LA PLATA, Md., June 12, 2025 — The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) honored 32 emerging leaders from its 2025 Leadership Enhancement Academy and inaugural New Leaders Academy during a ceremony on May 28 at the La Plata Campus. The event highlighted CSM’s commitment to fostering internal talent through two programs designed to strengthen the college’s leadership pipeline.
“This cohort represents a remarkable range of experience at CSM, from two years to 40 years, with participants from all eight divisions of the college,” said CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson. “That kind of inclusivity matters. It means the impact of your leadership will have a ripple effect across the entire institution.”
The Leadership Enhancement Academy, a nine-month program, selected 22 employees through a competitive application process. From September to May, participants engaged in monthly in-person and virtual sessions with guest speakers, discussions, and leadership-focused topics tailored to community colleges. The curriculum included reading The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and The Self-Aware Leader, completing capstone projects to improve their work areas, and receiving unlimited one-on-one executive coaching through SkillCycle. The program culminated with participants presenting their capstone projects at the ceremony.
The New Leaders Academy, introduced this year, supported nine newly hired directors and executive directors. Monthly meetings ensured these leaders were equipped for their roles, with access to executive coaching. Both programs aimed to enhance retention, promotion, and professional growth across CSM’s divisions.
“Over the past several months, you honored your commitment to this program by showing up and doing the work,” Dr. Wilson said. “You participated in monthly training sessions, engaged deeply with your executive coaches through our partnership with SkillCycle, read two foundational texts, and completed capstone projects while meeting the demands of your everyday responsibilities. That is no small feat, and I applaud you.”
Dr. Trenace Richardson, CSM associate vice president of Organizational Development, Talent, and Equity, praised Dr. Wilson and Ellen Flowers-Fields, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, for supporting the programs. “The program continues to evolve, but its purpose remains clear: We recognize the need to develop as leaders,” Dr. Richardson said. “These academies are helping us build a leadership pipeline that supports retention, promotion, and professional growth.”
Andrew Hibschmann, vice president of customer success at SkillCycle, shared outcomes via Zoom. “At the start of the program, most participants reported feeling overloaded, uncertain about their career paths, under-valued, and unprepared to meet expectations,” he said. “By the end, 83 percent reported improvements in mindset and mental outlook. Additionally, 50 percent reported increased confidence, better work-life balance, and a stronger sense of accomplishment.”
Each Leadership Enhancement Academy participant completed a capstone project based on one of the five practices from The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and presented findings at the ceremony. The combination of coaching, applied learning, and collaboration amplified the programs’ impact.
“This program and this moment are about more than personal development,” Dr. Wilson said. “They are about preparing you to lead boldly and compassionately, to build stronger systems, support your teams, and ultimately help create a culture at CSM where our students and employees can thrive.”
The Leadership Enhancement Academy cohort included Michael Adams (CWD), Stacie Aubel (IMT), Steven Baird (IMT), Brian Ball (OPP), Joseph Bowling (DOL), Jeremy Brown (IMT), Rebecca Collins (SES), Hannah Cooksey (OPP), Lisa Colavito (CWD), Morag Dahlstrom (DOL), Linda Forrest (DOL), Jen Houchin (DOL), Candi Hume (DOL), Ronda Jacobs (DOL), Mary Johnson (DOL), Madeline Jackson (SES), Melanie Osterhouse (DOL), Kelly Porter (PRE), Lanetra Solomon (PCE), Donna Sperry (DOL), Stephanie Vehrs (DOL), and Carrie Wick (DOL).
The New Leaders Academy participants were Arthur Hoffman (OPP), Caroline Combs (DOL), Debra Greene (SES), Stephanie Rolle (CWD), Sylvia Royster (DOL), Thonya Ryan (PCE), Yaffa Seiden (DFS), Gary Lewis (OPP), and Debera Taylor (SES).
CSM’s investment in leadership development reflects its mission to support students and employees. The academies equip participants to drive institutional success while fostering a collaborative, thriving campus culture.
