Walls Earns Regents Scholarship to UMBC

James Walls of Hughesville has earned a University System of Maryland Board of Regents scholarship to attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Walls, left, receives his associate’s degree from Dorothea Holt Smith, chair of the CSM Board of Trustees, during the spring 2016 commencement ceremonies.

James Walls, a graduate of College of Southern Maryland, has been named a Gross Regents Scholar, earning a scholarship to attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Walls is a 21-year-old Hughesville resident.

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents established the Regents Scholars Program to affirm its commitment to academic excellence. Its purpose is to enable students who show an exceptional academic ability to develop fully their intellectual and creative talents. The scholarship is awarded to a Maryland community college student who plans to transfer to a university.

“Every year we have several bright students who apply for this highly coveted scholarship. Unfortunately, the scholarship is offered to only a few because of funding. I am happy that for the past several years, a student from CSM has been awarded the Regents Scholarship,” said James Spence Jr., CSM’s senior coordinator of transfer services and articulations.

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must complete an associate degree and earn a superior grade point average, showing the commitment to continuing the tradition of high academic standards demonstrated by all Regents Scholars.

Mr. Walls is a spring 2016 graduate of CSM and earned a 4.0 GPA. Walls is an English major and dean’s list student at CSM, and plans to study computer science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Mr. Walls has autism on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum. He was diagnosed when he was around 10. He said he gives credit to CSM and the services that it offers to students with disabilities as one of the keys to his success.

“CSM has the best Disabilities Support Services team I’ve met thus far,” he said. He also noted staff was “very supportive.”

The first staff member he met on his CSM journey was Renata Zgorski, disability supports services coordinator at the Prince Frederick Campus.

“She has helped me and others with challenges time and time again and always sets time aside for her students,” Mr. Walls said. “From offering assistance with choosing the best classes and professors to take, to giving that extra push and encouragement toward finals week. From day-one, staff members and professors alike have made time for their students. Each individual in DSS – Ms. Zgorski, Glennis Daniels-Bacchus and Sariya Winters – has a specialty that makes their team one of the best I’ve met. The three of them have a great synergy.”

“So far, CSM has been the best experience I’ve had in my life,” Mr. Walls said. “I’ve been able to interact with people classified as ‘normal,’ without disabilities, and learn from them. I’ve been able to find more interests and, because I’ve encouraged myself to socialize while I’ve been here, I’ve been able to make plenty of friends and hear many different stories.”

“I would recommend CSM to absolutely anyone,” Mr. Walls said. He said he believes community college, in general, is a great place to start college, especially if students lack the independence required of them at a four-year institution.

Mr. Walls is excited that his hard work paid off. “It was a long road to get to this point, and since one has to fail to succeed, I’m really glad I learned from past experience,” he said.

Mr. Walls’ Regents Scholar award will cover the costs for in-state tuition and mandatory fees, university board costs and room charges, and $500 each semester to be used for other education expenses. The award is renewable for a total of four semesters provided the student maintains a minimum 3.5 GPA and completes 12 or more credit hours each semester.

Last year, 1,762 CSM students transferred to 226 different four-year colleges and universities in 45 states and the District of Columbia. CSM has more than 50 guaranteed transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities across the country. Discover what doors an education at CSM will open for you on the Student Services website or email [email protected].

For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit their Leader member page.