LEONARDTOWN, Md. – On November 6, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program met at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center in Leonardtown for a full-day study of Southern Maryland education.
The session brought together K–12 leaders, higher education executives, nonprofit partners, teachers, students, and education advocates from across the region for a deep, multifaceted exploration of the challenges and opportunities shaping education in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
The day began with a compelling presentation on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by Center for Children Executive Director Cathy Meyers, LMd ’98. Meyers outlined the profound impact early trauma can have on children’s health, behavior, and learning outcomes, emphasizing the growing need for trauma-informed practices in schools and youth-serving organizations. Her presentation set the stage for the day’s conversations, grounding participants in an understanding of the complex realities students carry into the classroom.
LSM participants then engaged with Calvert County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Marcus Newsome, Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro, St. Mary’s County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Smith, and early childhood education leader Christina Lopez, President of the Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children.
Moderated by retired educator Adrianne Mathis, LSM ’25, the panel highlighted shared regional priorities — including staffing, mental and behavioral health needs, innovative career-ready programs, and strengthening community partnerships.
Following the panel, Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., LSM ’22, Chair of the Charles County Board of Education, led a reflective conversation on the state of education in the region. Participants synthesized themes from the morning and explored how leadership across sectors can support Southern Maryland’s students, families, and educators.
Students of Forrest’s Culinary Arts Program, under the direction of Chef Amanda Poe, catered the Executive Program luncheon, during which representatives from eight nonprofit organizations shared the diverse ways they support education outside the traditional classroom — from arts-integrated schooling and STEM innovation to youth leadership, out-of-school time programming, mentorship, and play-based development.
Presenters included the Phoenix International School of the Arts, Pure Play Every Day, Stella’s Girls, the Carolyn E. Parker Foundation, East-John Youth Center, Inc; and the St. Mary’s County Business, Education and Community Alliance (BECA).
The afternoon program expanded the conversation to higher education, featuring Dr. Dale Nesbary, executive director of the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland; Dr. Yolanda Wilson, LSM ’24, president of the College of Southern Maryland; and Dr. Kathrine Gantz, provost and dean of faculty at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Their discussion underscored the importance of strengthening regional pipelines from K–12 to college and career, expanding access, and aligning programs with emerging workforce needs.
The final panel of the day brought together teachers and students from public and private schools across the tri-county region. Their candid reflections on instructional time, mental health, academic balance, extracurricular pressures, and the joys and challenges of teaching and learning offered participants a grounded, “on-the-ground” view of the educational experience.
“Cathy Meyers reminded us that every conversation about education starts with the lived experiences of children,” said Dr. Sybol Anderson, executive director of Leadership Southern Maryland. “Throughout the day, we heard leaders at every level connecting policy, programs, and partnerships back to students’ real needs. That shared understanding—that education is both deeply human and deeply interconnected systemically—is what makes Southern Maryland such a powerful place for collective impact.”
Throughout the day, the Class of 2026 connected insights across sectors, culminating in an after-hours “play date” at Mac’s Tap & Table sponsored by Pure Play Every Day.
Leadership Southern Maryland’s flagship Executive Program is an interactive and life-enriching nine-month, tuition-based “behind-the-scenes” experience designed to enhance the collaborative abilities of our region’s top senior professionals.
LSM welcomes executives representing diverse geographic locations, industries, professions, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds who are committed to addressing the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.