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Important Dates
- Oct. 12: Classes end for Fall 7-Week Term I
- Oct. 12: Registration opens for Winter Term
- Oct. 21: Classes begin for Fall 7-Week Term II
Weekly HawkTalk Student e-Newsletter
Announcements
Winter Registration is Open!
Registration is now open for Winter Term (Dec. 15-Jan. 7). Get ahead, catch up, or make progress toward your goals over winter break.
Not sure which course is right for you? Connect with an academic advisor for guidance.
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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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Cybersecurity Tip: Software Updates
One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to always keep software and apps updated. Software and app developers constantly search for holes where cybercriminals could sneak in. To fix these issues and improve security for everyone, trustworthy software companies release regular updates. Here are some simple tips:
- Automatic updates make your life easier. You don’t have to check your settings tab every morning – you can usually set up automatic updates so that updates are downloaded and installed as soon as they are available.
- Get updates from the source. Before downloading anything, be sure you know the source. Only download software to your computer from verified sources, and only download apps from your device’s official app store.
- Don't fall for fakes! You’ve probably come across suspicious pop-up windows that urgently demand you download a software update. Never click any buttons on these pop-ups! These are always fake and are attempts at phishing.
- Make it a habit. Even if you don’t have automatic software updates turned on, make updating your devices and software a regular habit. Even if it’s a pain, it is worth it to do this right away, especially if the update patches an urgent security flaw.
Upcoming Athletics Events
Check out the calendar for CSM Athletics
Check out the calendar for CSM Athletics and come out to cheer your Hawks on to victory at their next home games!
Oct. 13: Women’s Volleyball vs. Cecil
Oct. 14: Men’s Basketball vs. Chosen 1 Academy
Oct. 15: Women’s and Men’s Soccer vs. Prince George’s Community College
Oct. 17: Women’s and Men’s Soccer vs. Potomac State College; Women’s Volleyball vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
ATHLETICS CALENDAR
Happening This Week
Writing Essentials Workshop: Writing Scientific Abstracts
Level up your writing by joining us Oct. 12 for a 30-minute workshop to teach you how to write scientific abstracts, with a chance to snag a snack and win prizes.
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Fall Into the Beauty of Autumn
Spice up a coffee mug on Oct. 13 with the Student Success Organization at the Leonardtown Campus. (waiting on more details)
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Fall Festival: Haunted Carnival
CSM’s Fall Festival kicks off with Haunted Carnival on Oct. 13 at the Prince Frederick Campus and Oct. 14 at the La Plata Campus. Enjoy spooky good fun with activities, games, concessions, a costume contest and more. More Fall Festival fun is coming next week!
Open Play at the Velocity Center
On Oct. 15, come hang out, meet other gamers, and play some games! Open Play is a casual gaming experience that is open to CSM students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Join us for Open Play featuring Nintendo Switch and board games. Bring your friends, bring your favorite board game, or just show up and find something to play.
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Next Week’s Events
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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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.
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.
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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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. 13: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Prince Frederick Campus
- Oct. 13: University of Maryland Global Campus, La Plata Campus
- Oct. 15: University of Maryland Baltimore County, La Plata Campus
- Oct. 20: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, La Plata Campus
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: Bryan Gomez
This week, HawkTalk features CSM alum Bryan Gomez, whose story shows it’s never too late to find your pathway.
Bryan Gomez returned to college at 38, unsure whether he was too old to start over. At CSM, he found his passion for digital media, built the confidence to pursue new opportunities, and gained hands-on experience that helped launch his career. Today, he works as a video production specialist for Charles County Government—and says returning to college after 20 years was one of the best decisions he ever made.
"It’s amazing that the terrifying decision to return to college after 20 years of being away turned out to be the greatest decision of my life so far.”
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Student Resources
CSM College Survival Guide
The College Survival Guide is a recurring feature that directs members of the CSM community to free resources and support for whatever challenges they may be facing. At CSM, no Hawk has to fly alone.
WORKING ON A PAPER OR WRESTLING WITH A MATH PROBLEM? You don’t have to do it alone. CSM’s Writing Center and Math Resource Center are here to help you build your skills and confidence. Get personalized feedback and guidance on your writing, or connect with support to better understand the math concepts in your courses. Whether you’re stuck, looking for feedback, or just want to make sure you’re on the right track, stop by and take advantage of these free resources.
FAFSA® is now open for the 2027-28 Academic Year
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the 2027-28 school year! Remember that you’ll need to submit a new FAFSA® every year to be eligible for financial aid. Don’t risk leaving money on the table. File your 2027-28 FAFSA® as early as possible for the best shot at scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities, including the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship. Don’t wait until the last second: FAFSA® early and FAFSA® often!
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Enter the Cybersecurity Poster Contest by Oct. 18
Promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout our college community! The theme for this year’s Cybersecurity Poster Contest is “Don’t Make It Easy For Them.” Design a poster around one of these four themes: multi-factor authentication (MFA); password security; protecting your devices, accounts, and personal information; or recognizing and reporting phishing. The three finalists will receive CSM scholarships, and the winning poster design will be displayed on all campuses and CSM social media. Submit your design by Oct. 18!
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