MyUMUC Graduates

UMUC Graduate Marilyn Johnson Shares Generosity with Her Community

By: Amanda Agatstein

At the lowest point in her life, Marilyn Johnson made a life-changing decision. The death of her husband, Charles, was a heartbreaking loss, but Marilyn found a way to move her life forward while honoring his memory.

With one daughter preparing for college and a son heading off to school in a few years, Marilyn decided it was time to further her own education. She took the first step by registering for an accounting class offered through her church. While she was registering, she decided to take her learning a step further and earn credit for the course by enrolling at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC). She later enrolled at UMUC to earn her associate’s and her bachelor’s degrees through the Maryland Community College Alliance program.

Marilyn, an asset manager for Fannie Mae, will graduate from UMUC with a Bachelor of Science in management studies and a minor in communication studies this May. She loved being able to choose whether to take classes on-site or online. She also credits the seamlessness of the alliance program and her professors for helping her through, from the first day to her final semester.

“Through it all, I have had fantastic faculty members who truly cared,” says Marilyn. “And the alliance program made it easier. All of my credits transferred from PGCC to UMUC.”

In addition to studying, working, and caring for her children, Marilyn took on a new responsibility as founder and president of the Charlie Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Named in honor of her husband, who was a Bladensburg, Maryland, police officer, the fund’s proceeds go to Bladensburg High School students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

When her schedule got more hectic, Marilyn put the scholarship fund on hold, but always knew she would return to it later. After she graduates, she will have the chance to do just that. And she’s put a lot of thought into how the fund can do even more for students.

“We will also do a ‘dress for success’ program to prepare students for the workforce and college,” says Marilyn. “We will even collect formalwear donations so students can go to the Prom.”

Marilyn is also in her second semester of the UMUC mentorship program, which allows her to encourage and share her academic and personal experiences with other students. Her uplifting spirit, as well as her motivation to learn, is awe inspiring, but she won’t take credit for doing it all on her own. Marilyn is deeply grateful for the support of her friends and family.

“Throughout my bachelor’s degree program, I have had a great circle of friends who supported me,” she says. “These same friends have committed to helping with the scholarship fund. Now, as I prepare to graduate, I know I will never forget all the people who’ve been there for me.”