Three Southern Maryland high school graduates have been awarded The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) Pathways Scholarship to attend the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) this fall, thanks to their exceptional achievements and a unique partnership aimed at building the region's workforce pipeline.
Brianna Rourke and Dominic Longobardi of Chopticon High School, along with Cooper Keeley from Calvert High School, have each received a full scholarship. This award covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for up to two years as they work toward engineering degrees.
"The opportunities provided to CSM students through TPP's scholarships, internship programs, and career placements are wonderful examples of how organizations can work together to enhance the lives of Southern Maryland residents," said CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson. "We are honored to work alongside the Partnership to provide opportunities for our new TPP|CSM scholarship recipients Brianna Rourke, Cooper Keeley, and Dominic Longobardi, and we can't wait to welcome them to our campuses."
"It was certainly a pleasure to personally interview the candidates for these scholarships," said TPP Board of Directors member and Chair of the Academic Outreach Committee Tom Phelan. "All were extremely motivated and dedicated students, as evidenced by their engineering interest early in their academic career. Along with their dedication, they also had family and teacher support to spur their participation in the Engineering field. I would expect them to all be very successful in the future."
The Patuxent Partnership Pathways Scholarship, established in 2018, supports students pursuing an associate degree in CSM's Mechanical or Electrical engineering programs. These students can then transfer with junior status to the University of Maryland (UMD) to earn a bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. This program allows students to complete all their classes in Southern Maryland, starting at CSM and finishing at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) with UMD's A. James Clark School of Engineering. Students also have the opportunity to apply for internships with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, potentially leading to employment upon graduation.
"The partnership between CSM and TPP is focused on building our region's workforce pipeline," explained TPP Executive Director Bonnie Green. "By investing in students at CSM, TPP is supporting STEM education and increasing access, pathways, and connections. These students will work with the Navy and other employers once they have completed their degree programs. Community colleges are the greatest vehicle for workforce development in our community."
The students expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunities provided by the scholarship.
"Since I enjoyed the James A. Forest Technology Center Engineering Program so much, I wanted to explore what it would be like to be a real-world engineer, so I decided to pursue the Tech Jobs Rule Apprenticeship Maryland Program," said Longobardi. "This apprenticeship program, in which I am currently participating, gives me real-world experience in the field of engineering at NAWCAD WOLF. My hope is that after I have achieved my Mechanical Engineering degree made possible through the TPP Pathways Scholarship, I will be able to return to NAWCAD to pursue a career as a mechanical engineer."
"The Patuxent Partnership Pathways scholarship is perfect for me as it further educates me in mechanical engineering and gives me future opportunities within Southern Maryland," agreed Keeley.
"The Patuxent Partnership Scholarship will provide the necessary financial support for me to pursue my dream of becoming a mechanical engineer, so I can use my skills to innovate and make a positive impact on the world," shared Rourke.
TPP is a non-profit member organization that collaborates with government, industry, and academia to advance education through STEM-based initiatives, advance technology through speaker programs and networking, and foster workforce development. TPP promotes cooperation and collaboration among academia, private industry, and government, bringing together the key economic drivers in Southern Maryland to collaborate on growth for the betterment of all.
For more information on TPP, visit The Patuxent Partnership. For information on scholarships at CSM, visit CSM Scholarships. For information about the CSM and UMD Southern Maryland Electrical and Mechanical Engineering partnership, visit CSM Engineering Partnership.
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