Workforce training on the Eastern Shore took a leap forward recently with the award of $2.5 million in federal and state funds for training programs at Chesapeake College. 

The college offers a variety of both credit and noncredit classes designed to help students prepare for transfer to four-year institutions, immediate entry into a career, or enhancement of work-related skills.  

In one of the last federal legislative actions of 2022,  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) secured  $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for workforce training at Chesapeake College in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus funding bill signed by President Biden during the final week of the year. 

“Investing in our workers is essential to building an economy where everyone has a chance to succeed. That’s why we secured this direct federal investment for Chesapeake College’s workforce training program. These funds will equip more Marylanders with valuable skills that will help them attain good-paying jobs, including those that will be in high-demand as we’re also making historic investments in modernizing our infrastructure. I will keep working to support the growth of our skilled workforce and bring greater opportunity to the people of our state,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee. 

Senator Cardin said, “Congressionally Directed Spending is designed to meet the local needs of our communities, which is exactly what Chesapeake College continues to do for Eastern Shore workers and employers. Team Maryland will keep working to promote federal investments that help train our students in the very skills that will help our communities today and into the future.” 

The $1.2 million in federal funds will support expansion of Chesapeake’s popular welding program. Through Chesapeake’s program, students learn skills for high-demand jobs in the region. Program expansion includes a mobile welding training lab designed to reach students where they live and work. 

Funds will also be used for the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Program that will provide training in Computer-Aided Design, Computer-Aided Manufacturing, Computer Numerical Control Plasma, Computer Numerical Control Router, 3D printing, universal laser systems and robotics. 

“We have exciting plans for expansion of our workforce training programs and these funds will help us reach our program goals,” said Chesapeake President Clifford P. Coppersmith. “Both Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cardin are strong supporters of Chesapeake’s mission, and of our role in driving economic development on the Eastern Shore. We’re grateful to have support at the local, state and national levels for these critical workforce programs.” 

Chesapeake also received $1.35 million from the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund with support from Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. 

The college will use these funds to expand Marine Trades programming, enhance Marine Trades lab spaces, acquire an on-site learning vessel and hire additional personnel.  

A coordinator position will be created to build an Advanced Manufacturing Program, develop the program curriculum and select necessary equipment. 

A new navigator will be a liaison between the local business community and Chesapeake’s proposed Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

New staff will be added to recruit for the trades programs, and to provide advising and tutoring for trades students. 

In addition, Chesapeake will increase workforce training options in Dorchester County with a proposed auxiliary truck driver instruction site. 

“Both area businesses and their prospective employees will benefit from the training these funds will help us provide,” Dr. Coppersmith said. “Our workforce students will have enhanced learning experiences and more options as they prepare for new careers in promising industries.” 

For more information about Workforce Training at Chesapeake, please contact SkilledTrades@chesapeake.edu

Nationally, Upward Bound boasts alumni such as actress Viola Davis and broadcast journalist John Quinones among their ranks.  Leaders in business, science, entertainment, and education credit their preparation for future success to the federal program designed to help teens reach their full potential as adults.

For more than 50 years, Upward Bound has been preparing students in -need for college and success after graduation. Students in the program receive guidance and resources from 9^th grade through college. Founded in 1965, it was the first federally funded program to help low-income and first-generation students succeed in higher education and attain middle class status. Locally, the program helped students through the mid-1990s.

Now Upward Bound is back on the Mid-Shore thanks to three federal grants awarded to Chesapeake College this year.

“It seems that every day I hear of someone who benefitted from an Upward Bound experience,” said Executive Director of TRiO Programs Christle Foster. “The skills attained and guidance provided through the program are proven to help students succeed in high school, through college, and on into their early careers.”

Members of the new Upward Bound team at Chesapeake College are ready to enroll high school students in the program. Pictured here, left to right, are Lori Kannegieter, Patricia Hawkins, Mark Berry, Karen Luceti and Christle Foster.

Students in the program will receive academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, career exploration, cultural enrichment and stipends.

Students in Caroline, Kent and Talbot counties can now join the program this academic year. Combined, the three federal grants will allow 180 area high school students to participate in the program at Chesapeake.

Chesapeake recently named Mark Berry to be director of TRiO Upward Bound. Mr. Berry previously served as Chesapeake’s director of student engagement.

The Upward Bound application is now open online and Mr. Berry has been meeting with potential participants in area schools and in the community. Mr. Berry said students are encouraged to apply now, and plan to begin participating in the program by the beginning of Spring Semester.

“Our partners in the county high schools are as excited about the program as we are, and we’re working together to recruit students, “ Mr. Berry said.

With the proliferation of businesses designed to help high school students navigate college admissions and rising higher education costs, the barriers to college can seem impossibly high to some high school students.

First generation students – those who have parents without bachelor’s degrees – are at an even greater disadvantage. Unfamiliar with the language of higher education and inexperienced, these students are unable to turn to their families for help. The only guidance they receive is provided by school counselors, who may have hundreds of students to assist.

Upward Bound academic coordinators will help guide students through the college admissions and financial aid process with workshops and field trips. Students will also learn to recognize good opportunities and how to build professional connections.

Participation in the program can also boost a student’s high school performance.

“The program includes grade monitoring, so our academic coordinators can see how Upward Bound students are doing throughout the quarter. They can provide encouragement and guide students to available resources,” Mr. Berry said. “Those check-ins aren’t limited to academics. Our staff will communicate regularly with students to make sure they’re thriving outside of the classroom and connect them with community resources such as mental health services or local food pantries. We’re taking a holistic approach to student success.”

Also included in the program, is a six-week, intensive summer session designed to keep students on track for continued success as they transition to the next grade.  Each of the six weeks will include days with an academic focus and one day of enrichment, according to Ms. Foster. For graduating high school seniors in Upward Bound, a summer bridge program will include two Chesapeake classes for college credit.  These credits can provide a head start at Chesapeake College or be transferred to a four-year college.

To learn more about the program and apply, please visit https://www.chesapeake.edu/upwardbound

Darius Johnson

Darius Johnson, a Kent County native and current Talbot County resident, is the newest member of the Chesapeake College Foundation Board. 

Mr. Johnson is the Northeast Regional Director for the ACE Mentor Program of America, an award-winning, afterschool program designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry, including skilled trades.  

“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Darius,” said Amber McGinnis, Executive Director of the Chesapeake College Foundation. “His extensive experience in the local, non-profit world paired with his current position and background in the skilled trades will contribute great value to the Board. We look forward to the business and industry connections Darius can bring, as we continue expanding and creating new workforce training programs here at the College.” 

Previously, Mr. Johnson served as the first Executive Director of Kent Attainable Housing, which helps low-to-moderate income families in Kent County achieve homeownership. Johnson’s other work experiences includes Communications and Community Revitalization at Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, and Strategic Outreach and Program Management at the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation, Development Operations at Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology and Global Business Analytics at Prometric.  

Additionally, Mr. Johnson is a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program and a Community Curation Fellow with Chesapeake Heartland: An African American Humanities Project at Washington College’s Starr Center.  

Mr. Johnson is a 2015 graduate of Washington College, where he studied Business Management, Political Science, and Philosophy.  

He is currently enrolled in Goucher College’s Master of Historic Preservation Program where he will focus on developing the preservation trades workforce and rural preservation initiatives.

Amber Tolley McGinnis

Advancement professional, Dorchester County native, and former assistant professor Amber Tolley McGinnis returns to Chesapeake College as the new Director of Development and Executive Director for the Chesapeake College Foundation.

In her role, Ms. McGinnis leads and directs the College’s resource development efforts with an emphasis on private and philanthropic fundraising. She also manages grant efforts, identifying funding priorities and developing/executing an annual grant strategic plan. As the Executive Director of the Chesapeake College Foundation, Ms. McGinnis manages the operations of the Foundation including all fiscal responsibilities.

“Having grown up here on the Shore, I’ve always gotten great satisfaction from helping my family, friends, and neighbors achieve their goals and dreams here at Chesapeake College.  And in my new role, I’m looking forward to playing a part in the bigger picture–raising funds that can help fuel those transformations,” Ms. McGinnis said.

She added, “Scholarship support is crucial for many of our students to pursue their educational goals.  It is also essential for the College to provide leading-edge technology in our instructional labs – whether for computer science, health professions, or skilled trades.  The training and education that we deliver at Chesapeake College not only helps to better the lives of our students, but also provides the qualified workers for many of our local businesses, resulting in a positive impact on our local economy here on the Shore.”

With more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Ms. McGinnis specializes in education communications. At Chesapeake College, she has held both faculty and leadership positions: Assistant Professor of Communication, Faculty Vice-Chair, Director of the Honors Program, and Interim Director of the Cambridge Center. She was also the College’s 2018-2020 Stuart M. Bounds Distinguished Teaching Chair.

“I am grateful to have a skilled hand and great leader who understands Chesapeake and the community we serve,” said President Clifford Coppersmith.  “Amber brings a wonderful level of enthusiasm and understanding of our mission to her work.”

Most recently, Ms. McGinnis was the Assistant Director for Communications and Outreach at Washington College’s Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience. Returning to Chesapeake in a new role, Ms. McGinnis said, brings new opportunities to connect area residents with all the programs and services available at the college.

“I look forward to working with Michelle Hall, our Director of Constituent Engagement and Event Management. Together we will continue building relationships with industry and community leaders throughout our five-county service region, so the College can remain an engine for economic growth on the Shore.”

Through her experience teaching community college students and her own personal journey, Ms. McGinnis learned the power of education to transform lives.

“The 14 years I’ve spent in the classroom at Chesapeake College has given me an intimate view into how education can be truly transformative,” Ms. McGinnis said. “And as a first-generation college graduate myself, I know the grit and self-confidence you gain from achieving something you’ve worked long and hard for–it translates into all aspects of a person’s life.”

One of the first priorities Ms. McGinnis will oversee is raising funds to support expanding the college’s skilled trades education. These funds will bolster programs like welding and marine trades, as well as introduce new initiatives in advanced manufacturing technology. Demand for quality, trained workers in these areas continues to run high on the Shore, and the college has seen tremendous interest from students to enter these fields.

Additionally, Ms. McGinnis looks forward to working with the Chesapeake College Foundation’s Board of Directors, whose members oversee the direction of the Foundation and represent all five counties within the college’s service region. The Chesapeake College Foundation builds the resources to support scholarships, teaching and learning, innovative projects, and local partnerships at Chesapeake College, serving the wide-ranging needs of the community

Ms. McGinnis is a graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mass Communications from Towson University, and a Master’s of Arts in Publications Design from the University of Baltimore. A resident of Cambridge, she is married and has two children.

Dr. Linda Singh

Dr. Linda Singh, Executive Director at TEDCO Maryland and former Major General in the Maryland National Guard, will deliver the graduate address at the Chesapeake College 2022 Commencement on Wednesday, May 25 at 2 p.m. in the Todd Performing Arts Center.

With over 30 years of leadership, consulting, and systems integration experience, having served in various senior executive level positions, Dr. Linda Singh offers a blend of public and private sector experience that spans health, defense, state, and local government.

Dr. Singh previously served as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kaleidoscope Affect, LLC providing leadership and strategic advisory services for a variety of clients.  Prior to that she served as a Major General in the Maryland National Guard, dedicating more than 38 years of service. As the Adjutant General and a Cabinet Secretary she was responsible for the Maryland Military Department.  As part of her military role, she worked with senior level officials at ministerial and ambassador levels in Estonia and Bosnia developing country strategies under the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.  Dr. Singh retired from Accenture in 2016, she was a Managing Director in the Health and Public Service North America Operating Unit where she served for 21 years.

Dr. Singh personally mentors, coaches, and speaks on leadership, diversity, adversity, career transition and issues that plague women and veterans in the workplace.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Strategic Studies and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She is the author of “Moments of Choice: My path to leadership” and “What’s in Your Box.”

Dr. Singh is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Gallup Strengths Coach and John Maxwell certified trainer and speaker. She has received numerous awards, among them are the 2013 DiversityMBA Top 100 under 50 Diverse Emerging Leaders, The Network Journal 25 Influential Black Women in Business Award for 2014 and recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 2015. She was also inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in March 2015.

For more information about Commencement 2022 at Chesapeake College, please visit https://www.chesapeake.edu/commencement2022

Chesapeake College students and faculty recently spent a day of service at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville. The group, organized by the Chesapeake College Honors Program and Sustainability Academic Group, spent the day clearing trails, removing brush and cleaning a pond at the center. Back row, left to right, are: Erin Moran, Kacey Kaub, Joey Jones, Josey Gudger, Da’chell Haines,  Niel Siegman, Rebekah McCreary, and Allison Barba. Front row, left to right, are: Christy Schuette, Katherine Riggleman, Evangelyn Olson, Jaylynne Walls, and John Haas.

Instructor of Agriculture Nicole Barth is shown at Chesapeake’s agriculture lab, where a grant-funded small farm operation will be developed.

Students preparing for careers in agriculture and the trades are benefiting from recent donations to workforce training programs at Chesapeake College.

These contributions through the Chesapeake College Foundation include grant funds and equipment that will be used to bring new learning opportunities for students.

The gifts are all earmarked for projects or programs that are building workforce development for the service region.

“With these generous gifts, our donors are helping Chesapeake students learn innovative techniques and have broader experiences in the classroom,” said Interim Director of Constituent Engagement Michelle Hall. “Our donors are also contributing to the economic wellbeing of our community. Their donations are helping to better prepare the local workforce to meet industry needs.”

The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement recently announced that Chesapeake received a $10,000 Community Education Program grant.

The grant will be used for a structure to house a small farming operation. The project will provide a lab learning space for students interested in agribusiness, according to Instructor of Agriculture Nicole Barth. A variety of plants will be grown for sale to the local community. Students will grow the produce, manage the budget, prepare inventory for distribution and run the sales/marketing, according to Barth.

“The students will learn all aspects of a small-scale farming operation,” Barth said. “We have diverse students with a variety of career goals, but they will all benefit from hands-on learning experiences in agribusiness. They’re learning skills that they will use throughout their careers.”

Southwire Solutions recently donated a $33,000 apprentice training package to Chesapeake’s Electrician program. The package, which includes instructor training and equipment to be installed in Chesapeake’s electrical lab, will allow students to learn new techniques to boost work site safety and efficiency.

“Southwire’s electrical equipment donation brings innovative technology to our students,” said Director of Skilled Trades Jason Mullen. “Both aspiring and experienced electricians will learn from this safe and efficient method of pulling and installing wire on the job.”

Shore Distributors of Salisbury donated $15,000 in equipment for Chesapeake’s HVAC training program. The equipment includes several new Carrier and Trane air conditioning units, heat pumps, and multiple ductless AC/heating units.

“It became obvious over the past few years that Chesapeake College is committed and serious in building a credible HVAC program to serve our industry training needs,” said Paul Sichau, technical trainer with Shore Distributors. “Chesapeake College is positioned to make a difference in the economic success of our region. The lives of our HVAC dealers, their families and employees are directly impacted by the positive efforts of the college.”

To learn more about workforce training at Chesapeake, visit www.chesapeake.edu

For information about supporting Chesapeake through the Chesapeake College Foundation, please contact Michelle Hall at mhall@chesapeake.edu.

Gwen Barnes

Chesapeake College Head Coach Gwen Barnes was recently appointed Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Coaches Association President.

“This appointment is a great honor for Coach Barnes and well deserved,” said Chesapeake Director of Athletics Frank Szymanski. “She is an outstanding representative of Chesapeake College, an excellent leader and a great role model.”

The coach has consistently posted winning seasons and guided the team to regional championships. Barnes led the Skipjacks to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II women’s basketball championships in both 2018 and 2019.

Barnes’ leadership reaches beyond the court, too. She works to be a mentor to her players and encourages community involvement. Activities include acting as campus hosts during events and volunteering on Habitat for Humanity projects.

“I want every athlete to feel like they are part of a team, of course, but I also want them to see that they have a role in the broader community,” said Barnes. “That’s what I want them to take with them when they leave Chesapeake, and as they go through the different stages of their lives.”

As she begins her eighth season at the helm of the Skipjacks women’s program, Barnes is hopeful that the team will play a full season with post-season playoff chances. The squad will head into training this fall with a deep well of talent, according to the coach.

“Because of the pandemic, I haven’t had a chance to coach these players in competition. But there is so much talent on this team that I’m excited to see what we can do in a real reason,” Barnes said.

There has been steady change to collegiate athletics in the last two decades, but especially to women’s sports teams at all collegiate levels.

“There’s still work to do, but there has been a lot of progress in the last 20 years and I think that’s due to increased visibility for women’s sports,” Barnes said. “It used to be that girls in high school would get recruited and offered scholarships, and they were happy to get the chance to go to college and continuing their basketball careers. But that has changed.”

Prospects and their families look for programs that can provide a supportive environment on and off the court.

“I see players looking for a good fit. They ask themselves if they can gel with a team’s coaches and players. Are the academics a good fit? What is the overall environment? They are looking for opportunities to grow as athletes and scholars,” Barnes said. “This is a much better landscape for the student-athletes.”

It’s also a positive for Chesapeake College, the coach said.

“Chesapeake is already good at this. This is what we do and we do it well. Academics come first and we want them to be ready for their next steps when they finish here. Student athletes get a well-rounded experience with good outcomes, athletically and academically,” Barnes said. “Students are supported here. Everyone at Chesapeake is dedicated to the players’ academic success, athletic development and personal growth. Recruits can see that we’re authentic and work in their best interests.”

As a result, Chesapeake can attract the kind of talent and passion that boosts a program and wins championships. Despite the pandemic challenges that scuttled last season, Barnes has high hopes this year.

“We’ll be working for another regional championship and looking toward nationals,” Barnes said.

The 21-22 season kicks off with a scrimmage against Salisbury University on Oct. 24. The first home game will be on Nov. 9 when the Skipjacks take on Del Tech.

To learn more about Chesapeake College athletics, please visit https://www.letsgoskipjacks.com/landing/index