CSM Celebrates Leadership Growth at Culmination Ceremony

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recently recognized its rising leaders during a special celebration held May 28 at the La Plata Campus. The event marked the culmination of the 2025 Leadership Enhancement Academy and the inaugural New Leaders Academy, two distinct programs designed to support emerging leaders, underscoring CSM’s ongoing commitment to cultivating internal talent and strengthening its leadership pipeline.

“This cohort represents a remarkable range of experience at CSM, from two years to 40 years, with participants from all eight divisions of the college,” said CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson. “That kind of inclusivity matters. It means the impact of your leadership will have a ripple effect across the entire institution.

“Over the past several months, you honored your commitment to this program by showing up and doing the work,” Dr. Wilson continued. “You participated in monthly training sessions, engaged deeply with your executive coaches through our partnership with SkillCycle, read two foundational texts, and completed capstone projects while meeting the demands of your everyday responsibilities. That is no small feat, and I applaud you.”

Dr. Trenace Richardson, CSM associate vice president of Organizational Development, Talent, and Equity, credited Dr. Wilson and Ellen Flowers-Fields, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, for their support of the program’s vision and growth.

“The program continues to evolve, but its purpose remains clear: We recognize the need to develop as leaders,” said Dr. Richardson. “These academies are helping us build a leadership pipeline that supports retention, promotion, and professional growth. We love what’s happening at our college and want to keep that momentum going. These opportunities are essential to making that happen.”

The Leadership Enhancement Academy is a nine-month annual program for approximately 30 employees selected through a competitive application process. From September through May, participants attend monthly group sessions, both in-person and virtual, featuring guest speakers, collaborative discussions, and deep dives into leadership topics specific to community colleges. The curriculum includes reading foundational leadership texts, completing a capstone project focused on improving their area of work, and unlimited one-on-one executive coaching through SkillCycle. The program concludes with participants presenting their capstone projects at the culminating ceremony.

This year, the college also introduced the New Leaders Academy, a cohort of newly hired directors and executive directors from across CSM. These leaders meet monthly to ensure they are fully supported and resourced as they transition into their critical new roles. Like the Leadership Enhancement cohort, they also benefit from executive coaching as part of their leadership development experience.

Andrew Hibschmann, vice president of customer success at SkillCycle, joined the ceremony via Zoom to share data on the coaching component of the program.

“At the start of the program, most participants reported feeling overloaded, uncertain about their career paths, under-valued, and unprepared to meet expectations,” said Hibschmann. “By the end, 83 percent reported improvements in mindset and mental outlook. Additionally, 50 percent reported increased confidence, better work-life balance, and a stronger sense of accomplishment.”

Participants read two leadership texts: The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and The Self-Aware Leader. As a capstone, each member of the Leadership Enhancement Academy cohort completed a project focused on one of the five practices and presented their findings at the culmination ceremony. The combination of individualized coaching, applied learning, and peer collaboration helped deepen the program’s impact across the college.

Dr. Wilson concluded her remarks by linking the program’s goals to the college’s mission.

“This program and this moment are about more than personal development,” she said. “They are about preparing you to lead boldly and compassionately, to build stronger systems, support your teams, and ultimately help create a culture at CSM where our students and employees can thrive. I am incredibly proud of each of you for opening yourselves to this process and to one another. And I am confident that CSM will benefit from your growth in ways both immediate and lasting.”

Congratulations to the Leadership Enhancement Academy Cohort:
• Michael Adams (CWD)
• Stacie Aubel (IMT)
• Steven Baird (IMT)
• Brian Ball (OPP)
• Joseph Bowling (DOL)
• Jeremy Brown (IMT)
• Rebecca Collins (SES)
• Hannah Cooksey (OPP)
• Lisa Colavito (CWD)
• Morag Dahlstrom (DOL)
• Linda Forrest (DOL)
• Jen Houchin (DOL)
• Candi Hume (DOL)
• Ronda Jacobs (DOL)
• Mary Johnson (DOL)
• Madeline Jackson (SES)
• Melanie Osterhouse (DOL)
• Kelly Porter (PRE)
• Lanetra Solomon (PCE)
• Donna Sperry (DOL)
• Stephanie Vehrs (DOL)
• Carrie Wick (DOL)

Congratulations to the New Leaders Academy Participants:
• Arthur Hoffman (OPP)
• Caroline Combs (DOL)
• Debra Greene (SES)
• Stephanie Rolle (CWD)
• Sylvia Royster (DOL)
• Thonya Ryan (PCE)
• Yaffa Seiden (DFS)
• Gary Lewis (OPP)
• Debera Taylor (SES)

To view photos from the ceremony, visit: https://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/p228805971