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 [email protected].

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

Karen Smith

Chesapeake College named Karen Smith — an internal candidate with both corporate and education experience — as the new vice president for administrative services. In her role as vice president, Ms. Smith will oversee finances, facilities, public safety, and auxiliary services.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Karen to her new role.  Over many years she’s demonstrated outstanding budget management skills as well as effective leadership.  She represents an excellent addition to the Chesapeake College senior leadership team as we face challenges and opportunities in an incredibly dynamic time,” said Chesapeake College President Clifford P. Coppersmith.

Ms. Smith joined Chesapeake College in 2003 in the financial services division. Chesapeake’s director of budget and procurement services for 13 years, Ms. Smith has also been serving as the interim vice president since November. As interim vice president, Ms. Smith provided leadership during the pandemic and is overseeing the transition back to normal campus operations. She leads the preparation and presentation of Chesapeake’s annual budget request for the five support counties.

“I look forward to working with our faculty, staff and students and the entire college community as we continue our work on implementing the college’s current strategic plan,” Ms. Smith said. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Chesapeake College community and will continue to work to enhance and build upon our strategic priorities.”

Ms. Smith, an Illinois native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in business administration from Salisbury University. She is a graduate of Shore Leadership and the Academy for Advanced Leadership.

A Tilghman resident, Ms. Smith and her husband Dave moved to the Eastern Shore in 1998. Ms. Smith has volunteered with the Tilghman Waterman’s Museum, Tilghman Island Fire Department, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue.

About Chesapeake College

Founded in 1965 as Maryland’s first regional community college, Chesapeake serves five Eastern Shore counties – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. With more than 130,000 alumnae, Chesapeake has 2,300 students and almost 10,000 people enrolled in continuing education programs.