Celebrating Impact
On a crisp fall afternoon, the newly unveiled Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus shone as a beacon of progress. Inside, an energized crowd of supporters, alumni, faculty, and community leaders gathered on October 30 to celebrate the kickoff of the Montgomery College Foundation’s most ambitious campaign yet. The Our College, Our Community, Our Future campaign aims to raise $50 million to meet critical student needs, including scholarships, technology, and essential resources like food and housing assistance.
The event was a celebration of Montgomery College’s enduring legacy and its vision for the future. With heartfelt remarks, shared memories, and a collective commitment to equity and opportunity, the atmosphere was electric. “This campaign is about the transformative power of philanthropy and the lives it touches,” said Joyce Matthews, then executive director of the Montgomery College Foundation.
The event highlighted a profound truth: Montgomery College’s success is inextricably tied to the strength of Montgomery County.
The Power of Opportunity
Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, Montgomery College President, underscored this connection in his remarks, emphasizing how the campaign will expand opportunities for student success at every stage. “Opportunity has the power to transform lives,” he said. “It creates ripples that touch families, neighborhoods, and entire communities. That is the power of what we’re building here together.”
Dr. Williams outlined the College’s recent achievements, such as the launch of the East County Education Center and initiatives shaped by listening to students’ struggles and aspirations.
“From bilingual tutoring to lactation stations for student-parents, our students teach us how to meet their needs,” he said. “Their resilience inspires us to do more.”
The room erupted in applause as Dr. Williams announced the campaign’s $50 million goal.
“This is a call to action,” he said. “Together, we can create more opportunities and build a stronger, more connected community.”
A Legacy of Access and Opportunity
The $50M Our College, Our Community, Our Future Campaign reflects Montgomery College’s long-standing commitment to equity and excellence. For decades, the College has been a cornerstone of the community, creating pathways for students of all backgrounds to achieve their dreams.
Whether supporting a high school senior starting their educational journey, a working parent returning to school, or an entrepreneur acquiring new skills, Montgomery College has consistently opened doors and changed lives.
The campaign focuses on three key stages of a student’s journey: Access, Completion, and Post-Completion Success. Through scholarships, cutting-edge technology, and workforce readiness tools, the campaign seeks to address the most pressing challenges students face today.
Mary Pat Alcus, chair of the Montgomery College Foundation board of directors, emphasized the campaign’s significance. “By supporting this campaign, you’re empowering students to achieve success,” she said. “Your investment builds a bridge between talent and opportunity, creating brighter futures for our community.”
A Community Effort
Longtime advocates for education and equity, Catherine and Isiah “Ike” Leggett have lent their names and leadership to the campaign. Catherine, a dedicated supporter of education and the arts, and Ike, former Montgomery County executive, share a deep belief in the transformative power of education.
Ike spoke of the importance of investing in future generations. “Montgomery College is a lifeline for our community,” he said. “It nurtures potential and provides the tools for success. That’s why Catherine and I are committed to this campaign and to the students whose lives it will change.”
Catherine echoed this sentiment. “This campaign ensures that Montgomery College continues to be a pillar of opportunity in Montgomery County, reaching every corner and touching every life.”
Stories of Transformation
The heart of the event was hearing directly from those whose lives have been profoundly shaped by Montgomery College’s mission and the generosity of its donors. Brendan Johnson, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Adventist HealthCare, shared why his organization has chosen to invest in the College and its students.
“We are honored to be the largest health care provider in Montgomery County. As we look to the future of caring for our community, it’s important to us that those who grow up in Montgomery County can have the opportunity to receive a world-class education right here and can stay and work for a world-class institution in MoCo,” said Johnson. “As such, we committed 350 nursing scholarships over the next six years at MC. I’m excited to say that we have 100 of those scholarships being used today.”
Ryan Jones, a current student, brought the audience to their feet with his inspiring journey.
“I am proud to speak on behalf of more than 2,000 students this year alone who are at MC because of the generosity of scholarship donors,” Jones began. “I’m extremely grateful and honored to be the recipient of the Ruth and Lou Williams Scholarship, which has helped me pay for tuition this semester.”
Jones described his long and challenging path to Montgomery College.
“I’m a Disability Support Services student who suffers from traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. My journey began back in 2008 when I didn’t graduate high school, but I would not let that stop me from pursuing my dreams. Thanks to MC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education program, I was able to obtain my high school diploma. The very same day, I passed my GED and signed up for fall classes,” Jones shared.
He credited the Presidential Scholars Program for helping him find his footing. “The program’s mission is to increase the representation of Black and brown men in high-paying careers and leadership opportunities. It transformed my experience at MC and gave me opportunities like speaking to you this afternoon,” he said.
Jones closed his remarks with a powerful message to future students: “My plans after MC are to transfer to the Universities at Shady Grove to pursue my bachelor’s degree in communications and eventually a career in public relations, while also pursuing my passion for motivational speaking. I will use my talents to empower the next generation of students, showing them that they, too, can reach for the stars. Most importantly, I want them to know—never give up on your dreams.”
Jorge Torres, a Montgomery College graduate and dental school student, shared his story of transformation, which began with uncertainty but was fueled by the support of the College and its programs. “I didn’t see higher education as a path for me until I met my ACES coach,” Torres said, referring to the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success program. “Montgomery College opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”
With the help of scholarships and guidance from mentors, Torres graduated with honors from the University of Maryland and was accepted into multiple dental schools. “Every step of the way, I felt supported,” he said. “This College didn’t just give me an education. It gave me confidence, purpose, and a future.”
A Vision for the Future
As the event drew to a close, Joyce Matthews encouraged attendees to think deeply about their philanthropic goals and how they could align with the campaign’s vision. “We thank you for your engagement today and hope to work with you to achieve transformational goals for our students, our community, and our future,” she said.
With the $50 million campaign now in full swing, the Montgomery College Foundation invites alumni, community members, and corporate partners to join this historic effort. As Matthews and other speakers affirmed, the power of philanthropy lies in its ability to uplift students while strengthening the entire Montgomery County community.
The Our College, Our Community, Our Future campaign represents more than a milestone. It’s a movement to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Leading By Example
During the campaign celebration, Dr. Williams shared that he and his wife, Maggie, established the Willie Williams and Peggy Griffith Endowment Scholarship. This scholarship will honor Dr. Williams’ father, who overcame illiteracy to earn a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. It also honors Maggie’s mother.
The endowed scholarship supports the Presidential Scholars Program, which reflects the Williams family’s belief in the power of education and opportunity. Open to students of all backgrounds, the Presidential Scholars Program was developed to increase the representation of men of color in high-wage/high-demand careers. Students in the program receive individualized financial aid support, academic support services, and connections to a network of internal and external mentors.
Dr. Williams shared that he and Maggie selected this program because “it embodies the values we strive to nurture in all our students: a commitment to community and public service.” He went on to say, “The Presidential Scholars Program is more than an investment in individual success; it’s an investment in the future of our entire community. Like my own family, many have experienced multiple transformations through opportunity. Maggie and I are proud to contribute to building this pipeline of opportunity.”
“Through their actions, the Williams family advocates for our students while actively working to ensure they have the tools and support they need to thrive academically and personally, and we could not be more grateful,” said Noah Saposnik, senior campaign director.
Campaign Priorities
Presidential Scholars Program
We will make specific, comprehensive investments and deliver evidence-based solutions that effectively address the particular challenges facing African American male students to ensure they enroll in college and remain in college through completion of a degree.
Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES)
We will build on investments that increase college degree completion and professional success for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education.
Honors Programs
We will provide unique learning and growth opportunities, and significant scholarships, for our brightest academic stars and most motivated high-potential students.
Student Parent Programs
We will help to create the conditions for parenting students to complete a college degree. Support could include early education, child care, and peer groups.
Athletics and Program Support
We will ensure that the student-athletes competing in sports on campus have the scholarships and financial assistance they need to earn a degree.
Transfer Scholarship Fund
We will provide funding for scholarships that unlock opportunities for students transferring to a four-year institution in Maryland or an out-of-state college or university.
Industry Certification and Credentialing Fee Assistance Fund
We will assist students who have completed a course of study at MC and who are required to sit for exams that confirm their skills and knowledge before they can begin their chosen career.
Student Wellness Center Food Security Programs
We will support our Fuel for Success programs (i.e., mobile market, food pantries, and grab-and-go programs) to address food insecurity on each campus.
Emergency Assistance
We will help students respond to financial difficulties that have the potential to end or derail their college dreams.
Experiential Learning and Career Connections Fund
We will provide opportunities (internships, externships, and fellowships) for student graduates to learn by doing and to make vital connections with others in their industry.
To contribute to the College’s campaign, please visit the Montgomery College Foundation.