“Thank You for Changing Lives”: CSM Foundation Honors Hawk Heroes

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) hosted an appreciation event for the generous donors who prioritize education and make it a reality for hundreds of students.

The Hawk Heroes Donor Appreciation Breakfast is an opportunity to show donors the power of their generosity. CSM Foundation Chair Samantha Stratchko ’18 welcomed guests and acknowledged the life-changing role they play in student success.

“Because of you, students who question whether college was possible are now pursuing their dreams with confidence,” Stratchko said. “You are not only investing in education but in the future families and long-term success of our region.”

Last year, the CSM Foundation administered more than $1 million in scholarships for more than 800 students. Over the past 10 years, more than $12 million in scholarships have been awarded thanks to the philanthropic investment of Foundation donors.

CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson thanked the attendees, applauding their continued commitment to CSM, its students and its mission.

“Our mission is to work together, arm in arm with our Hawk Heroes to build a stronger, more connected Southern Maryland through education that’s accessible, affordable, transformative, and always rooted in the Southern Maryland region we call home,” Dr. Wilson said.

CSM has seen steady enrollment growth since 2023 and is now the sixth-largest community college in the state. According to the latest Lightcast report, CSM contributes $280 million in added income to the regional economy, with 1 out of every 47 jobs in Southern Maryland supported by CSM, either through its workforce, alumni, or students.

WalletHub ranks CSM among the top 40 best community colleges in the nation and ranks sixth in Maryland.

“These many points of pride are a testament to the excellence in learning our students experience at CSM and how their work and achievements become a vital component for the growth of the Southern Maryland economy,” Dr. Wilson said.

Angelica Aguilar, a soon-to-be CSM graduate, is closing out her second year as a communications student. But her journey to success was not easy or straightforward.

After first enrolling right out of high school in 2022, Aguilar struggled to find her footing and made the decision to step away. Following a serious car accident and a period of recovery and reflection, she re-enrolled.

“I returned determined to find my momentum, to step outside my comfort zone and to take advantage of every opportunity available to me,” Aguilar said. “That second chance proved to be transformative.”

Aguilar received several scholarships during her time at CSM, including the Peer-to-Peer Ambassadors Program Scholarship, Miller Leadership Academy Scholarship, Shore United Bank Scholarship, WesBanco Bank Scholarship, Charles County Commissioners Care Scholarship, and the Diane Kaufman Fredette Memorial Scholarship.

Much of Aguilar’s time early on was spent worrying about tuition and books, but these scholarships allowed her to focus on her studies and future.

“Because of you, I didn’t just attend college, I belonged here,” Aguilar said. “I built momentum through involvement, relationships, and experiences that helped me grow in confidence and purpose. Thank you for believing in students like me, for opening doors that might have otherwise remained closed. Thank you for changing lives, mine included.”

Aguilar will be transferring to Towson University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Tim Poole ‘98 is one CSM donor changing the lives of students.

Poole is the chief security officer of Cellebrite Federal Solutions, a global leader in AI-powered digital investigative and intelligence solutions. He serves on the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and is a proud CSM alumnus.

Prior to enrolling at CSM, Poole attended two different four-year universities, dropping out both times. But he found his path at CSM, pursuing a future in information technology.

Poole began his career as a computer forensic examiner at the Department of Defense, now called the Defense Cyber Crime Center. From there he went on to the Drug Enforcement Agency, helping fight drug crimes through data recovery and analysis. Following the attacks of Sept. 11, he joined the Intelligence Community, where he spent 14 years conducting technical operations and traveling the world supporting efforts to combat national security threats.

As he moved into leadership roles and began mentoring the next generation of cyber experts, he never forgot where he started.

“CSM was a foundational steppingstone,” Poole said. “This school, my professors, the staff, all get to claim a tiny piece of every bad guy, every conviction, every terrorist, every difference I tried to make along this journey. It continues to play a part in the things I do today as a corporate executive and board member.”

In 2021, he established the Frank Poole Memorial Cybersecurity Annual and Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agent who also worked in computer forensics later in his career. The scholarship supports Southern Maryland students pursuing a certificate or degree in cybersecurity. Since its establishment, the scholarship has supported 14 students.

He hopes to inspire donors to continue supporting CSM and its students.

“You never know which graduate will be the next cybersecurity expert that stops a national attack, the next nurse that saves a life, the next tradesman that designs, builds, or repairs the homes, offices, and buildings we use daily,” Poole said. “Your efforts, your donations, the power of your generosity will pay dividends for generations of students to come.”

More information about becoming a donor and supporting student success is available at csmd.edu/foundation