my.CSMD
Important Dates
- Oct. 20: Classes end for Fall 7-Week Term I; registration opens for Winter Term
- Oct. 27: Classes begin for Fall 7-Week Term II
- Nov. 3 – 6: Spring Priority Registration opens for current students
Weekly HawkTalk Student e-Newsletter
Announcements
Celebrate and Unwind at Fall Fest!
Fall Fest returns! Enjoy a full week of fun, games, snacks, and much more at all four campuses. Get your caricature drawn, create your own custom street sign, and show off your sharp aim and strong arm with axe throwing—all for free!
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Submit Your Course Evaluations by Oct. 20
Make your voice heard and help CSM continue to improve how we serve our students. Course evaluations for Fall 7-Week Term I close Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m. The confidential feedback that you provide at the end of each course helps make the college a better place for you and your fellow Hawks. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!
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Apply for Graduation by Dec. 1
If you’ll complete your program of study this fall, remember to apply to graduate! The deadline to apply for graduation is Dec. 1. All graduates are invited to walk in the 67th Commencement Ceremony in May, but participation is not required. All diplomas will be mailed directly to students in January.
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Be Prepared, Get the CSM Safe App
The first and most vital step in keeping yourself and your community safe is knowing what to do in a crisis. The CSM Safe app puts emergency and public safety information at your fingertips. Call 911, contact public safety, locate the nearest emergency call box, report an incident, and much more—straight from the app! Download it today from your favorite app store and stay CSM Safe!
Get the CSM Safe App
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’ll be 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!
Cybersecurity Events
- Oct. 21: Adventures in Cybersecurity: A look at the need for cybersecurity professionals in the world today and common vehicles for cyberattacks.
- Oct. 28: Phishing for Dollars: A discussion of common phishing, vishing, and smishing attacks, as well as ways to safeguard yourself and your data.
Cybersecurity Tip: Strong Passwords
Creating, remembering, and storing passwords can be a pain, but the truth is that strong, secure passwords are your first line of defense against cybercriminals and data breaches. Use these three guidelines to help make your passwords strong:
- Long: Every one of your passwords should be at least 12 characters long.
- Unique: Each account needs to be protected with its own unique password. Never reuse passwords! This way, if one of your accounts is compromised, your other accounts remain secured. Think truly unique—don’t just change one character or add a number or symbol at the end. None of your passwords should look alike.
- Complex: Each unique password should be a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g. > , ! ?).
“But remembering all my passwords is so hard!” We all have a lot of online accounts, and because all our passwords should be unique and not reused, that means we have a lot of passwords! A password manager simplifies remembering all those passwords. You just need to remember the one password that unlocks your password manager vault. CSM’s Network Security Team can provide a password manager account for CSM accounts. Please email the Help Desk at help@csmd.edu to request an account.
Enter the Cybersecurity Poster Contest by Oct. 18
Promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout our college community by designing a poster around one of these four themes: multifactor authentication (MFA); password security; software updates; or recognizing and reporting phishing. The three finalists will all 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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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. 14: Women’s Volleyball vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University; Women’s and Men’s Soccer vs. Hagerstown Community College
Oct. 16: Women’s and Men’s Soccer vs. Montgomery College
Oct. 18: Men’s Basketball vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg
Oct. 21: Women’s and Men’s Soccer vs. Harford Community College
Oct. 23: Women’s Basketball vs. St. Mary’s College of Maryland
ATHLETICS CALENDAR
Happening This Week
Self-Care and Plant Care: Growing Together
On Oct. 13, join Counseling Services for a plant giveaway and workshop on how caring for green things mirrors caring for yourself! Discover simple ways to nurture your growth and take home a verdant reminder of balance and well-being.
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Maryland Department of Labor Information Session for Military-Connected Students
Join CSM and the Maryland Department of Labor on Oct. 15 for an information session on applying for military education benefits, employment opportunities, and more.
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Fall 2025 Blood Drive
Save lives by donating blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Oct. 16. The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.
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Next Week’s Events
Cozy Coping Corner
There’s a chill in the air, and it’s time to embrace some fall coziness. Relax, connect, and create with autumn-themed crafts and afternoon snacks at Cozy Coping Corner on Oct. 22.
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One Maryland One Book Discussion Series: ‘Kin: Rooted in Hope’
This semester, CSM is hosting discussions of the One Maryland One Book selection, “Kin: Rooted in Hope," by Carole Boston Weatherford. Join us Oct. 23 as we discuss pages 101 - 145. Each discussion will focus on a different section of the book, so feel free to attend when you can!
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Transfer Services News
On-Campus Admissions Visits
Meet on campus with admissions representatives from CSM’s transfer partners! Learn more about the institutions, their programs, and the transfer process.
Oct. 16: Frostburg State University, La Plata Campus - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
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Meet Our Faculty: Tamara Gibbs-Franklin
This week, HawkTalk features Associate Professor Tamara Gibbs-Franklin from the School of Liberal Arts:
"I'm a former broadcast journalist turned public-relations and marketing professional, and I am a lover of words and people."
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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.
NEED A REFRESHER BEFORE YOUR EXAMS? The best time to ask for help with your classes is before you get your grades back! CSM offers free in-person and online tutoring and academic support for whatever you need help with through Learning Support Services. Avoid last-minute cramming and those heart-stopping unexpected surprises during exams by preparing and practicing now!
In Case You Missed It
Catch Frightening Films at the Haunted Hawk Cinema
Celebrate spooky season with Halloween-themed movies at the Haunted Hawk Cinema, presented by the La Plata Campus Association. Each week in October, search for clues hidden around campus as to what’s showing and how to RSVP.
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Meet With an Advisor
If you need to meet with an academic advisor, the sooner the better. You will want to meet before demand peaks in November and December.
Pick Up Another Class for Fall 7-Week Term II
There’s still time to register for Fall 7-Week Term II! Keep up your academic momentum and get ahead in your program, knock out required classes, or gear up for next semester by completing prerequisites. Classes start Oct. 27.
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FAFSA® is now open for the 2026-27 Academic Year
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the 2026-27 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 2026-27 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!
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