About CSM

CSM History

The College of Southern Maryland is rich in history with a promising and exciting future ahead.  The college's history dates to 1958 when the Charles County Community College was established as part of the continuing expansion of the community college within America.  At its inception in 1958, the college was governed by the Charles County Board of Education, with the first classes being held at La Plata High School in the evenings. The Friendly Hall Campus, which is now the La Plata campus, was established in 1968. The college expanded its services to St. Mary's County in 1978 and Calvert County in 1980.

On July 1, 2000 the college officially became the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), a regional college serving Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.

Today, College of Southern Maryland is known as a progressive, innovative and technologically-advanced institution. As a regionally-accredited institution that prides itself on delivering high quality educational services, it also serves as a catalyst for business, industry and government to identify the resources needed to grow and maintain a healthy economy and community. 

CSM offers an array of associate's degree programs, industry certifications, career training, wellness and fitness activities, and is home to the Corporate and Community Training Institute. CSM prepares its students for transfer to bachelor's degree programs and provides the tools and resources needed to immediately succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Milestones

• 1958 - Charles County Community College is established with evening classes at La Plata High School.
• 1960 - An apprentice program is established at the Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head.
• 1968 - Construction begins on the new La Plata Campus at its permanent 173-acre site on Mitchell Road with the Career Education and Administration Building.
• 1965 - Dr. J. N. Carsey is appointed as the college's first president.
• 1969 - The college is accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education and a separate Board of Trustees is created.
• 1970 - Construction continues on the La Plata Campus with the Science and Technology Building, the Learning Resource Center, Gymnasium, and Student Services Center.
• 1978 - The Community College at St. Mary's County is established at Great Mills High School.
• 1980 - The Community College at Calvert County is established.
• 1982 - Dr. John Sine is appointed as the college's second president.
• 1983 - At the La Plata Campus the Fine Arts Center is constructed and the Maryland Center for Environmental Training opens.
• 1994 - The Campus Center opens on the La Plata Center
• 1996 - The Center for Business and Industry on the La Plata Campus is constructed.
• 1997 - Leonardtown Campus is established in its current location with Buildings A and B.
• 1997 - The Waldorf Center for Higher Education opens as the college joins with University of Maryland University College (UMUC) to offer linked bachelor degree programs locally.
• 1998 - Dr. Elaine Ryan is appointed as the college's third president.
• 2000 - College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is established joining all three campuses as a regional college serving Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.
• 2003 - The Leonardtown Campus is expanded with the addition of its third building, C.
• 2004 - CSM is reacreddited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
• 2005 - The Prince Frederick campus opens at its new location with its Flagship building.
• 2005 - CSM completes construction of its first Children's Learning Center on the La Plata Campus.
• 2006 - Dr. Bradley Gottfried is appointed as the college's fourth president.