Host Nathan James sits down with Air Force veteran and UMGC alumnus Matthew Ruchie to trace his remarkable path from academic probation to becoming a logistics supervisor for UMGC in Europe. As a first-generation college student, Matthew initially struggled at a private university, dropping out to enlist in the Air Force where he served as a mental health specialist. He shares how transitioning out of the military triggered a deep depression, leading to a 1.8 GPA and failing a foundational writing class multiple times. 

Through the vital support of his wife, a life-changing meeting with a dedicated academic advisor, and leveraging AI for structured planning, Matthew completely reversed his trajectory. Today, he oversees educational operations and complex logistics across forward operating stations in Germany and Poland. Matthew shares powerful insights into removing self-imposed barriers, treating mental health like proactive car maintenance, and why a fifth attempt can change your entire life.

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Breaking Self-Imposed Barriers

00:39 Introducing Matthew Ruchie

01:23 Mission of UMGC Europe

03:35 First-Generation College Obstacles

05:03 Enlisting for Higher Purpose

07:39 Mental Health Specialist Role

09:06 Preventing Personal Breakdowns

13:48 The Academic Downward Spiral

15:16 Finding the Way Out

16:36 Advisor Intervention in Europe

19:26 Building Confidence through Skills

22:02 From Sweeping Floors to Supervisor

22:38 Coordinating Logistics in Poland

24:43 Agility and Pivoting Under Pressure

26:48 Running Classes in Base Chapels

32:28 Mastering VA Benefit Policies

37:12 Leveraging AI for Study Blocks

42:28 Mindset Shift for Failing Students

Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Joe Arden, who spent 40 years with UMGC as a professor and director. Joe recounts his incredible journey from serving as an Army intelligence officer in Vietnam to accepting a traveling teaching position in 1967 that changed his life forever. Taking a massive pay cut to leave a think tank, Joe found his true calling teaching American military personnel across Asia and Europe. 

He shares powerful stories of his time in the classroom, including teaching armed soldiers in Vietnam, helping a former Vietnamese faculty member escape as a "boat person," and receiving a life-changing letter from a student nearly 30 years later. Reflecting on his transition to administration and his decision to live in Thailand, Joe proves that doing your best is the key to an unstoppable career.

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Host: Lauren Cardillo

Guest: Joe Arden, Veteran, Retired UMGC Faculty Member

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

00:00 Do Your Best 

01:08 Favorite Career Stops 

02:26 A Fortuitous Interview 

05:52 The Value of the Experience

08:33 Impacting Students' Lives 

12:29 Origins of UMGC Asia 

17:15 Passion for Travel 

19:52 Moving to Europe 

21:45 Transition to Administration 

28:54 Settling in Thailand 

32:17 The Fall of Saigon 

36:29 Advice to Younger Self

Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Jesse Varsalone, a cybersecurity guru, UMGC faculty member, and the coach of UMGC’s award-winning cyber competition team, the Shells. Jesse shares his 32-year teaching journey, explaining how he transitioned from a high school math teacher to the fast-paced world of cybersecurity. He breaks down the biggest misconceptions about the field, emphasizing that it requires curiosity rather than advanced math, and boasts incredibly low barriers to entry. Jesse also dives into the diverse makeup of his championship team—which includes everyone from bartenders to military personnel—and how their online, flexible model helped them conquer major professional competitions and reach the Final Four in "Hack the Madness". Whether you are a career changer or a tech hobbyist, Jesse proves that anyone with passion can go pro in cybersecurity.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.

Host: Lauren Cardillo 

Guest: Jesse Varsalone, Associate Professor & Cyber Team Coach

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

00:00 No Barriers to Entry

01:03 A 32-Year Teaching Journey

04:07 Pivoting to Cybersecurity

09:12 Diversity on the Cyber Team

11:50 Naming the Shells

15:12 Coaching Adult Learners Online

22:12 Recruiting Cyber Team Members

24:41 Inside a Cyber Competition

32:20 Beating Professional Cyber Teams

35:34 Reaching the Final Four

Host Nathan James sits down with Christina Barlas, a Senior Regional Marketing Specialist and UMGC MBA graduate who turned a life-altering trauma into a story of absolute resilience. At age 16, Christina’s world was shattered by a violent home invasion that left her feeling unsafe and disconnected from her education. 

After initially dropping out of school to work in the salon industry, Christina realized that her true potential lay beyond the stylist's chair. She shares the pivotal moment she rediscovered her childhood love for art and technology, leading her to enroll at UMGC. Balancing multiple jobs with a rigorous academic schedule, she not only earned her bachelor's degree but went on to complete her MBA with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Today, Christina advocates for "making the most of wherever you go," using her past experiences as a foundation for leadership, mentorship, and a future dedicated to helping other victims of crime.

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Time Stamps:

00:00 It Is All Worth It

01:11 The Sixteen-Year-Old Self

02:56 Surviving a Home Invasion

04:40 Processing PTSD and Survival

07:12 Pivoting from Salon Life

10:33 Finding a Fit at UMGC

13:19 Falling in Love with Learning

15:04 The Hectic Dual Grind

16:47 Impact of Micro Internships

19:43 Achieving a 4.0 MBA

23:11 Climbing the Corporate Ladder

27:22 Leading Through Service

30:28 Advice for the Lost

32:58 What Felt Like the End

Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Kwame Johnson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, an author, and a UMGC graduate. Kwame shares how a wrong turn at age 17 led him to prison, where a year in solitary confinement forced him to figure out his life's purpose. He recounts the persistence it took to become the first person in the U.S. to take the SATs behind bars, paving the way for his college education. Guided by civil rights leader Bob Woodson, Kwame learned to view his past mistakes not as a stigma, but as his "superpower". Today, he dedicates his life to being a "defender of potential," advocating that mentorship is the most effective solution to poverty in America. Kwame emphasizes that anyone can be a mentor by simply incorporating a young person into their existing routines, proving that it truly takes little to be big.

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Time Stamps: 

00:00 Defender of Potential 

02:59 Finding A Way Out 

04:13 Solitary Confinement Awakening 

05:59 SATs Behind Bars 

09:51 Meeting Bob Woodson 

11:58 Human Antibodies 

16:50 Journey to CEO & Challenges

22:37 Creating Safe Spaces for Men

26:13 Simple Mentorship Moments 

29:35 Vision to Solve Poverty

Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with UMGC student and nonprofit leader Sharon Grassi to explore her profound transition from a corporate career to becoming a full-time caregiver for her combat medic son. Sharon opens up about the "mama bear" advocacy required to navigate the VA healthcare maze, the loss of her professional identity, and the pivotal moment a paracord dog leash sparked a new mission.

Sharon explains the science behind her nonprofit, Co-Op Survival, revealing how the simple rhythm of weaving leashes provides bilateral brain stimulation that helps veterans and caregivers lower stress and connect. She also discusses her return to education as a Pillars of Strength scholar, proving that even after life-altering setbacks, it is possible to find a new tribe, a new degree, and a renewed sense of self.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro and The Leash 

01:48 Becoming a Caregiver 

05:09 The Turning Point 

07:40 Navigating The VA Maze 

10:59 The Mama Bear Advocate 

12:43 Leaving Corporate Life 

17:34 The Dog Leash Origin 

24:27 The Science of Healing 

32:13 A New Academic Path 

39:12 Finding Your Tribe

Host Nathan James sits down with Marine veteran and UMGC alumnus, Ehsan Jamshidi to trace a journey that begins in Afghanistan and evolves into a life of service, study, and purpose in the United States. Ehsan shares how his mother’s sacrifice and the challenge of learning English shaped his mindset, why the Marine Corps Embassy Security Program became a proving ground, and how discipline, attention to detail, and gratitude guided each decision along the way.

He recounts the 2021 Kabul evacuation turning personal when his own family needed a way out, then describes rebuilding after medical retirement, transitioning into a Department of Defense role, and finishing both a bachelor’s and a master’s with top grades. The conversation highlights practical lessons for veterans and adult learners, why it's important to use every resource, keep your network active, and move forward with steady routines that compound over time. 

His incredible story of perseverance and his commitment to excellence in the classroom earned him the 2024 UMGC Student Veteran of the Year award. 

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.

Host: Nathan James

Guest: Ehsan Jamshidi, Marine veteran and 2024 UMGC Student Veteran of the Year

Time Stamps: 

00:00 Kabul crisis response

01:11 New country start

04:24 Mother fuels grit

07:23 Choosing purposeful service

11:28 Embassy duty momentum

14:46 Family rescue mission

19:01 Medical setback reset

23:28 Defense career pivot

27:11 Degrees driving gratitude

31:09 Forward focused advice

Welcome to a special edition of Unstoppable Stories. May is a special time of the year for students – especially those who will earn their degrees and officially graduate. This week, we’re excited to share interviews from several UMGC graduates from around the globe as they tell their stories and offer advice on what made their journeys a success. As with most of our students who manage work, family life, military service, and more on the road to earning their degree, you will love these genuine clips of these graduates from UMGC locations worldwide. From Asia and Europe to stateside, these unstoppable stories will give you insights and inspiration as you pursue your own educational goals.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable

Time Stamps: 

00:00 Introduction 

00:39 Kiwamu 

02:15 Ashley 

03:16 Frederick 

04:49 Donald 

06:01 Abigail 

07:29 Scott 

08:39 Jackie 

10:16 Pamela 

11:55 Jasmin 

14:04 Daniel 

16:07 Nikkia 

17:10 Conclusion

Host Nathan James sits down with UMGC cybersecurity graduate, Tamila Urumbaeva, to trace a move from Uzbekistan to the United States, a seven year stretch apart from her father, and the decision to rebuild in a new language and culture. She explains the hardest early hurdle, communicating with care across cultures, and how asking good questions, listening closely, and adjusting tone in real time became a daily practice. 

Tamila shares how she chose cybersecurity, earned an Excellence in Cybersecurity award at community college, transferred to UMGC for the online fit, stacked credentials like CompTIA Security Plus, and balanced four jobs with school through disciplined routines and honest burnout recovery. She also reflects on launching leadership with Women in Cybersecurity, the confidence of conference community, and a vision to secure systems and inspire more women to enter the field. 

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.

Host: Nathan James

Guest: Tamila Urumbaeva, Cybersecurity Specialist, UMGC alumnus

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:50) Cybersecurity Impact

(00:50 - 02:59) Delay and move

(03:00 - 05:12) Culture shock

(05:13 - 08:10) Choosing cyber

(08:11 - 10:34) Early wins

(10:35 - 13:10) UMGC fit

(13:11 - 16:35) Four jobs

(16:36 - 19:49) Burnout reset

(19:50 - 24:15) WiCyS leadership

(24:16 - 27:08) Never give up

(27:09 - 30:59) Community and close

Host Nathan James sits down with systems engineer and UMGC alumnus, Ben Thapa to trace the thread from Nepal to night classes, from a first IT role to a multi decade career built on routine, persistence, and family support. Ben explains how early mornings, long commutes, and library nights created momentum, and why staying curious kept doors opening at work and at school.

He shares the story behind playing golf in all 50 states and on every continent, including a bucket list swing in Antarctica, and how the real goal was never the scorecard but the friendships and check ins that followed. Along the way he highlights the master’s decision, the campus resources that helped, and a people first mindset that turns busy schedules into lasting community. Listen for lessons on structure, gratitude, and connection that apply far beyond the fairway.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.

Host: Nathan James

Guest: Ben Thapa, Systems Engineer, Author, UMGC alumnus

Time Stamps & Show Notes: 

(00:00 - 00:22) People first

(00:22 - 00:53) Welcome

(00:54 - 03:10) Golf origins

(03:11 - 05:04) Work and UMGC

(05:05 - 09:12) Daily grind

(09:13 - 12:34) Family view

(12:35 - 16:08) First IT role

(16:09 - 20:32) Master’s decision

(20:33 - 24:10) 50 states, 7 continents

(24:11 - 29:39) Staying in touch

(29:40 - 32:43) Connection over loneliness

(32:44 - 33:32) Gratitude and close