Graduate Spotlight: Meet Gary Thomas, a Recent Graduate of the Accelerated Master’s Program in Systems Engineering
Meet Gary Thomas, an experienced federal engineer, and a graduate of the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in Systems Engineering! Gary’s experience in the federal sector helped him during the program, and he gained knowledge in areas that will benefit his career moving forward, as well as skills from learning in the cohort-based structure of this AMP.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, your professional background, and what inspired you to pursue the Accelerated Master’s in Systems Engineering.
A: I am an engineer with over 25 years of career experience supporting the U.S. Government. I have had the honor of working for and with several federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. In my most recent assignment, I serve as the Chief Systems Engineer for an Army acquisition product management office (PMO). With a background in electrical engineering and on-the-job systems engineering training, I have done well, but I always felt I was missing something in my foundational systems engineering development—something that would help me go from good to great. With the AMP in Systems Engineering at UVA, I suspected I could address any deficiency in my “Sys Eng” kung fu. As you can imagine, I was very eager to bring every question I had to class.
Q: Can you share a favorite course, project, and/or learning experience from your time in the program?
A: I absolutely loved Prof. Henning Mortveit’s Applied Probabilistic Models class. I didn’t get the best grade, but I loved it, nonetheless. Professor Henning would insert small jokes or commentary in the middle of his math derivations, proofs, or when explaining an equation’s structure. If you were not listening carefully, you probably missed them. Heck, even when you ARE listening, you might find yourself on your commute home suddenly bursting out laughing because your brain finally processed the joke. That was one of the hardest courses I took during the program, but I fell in love with doing math again. To be fair, EVERY professor brought something special to the table that I really loved. That said, the nod goes to Prof. Henning and his subtle humor.
Q: How did studying at the UVA Fairfax campus enhance your experience as a graduate student?
A: Do you mean the UVA | Northern Virginia campus? A-hem. Cough. Cough. Well, the space is spacious and refined; it evokes a true sense of purpose. I live in Reston, VA, so it was a very short drive from home. Several classmates would often meet me there, or I would find them already there studying on their own. I would go to the UVA | Northern Virginia (or Fairfax) campus mostly during the weekends, but I would also come in during the weekdays. It truly felt like a second home. In my opinion, the layout is splendid and serves as a dedicated space where Northern Wahoos can meet up—sometimes for no reason at all.
Q: How has the program influenced your career or professional goals?
A: The program influenced my desire to make the absolute most of my career. I have about 10-15 years left in my professional journey, and the classes in the AMP in SE at UVA have given me the confidence to chase BIG dreams. It’s not just a slogan for me; I truly believe that we can and should do #EngineeringForTheGreaterGood. The AMP in SE has given me the confidence to bring rigorous systems thinking to our Government, and perhaps even to future endeavors in the commercial space and robotics industries.
Q: Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next for you? Tell us about your plans after graduation and any career goals you’re pursuing.
A: My next move, honestly, is to dedicate time to a few areas that were neglected because of the AMP in SE at UVA. The program is super intense, and it took everything I had to keep up with the pace. As Prof. Matt Burkett stated on our last day of class, it’s time to bring balance back to our lives. He was spot on. I must work on my health, family, and faith, and re-connect with friends. However, don’t think I haven’t pulled out my textbooks from the program! I plan to spend the next year going through those books for me—at my own pace. Then in a year or two, God willing, I will start my next educational goal: either Law School or working on a PhD. After that, I plan to run for elected office.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering the Accelerated Master’s in Systems Engineering program at UVA?
A: My advice? Recognize that you have limited time to acquire the tools you need to accomplish your goals, and this program will give you those exact tools. But know this: it’s hard. It’s very hard. Because the pace is so intense, you have to have faith that you’ll be provided with people to help you when you are weak, and that you must be there to help your teammates when you are strong. I made it through this program through hard, honest work, but I couldn’t have crossed the finish line without my professors, my Graduate Teaching Assistant, and my cohort buddies. They didn’t let me quit. We truly became a family. Some teammates made sure their polished notes were shared, others made sure we laughed and bonded, and I tried my best to be the “glue” to keep us all rowing in the same direction. The topics and pace are absolutely possible. I made it through, and with the right team around you, you will too!
About the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in Systems Engineering (ME)
The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in Systems Engineering is an intensive, one-year master’s degree designed for working professionals. Held in person in Northern Virginia, AMP transforms participants into data-driven decision-makers, strategic thinkers, and adept problem solvers. This unique cohort-based program combines rigorous analytical engineering coursework with practical business classes, enabling students to expand their professional business network while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to excel in today’s business landscape.
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