- Rebecca Gramlich
AA in General Studies
UMUC Asia
MyUMUC Story:
From the Congo to Japan, Sergeant Rebecca Gramlich Maintains a 3.6 GPA
By Stacey Batchellor
"It’s always hard moving around each year, but UMUC works very well with the military lifestyle," says U.S. Marine Sergeant and UMUC student Rebecca Gramlich. "And, I was able to manage a 3.6 GPA through it all."
Gramlich joined the U.S. Marines more than five years ago with the goal of furthering her education while enlisted. "Being a Marine would put me above my peers, but I also wanted to be competitive once I transitioned back into the civilian world. I knew I would need more than just my experiences around the world, so I decided to pursue my AA degree," says Gramlich.
While overseas, Gramlich learned about UMUC. "At my very first duty station in Okinawa, there was a small UMUC office on base," says Gramlich. "I heard nothing but good things, so I enrolled."
Gramlich has been stationed overseas during her entire enlistment with the Marines. She has traveled to 14 countries in five years, all while attending UMUC’s distance learning program. "The biggest advantage for me was that I could do the work on my own time," says Gramlich. "In a classroom setting, you have to be there at a certain time and place and it’s a set schedule…that wouldn’t work with my job."
She credits her UMUC academic advisor with helping her manage her degree plan and stay on track throughout her numerous deployments and duty changes. "It's not an easy task and you have to be self-motivated to commit yourself and your free time to taking classes," says Gramlich.
Her hard work and dedication have paid off. Gramlich is set to graduate in Spring 2009 with an associate’s degree in General Studies, just in time for her transition out of the Marines. Excited to embark upon a new career, she plans on earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education so that she can become a teacher. She eventually hopes to complete her master’s degree as well.
Through her achievement, Gramlich has proved that it is possible to earn a degree no matter where you are in the world and no matter how many times you move.
