CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson Inauguration
Inauguration of
Dr. Yolanda Wilson
Sixth President of the College of Southern Maryland
March 22-28, 2024
Celebrating our Community, Collaboration, and Culture
A host of elected officials, college presidents and leaders, community partners, faculty, staff and students gathered at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Thursday, March 28 to formally install Dr. Yolanda Wilson as the college’s president and mark her first year of tenure. Wilson became CSM president Jan. 3, 2023.
The festive program celebrated Wilson’s homecoming back to Maryland, her commitment to community, collaboration, and culture, and her first year of working tirelessly to set CSM and the entire region on a path of 'going far, going together.' She was lauded repeatedly during the ceremony for her deep commitment to making education accessible and inclusive; to creating a student-centered college culture; to building community partnerships; and for her commitment to civic engagement and servant leadership.
At a community college, I can see my core values reflected in its open-access mission – welcoming all through its doors – with the premise and understanding that a higher education is a fundamental right, not just for a select few, but for everyone.
CSM's Sixth President
Watch a Video Recap of the Week's Events
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 22
Community Partner and Donor Appreciation Dinner
Sponsored by the CSM Foundation and CSM Student Government Association
In celebration of the inauguration of CSM’s Sixth President Dr. Yolanda Wilson, this event recognizes the donors and community partners who have faithfully supported CSM, shaping it into the transformative institution it is today.
Monday, March 25
Self-Guided Campus Tours
Embark on a self-guided tour at our La Plata, Prince Frederick, and Leonardtown campuses. Explore our facilities and discover the vibrant learning environments at your own pace. We look forward to welcoming you to our campuses!
CSM Robotics Team Live Demonstration
9 – 9:30 a.m. | 9:30 – 10 a.m.
La Plata Campus, Francis P. Chiaramonte, M.D. Center for Science and Technology (ST Building), Room 157 (View Map)
CSM's Talons Robotics Team will give a presentation that will include information about the design process for their robots, the rules for competition, and how innovation drives development in the program. Come see the robots in action during a live demonstration!
Cybersecurity Lab Tours
10 – 11 a.m.
Prince Frederick Campus
John E. Harms Academic Center (Building A), Room 222 (View Map)
Computer Science and Data Science Demo
12 – 1 p.m.
Leonardtown Campus
Building B, Barbara Ives, CAPT, USNR Cyber Lab (Room 307/308) (View Map)
Digital Forensics and Networking Demo
Work. Learn. Play. The Technology Department will provide a tour of new cybersecurity labs and give hands-on demonstrations. Come see how we prepare the future leaders of cybersecurity.
7-Step Cha-Cha Class with Ray Morton
2 – 3 p.m.
La Plata Campus, Campus Center (CC Building), Room 100A (View Map)
Open to CSM faculty and staff.
Ritmo Caché Latin Ensemble Concert
7:30 p.m.
La Plata Campus, Hank Willoughby Foundation Center for the Arts (FA Building), Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater (View Map)
CSM’s Ritmo Caché Latin Ensemble will perform a variety of music featuring the rhythms, styles, and culture of Latin American music. CSM students and community members will present songs in popular styles such as bolero, salsa, cha-cha-chá, and Latin jazz. ¡Que viva la música!
Tuesday, March 26
Belonging Matters: Civility to Contribution
Sessions Offered: 9:30 – 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 1:30 – 3 p.m.
La Plata Campus, Center for Business and Industry (BI Building), Chaney Enterprises Conference Room (Room 113/113E) (View Map)
Join us for an engaging event focused on the importance of belonging. Dive into interactive activities and a student discussion panel centered on real-life experiences, fostering meaningful conversations. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tour of the Center for Health Sciences
3:30 – 4 p.m. | 4 – 4:30 p.m. | 4:30 – 5 p.m.
Regional Hughesville Campus (View Map)
Explore the college’s Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville Campus with a guided tour. Learn about this state-of-the-art, LEED Silver-certified facility, and the programs offered there. Discover the specialized laboratory spaces, clinical simulation center, and Student Success Suite. You’ll see firsthand how the incredible support of donors, elected officials, and community partners empowers CSM students to raise the bar on extraordinary patient care in Southern Maryland.
Wednesday, March 27
Servant Leadership Panel Discussion
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Prince Frederick Campus, Building B, Multipurpose Rooms (Rooms 103/104/105) (View Map)
Join us for a Day of Service celebrating servant leadership in Southern Maryland, sponsored by the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Center for Leadership, the Nonprofit Institute at CSM, and the CSM Foundation. Kick off the day at the Prince Frederick Campus with breakfast and a panel discussion featuring community leaders:
- Tiffany Barber ’00, Executive Director, Poiema Movement
- Christie Burnett, Executive Director, Charles County Charitable Trust
- Natalie Cotton ’10, CSM Foundation Board of Directors and Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations, SMECO
- Bernie Fowler, Jr., Executive Director, President, Farming 4 Hunger
- Dr. David Hupp ’07, Quality Improvement Team Leader, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and volunteer firefighter and EMT with Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department
- Jim Malloy, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Continental breakfast provided by the Nonprofit Institute at CSM; To-go boxed lunches provided by the CSM Foundation.
Day of Service
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 1 – 4 p.m. | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CSM faculty, staff, and students will join together for a rewarding Day of Service, where we will make a meaningful impact by contributing our time and skills to support our community, fostering positive change and connection.
Open to CSM faculty, staff, and students. RSVPs are now closed. For questions, contact nonprofit@csmd.edu.
Hawk’s Hangout Tailgate
April 24, 2024 (Revised date due to weather)
12 – 4 p.m.
La Plata Campus, Softball Field (View Map)
Softball games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Come hang out with the Hawks for an exciting tailgating party filled with food, beverages (non-alcoholic), fun, and the infectious energy of our fans!
Food offered while it lasts: hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, BBQ beans, potato salad, cole slaw, mac & cheese, garden salad, lemonade, water, and funnel cakes!
Free and open to all.
Thursday, March 28
Investiture Ceremony and Brunch
10 a.m.
La Plata Campus, Physical Education Center (PE Building) (View Map)
The College of Southern Maryland installed its sixth president, Dr. Yolanda Wilson, in a ceremony with full academic regalia and remarks by dignitaries including the CSM Board of Trustees, elected officials, student government, and others. The ceremony will included a presidential address with a reception to follow.
Watch the Livestream
We apologize for the audio issues in this stream. A full video of the ceremony will be posted at a later date.
Help a Hawk Fund
Unable to celebrate Dr. Yolanda Wilson's inauguration with us? Please consider donating to the "Help A Hawk" Fund, which provides financial assistance to students who are experiencing financial hardship due to sudden, unexpected, or unforeseen circumstances that impacts their ability to continue their academic education.
We thank you for your support!
