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Adelphi, Md. — March 13, 2026 — ���Ĵ�ý (���Ĵ�ý) was honored at Montgomery County, Maryland’s 51st Annual Public Safety Awards for its partnership with the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), a collaboration that expands access to higher education for sworn officers, professional staff, and their families.

���Ĵ�ý President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD; Christopher Swain, JD, collegiate professor and director of ���Ĵ�ý’s criminal justice and public safety programs; and Justin Hasty, director of strategic partnerships, accepted the county’s Public Safety Partner Award on behalf of the university. This award recognizes an organization or individual who advances the mission of public safety agencies in Montgomery County, Maryland, through their actions or advocacy.

 “We are proud to partner with the Montgomery County Police Department to expand educational opportunities for law enforcement professionals and their families, and honored to receive this award,” said ���Ĵ�ý President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD. “At ���Ĵ�ý, our focus is on helping adult learners gain the skills and credentials they need to advance in their careers and make an even greater impact. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and our shared commitment to creating clear, affordable education pathways that yield results.” 

Launched in August 2025, the ���Ĵ�ý-MCPD partnership establishes a tailored educational pathway that recognizes professional training and experience. Sworn officers can earn up to 60 college credits for completing the county’s police academy and field training program, while professional staff and family members are eligible to receive tuition reductions, waived fees, and access to ���Ĵ�ý’s full catalog of degree and certificate programs. Through a combination of prior coursework and prior learning assessments, eligible officers can begin a 120-credit bachelor’s program with as many as 90 credits already earned.

“At a time when police officers are expected to have a firm grasp of complex academic, social, and technical competencies, the Montgomery County Police Department does an outstanding job preparing officers to meet those challenges,” Swain said. “We’re happy to be able to recognize all that they do to train police officers by awarding the college credit that graduates deserve.”

About ���Ĵ�ý

���Ĵ�ý was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members. Today, ���Ĵ�ý is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland. It continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.

Media:  For inquiries, please email  media@umgc.edu.