UMGC Students Strengthen Flood Resilience in Western Maryland

Setting the stage for students to deliver

Turning research into action requires coordination among many partners. Sponsors like Garrett County's Ramsey, and faculty advisors like Theisen and Fu, help identify challenges, provide guidance, and prepare students to succeed.

"Our students design solutions to the partner organization's environmental challenge," said Theisen. "Our faculty and partner organization mentor the students' work, in a consultancy-style master's project, where they gain real-world professional experience, work closely with stakeholders, and build their professional network."

To help address Garrett County's needs, the seven teams combined multiple data sources, developed technical tools including new mobile applications, and designed educational materials for in-person or online use.

"Janna creates a structure that is both academically rigorous and highly responsive to real-world needs," Ramsey said.

While balancing coursework with full-time careers, students examined lessons learned from major flood events, including the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene across neighboring Appalachian communities. Their research included interviews with emergency managers and reviews of responses to previous catastrophic floods.