UMGC in Europe Celebrates Military-Affiliated Graduates

Stories of resilience and determination

UMGC in Europe hosted its 76th commencement ceremony at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on May 2, where more than 250 graduates crossed the stage.

Fatmata Barrie '26, who earned a master's in cloud computing systems while serving in the U.S. Army as a battalion section chief, addressed fellow graduates as student speaker at Ramstein's ceremony. She offered advice to servicemembers thinking about pursuing a degree.

"Do not stop, keep driving, as it will be overwhelming at first," she said. "But after taking one or two classes, you will be able to settle in, so do not stop."

Barrie acknowledged that many military learners face competing priorities. In her case, that included balancing a leadership position in the armed forces and her role as a mother while pursuing a graduate degree.

"It seemed impossible, but … we all have stories," she said. "Some balanced careers, raised families, and overcame obstacles, yet we all arrived at the same destination."