Weekly HawkTalk Student e-Newsletter

Important Dates

Oct. 21: Classes begin for Fall 7-Week Term II
Nov. 2: Spring Priority Registration Opens

Announcements

The 2027-2028 FAFSA® is Now Open

Don't leave money for college on the table!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the 2027–2028 academic year is now available. Whether you're a new or returning student, completing the FAFSA® is an important step toward making college more affordable.

The FAFSA® helps determine your eligibility for federal grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. It may also be used to determine eligibility for state and institutional financial aid.

Apply early to make sure you're considered for as many financial aid opportunities as possible.

Get started today at StudentAid.gov.
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Hungry?

View the on-campus dining, snacking, and beverage offerings, including the CSM Café and 24-hour smart vending machines!
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Whether you know it or not, you play a major role in CSM’s cybersecurity efforts to secure our college and our world. Cyber threats can be scary, and for good reason. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we're sharing tips and tools you can use to protect yourself and the college community from cyberattacks. Check out all these events, resources, and more on our Cybersecurity Awareness Month page!
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Think Before You Click: Spot the Signs of a Scam

Scammers often use emails and text messages that look like they're from trusted organizations, including colleges, banks, and financial aid providers. Before clicking a link or sharing personal information, take a moment to look for warning signs.

Check the sender. Does the email address match the organization it claims to represent?
Watch for urgency. Messages demanding immediate action or threatening account suspension may be scams.
Think before you click. Hover over links to preview their destinations, or visit the organization's website directly.
Protect your passwords. Never share your password or multi-factor authentication codes with anyone.

Remember: When in doubt, don't click! Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can help protect your personal information.

Happening This Week

Fall Festival: Haunted Carnival

The spooky fun continues! Fall Festival: Haunted Carnival comes to the Leonardtown Campus on Oct. 20 and the Regional Hughesville Campus on Oct. 21. Enjoy activities, games, concessions, a costume contest, and more.

Tony Hungerford Memorial Art Gallery: George Lorio 'Concerns'

A new exhibition opens Oct. 20 at the Tony Hungerford Memorial Art Gallery, featuring works from artist George Lorio’s collection, “Concerns.” The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 10, with an artist talk Nov. 5.
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Spooky Karaoke Hour

Don’t ghost us! Come sing and get ready to BOO-gie on Oct. 20! Join the Student Success Center in BI 113 for Karaoke Hour! Grab the mic, sing your favorites, and enjoy an afternoon of music and fun with fellow Hawks.
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Connections Book Club Meeting 2: Book Discussion

Join the Connections Book Club online Oct. 21 for a discussion of the first half of Lawrence Burney’s “No Sense in Wishing,” the 2026 One Maryland, One Book selection. The discussion will cover pages xiii-118.
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One Maryland, One Book: Lawrence Burney

Join author Lawrence Burney on Oct. 22 for a reading from “No Sense in Wishing” as part of One Maryland, One Book. Burney will also lead a creative writing workshop and discussion on essay writing, followed by a book signing.
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Stay the Course: Momentum and Mental Health

Connect virtually with counselors and fellow students Oct. 22 for a candid conversation about mid-semester fatigue and staying motivated when your momentum starts to slow. Learn strategies and explore resources to help you stay engaged, connected, and on track throughout the semester.

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Learn How to Go from Maker to Market

Entrepreneurs and small businesses can head to the Velocity Center on Oct. 22 to learn how to turn ideas into prototypes and products. Connect with fellow innovators, explore resources available to entrepreneurs, tour the Makerspace, and more. Registration is encouraged.

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Film Viewing Roundtable

Join CSM faculty and author Lawrence Burney on Oct. 22 for a viewing and discussion of “Baltimore, Where You At?” The musical documentary explores Baltimore’s vibrant arts community and Baltimore club music, with a discussion connecting the film’s themes to Burney’s work.
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CSM Theater Presents: ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

CSM Theater presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” the hit musical featuring a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Follow meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn as he discovers a strange plant with a taste for blood and dreams of global domination. Performances are Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
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Next Week’s Events

Fall 2026 Transfer Fair

The Fall 2026 Transfer Fair will take place at the La Plata Campus on Oct. 26 and the Prince Frederick and Leonardtown campuses on Oct. 27. Students can meet with representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities, explore transfer options, get answers to their questions, and access resources to help navigate the transfer process.
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Seed Library Student Volunteer Training

The CSM Seed Library will host student volunteer training sessions on Oct. 26 and 27 at the La Plata Campus Library. Learn how to turn envelopes into seed packets and help support the Seed Library. Once you've completed the training, you can return to the Seed Library at any time to volunteer and make seed packets.
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Writing Essentials Workshop: Paraphrasing and Quotations

Strengthen your writing skills at the virtual Writing Essentials Workshop on Oct. 27. Learn practical tips for paraphrasing information and incorporating quotations effectively into your writing.
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Creating Outlines

Get a head start on your next essay or presentation! Join the CSM Library on Oct. 28 at the La Plata Campus or virtually to learn how to create effective outlines that organize your ideas and make the writing process easier.
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Open Play at the Velocity Center

Get your game on at the Velocity Center on Oct. 29! Enjoy an evening of Nintendo Switch games and board games or bring your own favorites to share. Invite your friends, have some fun, and explore the Velocity Center while you're there!
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Transfer Services News

On-Campus Admissions Representative Visits

Meet on campus with admissions representatives from CSM’s transfer partners! Learn more about the institutions, their programs, and the transfer process.

Oct. 20: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, La Plata Campus

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Transfer Spotlight: St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Connect directly with our transfer partners and get answers to your questions, straight from the source! On Oct. 21, meet with representatives from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
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Real Students, Real Stories: Dennis Allen Sr.

This week, HawkTalk features CSM alum Dennis Allen Sr., a Navy veteran who turned his personal journey of recovery into a calling to help others.

After overcoming his own struggles with alcohol addiction, Dennis Allen Sr. found a new purpose: helping others on their path to recovery. A Navy veteran and member of CSM's Class of 2024, Allen pursued a degree in human services with a concentration in alcohol and drug counseling. With the support of his professors, he persevered through significant health challenges and found his calling in the rehabilitation field. At the time of his story, he was working as a behavioral health technician, guided by a simple motto: “If I can help just one person a day, my job is complete.”

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