- Julie Jones, Current UMUC Student
Pursuing a BS in computer studies
Maryland Community College Scholarship recipient
MyUMUC Story:
Julie Jones Takes Her Education to the Next Level
When Julie Jones headed to a community college at age 25, she had a very specific goal: to learn practical computer skills that would make her stand out in a competitive job market. But when the teaching bug hit, she set her sights on earning a bachelor’s degree.
After enrolling in UMUC in fall 2005, she landed a UMUC Community College Transfer Scholarship. It was just the boost she needed.
The scholarship “meant a lot to me because it showed that UMUC values community college students,” says Jones, who made the dean’s list several times at Howard Community College. “The scholarship not only gave me financial support but provided me a transitional mentor” who “helped me get through my first year at UMUC,” she added.
Jones now has more than 80 credits toward her bachelor’s degree in computer studies. She also maintains a strong connection to her community college alma mater, where she works as the Web technical services assistant, training staff and faculty to use Web content management
systems and other Internet applications.
While studying at Howard Community College, she became the lab manager of the school’s Student Computer Lab. That sparked her interest in teaching.
“As my interest in the Web and Internet technologies grew, I knew that I would need more courses to reach my next goal—to teach Internet and beginning Web design classes at the community college level,” she says. For that, she added, she knew she needed at least a bachelor’s degree.
For someone so Web-savvy and time-pressed, UMUC offered
another plus: online services. “Being able to take care of
my enrollment, advising, registration, and financial aid
completely online was a new experience for me and very convenient,” says Jones.
