A Home for Future Leaders

An SMCM Webinar for Parents of Newly Admitted Students

March 2026

Welcome to the Seahawk Family!

• St. Mary’s College of Maryland — National Public Honors College�
• Fall 2026 Admitted Families�
• “Preparing for Success Together”

​

Your Presenters

Patrice Darby

​

​

​

​

Joanne Goldwater

3

Tonight’s Purpose

• Share info with parents/family members to help you with the decision-making process
• Highlight academic excellence and outcomes
• Answer your questions

Poll

I am attending this session because:

1. I have nothing better to do tonight
2. I want to help my student make the right decision about where to go to college
3. I’m curious if this place can handle my kid’s unique brand of chaos
4. I’m trying to be a supportive parent while secretly crying into my pillow at night

Getting to Know You

• What other reasons do you have for joining us tonight?
• Please post your responses in the Chat

Why SMCM Matters

• Honors-level academics with public-college value�
• Small classes & personalized faculty mentorship�
• Waterfront campus & vibrant community

​

Defining Features of SMCM

• Rigorous liberal arts curriculum�
• Senior capstone (St. Mary’s Project)�
• 10:1 student-faculty ratio (ave. class size ~19)�
• Robust experiential learning (High Impact Practices)

​

Yield Reality & Opportunity

• Many students/families are still deciding where to go.
• Did we mention the waterfront living?

Student Success Outcomes

• 86% retention rate

​

• First destination survey
• Notable alumni:
• Mayor Brandon Scott and DC City Commissioner Robert White
• The number of alums working at SMCM�

​

Career & Graduate Success

• ~94% employed or in grad school within 6 months of graduation (MHEC data)
• Career development support starts in the first year
• Competitive placement across fields

Financial Aid & Value

• 89% of students receive aid�
• Average grant aid ~$10,500

​

Cost & Net Price

• In-state tuition: ~$15,300�
• Out-of-state tuition: ~$31,300
• Focus on net cost, not sticker price

Financial Questions

• My student has an SMCM email account, but no student account yet. How can we set that up?
• Who can we talk with about specific financial assistance options?
• Office of Student Financial Assistance at 240-895-3000 or osfa@smcm.edu

​

Academic Support

• Tutoring, writing support, advising�
• Accessibility Services�
• Career Development Center

​

• Office of Student Success Services (OS3)

​

Academic Questions

• What are the days and times of classes?
• What is a typical course plan for pre-med?
• How does AP credit transfer?
• How to be sure the student registers for the correct classes?

Small School: Many Resources

Peer Support:

• Resident Assistants (RAs) & Residence Hall Coordinators (RHCs)
• Orientation Leaders (OLs)
• Peer Academic Success Strategies (PASS) Specialists

​

​

• DeSousa Brent (DB) Mentors
• Peer Mentors
• Career Mentors (CCPD)

​

17

Small School: Many Resources 1

Social Resources/Leadership Development:

• Office of Student Activities
• Programs Board
• SGA/Clubs
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Athletics/Waterfront

​

​

Health Resources:

• Health Services
• Counseling Services
• Peer Health Educators (PHEs)

​

Small School: Many Resources 2

Academic Resources:

• Tutors (Free!)
• Writing & Speaking Center
• Reference Librarians
• CHEM/BIOC Help Hub

​

​

​

​

• Academic Advisor
• Instructors/Teaching Assistants (TAs)/Lab Assistants (LAs)
• Center for Democracy

​

Small School: Many Resources 3

Office Support

• Center for Career & Professional Development
• Dean of Students
• DeSousa-Brent Scholars
• Office of Accessibility Services
• Office of Student Financial Assistance

​

​

• Office of International Education
• Office of Student Success Services
• Registrar’s Office
• Residence Life
• Title IX

​

Resources: ADA Questions

• What resources are available for ADHD and neurodivergent students?
• Who can we talk with about ADA accommodations?
• How do we apply for accommodations?

​

Resources: Work/Study

• What work-study opportunities are available?
• How soon should students start to seek internship and study abroad opportunities?
• Where should students go to find internship and study abroad opportunities?

Resources: Health Questions

• Are there mandatory vaccines needed prior to moving in and/or attending SMCM?
• How do we transfer in any medications?
• Is there a nurse on campus?

Campus Life at SMCM

• Over 70 clubs & organizations�
• NCAA Division III athletics

​

• Dodge Performing Arts Center (DPAC)�
• Outdoor adventure & waterfront life

​

Residential Experience

• Four-year living-learning environment�
• Strong residential community
• Peer mentorship & themed floors

​

Residential Questions

• Do all residences have A/C?
• How do we sign up for housing?
• Is cookware available in the community kitchen?
• Do students need permission to leave campus on the weekend?
• Do parents need permission to take their child off-campus/home for the weekend?

​

Residential Questions

• What’s the best size for a shower caddy?
• How big are the smallest closets?
• What assistance is available on move-in day? Do I need to bring a wagon or will there be help onsite?
• How to arrange ride shares to Virginia?

Parent Engagement

• Family webinars and newsletters�
• Family Weekend events�
• Ongoing support through the Seahawk Family Liaison

Parent Support Questions

• How can I support my student during their first year at college?

​

Why Students Choose SMCM

• Personal attention
• Academic challenge
• Authentic community

In Their Own Voices: Student 1

• “My advisor has helped me a ton in sorting out how to graduate when I want to. As a transfer student, I had a lot of credits but no upper levels. We plotted all the credits I had brought in and where they would fit in for the requirements that are needed to graduate here, and used that to map out my last 2 years. Coming from a community college where I never met with an advisor, the difference in support is astounding.”

In Their Own Voices: Student 2

• “Everyone here is very nice and does their best to help you when you ask for help. Whether it’s other students, your teacher, or your advisor, the people here do want you to succeed.”
• “The moment I first visited SMCM it just felt like home. I’ve always gone to smaller schools and have always valued the close relationships that I could build with my professors and other students. You can definitely get that here at SMCM.”

In Their Own Voices: Student 3

• “The worst thing is walking to classes when it rains. The buildings that I need are around 5 minutes apart and an umbrella can only do so much to keep the rain off you.”
• “There are a lot of things that are great about SMCM such as the small class size and individual attention given by professors. I live in Warring Commons and have great roommates, and when I feel homesick, SMCM is close to home so it is really convenient and easy for me to get a quick home-cooked meal.”

In Their Own Voices: Student 4

• “One of the most impactful forms of support I’ve experienced at SMCM has been from the professors. They genuinely want their students to succeed. I’ve found that when I communicate openly and respectfully about any challenges or conflicts, they are very understanding and willing to help me find solutions so I can stay on track.”

In Their Own Voices: Student 5

• “Students who are most confident and ready to step into life after college extend their education to both inside and outside of the classroom. Seek part time work, volunteer, and become involved in clubs; SMCM provides abundant access to all three. Take time to discover what you are passionate about, to refine your skills, and to become increasingly independent so that you may more easily achieve your aspirations. The beauty of SMCM is the connections that can be drawn from it.”

In Their Own Voices: Parent 1

• “One of the things we really liked about St. Mary's was the emphasis on academic intervention to help students be successful. I attended XXX where I think I met with my adviser twice in my time there; it was very much a sink or swim environment.”

​

• “I always worried about my child so far away, but I have trust in St. Mary’s to protect all the students there.”

​

In Their Own Voices: Parent 2

• “I found your advice so helpful last year for my daughter”
• “I’m so impressed that someone from the college responded to my post within 5 minutes after 8pm on a Friday night. That’s dedication!”
• “My son chose St. Mary’s because he felt comfortable there; comfortable in the dorms, in his classes and in the [college] garden! He tells me it felt like home from his first visit.”

In Their Own Voices: Parent 3

• “The most impactful support my son has received at St. Mary’s has been encouragement to pursue his interest in aquaculture. His passion is recognized and appreciated by the faculty members he has worked with.”
• “The advice I would give to new Seahawk parents is to keep the line of communication between you & your student open always”

Why Families Choose SMCM

• Safe environment
• Excellent academics
• Balance of challenge and support
• Strong outcomes at manageable cost: Private/Public

How Parents Can Support

• Discuss academic and outside-of-class goals
• Encourage campus visit/revisit
• Promote independence and ownership of their education

The Power of Encouragement

• Students value parental input
• Confidence reduces anxiety
• Affirmation strengthens commitment
• Positive reinforcement

Transformational Experience

• Rigorous academics
• Meaningful mentorship
• Preparation for life beyond college

Join Our Community

• Submit your deposit (sooner is better)
• Complete the New Student Checklist
• Attend SOAR in June
• Drop off in August (hug-hug, kiss-kiss, bye-bye)

Parent Engagement Calendar: Spring

• March 25, April 1: Admitted Seahawk Celebrations
• April 11: Admitted Seahawk Day
• April 17: President Phillips Inauguration
• April 25: Open House

​

​

Parent Engagement Calendar: Summer

• June 22-24: Seahawk Onboarding, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) Days (choose one)
• July-December: Virtual Parent Training Series

Parent Engagement Calendar: Fall

• August 27: Move-In Day
• September-April: OS3 Monthly Family Webinars
• October 16-18: Hawktoberfest and Family Weekend

Contact Information

Office of Student Success Services (OS3)

240-895-4388

os3@smcm.edu

​

Seahawk Family Liaison

240-895-4388

families@smcm.edu

Facebook: St. Mary’s College of Maryland Parents’ Group

​

We Hope to See You This Fall!

Go Seahawks!

​

THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HONORS COLLEGE

A St. Mary’s Sunset

Thank You and Q&A