St. Marys City, Md.- St. Marys College of Maryland President Rhonda G. Phillips released a report summarizing her 100-day listening tour on Jan. 13, 2026, detailing feedback from over 265 meetings and nearly 200 online submissions to inform the institutions strategic planning process. Phillips, who assumed the presidency on July 1, 2025, conducted the tour to gather perspectives from students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, elected officials and community members in Southern Maryland and beyond. The report identifies strengths, challenges and initial actions at the public honors college located on a 361-acre waterfront campus in St. Marys County.
The listening tour included 105 meetings specifically dedicated to gathering input, alongside other discussions that contributed to Phillips understanding of the college. An online form on the colleges website received nearly 200 responses, and the presidents webpage saw over 1,300 visits during the period. I believe strongly in the value of listening and working together to achieve our goals and look forward to collaborating with each and every one of you to actualize an even brighter future for St. Marys College of Maryland, Phillips stated in the report.
The document highlights overarching themes such as a passionate network of alumni, faculty, staff, students, trustees, foundation board members and community members committed to the colleges success. It emphasizes the colleges unique position as Marylands designated public honors college, providing exceptional educational opportunities and post-graduation outcomes. The report also notes the transformative liberal arts experience offered through the Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery curriculum, the Honors College Promise, the St. Marys Way and the historic waterfront setting in Marylands first capital city.
St. Marys College of Maryland ranks No. 5 among public liberal arts colleges in the nation according to U.S. News & World Reports 2026 Best Colleges guide, behind four military academies. It is ranked No. 2 among public schools for making an impact in The Princeton Reviews 2025 guide. The college offers 69 academic programs, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 95 percent of faculty holding the highest degree in their field. Ninety percent of graduates from the Class of 2024 are employed, in school, volunteering or in the military six months after graduation. The institution features 23 varsity athletic teams, including a sailing program with 17 national championships and over 150 All-Americans. Students participate in nearly 70 clubs and organizations on the 361-acre campus.
Challenges outlined in the report include the need to modernize administrative and technological processes, such as the Enterprise Resource Planning system, human resources services, student-facing academic and financial services and campus communications. Infrastructure issues persist, particularly in student residential buildings, the Wellness Center, Public Safety Office and academic research laboratories, despite recent state-supported renovations reducing deferred maintenance.
Initial actions include establishing a board-level ERP Transition Team to update financial, human resources and student information systems. A board-level Housing and Infrastructure Committee and a Faculty & Staff Housing Task Force were formed in the fall 2025 semester to address campus facilities. Efforts to enhance institutional innovation and agility involve strengthening shared governance, supporting employee morale and retention, and advancing student recruitment and persistence through campus-wide initiatives. New groups include the Leadership Council, Shared Governance Working Group, Budget Committee and Branding and Standing Advisory Group.
The report stresses community engagement and reputational strength, with commitments to academic excellence, co-curricular offerings and partnerships with alumni, community members and state and national entities to boost student recruitment, retention and success. Phillips noted the colleges role as an invaluable partner and resource for Southern Maryland.
Looking ahead, the report states that insights reaffirm the colleges committed community, distinctive mission and belief in educations transformative power. Challenges are viewed as opportunities to strengthen foundations, modernize systems and ensure long-term thriving. Strategic planning will focus on clarity of purpose, collaborative leadership and innovation to elevate the colleges impact locally, nationally and globally.
St. Marys College of Maryland, founded in 1840, is recognized in multiple rankings. The Princeton Review 2025-2026 lists it No. 2 for top 20 best schools for making an impact among public schools, No. 9 for green matters, No. 13 for friendliest students and in the top 50 best value colleges for public schools. Washington Monthly 2025 ranks it best bang for the buck. College Raptor 2026 names it a hidden gem in the Mid-East U.S. Forbes includes it in top colleges 2026. It holds Military Friendly silver school status for 2025-2026 and Niche 2026 ranks it in the top 100 best liberal arts colleges in America and No. 1 for best college food in Maryland.
The college completed a $23.3 million fundraising campaign, set records for attendance at Hawktoberfest family weekend and Giving Tuesday donations, and welcomed its most diverse first-year class in history in 2025.