Coliseum to his 1,000th concert in 2025, his career has taken him to over 100 cities across 18 countries and regions, attracting millions of fans. These performances have not only set unparalleled records in the Chinese music industry but have also witnessed the global rise of Chinese pop music on the world stage. Although Cheung has always stated that breaking records was never his goal, his tours have consistently set new milestones. In 1995, his "Friends World Tour" reached 100 shows, a record for the most performances by a Chinese artist at the time. In 2010, his "1/2 Century World Tour" attracted over 2 million people within a single year, earning a Guinness World Records™ title for the "largest combined audience for a live act in 12 months." The "Jacky Cheung A Classic Tour," which spanned 2 years and 3 months, set the record for the most shows by a Chinese artist in a single tour, with 233 performances. Now, with his ongoing "60+ Concert Tour," which began in 2023, Cheung has already completed 218 shows, with more performances expected to surpass the records set by his previous tours. Regarded as one of the most influential Chinese artists worldwide, Jacky Cheung is often celebrated as the "God of Songs" in the Chinese-speaking world. He has won numerous prestigious awards, including the "U.S. Billboard Music Awards - The Most Popular Singer in Asia" (1994), "World Music Awards - World's Best-Selling Asian Artist" (1995, 1996), and the "Jade Solid Gold Awards - Asia Pacific Most Popular Male Singer" (1994, 1997, 1998), "Golden Melody Award - Best Mandarin Male Singer" (1998), among other top honors, and has had seven albums certified as Hong Kong's best-sellers by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). At his concert on that evening, Jacky Cheung, deeply moved, expressed: "What does 1,000 concerts mean to me? It's a reflection of the past 40 years, where I've spent nearly 3,000 hours standing on this stage. I've poured all my sincerity and love into every performance. To every fan who has supported me, whether you're here with me tonight or not, my journey has been shaped by your unwavering love and encouragement. Without you, I would never have had the chance to do what I love most. These 40 years, these 1,000 shows—they were made possible by you. I am sincerely grateful for your constant presence by my side. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Jacky Cheung's career began in 1984 when he joined PolyGram Records, which later became a subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG). Despite the many changes in the music industry over the years, Cheung has remained with UMG for over four decades, a testament to his enduring relationship with the label. UMG has supported the release of more than 50 of his albums, reinforcing his leadership in the Chinese music scene and helping to propel his international success. To commemorate his 1,000th concert milestone, UMG presented Cheung with a special gift — a three-meter-long traditional Chinese scroll painting that captures his 38-year, ten-tour journey. Each tour's stage designs, lighting, and iconic looks are intricately depicted, set against a backdrop of fans holding light signs, symbolizing the brilliance of his enduring musical legacy. Adam Granite, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Universal Music Group, sent his congratulations: "Jacky Cheung's remarkable achievements over the past 40 years have far surpassed the boundaries of the Chinese music industry. From record-breaking album sales to the global reach of his music and the unparalleled scale of his tours, Cheung has solidified his place as one of the world's most iconic superstars. Reaching 1,000 concerts is an extraordinary accomplishment that few artists worldwide could ever achieve. I offer my sincere congratulations to Jacky and eagerly anticipate the future milestones he will continue to set." Timothy Xu, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China, presented the gift to Jacky Cheung and said, "It's an honor to witness this historic milestone. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and deepest respect to Mr. Cheung. His unwavering trust in us over the past 40 years has contributed to an extraordinary legacy in the music industry. Mr. Cheung is not only our pride but also a defining figure in the Chinese music scene. His unparalleled artistry, remarkable professionalism, and every breakthrough he has achieved in bringing Chinese music to the global stage, continue to inspire us. We look forward to many more years of collaboration, promoting the influence of Chinese culture to the world stage." Gary Chan, Managing Director of Universal Music Hong Kong and Senior Vice President of Greater China, added, "It is an immense honor to witness and congratulate Mr. Cheung on his 1,000th concert. As the undisputed 'God of Songs' in the Chinese-speaking world, Jacky Cheung has become a symbol not just of Hong Kong's pop music, but of a shared memory for Chinese people globally. From his early days with PolyGram in Hong Kong to his rise as a global superstar, we believe his legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of musicians from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, leading them to new heights." *JACKY CHEUNG'S 1000 SHOWS ACROSS 10 CONCERT TOURS Jacky Cheung 87 Concert (1987)A total of 6 shows Love You More Every Day Tour (1991)A total of 15 shows School & Friends World Tour (1993 - 1994)A total of 65 shows Jacky Cheung 95 World Tour (1995 - 1996)A total of 100 shows Friends World Tour (1999)A total of 67 shows Music Odyssey Tour (2002 - 2003)A total of 45 shows The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour (2007 - 2008)A total of 105 shows Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century World Tour (2010 - 2012)A total of 146 shows; Set a Guinness World Record™ for "the largest combined audience for a live act in 12 months." A Classic Tour (2016 - 2019)A total of 233 shows Jacky Cheung 60+ Concert Tour (2023 - 2026)Still ongoing. As of February 23, 2025, 218 shows have been held. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Universal Music Greater China View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local students named to University of Maryland Global Campus Dean's List
Local students were named to the University of Maryland Global Campus' Dean's List for the fall 2024 term, according to a news release. To qualify, students must complete at least six credits and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 for the term, while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC. The following students earned this honor: Isaac Leese of Temperance, Narciso Ramos of Brownstown Township, Mich. and Cassandra Wilson of Flat Rock, Mich. Local students recognized on Albion College Dean's List The University of Maryland Global Campus aims to meet the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. The university offers online and hybrid courses, more than175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates. For more information, go to This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local students named to UMGC Dean's List for fall 2024
