The College of Southern Maryland is counting on bingo nights, trivia, movie screenings and student clubs to help keep students in school.
The college’s Student Life Office runs about 15 to 20 events each academic year at each of its four campuses, in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick and Hughesville, and plans to add more, according to an Oct. 14 CSM news release. The goal is a sense of belonging that research ties to whether students stay enrolled.
That matters at a community college, where many students commute, work or are adult learners. CSM cited a study of 1,400 university students by the Institute for Higher Education Policy that found a stronger sense of belonging was linked to higher retention, and to better grades when faculty used practices that built it. It also cited the Center for Community College Student Engagement, which reported that a “Culture of Caring” supports success among adult learners and that students with more academic and social interaction were more likely to finish their programs.
“We want to foster a campus environment that runs deeper than just going to class,” said Courtney Kimble Hawkins, Student Life assistant director.
What’s on the calendar
September brought bingo, trivia and a movie screening, and those events are being repeated in October. During the 2025-26 school year, 17 registered student organizations hosted their own events on subjects from art and music to engineering and sustainability.
This year the college launched The Flock, an app where students can chat, find events, join clubs and read announcements. CSM said data on which events draw the most students will guide future planning.
“Our goal in Student Development was to create one centralized place where students could easily see all that is happening,” said Michelle Silcox, dean of student development.
What students say
Student Joiner-Serenity Williams said getting involved has helped her make friends. “Being involved gives students a chance to meet other people and step outside of their comfort zone,” she said.
“When school gets stressful, it helps to have people you can talk to and activities to be involved in,” said student Oreoluwa Famojuro, who said events have helped him stay motivated.
CSM did not include its own retention figures in the release. Upcoming events are posted on the college’s calendar.
