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Saint Mary’s College president gives final ‘state of the college,’ cites enrollment gains and space challenges
Summary
Saint Mary’s College President Tawanda Jordan delivered her final briefing to the St. Mary’s County commissioners, highlighting enrollment growth, program expansion, a strong graduate employment rate and ongoing space and student‑services needs; she also said she will retire.
Tawanda Jordan, president of Saint Mary’s College of Maryland, gave the county commissioners her final state‑of‑the‑college briefing April 29, telling elected officials the college has increased enrollment, added academic programs and faces space and student‑support constraints as it grows.
“To this day, tuition remains lower than it was 13 years ago,” Jordan said, and she told the board that 96 percent of Saint Mary’s graduates “find employment, continue their education, or join public service programs within 6 months of graduation.” She said the college employs more than 500 people locally and has an annual economic footprint of roughly $55 million in direct wages and business activity.
Jordan said total enrollment is up 13 percent since 2020 and that some recently added majors — business administration and marine science among them — have produced notable demand that requires additional classroom and laboratory space and more faculty. She said the college must balance “excellence, affordability, and accessibility” as it adds programs and services and that student demand for mental‑health and other supports has risen.
Commissioners and Jordan discussed campus capacity and planning. Jordan said the college has been renovating existing facilities and reviewing a capital master plan to identify cost‑effective ways to create more classroom and program space; she said residence‑hall capacity remains an important issue because roughly 80–86 percent of students live on campus.
Jordan also noted the college’s fundraising and a recent $20 million capital campaign the school completed early. Commissioners thanked Jordan for her service; several commissioners praised the college’s cultural and economic role in the county. Jordan said she looks forward to continuing conversations with the commission in her new role as a private citizen after her retirement.
Why this matters: Saint Mary’s College is one of the county’s largest non‑military employers and a regular partner in local cultural, workforce and economic development initiatives. Enrollment growth, program expansion and facility needs have budgetary and planning implications for county‑college collaboration.
