Student representatives from the College of Southern Maryland met with their legislators in Annapolis during the Maryland Association of Community College (MACC) Advocacy Day on Feb. 11 to discuss keeping college tuition affordable. CSM students were joined by hundreds of their counterparts from Maryland’s 15 other community colleges in asking for support from members of the Maryland General Assembly.
“Community colleges educate nearly 50 percent of Maryland’s total undergraduate student population, training the people who fill critical roles in Maryland healthcare, cyber security, education, emergency response and public safety, among other key industries,” said Dr. Bernie Sadusky, MACC executive director. “When we lose state funding, we lose students, and Maryland loses skilled workers.”
In a message from the MACC Chair of Community College Presidents, Dr. Kate Hetherington, president of Howard Community College, asked students to tell their representatives about the difference their community college is making in their lives. “Tell them how your community college is helping you be who you are,” she said.
CSM representatives shared with Southern Maryland legislators the circumstances that drew them to the community college. CSM Student Government Association (SGA) President Heather Murphy of Prince Frederick told about returning to school after being laid off from a good-paying job. Venice Miller, of Leonardtown, explained that attending CSM has brought her closer to her dream of becoming an editor. Kenneth Grazier, of Waldorf, wanted legislators to know that three generations of his family have attended CSM, taking courses in real estate and business technology, nursing and now, for him, environmental management.
Those meeting with CSM students were Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, Del. Sally Y. Jameson, Del. Matt Morgan, Del. Anthony J. O’Donnell and Del. Edith J. Patterson.
