MyUMUC Graduates

Shari Duncanson Perseveres Through Grief and Relocation to Earn Her MBA

By: Rachel Azaroff

Shari Duncanson can feel confident that she worked hard to earn her degree even through the toughest of challenges. A native of the Bahamas, Duncanson joined UMUC’s MBA program in the fall of 2006, taking hybrid classes at Adelphi to pursue her career aspirations of becoming a financial controller and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Last September, Duncanson’s mother passed away, and she moved back to the Bahamas from Maryland to be with her family and friends. Duncanson stuck with her studies in this hard time, switching to a distance learning format. “My mother died the week before the semester began and it was very challenging to start classes just after that,” says Duncanson. “But I pushed myself because I know that is what she would have wanted me to do.”

Duncanson preferred the hybrid learning format, but she trained herself to be strict with her online studies. She says, “At times it got hard to balance them all, but I worked through it by disciplining myself to get all or most of my assignment done before I socialized.” She also says her professors’ support via encouraging e-mails helped her remain focused and complete her assignments.

Duncanson’s favorite course was AMBA 606: Managing Global Business—Global Strategy. With global issues on the rise, she was motivated to learn a lot about other countries, including how they are interconnected and depend on each other to survive.

In her time at UMUC, Duncanson enjoyed meeting people from diverse backgrounds and made lasting friendships. She says, “UMUC's graduate program allows for professional and personal growth, and I feel that I have achieved both of them.”

Duncanson is thrilled to spend time with her family in the area as they join her to celebrate Commencement. She's very appreciative of them for their guidance and kindness while she studied. “At times I felt that I would not make it,” she says. “But I did, and I am very grateful for all of the help and support.”

After graduation, Duncanson plans to live in the Bahamas, further her career in accounting and finance and travel the world.