For more than a decade, the Southern Management Leadership Program has served to develop local community leaders through a scholarship and intensive mentoring program at Prince George’s Community College, Montgomery College, and the University of Maryland. The program was founded by Suzanne Hillman (President and CEO of Southern Management Companies) and the Hillman Family to enrich the education of students in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. These communities are where Southern Management started over 50 years ago and the company’s deep roots have stood firm ever since. The mission of the Southern Management Leadership Program is to develop strong leaders who will use their educations and experiences to make positive and lasting impacts in their hometowns.
“We have long been committed to being good corporate citizens where we do business. What better way to give back to our local communities than developing impactful, creative, and inspiring local leaders,” said Suzanne Hillman. “We have witnessed wonderful success with this program as our students have graduated and gone on to be positive influences in our communities, and we look forward to celebrating many more future accomplishments,” Hillman added.
The Southern Management Leadership Program benefits the students in many ways by providing financial, academic, and professional assistance. Scholarships for Southern Management Leaders account for 55% of tuition at Montgomery College or Prince George’s Community College and up to 50% at the University of Maryland. The students are also eligible to receive additional funds for books and other required technology and benefit from one-on-one advising and mentoring from dedicated Program Directors at each of the three schools.
Perhaps the single most important benefit to students in this unique program is access to the Southern Management Leadership Program network. So many alums of this program have gone on to establish successful companies, take on important business roles, and become key leaders in their communities. The ability to network with this ever-expanding group of talented alumni is an extremely important asset to students. Alignment with Southern Management Companies also provides access to the resources of a local, billion-dollar business with roughly 80 offices and more than 1,700 employees. Leveraging this relationship with Southern Management provides additional access to business professionals, various internship possibilities, and valuable opportunities to develop professional relationships.
For more details about the Southern Management Leadership Program, please contact us.
Sara Herald | Director | Southern Management Leadership Program - University of Maryland | sherald@umd.edu
| Director | Southern Management Leadership Program - Prince George’s Community College | smlp@pgcc.edu
Rebecca Razavi | Director | Southern Management Leadership Program - Montgomery College | rebecca.razavi@montgomerycollege.edu
