CALIFORNIA, Md. — More than 130 middle school, high school and college students from Southern Maryland explored engineering pathways and regional opportunities during the Night of Engineering event on October 29, 2025.
The gathering, hosted by the Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland’s Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology Building in St. Mary’s County, introduced attendees to associate of science degree programs at the College of Southern Maryland. It also covered transfer options to four-year bachelor’s degrees through the partnership and career prospects tied to local employers.
Students heard from participants in the Engineering Transfer Recruitment Opportunity program, which enables graduates of mechanical or electrical engineering associate programs at the College of Southern Maryland to enter the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland as juniors. Valeria Corona, a second-year electrical engineering student at the College of Southern Maryland, addressed the audience. “College is an investment. You want to minimize the input and maximize what you get out of it,” Corona said. “As a real engineer you should recognize what you can do to set yourself up for future success and maximize the opportunities around you.”
The partnership facilitates transfers to the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland campus in California. Graduates often secure internships at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, which can lead to full-time roles. Faculty from both institutions align curricula to support seamless transitions, ensuring credits apply directly toward bachelor’s completion.
College of Southern Maryland President Dr. Yolanda Wilson addressed the benefits of starting at the two-year institution. “When students start at CSM, they benefit from smaller class sizes, saving money and resources and funds, and staying close to home where support is within reach,” Wilson said. “We are designed to help you reach your goals. Our purpose, our intent, and our mission, is to make sure every student walks across that stage.”
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland Executive Director Dr. Dale Nesbary discussed the demand for engineers in the region, adjacent to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, one of the nation’s largest naval aviation facilities. “You’re next to the one of the largest naval air stations in the country, and that requires extreme talent to help them do what they need to do, and that’s you,” Nesbary said. “So listen, learn, and then contribute.”
Grady Klaas, a 2025 University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland graduate with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, shared his experience as a transfer student who earned his associate of engineering science degree at the College of Southern Maryland. He highlighted the program’s affordability, local focus and connections to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. “During lessons we were exposed to the challenges that civilian engineers face every day. This didn’t just sharpen my academic skills, it prepped me for my career in ways that other programs couldn’t,” Klaas said. “If you’re passionate about engineering and want an affordable, practical path that keeps you connected to industry leaders, USMSM is the place.”
Participants toured the Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology Building’s labs, observing demonstrations of research equipment used in autonomous systems and technology development. The facility supports hands-on learning aligned with defense and aerospace needs in St. Mary’s County.
The Night of Engineering occurs twice yearly, in spring and fall, to connect students with these resources. For details on the partnership and degree programs, visit the College of Southern Maryland engineering webpage.
This event underscores the structured pathways available in Southern Maryland for engineering education, where two-year programs serve as entry points to advanced degrees and employment. Associate of science degrees in engineering at institutions like the College of Southern Maryland typically span two years and cover foundational topics such as calculus, physics and introductory design principles. These courses meet general education requirements while building technical skills, allowing students to transfer up to 60 credits toward a bachelor’s program under Maryland’s statewide articulation agreements.
The Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership, established to address workforce gaps at federal installations like the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, ensures that curricula incorporate real-world applications. For instance, mechanical engineering tracks include statics, dynamics and materials science, while electrical engineering emphasizes circuits, electromagnetics and programming. Faculty collaboration involves annual reviews to update syllabi based on industry input from partners such as the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, which employs thousands in roles ranging from avionics testing to unmanned systems integration.
Transferring with junior status reduces time and cost compared to starting at a four-year university. Maryland’s higher education framework, governed by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, promotes such seamless mobility through policies that guarantee credit acceptance for approved associate degrees. Students in the program often complete internships during their final associate year, gaining paid experience that counts toward degree requirements and builds resumes for post-graduation hiring.
The Patuxent River Naval Air Station, encompassing the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, drives much of the region’s engineering demand. Established in 1943 as a testing ground for naval aviation, the base now supports over 20,000 personnel and focuses on aircraft sustainment, weapons systems and cyber defense. Engineering graduates from local programs fill positions in these areas, with starting salaries often exceeding $80,000 annually, according to federal pay scales for GS-7 entry-level roles.
Smaller class sizes at the College of Southern Maryland, typically 20 to 30 students per section, allow for individualized instruction that prepares transfers for the rigors of upper-division courses at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland. The California campus, part of the University System of Maryland network, offers bachelor’s completion in a flexible format suited to working students, with evening and online options.
Events like Night of Engineering also highlight financial aid opportunities, including Maryland’s Community College Scholarship and federal Pell Grants, which cover a significant portion of associate-level tuition—around $4,500 per year for in-county residents. The program’s emphasis on staying local aligns with Southern Maryland’s demographics, where many students balance family commitments or part-time jobs in sectors like hospitality or retail along routes such as Maryland Route 4.
The Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology Building, opened in 2023, features labs equipped for prototyping and simulation, including 3D printers, robotics workstations and virtual reality setups for aerospace modeling. Tours during the event provided glimpses into projects funded by defense contracts, illustrating how academic training translates to professional contributions.
By fostering these connections early, the partnership aims to retain talent in Southern Maryland, where engineering shortages could otherwise lead to out-migration to urban centers like Washington, D.C. The College of Southern Maryland reports that over 90 percent of its engineering associate graduates either transfer or enter the workforce locally, contributing to the area’s economy valued at billions through defense spending.
As the event concluded, students received informational packets outlining application deadlines—typically March 1 for fall entry—and advising sessions. The biannual schedule ensures ongoing access, with the next spring edition planned for April 2026.
