Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs & Military Families Secretary Anthony Woods visited the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) on Nov. 4 to celebrate and honor veterans at all CSM campuses. The visit included a tour of the Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville Campus, joined by Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Administrator Sonia Bailey-Gibson, followed by a luncheon with CSM leadership, student veterans, faculty, and staff at the La Plata Campus.
“Veterans Week at CSM affords us with the opportunity to intentionally pause, honor, and recognize our own student veterans, and to highlight our gratitude and commitment to you,” CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson said at the luncheon. “Here at the College of Southern Maryland, we are proud to partner each and every day with our active-duty military, veterans, and military dependent students.”
CSM reported that 473 students utilized their GI Bill benefits over the past year, making it the sixth-largest higher education institution in Maryland serving military-connected students, which includes active-duty members, veterans, and their families. The most popular programs of study among military students this fall include degrees in Arts and Sciences, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Management, and Nursing.
“At the College of Southern Maryland, we’re proud to have veterans, active duty, and their families as part of our campus community,” said CSM Veterans Affairs Coordinator Rebecca Collins. “Our military-connected population spans many age groups – including faculty and staff members, dual enrollment high school dependents, and Vietnam veterans pursuing lifelong learning. This diversity enriches our classroom experiences and inspires other students to achieve the impossible.”
CSM student and Navy veteran Keyanah Dobbins shared her journey during the luncheon. “The transition from sailor to student hasn’t been easy, but I am appreciative for the challenges and opportunities I’ve encountered thus far and look forward to the new ones that lie ahead,” Dobbins said. “I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive concerning this new phase in my life. Not only was I starting college again for the second time, but I also had just become a new mom. Despite these challenges, I can confidently say it was well worth it. I admire the care and consideration given to me by my professors; their commitment to my success is truly inspiring.”
Woods commended CSM for its dedication to veterans. “Maryland is home to some incredible veterans,” Woods said, noting the success of veterans working within the state government. He also acknowledged the difficulties many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life and emphasized the department’s focus on supporting this transition. “If we get that right, we have positive things ahead,” Woods added.
Dr. Wilson expressed her appreciation for Woods’ support in helping expand CSM’s clinical placement programs at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, where 31 CSM nursing students currently provide care. Woods presented a proclamation recognizing CSM’s commitment to veterans and honored CSM Dean of the School of STEM and Professional Studies, Bernice Brezina, with a Governor’s Citation for her efforts in strengthening the partnership between CSM and Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.
The day concluded with the presentation of CSM military challenge coins to the veterans in attendance.
For photos of the event, visit CSM Photo Gallery.
Upcoming Veterans Week Activities:
- Microsoft Certification Training (Nov. 7): Project Veteran House will offer certification training on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Business Building (BU), Room 203, at the La Plata Campus. Register Here.
- Veteran Resource Day (Nov. 8): The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services will host a Veteran Resource Day at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland on Friday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More Information.
