President's Message and Biography

The President's Message

On behalf of our college community, I would like to welcome you to the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).  

Since its founding in 1958, CSM has been dedicated to serving the residents of Southern Maryland and supporting them in attaining their educational goals.  

Over its history, the college has expanded to meet the needs of our students and to keep higher education affordable and accessible. Our four campuses at La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, and Regional Hughesville are augmented by the Velocity Center at Indian Head, the Center for Transportation Training, and the CSM Virtual Campus.  

Times change, and the college has changed as well, but amidst the evolution of our facilities and programs, we remain committed to our students’ success. 

For more than 60 years, the college has welcomed thousands of learners, and our students embody the incredible diversity of Southern Maryland. Our college community is united by our shared goals and aspirations and by our common belief in the power of knowledge to transform our lives, our future, and our world. 

Whatever form your college experience takes, wherever you would like it to lead, you can keep moving toward your goals at CSM. Take advantage of more than 100 for-credit academic programs and hundreds of continuing education and workforce development courses. I encourage you to explore all of your options by perusing our website or getting in touch with our admissions specialists. 

All of us here at CSM welcome you to this college community and look forward to accompanying you on your learning journey. Whatever brings you to the College of Southern Maryland, we are here to support you and help make your experience the best it can be. 

Warm Regards,
Dr. Yolanda Wilson
President

Dr. Yolanda Wilson Biography

Dr. Yolanda Wilson became president of the College of Southern Maryland in January 2023, a role that allows her to fulfill her deep commitment to the community college mission. Having seen firsthand how the community college system provided a pathway for her husband - a first-generation college student - to complete his degree, Wilson is constantly reminded of the transformative power of higher education. This personal experience has shaped her belief in the mission and is a key reason why she is honored to dedicate her career to the community college sector. With more than 25 years of experience in this field, Wilson has had the privilege of witnessing countless lives transformed by access to education – whether through individual success stories or through programs that foster both academic and personal growth.

Prior to her presidential appointment, Wilson worked in the North Carolina and South Carolina community college systems for more than 22 years. She began her career as an adjunct faculty member and progressed into leadership roles in academic affairs, student services, and campus operations. Throughout her career, she has led strategic efforts around student equity and success, strategic planning and accreditation, strategic enrollment and retention, dual enrollment and faculty development, and workforce training and economic development. At the core of her leadership philosophy is the belief that every student, regardless of background, deserves an opportunity to succeed. Wilson is deeply committed to fostering a culture of shared leadership and inclusive excellence, ensuring that the entire college community recognizes their role in building a student-centered environment that supports access, persistence, and long-term success in the workforce.

In recognition of her dedication to student success, Wilson has received the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator's Awards – both internationally and within the Carolinas. She has also served as an Achieving the Dream Leadership Coach and a cohort member of the Aspen Institute Rising President’s Fellowship. She also served on the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on College and Career Readiness.  She served as the president-elect of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges for one year and was named as president of the association on July 1, 2025, to serve a two-year term. In that role, she also serves as a board member of the American Association of Community Colleges. Wilson recently was appointed to the Association of Community College Trustees Advisory Committee of Presidents.  These roles reflect her unwavering commitment to advocating for the value of community colleges in transforming lives and strengthening communities.

As a champion of community engagement, Wilson serves on many local boards including the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland Board of Advisors, the Calvert Health Board of Directors, and the Southern Maryland Workforce Development Board. These roles allow her to stay connected to the community she serves and ensure that the college remains responsive to regional needs.

Wilson earned her B.A. in English Education and her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park, her Developmental Education Specialist Certification from the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University, and her Ed.D. in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University. She is blessed to be married to her best friend, Dale, and they have three sons: Bryan, Brandon, and Braxton.