College of Southern Maryland President Dr. Yolanda Wilson has been selected as one of 23 community college presidents nationwide for the 2026-2027 class of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Presidents Fellowship.
The one-year leadership program focuses on deepening presidents’ understanding of student needs and advancing student success through national best practices and data-driven strategies. Wilson who became CSM president on January 3 2023 is the first African American to hold the position in the college’s 64-year history.
Dr. Wilson expressed enthusiasm for the fellowship and its potential benefits for CSM students. “It is an honor to be selected for the Aspen Institute Presidents Fellowship, and I am thrilled to work alongside this accomplished group of leaders over the next year,” Dr. Wilson said. “This opportunity will allow us to deepen our already strong focus on student success by leveraging national best practices and data-driven strategies. It will further advance our strategic focus on access, momentum, and mobility, and strengthen our impact as we continue to expand opportunities and outcomes for our students and community.”
Board of Trustees Chair Sonja Cox praised Wilson’s leadership on behalf of the board. “It is certainly an honor for [Dr. Wilson] to be selected to participate in this program,” Cox said. “From day one, Dr. Wilson has been focused on the success of our students, and she works for them every day to ensure they have access and opportunities to succeed.”
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to improve student outcomes in higher education by engaging college leaders in peer learning and effective strategies. Now in its third cohort the Presidents Fellowship includes seminars open dialogue and data analysis to identify institutional strengths areas for improvement and advancement opportunities. Fellows work to strengthen talent development and advance economic mobility in their communities.
Josh Wyner executive director of the College Excellence Program highlighted the value of the initiative. “We know from 15 years of intensive research how the best community colleges equip students with the skills and credentials that lead to good jobs and flourishing lives,” Wyner said. “These 23 presidents have committed to strengthening their institutions so those outcomes become the norm for every student.”
Wilson previously participated in the Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellowship during 2019-2020. The new fellowship builds on that foundation as she leads CSM which serves students across Charles St. Mary’s and Calvert counties in Southern Maryland.
The program offers two residential sessions structured peer conversations and virtual learning components. It emphasizes equipping students with credentials that support economic mobility and successful careers.
The full list of the 2026-2027 fellowship recipients is available on the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program website.
CSM continues its emphasis on student access momentum and completion while expanding partnerships that connect graduates to regional workforce needs in Southern Maryland. Wilson’s selection brings national recognition to the college and its ongoing efforts to serve local students and communities.
This fellowship cohort announcement comes as community colleges nationwide face challenges in enrollment retention and completion rates. Participation allows presidents to collaborate on proven approaches that have demonstrated success at Aspen Prize-winning institutions.
Dr. Wilson has focused since taking office on aligning CSM programs with student and employer demands in health care technology and other high-need fields in Southern Maryland. The Aspen fellowship provides additional tools to measure and accelerate progress toward those goals.
