my.CSMD
Real Story: Emma Fonke
Emma Fonke
CSM Class of 2025, Business Management 
Transfer Institution: St. Mary's College of Maryland
Accolades, Accomplishments, and Highlights: School of STEM and Professional Studies Student Speaker; first Early College Business Management cohort
When I first enrolled at CSM, I had a clear goal: focus on my work, get good grades, and graduate. That’s it. I wasn’t looking for friendships, or life-changing experiences. I just wanted to get through college.
But life had other plans.
I still remember the day that my instructor, Brent Burdick, encouraged our class to form study groups. What felt like just another classroom exercise turned out to be the beginning of something incredible. I met two people who would become more than just classmates. We studied together, stressed together, laughed together, and supported one another through every challenge. We grew together, made more friends, and without them, this experience wouldn’t have been as meaningful or unforgettable as it’s been. College gave me more than knowledge—it gave me friendships I’ll carry with me for life.
Another surprise on this journey was discovering how much I would grow in confidence. I used to dread public speaking. I would literally feel sick just thinking about standing in front of a room full of people. When I took Public Speaking with Professor Sarah Merranko, I honestly expected to just suffer through it. But something changed. I realized those communication skills weren’t just for class; they were life skills. I learned how to express myself clearly and confidently. I’ve aced interviews, presentations, and even secured a full ride to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, all because I learned how to use my voice. So, thank you, Professor Merranko, for helping me face my fears and come out stronger on the other side.
Although I plan to pursue medicine, I’m incredibly grateful for the business degree I have earned at CSM. Every class in this program taught me something valuable—whether it was to manage resources, lead a team, or think critically in high-pressure situations. Those skills are universal. They’ll stay with me through every job, every challenge, and every opportunity to grow. Even if my career takes a different path, the lessons from this degree will continue to shape me.
CSM didn’t just prepare me and my classmates academically; it has prepared us as people. We learned how to be independent, how to persevere, how to ask for help, and how to lift others up along the way. We became more than just students. We became leaders, thinkers, creators, and friends.
My advice to my fellow graduates and to future students is this:
Take everything you learn here—every skill, every friendship, every lesson—and use it. Don’t let them sit neglected on a shelf. Apply what you have gained. Challenge yourself. Speak up, even when you’re scared. Go after what scares you because that’s where growth awaits. And most importantly, show up—both for others and for yourself.
Whether you’re transferring to a four-year university, entering the workforce, developing yourself for greater career advancement, or still figuring it all out, know that you are capable. Let me remind you, every time you doubt yourself, that you can absolutely accomplish incredible things.
Last updated: 6-5-25