The Patuxent Partnership supports STEM at CSM
The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) presented $10,000 to the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Foundation to establish a TPP Pathways Scholarship Fund for students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to a news release.
The new scholarship will provide financial assistance for tuition, fees, books and other related supplies for CSM students in the Southern Maryland Pathways Program which also supports STEM workforce development at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).
“We are grateful for the generosity of our partners through The Patuxent Partnership, and especially the support this will provide for our students in the Southern Maryland Pathways Program,” CSM President Maureen Murphy said in the release. “This is a win-win for everyone and especially for CSM’s students who are pursuing their careers in STEM fields and to support Naval Air Station Patuxent River in growing the STEM workforce for NAVAIR [Naval Air Systems Command] and NAWCAD.”
The scholarship fund supports students who pursue an associate degree in CSM’s engineering curriculum and then transfer with junior status to University of Mar yland (UMD) to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Students can take all their classes in Southern Mar yland, beginning at CSM as they complete their associate degree, followed by classes at the UMD A. James Clark School at the Southern Mar yland Higher Education Center (SMHEC) in California, Md., to complete their junior and senior classes.
“Community colleges are the greatest vehicle for workforce development within our community, and by investing in students at the College of Southern Maryland, The Patuxent Partnership is not only supporting STEM education, but even more we are creating access, pathways and connections for these students to work with the Navy once they have completed their degree program,” said TPP Executive Director Bonnie Green during the check presentation.
As part of the Pathway Program, students have the opportunity to do an internship with NAWCAD with a possible employment opportunity upon successful graduation and completion of all Pathway Program requirements. NAWCAD and UMD have established an engineering laboratory dedicated to support the junior- and senior-level engineering courses at SMHEC.
“The Patuxent Partnership has been an ardent supporter of CSM over the years, donating more than $70,000 to our STEM programs, including sponsoring the CSM Talons Robotics team at the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky this past April,” CSM Director of Development Chelsea Brown said in the release. “We are excited to see this relationship continue to flourish with the establishment of this scholarship at CSM.”
To be eligible for assistance, the students must: be enrolled as a full-time CSM student (minimum of 12 credit hours); be a resident of Calvert, Charles or St. Mary’s county; be a graduating senior or possess a high school diploma or its equivalent; be accepted in the Southern Maryland Pathways Program in Engineering (majoring in electrical or mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland A. James Clark School, or a regional undergraduate program for computer science or cybersecurity); possess and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, with no grade lower than a B in designated courses such as calculus II and physics, and no grade below a C in other courses.
CSM students will be eligible to receive up to $5,500 per year in scholarship funds for up to two years, providing they continue to meet the eligibility requirements and remain in good standing.
TPP is a non-profit member organization that works with government, industry and academia to advance education and workforce development through STEM-based initiatives.
For information on TPP, go to www.paxpartnership.org. For information on scholarships at CSM, go to https://www. csmd.edu/costs-aid/ credit-costs-aid/scholarships-financial-aid/scholarships/. For information on the CSM Foundation and establishing a scholarship at CSM, go to https://foundation.csmd. edu/.