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CCBC president tells Baltimore County delegation enrollment is rising and workforce programs are expanding
Summary
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis told the Baltimore County House Delegation CCBC enrolled roughly 55,000 students with about 3,500 employees and said new partnerships and program moves — including aviation at Martin State Airport and a Direct Admit agreement with Baltimore County Public Schools — aim to grow workforce pipelines in trades, cyber and AI.
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County, briefed the Baltimore County House Delegation on the college's enrollment, workforce training and partnerships, saying CCBC remains a major regional educator.
"Last year we had 55,000 students and roughly 3,500 employees," Kurtinitis said, adding that about 13,000 students complete a degree, certificate or transfer pathway annually. She said layered financial supports — including the Maryland Promise and the Baltimore County Promise — let "93% of our students last year" attend tuition-free in whole or in part.
Kurtinitis outlined planned program expansions to meet regional workforce needs. She said CCBC intends to move its aviation program to Martin State Airport to substantially increase training capacity for Federal Aviation Administration air-traffic controllers and to launch an aviation maintenance program there. The college is also expanding offerings in cyber and advanced manufacturing and growing trades programs such as welding on the Dundalk campus.
On college–school partnerships, Kurtinitis described a new "Direct Admit" agreement with Baltimore County Public Schools that will offer instant admission to graduating seniors, removing application friction and aiming to increase enrollments into two-year programs.
Delegates asked how CCBC views university-system dual-enrollment pilots. Kurtinitis said the college prefers coordination over competition and described a "2+2+2" model that aligns community college and university pathways while preserving CCBC's strong dual-enrollment enrollment (about 3,200 high-school students last year).
Kurtinitis emphasized workforce outcomes. She cited a former scholarship winner who became a truck driver earning $28 an hour and summarized the college's philosophy: "The next generation of millionaires will be skilled trades workers." She asked the delegation for continued support for capital projects and program growth.
The briefing closed after a short question-and-answer period; Kurtinitis offered to provide follow-up materials and data to delegates who requested them.
