First Graduate of Prince George's County Scholarship Program Crushes Myths About College Accessibility and Affordability

Your Path, Your Pace: 19-Year-Old UMGC Graduate Nailah Gibson Shows How Innovative Program Can Reshape Education

by Mary Dempsey

Adelphi, MD (06/07/2022) — As Nailah Gibson looked forward to her May 2022 graduation from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), she was debating whether to use her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice as the steppingstone to law school or to a career in law enforcement. For now, law school has the edge.

Gibson is 19-the age when many are just starting college-and she has already earned her high school diploma, associate degree and bachelor's degree. If law school weren't on her horizon, she'd be starting a career, building professional experience and accumulating retirement savings while her friends are barely out of high school. More remarkable is the fact that she has accomplished this without incurring significant debt.

Gibson is one of more than 80 students in the groundbreaking Prince George's 3D Scholars program and the first student to graduate. The pioneering initiative -based in Prince George's County, Maryland-partners UMGC with Prince George's Community College (PGCC) and Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) to offer high-performing students a seamless and accelerated pathway from high school to community college to university. The program put Gibson on a fast track toward a bachelor's degree without the need for student loans.

"Programs like this allow us to challenge our own thinking about the way education has to happen, reevaluating our myths about access, affordability and debt," said UMGC President Gregory Fowler. "I love this program, and I've been in conversation with others about how we can expand it."

Like all Prince George's 3D Scholars-the 3D is shorthand for the three diplomas students earn-Gibson took classes at Charles Herbert Flowers High School and Prince George's Community College simultaneously. And while the program is designed to overlap one year of high school and community college, Gibson stepped up the pace and graduated from both high school and PGCC the same year. Then, she transferred to UMGC as a junior and whizzed through the remaining courses for her bachelor's degree.

"Prince George's County Public Schools is committed to offering innovative programs that allow students to maximize their readiness for college and careers," said school district CEO Dr. Monica Goldson. "PG3D Scholars is the first program that tracks students from high school through the completion of a bachelor's degree - at nearly no cost to families. Students take their first college course as juniors in high school, which counts toward earning their associate or bachelor's degrees."

By launching first in Prince George's County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the country, the scholarship program offers a high-visibility education option that could be replicated nationally.

The program was launched in 2016, and eligible students commit to the program as early as eighth or ninth grade. By Grade 11, they are following a prescribed curriculum in one of three degree concentrations-criminal justice, business administration or cybersecurity-chosen because they dovetail with strengths of the PG3D academic partners and align with job market demand.

"The Prince George's 3D program is so practical," said PGCC Executive Vice President Clayton Railey. "Through dual enrollment with their high school and community college, the students can earn the first 60 credits toward their baccalaureate degree for free. And they may also be eligible for scholarships. We try to make money not the issue. We remove as many barriers as possible."

Interest in the program is so strong-each year there are at least 400 applicants for 50 guaranteed spots at Flowers High School-that students are now being chosen by lottery.

"When I heard about the Prince George's 3D Scholars program, I thought it was a great opportunity," said Davion Ward, who will graduate in the summer as part of the first cohort to complete the program. "I think getting the degree faster looks great on my resume. And, of course, there's also the free education. We saved so much money."

Ward, like Gibson, pursued a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He is interested in a public service career and plans to take the LSAT so he can enroll in law school. The 20-year-old is currently seeking an internship at the U.S. Department of Justice or Department of State.

"Ever since I was a little kid, I've been drawn to politics," said Ward. I think law school would give me an opportunity to explore multiple career options, not necessarily practicing law but understanding the law."

A third scholarship recipient in the first cohort, Darren Lim, would have graduated in May, as well, but chose to earn a second degree from UMGC, which he paid for himself. He will graduate in December with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

"I want to be an accountant. I might become a financial analyst, too," Lim said. At 21, he already has a full-time job in auditing at MGM, the global hospitality and entertainment company. He hopes his degrees will open the way for advancement at the company.

Lim was not alone. The program is designed with the flexibility to accommodate students who also hold jobs, and both Gibson and Ward worked while completing their high school and college coursework.

This comes as no surprise to PGCC President Falecia Williams, who noted that, while the Prince George's 3D Scholars program requires a 2.5 grade-point average or better, the students drawn to it are "just exceptional."

"They are in the most accelerated programs. They've been recommended by their school. They're brilliant," she said. "They are independent thinkers and independent learners."

Their focus and discipline was further tested by COVID-19. Most UMGC courses are offered online, but PGCC classes for the program were intended to be conducted face-to-face. The lockdown necessitated an abrupt shift to virtual learning, and students had to adapt.

It also meant that neither Gibson nor Ward were able to march in their high school and community college graduations. UMGC's commencement in May will represent their first opportunity to celebrate in person.

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Nailah Gibson receivers her diploma from University of Maryland Global Campus president Gregory Fowler.

University of Maryland Global Campus

First Graduate of Prince George's County Scholarship Program Crushes Myths About College Accessibility and Affordability

Your Path, Your Pace: 19-Year-Old UMGC Graduate Nailah Gibson Shows How Innovative Program Can Reshape Education

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University of Maryland Global Campus

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