The Monday Minute with Dr. Williams | Montgomery College, Maryland

April 14, 2025

April is Arab American Heritage Month and the MC Library provides a comprehensive collection of resourcesnew window to expand your cultural knowledge. This Arab American Heritage guide can lead you to books, podcasts, streaming films, and other resources that narrate history and cultural experience, cultivating a sense of belonging by celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of Arab Americans.

Celebrating Scholarships

Our annual scholarship luncheon on Friday was a truly special event. It was energizing to hear students share their powerful stories and see the impact of our scholarship community in action. I’m deeply thankful to the donors whose commitment to our students is changing lives. One of the most meaningful parts of the event was watching donors connect with the students who have received their scholarship. These moments reflect the heart of our mission with real people and real impact. Two donors, Pat and Craig Ruppert, longtime champions of the College, are outstanding examples of this spirit. Their belief in the College’s role in workforce development, paired with their deep, personal commitment to students, sets a powerful example. I extend my gratitude to the students, faculty, and staff, who made this event possible.

Welcome High School Seniors Spending Spring Break at MC

With Montgomery County Public Schools on spring break this week, the College is welcoming prospective students to “Spend Spring Break with Usnew window” at our locations—all three campuses, the East County Education Center, as well as virtually. The soon-to-be-high school graduates can tour the College, attend a class, engage faculty and students, and learn about extracurricular activities. They can also attend sessions to learn about majors, financial aid, and extracurricular programs. This week of activities directly responds to the College’s Transformational Aspirationsnew window that call us to deepen the college-going culture across the county. When these high school students visit our locations, they begin to see that they belong—and that they, too, can enroll at MC and engage in educational experiences to help them thrive. Please welcome them and show our inclusive Raptor spirit.

Cybersecurity Teams Dominate Competition

Congratulations to the 10 Raptors who represented Montgomery College at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Two-Year College Cyber Defense Competition, securing both first and second place! Held at the University of Maryland, College Park, the event was part of National CyberWatch’s Mid-Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Summit and featured over 250 students from the region. Each team acted as an IT department, defending network infrastructure from cyber-attacks while maintaining business operations. Competitors balanced security with usability and collaborated to keep systems stable and secure. Kudos to winners Fatma Absi, Valentina Santos Andrade, Yevhenii Dementiev, Hunter Haynie, Adam Lederer, Alex Nguyen, Ryan Nkansah, Lidija Stamenkovic, Albert Laino Troendle, and Laya Vennapusa. Special thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff for providing an outstanding cybersecurity program, preparing students for industry challenges.

Have a wonderful week!

With Raptor Regards,
Dr. Jermaine F. Williams signature
Dr. Jermaine F. Williams
President
@DrWilliams_MCnew window

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