Community College of Baltimore County presents budget, enrollment and program updates to county delegation

Dr. Sandra Kertinidis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County, told the Baltimore County delegation that CCBC served about 51,000 students last year and that the college is asking the delegation to support the governor’s budget and other measures that would sustain recent funding gains.

Kertinidis said the college had 51,000 students and 3,500 employees and highlighted that “98.3% of every Baltimore County resident who attends CCBC has done so tuition free.” She thanked the delegation for reducing an earlier proposed $5 million cut and said the governor’s proposed level funding was “a joyous surprise.”

The presentation, given during the delegation’s regular meeting, focused on CCBC’s role in workforce development and on several program-area updates. Kertinidis said CCBC is in the second year of a three-year strategic plan called Momentum in Motion that emphasizes equity and workforce training. She described CCBC as an “economic powerhouse” for the region and noted the college’s mix of programs and students: more than half of students attend for continuing education programs, the average student age is about 37, and roughly 90% attend part time.

Kertinidis gave enrollment and program details the delegation requested. She said about 4,000 high school students are taking college classes this year; online enrollment is about 40,000; the honors college has roughly 50 students; and a program that ensures transfer to four-year partners now includes just under 1,000 students transferring without loss of credit. She also said CCBC recently completed an economic impact study and that roughly 13,000 of the 51,000 students “completed something important to them, a degree, a certificate, workplace certification, [or] transfer to a 4 year institution.”

On capital and operating asks, Kertinidis urged the delegation to support the governor’s community college budget, to consider reinstating a hold-harmless provision for smaller colleges, to back a roughly $6 million capital project request for CCBC and to fully fund the Maryland College Promise scholarship at $15 million. She said CCBC had “just under $2,800,000 this year to give away [as] Maryland Promise Scholarships” and that the college was “putting every dollar to good use.” Kertinidis also said CCBC plans to expand trades training, including adding a welding program at the Dundalk campus by next fall to support local workforce needs related to construction and infrastructure work.

The delegation did not take a formal vote; members present expressed appreciation for the presentation and for CCBC’s work. The chair and members asked clarifying questions about the tuition-free statistic and the college’s use of Maryland Promise funds. Kertinidis answered those questions and offered to be available to members for follow-up.

Kertinidis closed by restating the college’s request for continued budget support and for reinstatement of the hold-harmless clause for smaller community colleges, and the delegation moved on to remaining agenda items.