MyUMUC Graduates

Papa Medoune Fall Thiam Achieves His Goals of Higher Education

By: Alice Manning

Papa Medoune Fall Thiam grew up in the Republic of Senegal, West Africa, where the motto reads “One People, One Goal, One Faith.” His mother, a teacher, and his father instilled in him the goal for academic achievement and dreamed that he would travel to the United States. When he was 20, their dream came true when a letter from the U.S. Immigration office arrived addressed to Thiam. In 1996, he received his visa and traveled to live, work and study in the United States.

Thiam enrolled in Montgomery College and eventually transferred to UMUC. “I made the decision to pursue my studies at UMUC…because it is where all the good and knowledgeable professors meet,” he says. Thiam earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and will receive his Master of Science in Telecommunications Management this May.

Thiam’s UMUC professors instilled in him the skills—including research and writing techniques—to complete his education. Taking a combination of online and on-site classes, Thiam says, “I met professionals and interesting, helpful professors who stood out on my learning journey. I highly thank them.”

Thiam is currently a digital technician and network administrator, and the founder of a small computer company. “My education has positively helped me to see the light in all of my professional and life activities,” he says. “For instance, I learned how to design, connect and maintain a network enterprise. That knowledge helps me support my mother and my small family.”

Thiam credits his mentor and financial advisor Robert Costello and his family for his academic achievement. Mr. Costello “heavily participated in [Thiam’s] success,” offering him “sound advice” and monitoring his progress in his courses. Thiam adds, “My wife helped me run the apartment and take care of my little Bobby [named after Costello], and she morally supported me in exam times. Thanks to her.”

Thiam was also inspired and motivated by Sengal President Abdoulaye Wade. Thiam’s final paper was a case study of Abdoulaye’s leadership style, which he presented to Dr. Winter to be shared with the UMUC community. “Abdoulaye is a situational and transformational leader,” Thiam says. “He believes in education and the generation of technocrats, like us, who can give a new vision of the future of democracy and a sustaining economic development of Africa, especially Senegal.”

In the future, Thiam is eager to continue his education and will pursue his PhD in computers or telecommunications. He says he wants to “become a good citizen who serves the community and better humankind.”