<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/about/newsroom/student-stories-mellanie-lee.cfm" dsn="blogs"><featured>true</featured><pubDate>03/10/2026</pubDate><title>Forging her path, on her time</title><description>After working as a guidance counselor in Baltimore city, Mellanie realized she was ready to take the next step in her own journey by returning to school to earn her bachelor’s degree. That decision would lead her to become a two-time graduate of The University of Baltimore. </description><author>Student Stories</author><image><img src="https://www.ubalt.edu/about/newsroom/assets/images/mellanie-lee-feature.jpg" alt="Mellanie Lee poses while standing in front of a window overlooking the city campus. "/></image><image-cap/><quote>University of Baltimore is not just focused on academics, they’re focused on the whole student, from clubs to organizations to the academics.</quote><quote-name>Mellanie Lee</quote-name><quote-info>Mellanie Lee, B.A. ’21, MPA ’25, DPA student </quote-info><tags><tag>Alumni</tag><tag>College of Public Affairs</tag><tag>Student Stories</tag></tags></item>