From Reluctant Student to Distinguished Alumnus

Learning in action

His educational journey followed a similarly unexpected path.

For much of his military career, Colón-López viewed formal education primarily as a requirement for advancement.

It wasn't until he connected with UMGC's Michael Lackie that his perspective began to change. Lackie, now a regional director of Europe and downrange programs, helped him map out a degree plan built around his interests in leadership and management while remaining flexible enough to accommodate a demanding military schedule.

The result was a bachelor's degree in business administration that influenced the way he approached leadership at the highest levels of government and military service.

"I didn't just get a degree," Colón-López said. "I put that education into practice, and I had the honor to advise two chairmen, three secretaries of defense, and two presidents in the process."

That impact is one reason receiving UMGC's Distinguished Alumnus Award remains especially meaningful.

"I always quote [philosopher] Herbert Spencer: 'The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action,'" he said. "And that is really what I did with my life."