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With moving being a constant as a military child, Byerly believes in the importance of having a strong support system, no matter where you are.

“I think anything we do in life whether military child or not, the challenges we face will make or break us. The support we have is what will make the difference.” says Byerly. “The military knows that support is needed and tries to ensure that there are networks in place. The friends we made, while we were together for less than three years, I would drop anything for them and know they would do the same. You learn to care about how others are doing because you know how it feels.”

Byerly understands the challenges many servicemembers face, which helps her to better serve students within her role at UMGC. 

“Knowing the difficulties of moving, changing schools, finding that one person that will let you sit with them at the lunch table. A parent is taking on the pain of seeing this in their children. As a professor, I understand and work with students as best I can,” says Byerly. “As a member of our Stateside Military Operations team and part of the Veterans Initiatives, the need to help our military members does not stop when they transition out of the service. Understanding what they have handled and how their families have been there to support them, our job is to address their needs as best we can, one family member at a time!”

Stacey Tate’s experience as a military child gave her a global mindset, which helps her serve UMGC students around the world.

“As a military child, friends come and go so you always had to put yourself out there to meet new people. I made so many friends throughout the years, many of whom I still am in contact with. You form special bonds with your friends as a military child as you don't have extended family nearby, so your friends become your extended family,” says Tate. “Another strength I developed as a military child living abroad is acceptance of different cultures. You live amongst the local people and integrate into their culture. You go to school with students from all over the world as well as all the different states in the U.S., so you are immersed in their cultures as well. This is one of the things I am most thankful for growing up as a military child.”

Through her experiences as a military child, Tate shares similarities with many students at UMGC, helping her to better serve them as they succeed. 

“I know the challenges that military families face, so I can help them navigate through those challenges while still continuing their studies.”

Dee Dacey Emory’s experience living around the world prepared her to help serve UMGC students no matter where they are. 

“My family and I got to see more of the U.S. and Europe than most Americans have the opportunity to do in a lifetime. Not only did we see many different parts of the U.S. and the world, we lived in them,” says Emory. “So, we experienced the cultures, the traditions, the food, and the feeling of community in each place.”

Emory understands how difficult the military lifestyle can be and how the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging. Emory’s role helps prospects and students understand how UMGC can help them succeed through higher education opportunities.

“I have been in the marketing area at UMGC for over six years now, and I truly believe in and love UMGC’s mission—to inspire hope, empower dreams, and transform lives . . . one student at a time,” says Emory. “And in particular, to serve working adults, military servicemembers and their families, and veterans who reside in Maryland, across the United States, and around the world.”

This Month of the Military Child, Emory is happy to honor those who serve—both military servicemembers and their families alike.

“Through past community involvement and now through UMGC, I’ve been able to help others throughout the years,” says Emory. “I have deep respect for not only those who choose this life of service, but for their families who sacrifice so much to support them and our country.” 

Jennica Schofield’s passion for serving military students began when she watched her military parents pursue their education.

“Being a military child, for me, gave me so many opportunities growing up to practice communication, to exercise grit, to enjoy adventure, and to take risks when it came to opening up to new people. All of these have served me well as an adult,” says Schofield. “It has made me itchy to move every few years. While I love the idea of settling down in one place for a while now that I’m a mom, I also crave adventure. Every time we travel somewhere new, I think ‘Oh, we could get stationed here for a couple years, I’d love to explore this part of the country for a while.’ It instilled in me a love of travel and an ability to make friends anywhere I go.”

Schofield’s passion in her role at UMGC was instilled when she was a military child and watched her parents pursue their education while being servicemembers.

“Seeing my mom at the dinner table at night doing college by correspondence course (before online classes were a thing), I remember her textbooks piled up and stacks of blue books and other test booklets that she would mail back to her university,” says Schofield. “Seeing my parents work so hard to study and achieve advanced degrees was important to me, and it makes me feel good to know that the document I create for our students is helping them do the same thing.”

Today as both a military child, military spouse, and mother of a military child, Schofield is proud to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with her family.

"I celebrate with my own kiddo now! As a child, I didn’t celebrate as much because it was just so ingrained. Every month was the month of the military child in my house. But it’s nice to highlight the challenges military children face and the resiliency they display every deployment, every PCS, every day.” 

UMGC honors military children for their resilience and service. We thank all who have served in the U.S. armed forces and are honored to serve servicemembers and their families as they achieve their higher education goals.