Student Spotlight

John Rogers

Lorton, VA

Paving Paths to Success with UMT's Flexible Pathways

John Rogers' (BSIT '23, MSIT '24) journey toward earning a college degree took him through several schools, but it wasn't until a recommendation from his sister, Qwentavia White, that he found the right fit at the University of Management and Technology (UMT). Qwentavia had taken courses at UMT herself and encouraged John to try it out. "My sister recommended UMT after she had a great experience with the classes. I'd tried a few other schools, but after taking my first few courses at UMT, I knew I wanted to stay and complete my degree," John shared.

Balancing a full-time job in the IT field, John found the flexibility and unique structure of UMT's programs to be the key factors in his decision to continue. "I liked that the semesters were 11-weeks long, and there weren't strict deadlines for assignments and exams," he explained. This setup allowed him to maintain his career while working toward his degree at a pace that worked best for him. However, adjusting to UMT's more flexible format did come with some initial challenges, as John was used to schools with strict weekly deadlines. "It took some getting used to," he admitted, "but once I realized I could manage my own pace and still meet the deadlines, the stress eased significantly."

John also found the faculty at UMT to be a standout feature of his experience. Whether reaching out through the student portal or over the phone, he always received timely and helpful responses. "The faculty were extremely helpful, and they always got back to me quickly, no matter how I contacted them," John said.

With his Bachelor's and Master's degree completed, John is hopeful that his education will unlock new opportunities in Information Technology or lead to a promotion within his current role. "Either path would be a great step forward for me professionally," he said, noting that his education with UMT has contributed to his professional growth.

Now, with his Master's degree in hand, John is grateful for the opportunity to learn in a less pressured environment. "It's been a lot less stressful than the other colleges I attended. UMT was definitely the right choice for me," he reflected.

"UMT gave me the flexibility I needed to balance my busy life while continuing my education. With their 100% online courses, I could log in on my own time, which made all the difference. Even during personal challenges, I was still able to keep up with my studies. I'm grateful for the experience and hopeful that it will open new doors for me professionally."


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