Charles County Newcomers Discovery Guide by APG Media of Chesapeake

Charles County NEWCOMERS DISCOVERY GUIDE

Healthy Charles County

Healthier Lifestyle ProgramsinCharlesCounty

Adults

Charles Historical Sites and Attractions. .................................................................. Page 4

Charles County parks ..................................................................................................... Page 6

Charles County Fair ......................................................................................................... Page 9

Charles County Resources ............................................................................................ Page 9

Charles County Health Page 10

Charles Library Page 10

College of Southern Maryland Page 14

Welcome to Charles County

Charles County offers the best of both worlds: a rural retreat and a quick commute to D.C. When the staff of Southern Maryland News discussed the biggest perk, we all agreed that it’s great to be in a place where you can go from being in a big town with lots of things to do to an open road headed towards a county or state park. With quick access to other parts of the state and to the Patuxent and Potomac River, it’s hard to beat life in Charles County.

How to reach us

Southern Maryland News (Maryland Independent, The Enterprise, The Calvert Recorder) is published weekly on Fridays, at 204 Washington Ave., Suite 104, La Plata, MD 20646 by APG Media of Chesapeake, LLC.

For more information, call 301-645-9480 or visit the website www.somdnews.com.

To contact advertising, call Brook Ash, multimedia ad manager, at 240-561-1390 or email bash@chespub.com.

To contact classifieds, call 1-800-220-1230 or email classads@chespub.com.

For information about legal advertisements or public notices, call 1-877-659-2190 or email legals@chespub.com.

For obituary information, call 1-877-242-1110 or email obits@chespub.com.

To contact the newsroom, send an email to:

Executive editor: Jim Johnson at jjohnson@chespub.com

Managing editor: Jesse Yeatman at jyeatman@somdnews.com

Charles County news: Matt Wynn mwynn@somdnews.com

St. Mary’s County news: Michael Reid at mreid@somdnews.com

Calvert County news: Marty Madden at mmadden@somdnews.com

Sports news: Ted Black at tblack@somdnews.com

Historic sites and attractions

Charles County has a rich history. Located less than one hour from historic Annapolis, history buffs still find Charles County’s vicinity as convenient to the nation’s capital — as did other “visitors” through many eras.

The small town of Benedict is the site where British troops landed during the War of 1812, marched to Washington, D.C., and burned the city. Two of the wounded British soldiers died and were buried at Old Fields Chapel cemetery in Hughesville.

During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, stopped at the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd to have his injured leg set before continuing his escape into Virginia. Had it not been for this unexpected visitor to Charles County, Dr. Mudd would have remained an anonymous figure in America’s history.

Come experience the Charles County of yesteryear. These sites provide a memorable visit and showcase the area’s rich heritage as well as Southern Maryland hospitality.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE HOUSE

• Location: 7485 Crain Highway, La Plata

• Contact: 301-843-2150; www. charlescountymd.gov/Home/Components/ FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/1582/

• Hours: By appointment only

• Entrance fee: Free; donations accepted

The African American Heritage House, home of the African American Heritage Society of Charles County Inc., is dedicated to fostering public awareness and understanding of the African American way of life as well as the culture and historical contributions of African Americans to the growth and development of Southern Maryland and the United States.

DR. SAMUEL A. MUDD HOUSE MUSEUM

• Location: 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road, Waldorf

• Contact: 301-645-6870; drmudd.org

• Entrance fee: $10 adults, $3 children (ages 6-12)

• Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays

HISTORIC PORT TOBACCO VILLAGE

• Location: 8450 Commerce Street, Port Tobacco

• Contact: 301-392-3418; HistoricDistrict@charlescountymd.gov; www. charlescountymd.gov/Home/Components/ FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/1567/

• Entrance fee: Free; donations accepted

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or by special appointment for walking tours of the Port Tobacco Courthouse, Stagg Hall and Burch House. Closed until April 2024.

Once the second-largest seaport in Maryland, Port Tobacco was settled in 1634 and listed on early world maps, according to their website. It was Charles County’s seat from 1727-1895, but its history extends even longer: encompassing Native American history, missionaries, revolutionaries, colonists, assassins and much more. Tours can be self-guided or led by guides during operating hours.

MARYLAND VETERANS MUSEUM AT PATRIOT PARK

• Location: 11000 Crain Highway, Newburg

• Contact: 301-932-1900; labell@laa.cc; mdvets.cc

• Entrance fee: Free

• Hours: 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Thursday to Monday, except major holidays; extended hours for special events

The historical home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, the doctor who set the leg of presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth, is open to visitors from April to November. Guides dressed in period clothing give tours of the house and grounds. Tours start every 30 minutes, and the last daily house tour is at 3:30 p.m. Large tours are asked to email drmuddtours@gmail.com in advance. Closed Easter Sunday.

The recently-opened museum aims to recognize and honor all U.S. military veterans and features exhibits, hosts events and more. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month from January to November and are open to the public.

MOUNT AVENTINE

• Location: Chapman State Park, 3452 Ferry Place, Indian Head

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT

There are multiple displays, such as this one, inside the African American Heritage House in La Plata.

The Maryland Veterans Museum display on the typical uniform and campsite accoutrements used during the American Revolutionary War. The museum recently opened a new exhibit on the war for American independence.

THOMAS STONE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Rev Dr Susan E Boehl

301-934-2288

• Contact: friendsofchapmansp.org

• Hours: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April through September. The park itself is open daily dawn to dusk.

Mount Aventine, an antebellum manor house constructed in 1840 and 1860, rivals the look and feel of nearby Mount Vernon — but on Charles County’s side of the Potomac River. The property is one of the few Potomac plantations essentially retaining its original patent boundaries, according to the Friends of Chapman State Park website. It features beautiful views of the Virginia shoreline and surrounding fields in a peaceful setting.

MOUNT CARMEL MONASTERY

• Location: 5678 Mt Carmel Road, La Plata

• Website: www.carmelofporttobacco.com

• Phone: 301-934-1654

• Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, May through October

Home to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of Port Tobacco, the monastery is the site of the first Carmelite monastery in the United States.

PORT TOBACCO ONE-ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE

• Location: 7215 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco

• Contact: 301-934-9483

• Hours: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday during summer.

• Location: 6655 Rose Hill Road, Port Tobacco

• Website: www.nps.gov/thst

• Phone: 301-392-1776, ext. 302

• Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, April through December. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day, also from late December to early March. Exact dates to be posted on website.

• Entrance fee: Free; donations accepted Thomas Stone, a Maryland planter and lawyer, was one of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. The property and his family home, Haberdeventure, are a National Historic Site open to the public seasonally.

SMALLWOOD RETREAT HOUSE

• Location: Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury

• Phone: 301-743-7613

• Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/smallwood.aspx

• Hours: 1-5 p.m. first Sunday of each month, May through September. Other times by appointment only.

General William Smallwood, the highest-ranked Marylander who served in the American Revolutionary War, lived at the property today known as Smallwood’s Retreat. His restored house is open seasonally. HISTORIC/from 4

• Entrance fee: Free; donations accepted Built circa 1876, the one-room school house was in use for 77 years by white students (1876-1924) and African American students (1924-1953), and later used as a meeting space and local library. It was restored and can be visited by appointment.

• Entrance fee: No additional fee for Smallwood Retreat House, though park admission is $3 per person on weekends and holidays, April through October, and $3 per vehicle at all other times. Out-of-state residents add $2 to all day use service charges. The park itself is open year-round. From April to October, hours are from 5 a.m. to sunset; and from November to March, hours are 7 a.m. to sunset.

• dynamic, diverse congregatio of all ages/ ac gro n s

• co mit e t to serve the co nity t r u utreac

• o th activities: get-to et ers, o tings, retreats

• S nday Sc ool f r L ages

• Fully staffed rsery duri g services

• op-rated Presc ool ages 2( lesse la s resch ol.com)

• Ch irs for LL a es years to ad lt a d Hand Bells

• ro ust Christian Ed catio Progra : Pastor ’ s Monday ig t Studies, lpha Co rse, Disciple Bi le Studies

• Fa ily Mi istries: ovie ights, ase all, Dramatic rts Ministries and ore.

Go on and take a hike

Whether you’re looking to admire nature or volley a few rounds of tennis, Southern Maryland’s parks offer fun, beauty and relaxation — at little or no cost to visitors. More than 700,000 people visit Charles County parks each year, and locations offer recreational opportunities, scenic views and more. Grab the kids, a fishing pole or your camera — you never know what you’ll find. For more information, go to www.charlescountyparks. com.

BENSVILLE PARK

• 6980 Bensville Road, White Plains Athletic playing fields, playground and small pavilion. Sports fields available by permit only, with the exception of a separate field designated for general community use.

CHAPMAN STATE PARK

• 3452 Ferry Place, Indian Head

Take in Southern Maryland’s pastoral heritage at Chapman State Park, which features hiking trails, mature forests, rare plants, opportunities for bird-watching and more. Discover the Mt. Aventine Mansion, the historic home of the Chapman family. Also boasts views of the Potomac River and Virginia shoreline.

CHAPEL POINT STATE PARK

• Five miles south of La Plata. From the Route 6 and Route 301 intersection, take Route 301 south to Chapel Point Road. Follow Chapel Point Road in a westerly direction for approximately 2.3 miles to park entrance. Located on the Port Tobacco River, Chapel Point State Park is a multi-use park

that allows hunting, fishing and camping by permit only.

PORT TOBACCO RIVER PARK AND TOM ROLAND NATURAL RESOURCE AREA

• 7685 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco

Enjoy 3 miles of walking trails, open year round. Observation platforms are housed on portions of the trail, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The picnic grove is available for you and your family to enjoy.

FRIENDSHIP FARM PARK

• 4715 Friendship Landing Road, Nanjemoy

Overlooks the Nanjemoy Creek and offers opportunities to hike, fish and kayak. More than 7 miles of recreational trails provide public access to the park’s 382 acres. Trail includes interpretive signs, benches and observation decks, as well as noted and reliable wildlife viewing opportunities.

Saving , Made Simple

Track energy use and get savings tips with SMECO ’s online Account Manager.

Theamount of energy youuse changes from day to day based on theweather and your household activities.

Monitor your energy use, forecast your electric bill, make payments, and morewith Account Manager.Avoid surprises and takesteps to save. SMECOisanelectric

Set up your Account Manager: Visit smeco.coop/accountmanager and select Sign up

GILBERT

RUN PARK

• 13140 Charles Street, Charlotte Hall

A scenic wooded parkland contains hiking and nature trails, picnic areas and pavilions, playground areas and fishing piers. The 60-acre freshwater lake is its main attraction, complete with opportunities to fish, pedal boat, rowboat or canoe.

INDIAN HEAD RAIL TRAIL

• 10390 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains

This 13-mile bike trail connects the Town of Indian Head to Route 301 in White Plains and is perfect for walkers, families and cyclists.

LAUREL SPRINGS

REGIONAL PARK

• 5940 Radio Station Road, La Plata

Athletic playing areas (official league use by permit only), as well as a natural surface running/walking trail that loops through the wooded perimeter of the park.

A playground emphasizes

special needs play and two small picnic pavilions and informal picnic table areas are available.

MALLOWS BAY PARK

• 1440 Wilson Landing Road, Nanjemoy

Many outdoor recreation opportunities, wildlife viewing areas, small boating access to the Potomac River, a kayak launching, fishing and a hiking trail. Paddle through the World War I Ghost Fleet, the largest ship graveyard in the Northern Hemisphere.

MAXWELL HALL PARK

• 6680 Maxwell Hall Drive, Hughesville

Open to members, this park offers 14.2 miles of trails at Maxwell Hall for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Equestrians will find diverse riding trails, open fields, wood areas and more.

OAK RIDGE PARK

• 13675 Oaks Road, Hughesville

A field for community pick-up play is available at Oak Ridge, which also features athletic fields for official league use with permit. Wooded trails and two show

rings are open to equestrians on a first come, first served basis, unless events are scheduled.

PISGAH PARK

• 6645 Mason Springs Road, La Plata

Located 6.5 miles southwest of Indian Head and 14 miles west of La Plata, this park is physically located in Pisgah. Includes a 0.75 mile paved walking/fitness trail, playground, picnic pavilion and restrooms. Sports fields open for organized league use except one softball field, available for drop-in play.

PURSE STATE PARK

• On the Potomac River on Wades Bay. Follow 301 south to Route 225 west. At intersection of Route 225 and Route 224, take left on Route 224. Stay on Route 224 for approximately 15 miles. Purse has a dirt parking lot along the road side. Beach trail is across the road from parking lot. Purse State Park is a wooded, undeveloped area used for hunting, bird watching, fishing (license required) and fossil hunting.

FILE PHOTO

Andrew Fan and Gabrielle Dickerson navigate their Sea Perch robot at Gilbert Run Park to collect water samples during a Sea Perch camp activity in 2013.

Healthy Charles County

Broughttoyou by the Charles County Local Health Improvement Coalition

SMALLWOOD STATE PARK

• 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury

This large, historic and diverse park boasts a recycled tire playground, fishing (license required), picnicking, hiking, camping and more. Located on Mattawoman Creek, it’s also home to Sweden Point Marina, Mattawoman Creek Art Center and Smallwood’s Retreat House.

SOUTHERN PARK

• 15884 Wilson Road, Newburg

Scenic views of the Potomac River and a variety of recreational activities. Ball fields, tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas and a fishing pier are available.

RUTH B. SWANN

MEMORIAL PARK

• 3100 Ruth B. Swann Drive, Bryans Road Borders Pomonkey Creek and the Potomac River. Picnic

areas and playground available on a first come, first served basis.

Hikers can traverse a mile of foot trails passing through woodland on their way to the Potomac. Sports fields available by permit only.

TILGHMAN LAKE PARK

• 10598 Box Elder Road, La Plata

This 61-acre park is the largest within town limits.

TURKEY HILL PARK

• 9430 Turkey Hill Road, La Plata

Off-leash enclosed dog park, sports fields (by permit only) and a half-mile oval roadway for runners/walkers. Picnic pavilions are also available.

WHITE PLAINS REGIONAL PARK

• 1015 St. Charles Parkway, White Plains

An 18-hole golf course, lighted tennis courts, tot lot, playground and dog park. Athletic fields by permit only.

WHITE PLAINS SKATEPARK

• 1015 St. Charles Parkway, White Plains

This concrete park boasts 17,000 square feet of fun for skaters.

CHARLIE WRIGHT PARK

• 101 Dr. Mitchell Lane, Indian Head

Features two soccer fields, two little league baseball fields, a regulation baseball field and practice football area. Adjacent to an elementary school which allows evening use of playground and basketball facilities.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION PHOTO

An aerial view of Mallows Bay identifies the outlines of sunken World War I ships. Mallows Bay could get sanctuary status this year

Lots to explore at the fair

Every September, the Charles County Fair Board is proud to put on an old-fashioned county fair with farm animals, displays, music, food and more. The 2024 fair is planned to take place at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata in September.

This year’s fair marks the 100th year that the fair has taken place.

The fair celebrates Charles County’s long agricultural heritage and history on more than 35 acres of land. Exhibits as varied as livestock, field corn, arts and crafts, quilts and flowers are shown in the Greens area.

Entertainment, special events and activities for all ages add up to fun for the whole family. The carnival midway is full of rides and contests. If you get hungry, there are many choices from traditional county fair food to healthier alternatives.

The grounds are located at 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata. Free parking is available on site and at their satellite location at the government building in La Plata.

Admission for those age 11 and older is $10; attendees age 10 and under are free.

A four-day pass is $25. For more information and to participate or contribute, call 301-932-1234 or go to www. charlescountyfair.com.

Charles County resources

Crain Memorial Welcome Center 12480 Crain Hwy, Newburg, MD 20664

301-259-2500

The Charles County Economic Development Department promotes the economic vitality of Charles County, a rapidly-growing region in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The department does this by promoting wealth creation and economic growth through quality employment, innovation, and productivity; increasing county revenues through the attraction and retention of high-quality jobs and new capital investment; and fostering a business climate where companies can grow and prosper. Capabilities include:

· Site selection

· Entrepreneurship support

· Financing resources

· Incentive packaging

· Networking

· Workforce training

· Regulatory assistance

· Data and information

More information is available at www. MeetCharlesCounty.com.

Explore Charles County Department of

Recreation, Parks & Tourism

Ashley Chenault, chief of tourism 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco, MD 20677

301-932-3470

The tourism division serves as the visitors gateway to Charles County, offering the most current information about a destination’s attractions, restaurant, hotels and events. A one-stop-shop that maintains a welcome center where visitors can engage with staff, obtain maps, brochures, and information, produced by the county and surrounding jurisdictions.

Nonprofit Institute at College of So. Md. The Nonprofit Institute at College of Southern Maryland is the region’s comprehensive resource for nonprofit organizations, offering programming, training, and consultation to enhance their effectiveness and achieve success in fulfilling their missions. Contact the Nonprofit Institute at www. csmd.edu/nonprofit or call 301-934-7544 or email nonprofit@csmd.edu.

Like, follow and engage at www.facebook. com/NonprofitInstituteCSM and www. twitter.com/NonprofitInsCSM and www. linkedin.com/in/nonprofitinstituteatcsm/.

FILE PHOTO

Blondi the clown, also known as Teresa Gretton, assists Charles County Queen Nicotina VXXXII, Lilly Collins, in naming off the winners of the baby pageant at the Charles County Fair in 2017.

Charles County Department of Health

With a goal to promote, protect and improve the health of the community, the Charles County Department of Health offers many services and assistance programs for citizens.

Health services range from AIDS/HIV and cancer screenings to immunizations, smoking cessation, dental health, mental health and more.

Confidential services for those affected by substance abuse can include outpatient counseling, family counseling, intensive outpatient treatment, specialized groups, aftercare, relapse prevention and more. Adult and adolescent programs are available. To learn about local substance abuse programs, call 301-609-6600. The after-hour, non-emergency number is 301-6093599.

The Breast and Cervical

Cancer Screening program offers screening services to low income, uninsured or underinsured women. The program will pay for an annual clinical breast exam, annual mammogram and pap smears, as needed, for women aged 40-64 years and for women over 65, if they do not have Medicare Part B. To learn if you are eligible or for more information, call 301609-6843.

Colon cancer, the second leading cause of death among American men and women, is also the most preventable with a periodic screening, according to the Department of Health. A screening program is available for eligible Charles County residents ages 50-75 with little or no insurance. For more information, call 301-609-6832.

The Division of Mental Health Services, led by a

program director and medical director, provides outpatient assistance to Charles County residents and those of surrounding areas beginning at age six. Conditions treated range from severe reactions to stress, bereavement, partner or parenting problems, domestic violence, treatment of depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorder, psychotic disorders, trauma treatment, anger management and many other situations leading to rest and the reduction of one’s ability to enjoy life. The division supports clients living with substance abuse conditions by collaborating with treatment and recovery programs.

Mental Health Services include individual, group and family psychotherapy using evidence-based practices, according to their website. They offer psychiatric

evaluations and medication management. All referral sources are accepted. To determine eligibility, make an appointment or receive more information, call 301609-6700.

The county’s Infants and Toddlers program assists families with children ages birth through two years old who may be delayed in development or have disabilities. Taking a family-centered approach, according to their website, the program helps families obtain services for themselves and their child. Service needs vary but can include audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, family training, counseling, home visitors, social work, transportation and more. To reach the Infants and Toddlers staff, call 301609-6808.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), a federally-funded program providing healthy supplemental foods and nutrition counseling for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under age 5, is also available. To determine your eligibility for services in Maryland, call 301-6096857 or 877-631-6182. Find more information at www. womeninfantschildrenoffice.

Oct. 5, 2016.

com/how-to-apply-for-wicin-maryland-wa20.

The Charles County Department of Health is located at 4545 Crain Highway in White Plains. Its operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 301-609-6900 or go to www.charlescountyhealth.org.

The Charles County health officer is Dr. Dianna E. Abney, who heads up the department which is a county/state agency.

WALDORF WEST BRANCH

2 Garrett Avenue, La Plata — 301-9349001

BROWN MEMORIAL BRANCH

50 Village Street, Waldorf — 301-6452864

10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf — 301645-1395

MOBILE LIBRARY BRANCH 301-456-4333

System-wide business hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. All branches are closed on Sundays and on various holidays throughout the year, available online at the public library system’s website at ccplonline.org.

FILE PHOTO

Terry Antonioli, a nurse with the Charles County Department of Health, gives a patient a flu shot at the Community Resource Day at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center on

"I'm glad I had the oppor tunity."

After 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, MICHAEL PUGH ' 24 was looking for a place to complete his degree. Newly retired from his last duty station at NAS Patuxent River, he paid a visit to St. Mary's College of Maryland. "I really liked the campus," he said, "and the fact that the classes were small." He had experienced lecture halls with 300 students at larger universities.

He also liked the in-person classroom environment better than his impersonal online courses. “Everybody gets a chance to talk and discuss," he explained. "We all have our own ideas…but you hear somebody else and you’re like, I didn’t think about that.”

He's now on track to complete his degree, with a sociology major and a minor in educational studies. He recently starred in the performing ar ts production of "Dracula." LEARN MORE:

BIG EVENTS CLOSE TO HOME

St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers top-flight events throughout the year:

• Mulberry Music Festival (June)

• River Concer t Series (June – July)

• Governor’s Cup Yacht Race Celebration (August)

The Nancy R. & Nor ton T. Dodge Performing Ar ts Center hosts a diverse array of performances, including musicians from every genre and all over the world, prominent speakers, local talent and cultural events.

Healthy Charles County

Charles County is moving!

Walk with Us!

Join us for one or all of the following walks. Stay fit, walk safely in a group all while enjoying our counties' parks! Call 301-6096622 for more information. Registration is not required. Just join

Sunday, January 14th, 2:00 PM at Laurel Springs Park

Saturday, February 17th, 2:00 PM at Pisgah Park

Saturday, March 16th, Noon at Maxwell Hall Park

Sunday, April 21st, 11:00 AM at Mallows Bay Park and National Marine Sanctuary

Saturday, May 18th, 11:00 AM at Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Sunday, June 9th, 9:00 AM at Smallwood State Park

Saturday, July 20th, 10:00 AM at Tilghman Lake Park

Sunday, August 18th, 9:00 AM at Port Tobacco River Park

Saturday, September 21st, Noon at Indian Head Rail Trail, Village Green (Indian Head)

Saturday, October 12th, 11:00 AM at Gilbert Run Park

Sunday, November 17th at 1:00 PM at Friendship Farm Park

Sunday, December 15th, 2:00 PM at Chapman State Park

College of Southern Maryland

Regional campuses

offer host of opportunities

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The College of Southern Maryland is proud to serve this unique region of the state and promote social and economic mobility for its students through high-quality, low cost, and relevant instructional programs. The college meets this task everyday by collaborating with governments, businesses, local organizations and community members like you to build coalitions and meaningful partnerships that benefit all students and the region’s workforce.

In 2023, Southern Maryland newspaper readers voted CSM the “Best of the Best” in the college/university category — confirming that the college is living up to its mission of being the “region’s first choice for accessible, inclusive and innovative education that transforms communities.”

Here are a few of the college’s other points of pride:

• CSM serves more than 14,000 credit and continuing education students at its campuses in Hughesville, Leonardtown, La Plata, Prince Frederick, the Center for Transportation Training and the Velocity Center — the innovation hub and makerspace in the town of Indian Head;

• CSM was designated as the Best Online College in Maryland for 2023 and was recognized for having the Best Faculty among Maryland’s community colleges by Intelligent.com last December;

• And Intelligent.com’s 2024 rankings were released in fall 2023 that ranked CSM the fourth best community college in Maryland overall and fourth best college in the country for its

Online Information Technology and Systems Degree programs;

• CSM was named the 36th best community college in the nation out of 677 and the 77th best college in the nation when it comes to career outcomes for its students by WalletHub;

• CSM has twice been recognized among the top 150 community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute in its Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence program and the college is a member of the Achieving the Dream Network;

• CSM’s Cybersecurity programming is designated by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for 2-year programs. Its Computer Science programs follow the Association for Computing Machinery curriculum guidelines;

• CSM is very proud to have received a Military Friendly school designation for the 7th consecutive year. We are ranked as one of the top community colleges to offer post-secondary school for veterans and their spouses;

TRANSFORMING LIVES AND STUDENT SUCCESS

When you enroll at CSM, you don’t just get an education; you get the support of a community of faculty, staff and fellow students committed to helping you succeed in your studies and beyond — starting at the top. With its tuition and fees about half the cost of that of a state four-year public university, CSM offers a range of associate degree programs, certificate programs, letters of recognition and continuing education courses for professional and career development. CSM now offers more than 300 transfer

agreements with more than 70 partnering universities nationwide and in France. The college also joined five other Maryland community colleges to form the Maryland Education Alliance to further boost students’ opportunities to earn associate degrees or certificates across the state.

The college offers interactive personal enrichment classes for all ages, driver education and motorcycle training, Kids’ and Teen College, cooking and wellness classes, homeschool classes and summer enrichment programs.

Dual Enrollment and Early College programs at CSM are an exciting opportunity for Southern Maryland high school students to take college-level classes and earn college credit while in high school. Public, private and homeschool students can experience the pace and rigor of college-level coursework, while earning transferable college credit and fulfilling graduation requirements for their high school diploma. Families can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their students’ college education, with reduced- or no-cost tuition.

CSM partners with community organizations and the Maryland Food Bank to provide free food to students experiencing food insecurity through Hawk Pantries on three campuses.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

At the College of Southern Maryland, employees believe it takes collaborative communities to build an equitable region and the college’s role is to serve as this region’s “hub” of learning, credentialing and mobility for all students. Such efforts are central to creating more socially and economically vibrant communities. CSM builds bridges from

where students are coming from to where students are going to — and the college keeps offering lifelong learning pathways throughout their lives.

In 2023, a new chapter began for health care in Southern Maryland when CSM’s new Center for Health Sciences opened for classes at the Regional Hughesville Campus. The state-of-the art building serves as a central, convenient location for the college’s health programs and instruction.

Consistent with the college’s vision, the CSM nursing program strives to be the region’s first choice for accessible, inclusive and innovative nursing education. The program is dedicated to decreasing healthcare disparities through the development of a strong, diverse nursing workforce and is proud of the diversity in its nursing program, which is consistent with the demographics of the Southern Maryland area and exceeds national data regarding the nursing workforce.

The Regional Hughesville Campus also hosts the college’s Center for Trades and Energy Training. The Regional Hughesville Campus represents a significant milestone not only for the

college but for the region by creating a campus that is centrally located and accessible and that will provide specialized offerings and programs to serve workforce development in a more cost-effective and convenient way.

The CSM Velocity Center in the town of Indian Head is a place where the community has access to CSM courses, neighborhood children can attend CSM Kids’ and Teen College, and college STEM students and clubs can explore possibilities in the state-of-the-art makerspace. The makerspace is equipped with a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, subtractive machines, soldering irons and open-air space for robotics and prototyping.

The college refers to it as “one giant professional playground for innovation.”

Located outside of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, at the Velocity Center Navy scientists and industry leaders can interact with students and have a place to tinker or conduct unclassified research.

The Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland has been supporting local nonprofits for 13 years. The Institute provides professional development,

networking opportunities, referrals, and other specialized services.

The College of Southern Maryland is an extraordinary place to work. As a regional, open admissions community college, contributing to and supporting the community is at the heart of what we do as an institution. All are invited to explore the information, resources and employment opportunities available on the college’s human resources webpage and to consider the endless possibilities that make a career at the College of Southern Maryland a rewarding experience.

CSM FOUNDATION

The College of Southern Maryland Foundation promotes academic excellence, growth, progress and the general welfare of CSM by raising and managing funds, and providing support to strengthen and develop the college and its objectives. The foundation has awarded more than $6.3 million in support of credit and workforce development scholarship and programs — including the arts, athletics, nursing, STEM and technology.

Learn more about the College of Southern Maryland at www.csmd.edu or call 301-934-2251.

Some CSM students decorated their caps for the occasion.

Whytravelfar form edic al at te ntionwhen compassionate ca re

ove radozen de dicate dpractices locate dacrossL aPlata and Waldor f, youc an

Me dicalSyste mright in your ba ck ya rd .O ur providersoffe rawid erange of sp ecialties, and ea ch offi ce is well-e quippe d with adva nced toolsa nd te ch nologies.

Be havioral He alth

Breast He alth

Diab etes and En docrinolo gy

Diet and Nutritio n

Em erge ncy