“I’m excited to make a difference in the nonprofit sector when I retire from the Army Department.”

- Penny Sima, UMUC Alumna
MS in Management, Nonprofit and Association Management

 

MyUMUC Story:

Penny Sima is Dedicated to Lifelong Service

By Amanda Agatstein

While serving in Afghanistan, UMUC graduate Penny Sima witnessed nonprofit organizations in action. Inspired by their efforts, Sima, U.S. Army Reserve soldier and human intelligence staff manager for the Army Department, chose to specialize in nonprofit and association management as part of her MS in management degree program.

“When I returned from Afghanistan, I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, but realized I had much more to learn about nonprofit work. So I knew this was the specialization I wanted to pursue.”

Sima is one of four UMUC finalists chosen for a Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF), a two-year paid fellowship with a U.S. federal agency. She is currently interviewing for PMF positions in the Washington, D.C., area.

“I still really enjoy working in intelligence,” says Sima, “but I’m excited to make a difference in the nonprofit sector when I retire from the Army Department.”