Staff Listing

College: B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB); M.S. in ECE, UCSB; Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland

Works with: Directs Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering (MAGE) addressing the continuing education needs of working engineers and technical professionals by providing quality graduate engineering programs while promoting the visibility of the A. James Clark School of Engineering and UMD.

Profile: George joined UMD in 1990 as an adjunct faculty in the ECE Department. In 1996, he was appointed as the Education Coordinator to the Army Research Laboratory's Federated Laboratory Program. In 1999, he was appointed Director of the Professional Master of Engineering Program. In 2006, he was promoted to Executive Director of the Office of Advanced Engineering Education (OAEE), the predecessor of MAGE, and in 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Dean for Continuing Education.

College: B.S. in Government (major) and Asian Studies (minor), Franklin and Marshall College; M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, University of Pennsylvania

Works with:  Current students in the Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs regarding any escalating academic difficulties, course issues, or faculty issues; ENPM Course Instructors regarding course scheduling and development and ENPM Faculty Content Advisors regarding program curriculum development.

Profile: Sonja has been with MAGE since 2014, after originally starting her work at UMD College Park in 2012 as the Graduate Student Life Coordinator in The Stamp Student Union. Prior to that, she worked with M.S. and Ph.D. students in Engineering at the University of California Irvine and in undergraduate admissions at Thomas Jefferson University. Outside of work, she spends most of her time wrangling her kids to and from their various extracurricular activities or exploring new restaurants and activities in the DMV area!

College: B.S. in Communication Arts, Austin Peay State University; M.S. in Management, University of Maryland Global Campus

Works with: Ensuring financial direction within MAGE by providing fiscal leadership and expense management. Ciara is responsible for day to day business operations, fiscal reporting, as well as departmental forecasting and budget management. Ciara is the MAGE human resource contact, and provides HR advising and policy determinations related to hiring and other HR matters. 

Profile: Ciara joined MAGE in 2021 from Facilities Management, where she worked for four years in business management supporting athletic facilities on campus. Prior to coming to the University of Maryland, College Park, Ciara spent her career managing class A multi-family properties in Maryland and Virginia, including fiscal operations and human resource management. Ciara is originally from Dutchess County in New York state, and has lived in Baltimore with her husband and two dogs since 2014. Ciara enjoys cooking, walking her dogs and vacationing in the Shenandoah Valley.

College: B.S. in Visual Communications, Towson University; M.A. in Publications Design, University of Baltimore

Works with: The Assistant Dean of Continuing Education along with MAGE and Clark School staff and faculty for the development and implementation of strategic communications plans and initiatives around the marketing, communication and data insights efforts for MAGE. This includes accurate reporting and analysis of programmatic and administrative data used to determine success and competitive positioning.

Profile: Steve joined MAGE in November of 2023. His background is in graphic design and creative leadership. Prior to coming to the University of Maryland, College Park, Steve spent the last 23 years in financial services at T. Rowe Price. His most recent role was Creative Director for their in-house agency within the retirement planning business segment. Steve lives in Ellicott City with his wife and three boys. He enjoys running, coaching sports, and spending time with his family. 

College: B.S. in Biological Sciences, University of Maryland; M.B.A., University of Maryland Global Campus 

Works with: Students interested in the Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs. Specifically, works with those interested in a professional degree in aerospace engineering, chemical & biomolecular engineering, civil & environmental engineering, cybersecurity, electronic packaging, fire protection engineering, materials science & engineering, project management, and reliability engineering.

Profile: Caitlin joined the admissions team in 2018 with 3 years of prior experience in higher education admissions. Her previous professional experience includes working with military and veteran applicants at University of Maryland Global Campus, and working in Graduate Admissions at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Caitlin grew up in New Hampshire and returned to the state after finishing her bachelor's program, but she moved back to Maryland in 2016. She loves spending time with her dog and 2 cats, going to the beach and concerts, and learning new line dances.

College: B.A. in Sociology, University of Connecticut; M.S. in School Counseling, Mercy College

Works with: Current students in the Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs regarding any course registration, course selection, course permissions, course substitution/approval and 10-course curriculum planning needs. 

Profile: Stephanie joined MAGE in June of 2022 and has been working in higher education since 2013. Prior to joining MAGE, Stephanie worked as an Academic Advisor at CUNY Bronx Community College with the program ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) for four and a half years. She loves having the opportunity to help support students throughout their academic journey, to the ultimate goal of graduation. She is new to the DMV area, moving from Westchester County, New York and is excited to explore this new city. Stephanie enjoys Coldstone ice cream, game nights and spending time with family and friends.

College: B.S. in Communication Management and Design (major) with a concentration in Instructional Technologies, Business Administration (minor), and Psychology (minor), Ithaca College

Works with: MAGE Faculty to optimize course design and technology

Profile: Anne joined MAGE in November 2021. Prior to joining MAGE, she spent five years working as an instructional designer at a healthcare technology and services startup company creating new hire and client-facing training materials and facilitating in-person and virtual learning. She also has experience working in the online learning department of Clarkson Graduate School supporting faculty in their course delivery. Anne grew up in Upstate New York and moved to the DMV in 2016. She plays Roller Derby and enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats.

College: B.A. in Speech Communication, University of Maryland; M.A. in Speech Communication, University of Maryland; Ph.D. in Communication, University of Maryland

Works with: MAGE Faculty to design learner-centered and inclusive educational experiences.

Profile: Susan joined MAGE in May of 2023. Her background is in higher education teaching and learning. Prior to joining MAGE, she held Professional Track Faculty appointments in the Communication Department and at the National Foreign Language Center (NFLC), both at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is also an adjunct professor of Communication Studies at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). Susan grew up in Maryland and currently resides in Ellicott City, MD with her husband and two teenage daughters. She is an avid runner who enjoys the performing arts, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

College: B.A. in English, University of Maryland; M.A. in Publications Design, University of Baltimore

Works with: MAGE and Clark School staff and faculty to promote our programs to potential students and communicate MAGE news, updates and policies to current students, faculty and staff. Works with the MAGE website, social media channels, digital marketing and print pieces.

Profile: Heather has been working in marketing and communications at the University of Maryland since 2013, first for the Department of Physics and then for the College of Arts & Humanities, joining MAGE in 2021. Her background includes writing, editing, print production and project management for businesses in Baltimore and D.C. When she was a student at UMD, Heather worked at the climbing wall and the Writing Center, but that was many years ago now! In her free time, Heather hikes, listens to audiobooks, and cares for her two dogs and husband. 

College: B.S. in Business Administration, Liberty University in progress, expected graduation Spring 2023

Works with: MAGE students, staff, and faculty to coordinate personnel requirements. Assists in preparing employment contracts. Processes and monitors invoice input and payment. 

Profile: Melanie joined MAGE in 2022 after spending five years in South Carolina. Melanie worked as an Office Manager for a school servicing children K3 - 12th grade. In addition to her office manager role, Melanie facilitated HR and acted as an Administrative Assistant to multiple directors at the school in South Carolina. Melanie has also worked as a CFO for a small newspaper in handling budgets, forecasting, A/R, A/P, banking, and was the executive assistant to the owner of the company. Melanie currently lives in Anne Arundel County with her husband, three children, and pets. Melanie grew up in Morris County, New Jersey. As the spouse of a veteran, her family has lived in many places across the globe. Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children's events and activities, and snow. 

College: B.A. in Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.S. in Higher Education Administration, North Carolina Central University

Works with: New and current students in the Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs with transition questions, graduation process, MAGE events, or general graduate studies needs. 

Profile: Canitria joined MAGE in 2022 after spending 5 years with NC State University as the Academic Coordinator for TRIO Upward Bound, a pre-college program for first-generation and financially underserved students. Prior to NC State University, she was a College Adviser with the Carolina College Advising Corps at a Title I high school. Canitria is originally from Franklinton, N.C. She recently earned her Master's in Higher Education Administration from NCCU.

College: B.A. in Justice Studies, James Madison University 

Works with: Students interested in the Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs.

Profile: Emily joined the admissions team in 2023. Prior to joining MAGE, she spent a year working in law school admissions. Emily grew up in northern New Jersey and relocated to Washington, DC after college. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and cat, Sophie, running on the National Mall, and exploring the city.