College of Southern Maryland students journeyed to Annapolis on February 5, 2026, to personally lobby state lawmakers during Student Advocacy Day, an annual gathering organized by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges to push for sustained funding and support of accessible higher education.
The event drew hundreds of community college students from across Maryland to the state capital, where they rallied, heard from leaders, and met directly with legislators to highlight the role of institutions like CSM in transforming lives through affordable, high-quality programs.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson praised the students’ initiative. “Our students’ commitment to advocacy speaks to their leadership, but also to the deep connection CSM shares with the Southern Maryland community,” she said. “Their voices and stories show the true impact community colleges have on students’ lives and the bright futures they are working toward.”
Mia Iampieri, pursuing civil engineering at CSM, described the day as transformative. “We can speak up,” Iampieri said. “We have an effect and we can help build support for community colleges. I think it’s amazing to see how people care, they want us to have a voice, and they want to prioritize our success.”
The day opened with a MACC-hosted rally featuring motivational remarks on the importance of sharing personal stories. A panel led by Senator Paul Corderman and Delegates Jessica Feldmark and Sarah Wolek reinforced the message. “The single most important thing you can do is share your story,” Feldmark told attendees. “There are a lot of unique needs and important programs that need funding, but what you have that no one else has is your story.”
CSM students then fanned out for one-on-one meetings with legislative offices, including those of Delegates Darrell Odom, Mark Fisher, Brian Crosby, Matt Morgan, C.T. Wilson, Edith Patterson, Debra Davis, Jeffrie Long, Todd Morgan, and Senators Arthur Ellis, Jack Bailey, and Kevin Harris. They explained how CSM’s accessible pathways, supportive environment, and programs have shaped their academic and career trajectories.
Twin students Sanaa and Semaj Thomas, both in their second year of CSM’s Early College Program, shared their dual-enrollment journey. They expect to earn high school diplomas and Associate of Science degrees in Business Administration in 2026 before transferring to pursue engineering bachelor’s degrees. Sanaa founded the Early College Club to foster community and engagement among peers in the program. “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet my delegates and the people who can actually make changes in my community and the programs that affect me and my peers,” Sanaa said. “It was a cool experience to be in that space where decisions are being made.”
Semaj echoed the value of the experience. “It was a great experience to better understand the legislative process and help make our senators and delegates aware of the Early College Programs,” he said. Semaj earned selection as one of four Charles County representatives for the Maryland General Assembly Page Program this spring, where he will spend two weeks assisting during the legislative session.
Communications student Logan Pring, aiming for a bachelor’s in sports journalism, called the opportunity rewarding. “It’s a blessing to go to the government and try to make change and have my voice heard,” Pring said.
Ashley Wilson, returning to education after starting a family and pursuing Pre-Professional Health Science with pharmacy career goals, met Delegate Kevin Harris, whose scholarship she received. “It was a great experience getting to meet Delegate Harris having received his scholarship,” Wilson said. “It was enlightening to be able to meet the people who make the decisions that surround our school and its affordability.” She urged fellow students to explore scholarship options.
Student Advocacy Day underscores MACC’s ongoing role in representing Maryland’s 16 community colleges and amplifying student needs at the state level. For Southern Maryland residents, events like this spotlight how local institutions such as CSM deliver essential workforce training, transfer pathways, and economic mobility amid rising costs elsewhere.
The advocacy efforts come as community colleges nationwide face funding pressures, making student voices critical in shaping policy that keeps tuition low and programs robust. CSM’s participation highlights the college’s commitment to empowering students not just academically but civically, ensuring their experiences inform decisions that affect future generations in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
