Aiming to pursue cybersecurity certification, the Police and Public Safety program management specialist is selected for the professional development prize among a field of 15 nominees.
Photo: Jahmoy Colquhoun is all smiles as she walks up to receive the James T. Hill Scholarship.
When Jahmoy Colquhoun, MS, arrived at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Employee Recognition and Service Awards Luncheon at Westminster Hall on March 20, she looked at the event program and thought she was a long shot to win the James T. Hill Scholarship. After all, there were 14 other nominees for the award, which is to be used for professional development at a vocational or trade school, college, university, or other specialty training program.
But Colquhoun, a program management specialist who has worked for UMB Police and Public Safety since May 2022, was celebrating about an hour later, holding up an oversized check for $2,000 next to Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, chief business and finance officer and senior vice president.
“I was really shocked to win the scholarship,” Colquhoun said. “When Dr. Rhodes said my name, it took me a minute to get up because I couldn’t believe it. It was such a surreal and overwhelming moment, and I felt incredibly honored and grateful as I made my way to the stage.”
(Read about Employee of the Year Elizabeth Main and Community Service Award winner Paris Barnes.)
Colquhoun plans to use her scholarship to pursue cybersecurity certification, another step in reaching her career goal of becoming a cybersecurity analyst.
“UMB has been instrumental in supporting my personal and professional goals, and I am committed to using my skills to contribute to its success,” she said. “This certification covers the foundational skills required to perform cybersecurity functions. It is one of the most valuable assets for anyone working in cybersecurity.
“To fully prepare for the certification exam, I aim to invest in practice materials and personalized study guides, ensuring that I have the resources necessary to succeed. Earning this certification is not only a personal goal, it’s also a means to bring greater technical expertise and value to UMB.”
Vanessa Harrington, MS, executive director of security and compliance, has seen Colquhoun’s can-do spirit up close, praising her for making exceptional contributions to the department and broader University.
“Jahmoy has been a cornerstone of our department, particularly through her leadership in implementing and managing our new scheduling software,” Harrington said. “This transition was a significant undertaking, involving extensive planning, coordination, and training for about 200 department employees.
“She not only managed the technical aspects of the implementation but also ensured that every team member was well-equipped to use the system effectively. Jahmoy developed and delivered comprehensive training sessions, created user-friendly guides, served as the liaison with the vendor, and patiently worked one-on-one with staff members to address their individual needs. As a result, the software integration has significantly improved our department’s efficiency, scheduling accuracy, and sustainability efforts.”
In 2024, Colquhoun was among the inaugural cohort of Administration and Finance’s mentoring program, which paired members of the department’s senior leadership team with employees.
“The mentoring program further refined my training approach, equipping me with tools to facilitate learning in an engaging and confident manner,” she said. “This experience not only fulfilled a personal goal of mastering training delivery, but it also improved our department’s operational efficiency.”
Chelsea Jarrard, office manager for Police and Public Safety and Colquhoun’s supervisor, praised her dedication, willingness to aid co-workers, and eagerness to improve.
“Jahmoy exhibits a positive attitude and fosters a friendly work environment while engaging staff in education and daily tasks,” Jarrard said. “She strongly supports the department with application and education assistance, and she’s always available and willing to help those who are new and require assistance.”
After earning the scholarship, Colquhoun was thrilled to see that her work ethic, passion for professional development, and appreciation for UMB had been acknowledged.
“Winning this scholarship gives me confidence in my abilities and motivates me to keep striving for success,” she said. “It also proves that you should always go for what you want, even when the odds seem uncertain.
“I’m really grateful for this opportunity, and I want to encourage everyone at UMB to take advantage of all the opportunities the University offers. There are so many resources and support systems available, and you never know what doors might open for you. Hard work and perseverance truly pay off.”