Heard entered UMBC with her parents' support and full knowledge that UMBC would prepare her for law school. While pursuing her degree, she was active in the student government association, pledged the Zeta Phi Beta sorority and pursued vocal music. Further concentrating on her major and activities that enhanced her chances for law school, she became president of the senior class and director of the legal research bureau at UMBC.

Jose Anderson, political science '81, remembers her as his resident assistant in Dorm I (Susquehanna Hall) when he was a freshman. Heard became his mentor, encouraging him to apply to the legal internship program. She followed his career every step of the way toward professorship at the University of Baltimore Law School. "She makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room," says Anderson. "I would not be a professor today if it were not for her." Anderson and Harry Johnson, political science '76 (attorney and partner at Whiteford, Taylor and Preston), spoke on her behalf at her recent induction ceremony.

Following her graduation from the University of Maryland Law School, Heard continued to take a leadership role in supporting people and cases that were important to her. She took the lead in an effort to draft some of the first child abuse laws as assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Offices in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She served as an assistant state's attorney in Baltimore City and as chief of the Sex Offense Unit. Heard says she never grew weary of child abuse or sex offense cases. "Each day I always wanted to champion a child or rape victim." Heard has also practiced law in the 3rd, 4th and 11th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.

In summing up her distinguished career, she says she "does well with structure, knows what the rules are and follows them." She compliments UMBC for preparing her for law school and life. "UMBC opened the doors to the world for me," she says.