FSU, ACM and ACPS Co-Host Leadership Allegany Education Day

Nov 13, 2026 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University, Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) and Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) co-hosted the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Leadership Allegany Education Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. This year’s theme, From Learning to Earning: Building Community Through Education, highlighted the role of education in preparing students for successful careers and strengthening the region.

The Class of 2027 began the day at FSU with an engaging CEO panel discussion featuring FSU President Dr. Shadow JQ Robinson, ACM President David Jones and ACPS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano. Each panelist provided an overview of their institution and discussed how the three organizations collaborate to create pathways that support student success, workforce readiness and regional prosperity.

“Education is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity and economic growth, and that impact is greatest when our institutions work together,” said FSU President Dr. Shadow JQ Robinson. “At Frostburg State, we are proud to partner with Allegany College of Maryland and Allegany County Public Schools to create meaningful pathways that connect learning to careers and help students envision their futures right here in our region. Leadership Allegany Education Day is a wonderful opportunity to showcase how collaboration, innovation and hands-on learning are strengthening our communities and preparing the next generation of leaders.”

Following the discussion, class members visited FSU’s newly revitalized Planetarium to explore its role as a hub for immersive learning, scientific discovery and community engagement. Led by FSU’s Dr. Jason Speights, the session highlighted how the Planetarium’s technology supports instruction across disciplines, enhances public outreach and creates unique experiential learning opportunities for students and visitors.

The class also took a tour, led by Department Chair and Director of Nursing Programs Dr. Kara Platt of FSU’s Education and Health Sciences Center and state-of-the-art nursing facilities, learning how hands-on experiences prepare students for high-demand careers in health professions.

The FSU portion of the day concluded with a student panel highlighting academic pathways, experiential learning, leadership opportunities and career preparation. Students were joined by FSU Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Michael Mathias, Senior Associate and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Jeff Graham and Director of the Center for Academic Advising and Retention Dr. Katherine Kinsinger. Participating on the student panel was Jacklyn Corda, Lauren Dils, Jayme Moyer, KJ Smothers and Hailey Wildesen.

The second half of Education Day took the Leadership Class to Allegany County Public Schools’ Center for Career and Technical Education (CCTE), where administrators shared insights into the district’s education programs and workforce development initiatives. The panelists were: Dr. Steve Thompson, Secondary Supervisor of Math and AP Programs; Dr. Sarah Welsh, Secondary Supervisor of English Language Arts/Reading, Library Media, and Equity; Jenny Ramsey, Coordinator of Community Schools and Teacher of the Year; Staci Noah, Supervisor of Early Childhood and Elementary English Language Arts; and Breann D’Atri, Coordinator of Workforce Development and Apprenticeships.  

CCTE’s Culinary Arts students prepared and served lunch for the class. Participants then toured the Center’s 14 career programs, including Academy of Health Professions, Auto Collision Repair, Automotive Technology, Careers in Cosmetology, Construction Trades – Carpentry, Construction Maintenance – HVAC, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Culinary Arts, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Graphic Communications, Interactive Media Production, Manufacturing Engineering Technology – CNC Programming and Operations, P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) and Welding and Metal Technology.

“The path from learning to earning begins in a public-school classroom for most of our County’s students. It’s where they build the foundation for everything that follows: college, career training, apprenticeships and living-wage careers here at home,” said ACPS Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano. 

Martirano continued, “As a former teacher, I could not resist assigning the Leadership Class homework: help us ensure our students are in school every day. Today’s attendance shapes tomorrow’s Allegany County. We are privileged to collaborate with Allegany College of Maryland and Frostburg State University, whose dedicated faculty, outstanding classrooms and laboratories, and valuable internships open doors for our graduates. But students can only walk through those doors if they are present in PreK-12 first. I ask each of you, as employers, parents, neighbors and community leaders, to help make regular school attendance both a community and a business priority.”

The last stop of Education Day was Allegany College of Maryland. At ACM’s Technologies Building, class members were welcomed by ACM Director of Marketing Andréa Beall and Coordinator of Student Recruitment Gracie McLeod. A panel featuring traditional-aged, career and technical program, transfer, non-traditional and dual enrollment, workforce and recent graduate students provided perspectives on the community college experience. Panelists discussed how students navigate different educational pathways and the resources and experiences that help them achieve their academic and career goals.

The class then participated in three hands-on rotations showcasing career preparation and workforce pathways. The activities demonstrated how students develop technical skills, build career readiness and establish connections to regional employment opportunities.

The day concluded at ACM’s Welcome Center with “Get to Know ACM,” an interactive activity featuring College leadership and representatives from workforce development, student success, transfer services and employer relations and community partnerships. Institutional dialogue breakout groups were facilitated by Scott Harrah, ACM’s Chief Institutional Research Officer; Melanie Chapman, ACM’s Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development; and Dr. Stephen Gibson, ACM’s Chair of Social and Behavioral Sciences Division and history professor.

Before Education Day concluded, class members reflected on their experiences, discussing how the day challenged assumptions about education and career pathways and highlighted connections among education, workforce preparation and the three institutions.

“Education is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and at Allegany College of Maryland, we take pride in creating opportunities that meet students wherever they are in life,” said ACM President David Jones. “Today, Leadership Allegany participants heard directly from our students, experienced the hands-on learning taking place in our classrooms, and explored how we work alongside employers and community partners to prepare the region’s workforce. What I hope they take away is that ACM is more than a place to earn a degree or credential. We are a connector between education and opportunity, between local talent and regional employers, and between individual aspirations and the future of our community. When education, business, and community leaders work together, we do more than prepare students for careers. We strengthen the future of Western Maryland.”

Leadership Allegany Education Day topic day chairs included Courtney McKay, Director of Grants and Development and Executive Director of the ACM Foundation; Beth Little, Chief Advancement and Community Relations Officer, ACM; Andréa Beall, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, ACM; Lauren Winterberg, Director of Workforce Innovation and Lifelong Learning, ACM; Joe Brewer, Supervisor of Career and Technology Education, ACPS; Mia Cross, Director of Communications, FSU; Dr. Sara-Beth Bittinger, Associate Vice President for Academic Operations and Fiscal Affairs, FSU; and Kayla Mathew, Alumni Relations and Events Specialist, FSU.