March 29, 2024

CSM Wins Long List of Grants

Posted for College of Southern Maryland

The College of Southern Maryland was awarded more than $5.4 million in
grants during the 2013-14 academic year for programs that support
student success, business and community training, and community events.
Many of the grants span multiple years and cross academic disciplines.

“The college is focused on applying for those grants that will infuse
funds to advance college programs and initiatives and its students. The
continued support that we receive from federal, state and local agencies
and organizations is proof that CSM is considered a good steward of
financial resources and that our partners know we are committed to the
success of these grant-funded programs,” said CSM Vice President of
Advancement Michelle Goodwin.

Of the 63 grant applications that were submitted, 47 were awarded and
11 are pending review. The largest grant award was from the U.S.
Department of Education for a highly competitive Title III Part A
Strengthening Institutions Program. The project, “Improving
persistence and Completion through Targeted Interventions and Services,
First-Year Seminar and Course Improvements,” is over a five-year
period totaling $2,175,544.  Funds will be used to promote a seminar on
attaining educational goals for first-year students, among other student
success initiatives.

Of the grants awarded, 43 percent are for supporting student success,
41 percent for business and community training and the remainder for
community events and general support, according to CSM Lead Grants
Development Specialist Becky Cockerham.

Investing in Student Success
Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a federally funded U.S. Department
of Education program designed to aid and prepare first-generation,
low-income participants in their college and career pursuits. ETS
prepares students ages 11-27 from all backgrounds in Charles County with
an emphasis on assisting middle and high school students, and also
serves veterans and high school dropouts. The program provides services
including tutoring, test preparation, counseling, college admission
preparation, career exploration, assessment workshops and financial aid
application assistance.

The Maryland State Department of Education awarded a grant through the
Career and Technology Education Program for faculty professional
development, expansion of the Testing Center at the Leonardtown and
Prince Frederick campuses, development of an associate of science degree
program for robotics and continuance of support for Career Services
initiatives.

A Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) grant will implement the
reverse transfer program at CSM. This program allows students who have
transferred from CSM to a university prior to receiving their associate
degree to send their university credits back to the CSM. Reverse
transfer helps students achieve an additional degree, typically while
completing their bachelor’s degree.

Investing in Growing Critical Maryland Workforce
Now in its 21st year, the Child Care Career and Professional
Development Fund grant offers tuition, fees and book assistance to CSM
students who complete the required coursework in pursuit of a degree in
Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Education or Elementary
Education programs. Scholarship recipients must be working in the
childcare field in a licensed childcare center or registered family
childcare home in Maryland, participating in the Maryland State
Department of Education Child Care Provider Credential Program and
maintain a grade point average of 2.75.

A scholarship grant program provided by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission supports the college’s Nuclear Engineering Technology (NET)
associate degree program.  Successful applicants are offered up to
$5,000 for tuition, fees and textbook expenses, as well as support
services and assistance in transitioning to employment following
graduation.

Investing in Environmental Workforce Training
CSM’s Maryland Center for Environmental Training (MCET) on the La
Plata Campus was awarded a Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation (DLLR) EARN Implementation Grant. As a sub-recipient, CSM
will work with lead applicant Maryland Environmental Services and five
Maryland utilities to provide training in the water/wastewater industry.

“I think many would be surprised to learn about the significant
amount of training MCET does throughout the state each year,” said
Cockerham.

Since 1982, MCET has established a reputation for excellence in
environmental, safety and health training and compliance assistance.
MCET is funded by grants, contracts and student tuitions. In the past,
federal grants were awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). In addition, state funding
from Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and Maryland Occupational
Safety and Health (MOSH) has supported environmental efforts.

Investing in Returning Military Veterans
CSM’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CWD) Division
was also the sub-recipient in a DLLR EARN Implementation Grant and will
work with lead applicant Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland to
deliver technical training to identify underemployed or unemployed
veterans who want to start a healthcare career.

A MHEC Medic/Corpsman to ADN (associate degree in nursing) Transition
Program Grant will be used to increase nursing student enrollment by
promoting direct access for military veterans. The primary focus of the
grant will be the development of a streamlined educational pathway for
veterans to transition to an associate of science degree in nursing.

Investing in Tri-County Residents
The CSM Foundation was awarded a grant as part of the Bank of America
Workforce Development/Education RFP Fund to educate and train
economically disadvantaged residents of the tri-county in a Career
Starters program. A program to train 17 students as Certified Apartment
Maintenance Technicians will be offered this fall.

Grant funding from the Maryland Safety Highway Office was awarded to
purchase and distribute bags to liquor stores which includes a marketing
message to reinforce the penalties for providing alcohol to underage
persons. This funding was a partnership between the Southern Potomac
Traffic Safety Region and the Charles County Substance Abuse Advisory
Coalition through the Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework.

CSM was awarded as a sub-recipient for the Maryland Strategic
Prevention Framework funding on behalf of the Charles County Substance
Abuse Advisory Coalition. The implementation plan included
evidence-based environmental strategies to address two priorities both
at CSM and throughout Charles County: underage drinking (ages 12-20) and
high-risk/binge drinking (ages 18-24).

The Maryland Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MI-BEST)
pilot grant program supports a partnership between CSM and the Charles
County Public Schools Lifelong Learning Center. Funding by the Annie E.
Casey Foundation and the DLLR, Licensing and Regulation will help
low-skilled adults to complete integrated basic and occupational skills
that prepare them for a pharmacy technician job.

Investing in Community Events
A Naval Air Warfare Center’s Aircraft Division federally funded grant
supported the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Day hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Patuxent
River Professionals. STEM Day on CSM’s Leonardtown Campus introduced
fifth- through eighth-grade students to STEM careers through
demonstrations and carnival-type activities.

The Maryland State Arts Council, the Arts Council of Calvert County,
the Charles County Arts Alliance and the St. Mary’s County Arts Council
have provided grants to fund children’s arts in education programs and
CSM’s 2014 Twilight Performance Series, a variety of free outdoor
concert performances at the college’s campuses.

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