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College of Southern Maryland expands early-college pathways, warns of state funding recalculation that could cut $1.6 million
Summary
College of Southern Maryland officials described rapid growth in early-college and dual-enrollment programs, student supports and transfer agreements, and warned a state funding recalculation could reduce CSM’s state funding by about $1.6 million without a hold-harmless provision.
College of Southern Maryland leaders updated the Southern Maryland Delegation on expanded early-college and dual-enrollment pathways and said the college is pressing lawmakers to preserve community-college funding formulas.
Dr. Wilson of the College of Southern Maryland said CSM launched a five-year strategic plan built on three pillars — access, persistence and mobility — and has nearly tripled its early-college enrollment from 67 to 181 students. "We are thrilled about the growth in the dual enrollment and the early college pathways," Wilson said, describing programs that allow juniors and seniors to earn both high-school and college credit and to complete workforce-focused certificates (medical coding, pharmacy technician) and a business administration associate degree.
Wilson described program details: early-college classes are offered on CSM campuses in certain counties and provide college-credit certificates and transfer pathways; dual enrollment is delivered in high schools with an approved-course list. He said the general-studies transfer certificate is mapped as a 1+1+2 pathway (certificate, associate, bachelor’s) with articulation agreements to more than 70 university partners.
CSM officials highlighted supports for students — a new writing center and expanded math resource center, early-alert Starfish system, disability services and plans for summer-bridge programs — and said completion and conversion data are under active review to target supports. Wilson said Charles County had an 84% completion rate in one reported year (53 of 63 general-studies certificate earners) and that math was the primary reason cited for noncompletion among students who did not finish.
Wilson also warned that a new CADE funding recalculation could negatively affect the college’s state funding. He said the proposed state higher-education budget shows a 4.4% increase for community colleges overall but that the CADE recalculation and removal of a hold-harmless clause could mean a roughly $1,600,000 hit to CSM. "We want to serve our students. We wanna serve our students well, but we would certainly appreciate that support," Wilson said, and noted CSM’s enrollment had increased substantially.
Why it matters: expanded early-college and dual-enrollment pathways increase college access and workforce pipelines for Southern Maryland students; changes to community-college funding formulas could reduce resources for instruction and student supports.
Provenance: remarks began when Dr. Wilson presented CSM’s strategic plan, program growth and budget concerns.
