Broadneck Career Changer Awarded New UMUC Scholarship

It was just a few years ago when Arnold resident Christopher Crabtree was a successful mortgage broker enjoying the real estate boom. After the crash in the late 2000s, Crabtree, a married father of three, decided to take his life in an entirely new direction.

Crabtree was the recent recipient of the very first cybersecurity scholarship from the University of Maryland University College. The career decision was not a total surprise. Crabtree’s father worked for the National Security Agency and Crabtree had always been very capable in when it came to using and understanding technology.

With the new cybersecurity program offered at nearby Anne Arundel Community College, Crabtree decided, with the support of his wife, to pursue a new path to employment.

“I wanted something more stable, more long-term and meaningful,” said Crabtree. “Technology has always come easy to me.”

Crabtree had great success while at AACC, becoming president of the school’s Cyber Security Club and captain of the Collegiate Cyber Defense team.

He will now take those credits earned at AACC and pursue a degree in cybersecurity at the University of Maryland University College through an alliance agreement between the two institutions.

Crabtree said he was surprised and humbled when he discovered he received the first-ever scholarship in cybersecurity from UMUC, allowing him to create a better future for him and his family. (UMUC launched a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degree programs in cybersecurity last fall, and three certificate programs this spring.)

“This will really help to finance my way to this important goal of starting my new career and allowing my family to live comfortably again,” said Crabtree who is preparing to begin work for the federal government.

“We are in the spot for the cybersecurity field in the country,” said Crabtree. “I have always been very patriotic, so I am pleased to go into a field that will help keep us all safe.”