Kelsey Bush Announced as Interim Chief Diversity Officer at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Michael Bruckler August 03, 2020 - 3:39 pm August 03, 2020 St. Mary's College of Maryland President Tuajuanda C. Jordan has appointed Kelsey Bush as interim chief diversity officer. He will join St. Mary’s College on August 17 and will report directly to the president.   “As a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and member of the Alumni Council, I understand the unique nature of the College, students, faculty and staff. Being able to work with a diverse population of thought and experiences in the current times is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Bush. “Through my years of working with coalitions and communities, I understand the importance of listening and empowering those involved in the process to achieve the goals. Without input and ownership, no initiative will ever be successful.” For the past 20 years, Bush has served as the youth coordinator/local management coordinator with the Department of Aging and Human Services. “My past experiences working for St. Mary’s County Government have afforded me the opportunity to interact and work with several students and young adults throughout my career. These have been individuals from diverse and unique backgrounds that have added to my experience as a mentor and program manager.” Among other duties in that position, Bush developed, implemented, and supervised large and complex division/department specific programs; analyzed data related to children, families and youth, including racial disparities; and represented the county government on issues of equity and inclusion. He served as liaison with local, regional, and state organizations related to the program; supervised three youth-related programs ranging from youth diversion to behavioral health; and coordinated and developed drug/alcohol-free community activities. “As an African American man, I have seen firsthand how the academic and work environment can be unwelcoming, unfair and inequitable because of not fitting into a particular gender or racial representation,” said Bush. “I am committed to making a difference in ensuring that everyone is given opportunities to excel in their educational and work.” Bush has served on a number of committees and organizations throughout his professional life including the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Equity Task Force, Patuxent River Local Youth Advisory Committee, Continuum of Care on Homelessness for Southern Maryland, and Leadership Southern Maryland. He served on the board of directors for United Coalition for African American Contributions and for Tri-County Youth and Families. He also serves on the following councils: Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, St. Mary’s City Historical Commission, and on the St. Mary’s College Alumni Council since 2018.    “As of an alumnus of St. Mary’s College, I welcome the opportunity give back to the institution that has given so much to me,” said Bush. Bush received his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in 1994. He was a double major in political science and sociology/anthropology. He received his J.D. from University of Maryland in 1998.  

Shana Meyer Announced as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Michael Bruckler August 03, 2020 - 3:33 pm August 03, 2020 St. Mary's College of Maryland President Tuajuanda C. Jordan has appointed Shana Meyer as interim vice president for student affairs. She will join St. Mary’s College on August 13 and will report directly to the president.  “I have worked at a campus with an enrollment of approximately 1,000, and I appreciated the hands-on opportunities to know and work directly with students. Once an honors student myself, my daughter is now a college sophomore in an honors program. I understand the ability, struggles, and challenges many honors students face,” said Meyer. Meyer has more than 20 years’ experience in higher education. Previous to her interim role at St. Mary’s College, Meyer served as vice president for student affairs at Missouri Western State University where she oversaw the areas of health and wellness, student development, and student services, the Center for Multicultural Education, and student government. She served as a member of the president’s cabinet, planned and developed policy, and created constituency-building affiliations with other cabinet members to create a campus culture that promoted student success, provided a safe and welcoming campus environment for a diverse student body, and fostered a sense of community among the students. Among many other duties, she also served as one of two Title IX coordinators, with primary responsibility for coordinating university Title IX compliance efforts, including the advancement, execution, and monitoring of compliance with Title IX legislation, regulation, and case law; leading deputy Title IX coordinators and task force members in the management of policies; education and prevention programming and the investigations of cases. At Missouri Western State University, and previously at Fort Hays State University where she served as assistant vice president of student affairs, she focused on diversity. According to Meyer, “Issues of diversity, justice, and equity are important to me. At Missouri Western State University, I established a Diversity Task Force to study campus climate and establish action plans. At Fort Hays State University, I created the first full-time coordinator for diversity affairs position. Presidents of major and diverse student organizations met regularly under my direction at FHSU to develop training sessions and programming calendars for the benefit of all students. I believe all students must develop global and intercultural fluency. “The St. Mary’s Way principles are the underpinning of an inclusive, well-rounded education, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Meyer. “I look forward to putting my experiences to work alongside other executive council members, to ensure students’ time at St. Mary’s College is one of education, growth, introspection, and the creation of memories that will last a lifetime.” Meyer received both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Emporia State University. For her PhD from Kansas State University, she defends her dissertation in December 2020.   

St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda Jordan Appointed Board Chair to HERS Board of Directors Michael Bruckler July 20, 2020 - 10:52 am July 20, 2020 St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Tuajuanda C. Jordan has been appointed board chair to the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) board of directors. President Jordan has been on the board since July 2018 and has served on several committees, including the Advancement Committee (2018-2019), and prior to her current appointment, also served as the chair of Nominations & Governance (2019-2020). She is a HERS Leadership Institute Alumna 2000. “To serve on a board focused on empowering women to develop their leadership skills is a privilege that has been bestowed upon me and I will not squander it. As a HERS Bryn Mawr 2000 participant, our motto was “Administration as a creative act.” I have come back to that motto time and time again as I’ve risen through the ranks. The HERS experience was transformative and I am honored to be in a position where I can work to ensure that it remains so for many years to come,” said Jordan. According to the website, HERS was founded in 1972, and is a “leadership development and research organization that is dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse network of women leaders in higher education. HERS proudly serves as both a network and hub of resources for women eager to advance both themselves and their respective institutions of higher education.”  “We are thrilled to have Dr. Jordan leading the HERS board of directors. She brings skills and experience that will be beneficial for HERS as we navigate through these challenging next couple of years as HERS continues our mission to develop a diverse network of women leaders in higher education,” said Verna M. Fitzsimmons, HERS president and HERS Leadership Institute Alumna 2011.   

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Announces Reopening Plan for Fall Semester Michael Bruckler June 29, 2020 - 12:13 pm June 29, 2020 St. Mary’s College of Maryland released on Friday, June 26, plans to reopen and begin the fall 2020 semester with on-campus learning and living using a hybrid mode of instruction designed to meet the needs of students who choose to live on-campus, students who choose to learn remotely, and commuters. Recommendations were developed by the College's Fall 2020 Reopening Task Force, its planning committees and external experts after careful and continuous analysis of the most up-to-date guidelines in collaboration with federal, state, and local health and government officials. “Our planning is not complete and some important details still need to be worked out, but our overall structure for the semester is coming into place,” said St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Tuajuanda C. Jordan. Fall 2020 classes will begin Aug. 17 and conclude Nov. 20 with final exams taking place remotely Nov. 30 - Dec. 4. The College launched the SMCM Reopening: The St. Mary’s Way website with the latest information on its reopening plans covering general campus health and safety, teaching and learning, student housing, dining services, and athletics and recreational sports. The site will serve as the official information source for the reopening.  Details and announcements, including student orientation and employee return-to-work information, will be added as more decisions are made throughout the summer. Jordan noted in a letter to the College community that personal accountability will be the key to keeping the campus open this fall. “As we resume operations and resumption of classes, we ask that each member of our campus community embrace The St. Mary’s Way — our culture of responsibility, resilience and caring.  The health and safety of our community is our paramount priority as we adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. “Our St. Mary’s Way requires that each of us ‘take individual responsibility for our actions’ and ‘foster relationships based on mutual respect, honesty, integrity and trust.’” Several actions already taken by the College have been addressing the hardships some families and students are likely facing during the pandemic. The College worked quickly early on to support its students by establishing a donor-funded Recovery Fund, which included a generous $50,000 donation from the Student Government Association. In addition, a one-year tuition, fees and housing freeze, put into place before the pandemic to help with student access and affordability, has also turned into a critical asset in assisting students address the unexpected economic challenges of the pandemic. The Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College of Maryland announced in February a freeze in tuition, fees, and room and board costs for the 2020-2021 academic year. The action came on the heels of a 2019 Task Force charged by Jordan to recommend how the College, as a public honors institution, could better ensure access to students who qualified. As reopening plans unfold, the College is forming a Frequently Asked Questions page. A form to submit questions is linked throughout the reopening site.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Welcomes Two New Trustees to Board Michael Bruckler May 15, 2020 - 8:52 am May 15, 2020 St. Mary’s College of Maryland welcomes two new trustees to the Board in May: Nicolas Troy Abrams ’99 and Doug Mayer ’04.   “I am excited that St. Mary’s College is adding two new Board members with such important and relevant experience. An added bonus is the fact that both are St. Mary's College alumni who share a critical perspective on what our students need when they're here and what they need to become productive and successful after they graduate. They join an intuitive and student-focused Board taking great strides in helping to solidify our standing as the National Public Honors College,” said Tuajuanda C. Jordan, president of St. Mary’s College. “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, we welcome our newest members and look forward to their expertise in strengthening the College's ability to deliver an exceptional education at an exceptional value,” said Arthur “Lex” Birney Jr., chairman, Board of Trustees.  Abrams is a Certified Financial Planner ™ Professional and founder and CEO of AJW Financial Partners LLC. His wealth management and financial planning firm has offices in Columbia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Abrams advises clients on investment, retirement, and insurance strategies. In 2015, Abrams became the host of the television show “Financial Empowerment with Nick Abrams, CFP®.” The show can be seen on cable stations in multiple states. He is the former host of Radio One's WOLB “The 1st Friday Radio Show,” which focused on economic empowerment and wealth creation. He has also been a featured speaker on money and financial issues at local and national conferences, including the Blacks in Government National Training Institute. He most recently served as a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Agnes Hospital Foundation and as a member of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation. Previously, Abrams served as chairperson of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Baltimore City Scholarship Initiative that raised over $500,000 to provide scholarships for students in Baltimore City looking to attend the College. He is a graduate of the Leadership Howard County Program, earned a certificate in financial planning from the University of Baltimore in 2002, and received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1999, where he majored in economics with a concentration in business. When he is not working, Abrams enjoys spending time with his wife Leah and their sons Nicolas II and Aiden. Mayer is a political strategist and veteran communicator with more than 15 years of experience working in the political communications sector, including serving three successful governors. He is a partner at Strategic Partners & Media, where he applies campaign strategy and tactics to a diverse set of clients and problems, both political and corporate. Most recently, Mayer helped manage Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s successful 2018 re-election campaign. He spent more than three years as communications director to Governor Hogan, where he helped shape the governor’s first term in office and guide the administration through four legislative sessions, the riots in Baltimore City, the governor’s public battle with cancer, and countless political and legislative issues. Previously, Mayer spent two years working as communications director for South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2004, majoring in political science and public policy, and began his career as an intern on Capitol Hill. Mayer resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Allison, and their two children, Ainsley and Doug Jr. “DJ”.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Partners with St. Mary’s County Health Department on Science of COVID-19 Michael Bruckler March 27, 2020 - 11:07 am March 27, 2020 St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) and St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) are coordinating efforts to launch a COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Group. A thorough understanding of the rapidly evolving science of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is critical to the public health and medical management of the pandemic. The advisory group engages scientists from SMCM and the community to analyze emerging COVID-19 research and review its implications on local decision-making. Biologists, physicians, statisticians, and other scientists will monitor virus behavior and evolution, viral infectivity and transmission, clinical diagnostics and treatments, and innovative public health strategies. “During these unusual times, it is imperative that we look to our nation’s esteemed scientists for answers and guidance as we work to stem the global spread of COVID-19, and understand the ever-evolving impact of this pandemic. I have confidence in the talented scientists here at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and in St. Mary’s County, and know that together the task force can contribute significantly to these efforts,” said St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan. “Keeping abreast of the science of COVID-19 is so important to public health and medical decision-making,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, health officer for St. Mary’s County. “We welcome the expertise of SMCM faculty and community scientists as we identify new strategies to address this pandemic locally.” Scientific experts in the community who are interested in assisting with the COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Group should email covid19science@smcm.edu.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Presents ESPN Analyst and Bestselling Author Jay Williams - Venue Change Michael Bruckler February 28, 2020 - 9:45 am February 28, 2020 The Office of the President presents ESPN analyst and bestselling author Jay Williams on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Michael P. O’Brien Athletic and Recreation Center, 19050 Hill Commons Drive, on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland campus. Part of the Presidential Lecture Series, the event is free of charge and open to the public but reservations are required at www.smcm.edu/jaywilliams.   Williams is considered one of the most prolific college basketball players in history. The #2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, he is now an analyst on “College GameDay” and a regular commentator on ESPN and ESPN2’s weeknight studio coverage.   Following a motorcycle accident in 2003, Williams was forced to retire from basketball after just one season with the Chicago Bulls. Rather than letting the near-fatal accident destroy his future, Williams parlayed his experience on the court into a successful career in broadcasting and business. Drawing from his time in recovery and building his brand, Williams has established himself as a premier keynote motivational speaker for various executive business conferences and charitable organizations nationwide.    His best-selling memoir, “Life is Not an Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention” (Harper Collins, 2016), focuses on the life-altering depression and ultimate healing that Williams underwent in the aftermath of his accident. The 2018 documentary web-series, “Best Shot,” follows Williams as he mentors high school basketball players from Newark’s Central High School. Directed by Michael John Warren and executive produced by LeBron James, “Best Shot” is available on YouTube Red.   Williams joined at the start of the 2014-15 season as an analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” the popular college basketball program that originates from the “Saturday Primetime” game-of-the-week telecasts. First joining ESPN in 2003, Williams became a full-time game and studio analyst in 2008. He was also an analyst for CBS College Sports Network in 2007, and a contributor to Fox Sports Radio in North Carolina.   Williams was drafted second by Chicago in the 2002 NBA Draft, just behind No. 1 pick Yao Ming, and started 54 of 75 games for the Bulls in the 2002-03 season. As a starter for three years at Duke, Williams won the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the John R. Wooden Award, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. He averaged double figures as a freshman, which helped earn him the ACC Rookie of the Year award in 2000 and recognition as a first-team All-America player.   An accomplished entrepreneur and spokesperson, Williams is the CEO and national director of special events for Rising Stars Youth Foundation, using basketball as the vehicle to promote education and provide academic and financial assistance to students within the program.    He is a member of the NBA Retired Players Association, a voting member of the John Wooden Awards Committee and sits on the board of USA Basketball. Williams has also been a spokesperson for Athletic Advantage, a sports physical therapy and performance development center in Durham, North Carolina.   The first athlete at Duke University to earn a degree in just three years, Williams graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and business.

Revised - An Evening to Honor the Legacy of Lucille Clifton at St. Mary’s College of Maryland Michael Bruckler February 12, 2020 - 11:15 am February 12, 2020 The Office of the President presents “Nurturing the Compassionate Community: An Evening to Honor the Legacy of Lucille Clifton” on Saturday, February 29 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) in Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall. The event, co-sponsored by the VOICES Reading Series, is free of charge and open to the public.  The evening will feature poetry readings and reflections to honor St. Mary’s College’s former Distinguished Professor of the Humanities Lucille Clifton.   Naomi Shihab Nye and Danusha Laméris will perform original works of poetry during the event.   Nye is the author of numerous books of poems, including “The Tiny Journalist” (BOA Editions, 2019); “Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners” (Greenwillow Books, 2018); “Transfer” (BOA Editions, 2011); “You and Yours” (BOA Editions, 2005), which received the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award; and “19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East” (Greenwillow Books, 2002), a collection of new and selected poems about the Middle East.   Nye gives voice to her experience as an Arab-American through poems about heritage and peace that overflow with a humanitarian spirit. Her poems and short stories have appeared in various journals and reviews throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle and Far East. She has traveled to the Middle East and Asia for the United States Information Agency three times, promoting international goodwill through the arts.   Danusha Laméris’s first book of poems, “The Moons of August” (2014), won the 2013 Autumn House Press poetry contest. She was born in Massachusetts and raised in California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at University of California, Santa Cruz and studied at the Squaw Valley Writers Workshops and with the poet Ellen Bass.   Laméris’s poems have been published in Crab Orchard Review, Poetry Northwest, Alaska Quarterly Review, and The SUN Magazine and Rattle, among other journals. Her work has also been included in the anthologies “Intimate Kisses,” “A Bird Black as the Sun: California Poets on Crows and Ravens,” and “In a Fine Frenzy: Poets Respond to Shakespeare.” She lives in Santa Cruz, where she teaches private poetry workshops.   Lee Capristo, director of publications, and Janna Thompson, assistant professor of educational studies, will both receive the President’s Lucille Clifton Award. Nominated by senior students, faculty and staff of the College, the President’s Lucille Clifton Award is given to employees who best embody the spirit of caring, compassion and nurturing that characterized Lucille Clifton’s tenure at the College.       Lucille Clifton was one of the most distinguished, decorated, and beloved poets of her time. She won the National Book Award for Poetry and was the first Black recipient of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize for lifetime achievement. Her honors and awards give testament to the universality of her unique and resonant voice. In 1987, she became the first author to have two books of poetry – “Good Woman” and “Next” – chosen as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in the same year. She was named a Literary Lion of New York Public Library in 1996, served as chancellor of the Academy of American Poetry and was elected a fellow in Literature of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees Approve New Test Optional Admission Policy for Fall 2021 Michael Bruckler February 04, 2020 - 1:00 pm February 04, 2020 St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees approved a new test optional admissions policy on Saturday, February 1, 2020. This means first-year applicants seeking admission to the College beginning in the fall of 2021 may choose whether or not to provide standardized testing (SAT or ACT scores) as part of the admission application process. “This policy change will allow students who are academically ready for a robust college educational experience but who generally do not do well on standardized tests, the opportunity to study at Maryland’s public honors college,” said Tuajuanda C. Jordan, president of St. Mary's College of Maryland. “Our mission includes a focus on greater diversity among students whether it be socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, or other differences, as well as diversity among faculty and staff.  Increasing diversity enhances the institution’s intellectual capacity, enhances students’ experiences and creates a vibrant learning environment.” According to David Hautanen Jr., vice president for enrollment management, the College reviewed its standardized admission test requirement over the past year and conducted research on the efficacy of standardized admissions tests in predicting academic performance.  The College also examined issues of equity in the use of standardized admission tests in the admissions process. Research showed that a student’s academic record and potential for success at St. Mary’s College are captured more fully through a comprehensive review of a student’s academic record, types of courses the student has taken, extracurricular interests, and accomplishments to date rather than by standardized admission test data.  St. Mary’s College offers a rigorous and relevant education for those with the talent, ambition and potential to be successful. The College has among the highest four-year graduation rates in Maryland, an excellent graduation outcomes rate of 94 percent, and the lowest debt among graduates of all Maryland’s public four-year institutions. “We believe this policy will encourage students who might be an excellent fit for our distinctive education, and whose standardized admission testing might not reflect their academic promise, to consider the College,” said Hautanen. For more information, visit www.smcm.edu/admissions/test-optional-policy.        

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Presents ESPN Analyst and Bestselling Author Jay Williams Michael Bruckler February 04, 2020 - 11:31 am February 04, 2020 The Office of the President presents ESPN analyst and bestselling author Jay Williams on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Michael P. O’Brien Athletic and Recreation Center, 19050 Hill Commons Drive, on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland campus. Part of the Presidential Lecture Series, the event is free of charge and open to the public but reservations are required at www.smcm.edu/jaywilliams.   Williams is considered one of the most prolific college basketball players in history. The #2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, he is now an analyst on “College GameDay” and a regular commentator on ESPN and ESPN2’s weeknight studio coverage.   Following a motorcycle accident in 2003, Williams was forced to retire from basketball after just one season with the Chicago Bulls. Rather than letting the near-fatal accident destroy his future, Williams parlayed his experience on the court into a successful career in broadcasting and business. Drawing from his time in recovery and building his brand, Williams has established himself as a premier keynote motivational speaker for various executive business conferences and charitable organizations nationwide.   His best-selling memoir, “Life is Not an Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention” (Harper Collins, 2016), focuses on the life-altering depression and ultimate healing that Williams underwent in the aftermath of his accident. The 2018 documentary web-series, “Best Shot,” follows Williams as he mentors high school basketball players from Newark’s Central High School. Directed by Michael John Warren and executive produced by LeBron James, “Best Shot” is available on YouTube Red.   Williams joined at the start of the 2014-15 season as an analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” the popular college basketball program that originates from the “Saturday Primetime” game-of-the-week telecasts. First joining ESPN in 2003, Williams became a full-time game and studio analyst in 2008. He was also an analyst for CBS College Sports Network in 2007, and a contributor to Fox Sports Radio in North Carolina.   Williams was drafted second by Chicago in the 2002 NBA Draft, just behind No. 1 pick Yao Ming, and started 54 of 75 games for the Bulls in the 2002-03 season. As a starter for three years at Duke, Williams won the Naismith College Player of the Year award, the John R. Wooden Award, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. He averaged double figures as a freshman, which helped earn him the ACC Rookie of the Year award in 2000 and recognition as a first-team All-America player.   An accomplished entrepreneur and spokesperson, Williams is the CEO and national director of special events for Rising Stars Youth Foundation, using basketball as the vehicle to promote education and provide academic and financial assistance to students within the program.    He is a member of the NBA Retired Players Association, a voting member of the John Wooden Awards Committee and sits on the board of USA Basketball. Williams has also been a spokesperson for Athletic Advantage, a sports physical therapy and performance development center in Durham, North Carolina.   The first athlete at Duke University to earn a degree in just three years, Williams graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and business.