<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/about/newsroom/student-story-martins-awofadeju.cfm" dsn="blogs"><featured>true</featured><pubDate>05/14/2026</pubDate><title>Applied learning elevates degree’s value</title><description>Martins Awofadeju is an analytical thinker that makes decisions with clear intentions. He came to The University of Baltimore for a degree that promised an education as practical as he is. </description><author>Student Stories</author><image><img src="https://www.ubalt.edu/about/newsroom/assets/images/Martins-Awofadeju-feature.jpeg" alt="Martins Awofadeju poses in a blue suit on a dark background"/></image><image-cap/><quote>The University community is one that gives purpose to effort—where commitment is matched with opportunity, guidance and growth.</quote><quote-name>Martins Awofadeju</quote-name><quote-info>M.S. '26</quote-info><tags><tag>College of Public Affairs</tag><tag>Student Stories</tag></tags></item>