HONORS forALL
In 1840 St. Mary’s College of Maryland was established as a living monument to founding of the State of Maryland. Today –We are NATIONAL because we were the first public honors college in the United States. For you, that means being part of something truly distinctive and special.
We are PUBLIC because we believe that our students deserve the opportunity to study at an exceptional institution at a cost that’s genuinely affordable. Your background, your financial situation, your ethnicity — none of it should get in the way of your education.
We are an HONORS college because we set high expectations for everyone, and we help you exceed them. At other colleges, you’ll just find honors programs for some. Here, honors and excellence are inclusive for all. No matter your background, if you have the ambition to put in the hard work, you’re an honors student at St. Mary’s College.
If this sounds like your kind of place, get to know us more. And hopefully, we’ll get to know you too. JOIN US ›
NAME: Zane Obi ’25
MAJOR: Philosophy
HOMETOWN: Germantown, Maryland
NAME: Samuel Shenot ’24
MAJOR: Economics
HOMETOWN: Upper Marlboro, Maryland
NAME: Cypress Runowich ’24 (and Alfie)
MAJOR: Neuroscience
HOMETOWN: Lexington Park, Maryland
NAME: Gladis VanGessell ’24
MAJOR: Chemistry
HOMETOWN: Delmar, Delaware
ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ONE THING IN COMMON: WE HAVE EARNED OUR PLACE HERE. WE WORK HARD, DREAM BIG, AND HAVE GOALS. WE COME FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND HAVE OUR OWN OPINIONS, BUT WE’RE COLLABORATIVE, NOT
NAME: Meghan Stevens ’24
MAJOR: Environmental Studies, Biology
HOMETOWN: Westminster, Maryland
NAME: Matthew Bragg ’26
MAJOR: Political Science
HOMETOWN: Bowie, Maryland
NAME: Mathew Vieke ’25
MAJOR: Physics, Mathematics
HOMETOWN: Ventura, California
NAME: Tae-shi Savage ’24
MAJOR: English, Performing Arts - Music
HOMETOWN: Baltimore, Maryland
CUTTHROAT. WE ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO BETTER OURSELVES AND THE WORLD AROUND US. AS A RESULT, THE VIBE HERE IS WELCOMING AND HOPEFUL. WE’RE
GOING PLACES.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE tailored FOR YOU
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE PROVIDES YOU AN EXCEPTIONAL LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION.
We believe that the best learning springs from the rich human exchange between student and teacher. This exchange takes place in our small classes that are both challenging and engaging, in one-in-one interactions, and even on the walking paths that cross campus. This promotes learning on a deep and personalized level that is characteristic of St. Mary’s College.
TAKE the LEAD
LEAD stands for Learning Through Experiential and Applied Discovery. LEAD is our award-winning curriculum that integrates credit-bearing professional career development and the HONORS COLLEGE PROMISE with the innovative teaching and excellence of our academic programs.
The Honors College Promise guarantees you the opportunity to engage in research, internships, or international experiences.
LEAD ensures that you will graduate with the contemporary subject-matter knowledge, experiences and skill sets that employers and graduate schools tell us they want while also showing you how to navigate the world of work.
MATTHEW BRAGG ’26
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Next step: Foreign Service
RESEARCH “While studying abroad in Japan, I researched policies on youth immigration for the Northeast Asian Regional governments as part of a student forum. This research led to an award for best student presentation.”
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
“I studied at Akita University in Akita, Japan in the summer and fall of 2023. The experience gave me a better insight into people outside of the United States. Although I’m used to seeing diverse groups of people in the United States, studying abroad helped me better grasp how diverse the world is and how much culture impacts people’s behaviors.”
CAREER PREP “As someone who aspires to become a Foreign Service Officer, studying abroad helped me better adapt to new environments and learn about other cultures.”
EXPERTISE “I believe this experience was great for someone like me who wants to work internationally and is open to learning about various cultures around the globe.”
CHECK OUT MORE STORIES LIKE THIS ONE
96% OF GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED, IN SCHOOL, VOLUNTEERING OR IN THE MILITARY SIX MONTHS AFTER GRADUATING (CLASS OF 2022)
89% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN INTERNSHIPS, INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES, OR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
350+
ALUMNI MENTORS SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS
RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES BASED ON QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY AND OUTCOMES (MONEY MAGAZINE, 2022)
10:1
OUR STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO GIVES YOU THE PERSONAL ATTENTION YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
OF OUR FACULTY HOLD THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE DEGREE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELD OF STUDY
MIA DALMA AZURIN ‘24
DeSousa-Brent Scholar
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
FAVORITE WAY TO CHILL
“I love grabbing a book and my hammock and spending the day reading outside.”
FACULTY RELATIONSHIPS
“One of my biggest worries coming to college was not being able to establish great relationships with my professors like I did in high school. But the professors here truly make an effort to know their students and be an advocate for them.”
PROFESSORS WHO CARE
“My freshman year I had Dr. Ayse Ikizler for my core seminar. I remember this one meeting where we were talking about one of my papers. She showed great interest in my topic, was very thoughtful in her critiques and gave me a lot of great advice that I still follow today.”
YOU’LL LEARN from the EXPERTS
Across the board, our world-class professors agree that the reason they teach at St. Mary’s College is because of the students who choose to learn here. To guide, steer, mentor and empower those who are earnest in their desire to be great — that’s what fuels them. Tell them what fuels you and prepare for liftoff.
“Our small classes allow me to really get to know my students. One of the great things about being at SMCM is that there’s not a single week that I don’t hear from former students. They’ll tell me about their lives, their kids, and thank me when they’re successful.”
ASIF DOWLA, PHD, Landers Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts and Professor of Economics
“Everyone
OUR 361-ACRE WATERFRONT CAMPUS LIES IN THE HEART OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION.
is so close here. I never go a day without waving ‘hi’ to someone on the way to class or seeing someone I know having lunch outside. It’s just such a nice tight-knit community that I feel like I am a part of.”
EMILY VANCE ’25, English and ILC/Spanish
1840
A SCHOOL IS FOUNDED, AS A “LIVING MONUMENT” TO THOSE ORIGINAL COLONISTS.
1992
SMCM IS DESIGNATED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND AS ITS HONORS COLLEGE, AND TODAY IS THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HONORS COLLEGE.
BECOME a SEAHAWK
Whether you love to be out on the water, on the field or on the court, there’s a varsity or club team for you here. Most important thing to note about Seahawks? Our athletes care just as much about their academic performance as they do their athletic skills, and our coaches — some of the best in the country — take pride in that.
1 ) J AMES P. MULDOON RIVER CENTER AND TEDDY TURNER WATERFRONT
2 ) J AMIE L. ROBERTS STADIUM
3 ) SOMERSET TENNIS C OMPLEX
4 ) MICHAEL P . O’BRIEN ATHLETICS AND RECREATION CENTER
5 ) THE HA WK’S NEST BASEBALL STADIUM
REAVA POTTER (right)
Director of Varsity Track & Field and Cross Country programs
“What impresses me the most about my student athletes is how they are able to handle being a student athlete on top of being very involved on campus. They do it very well and show up every day ready to work.”
Major: Physics, Computer Science
Hometown: Bel Air, MD
Varsity Lacrosse, Defensive Midfielder
“I chose to play lacrosse at SMCM because of the great team culture, the DIII athletic experience and the beautiful campus. The small class sizes and constant availability of professors help me excel. This academic intimacy provides me with the knowledge and experience to take on the challenges of working as a civilian scientist.” NCAA DIVISION
VARSITY MEN’S
QUINNTEN HATFIELD ’25 (left)
VARSITY WOMEN’S SPORTS
Signature PROGRAMS
MONUMENT SCHOLARS
Students who are among the top 10% of students offered admission to the College are recognized as Monument Scholars. These students have the opportunity to participate in cohortbased activities each semester and receive enhanced academic advising and mentorship in support of their goals.
SUM PRIMUS
LANDERS SCHOLARS
The Landers Scholars provides fully funded (tuition, fees, room and board) four-year scholarships to students that are from lowincome backgrounds and the first in their family to attend college or are underrepresented in higher education.
Our first-generation student initiative offers students who are the first in their families to attend college the opportunity to participate in programming - such as the Sum primus livinglearning communityand be part of a supportive network of other firstgeneration students, faculty, and staff.
DESOUSABRENT SCHOLARS
The DeSousa-Brent Scholars program is a selective program that offers students from underrepresented groups in higher education the opportunity to participate in cohort-based events, supplemental coursework, and ongoing mentoring to further cultivate their academic and leadership potential.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers a number of signature programs which are designed to meet the needs of distinct cohorts of students through a variety of resources and programming.
GLOBAL SCHOLARS
Global Scholars complete 16 credits in designated globalized courses that may include international languages and cultures, along with cross-disciplinary global topics courses. They participate in campus events focused on global issues. Global Scholars also complete an international experience, after which they present to a public audience a poster and talk about the global learning outcomes of their accumulated experiences. Successful completion of the requirements earns these students Global Scholars Distinction on their transcript and honor cords to wear at graduation.
EXTRA-CURRICULARS are not EXTRA
THEY’RE ESSENTIAL. As a school that offers nearly 70 student-led clubs, it’s not surprising that a majority of our students are involved in multiple activities and organizations.
“Dance Club is full of people from different majors and academic journeys. It’s nice to be in that atmosphere during the semester so that you’re active but you’re also having a lot of fun.”
‘25 , English and performing arts
ACADEMIC
Animal Career Club (ACC)
Anthropology Club
Biomolecular Organization of St. Mary’s Students (BOSS)
Economics Club
Geology Club
History Club
Neuroscience Club
Philosophy Club
Pre-Health Club
Pre-Law Advisory Network
St. Mary’s Chapter of the American Chemical Society (SMACS)
ATHLETICS
Club Sports
Climbing
Coed Soccer
Equestrian Fencing
Hawkettes
Men’s Rugby
Offshore Sailing
Softball
Ultimate Windsurfing
Women’s Rugby Wrestling
Intramurals
Varsity Sports (21 teams)
CULTURAL
Alianza Club
Asian Pacific Islander Amercian Culture Club (APAC )
African Sstudent Association (ASA )
St. Mary’s Triangle and Rainbow Society (STARS)
Transgenda
FAITH-BASED
Catholic Seahawks
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Jewish Student Union
PERFORMANCE
Burlesque
Dance Club
InterChorus
Kit Qat Club
Music Club
Take One Improv
The Nightingals A Cappella (TNA)
Zero Degrees
Color Guard Club
SERVICE & SOCIAL CHANGE
Black Student Union
College Democrats (SMCDems)
College Republicans (SMRC)
Habitat for Humanity
Kate Farm Club
Maryland Student Legislature Club
Relay for Life
Seahawks for Historic Students for Justice
Student Government Association
Sustainability Club
Vegetarian Coop
SPECIAL INTEREST
Anime Club
Aquaculture Club
Archery Club
Art Club
AVATAR Literary Magazine
Badminton Club
Best Buddies
Bookworms
Boxing Club
Chancellor Point Club
Chess Club
Creative Writing
Curls & Coils
Energize
Fashion Club
Fishing Club
Furry Club
Historic Swordsmanship Club
Nerf Wars
Outdoor Adventure Club
Photography Club
Pickleball Club
Powerlifting Club
Public Art Collective
Sistas Steppas Club
Spikeball Club
Stitchcraft
Tabletop Club
The Point News
Video Game Club
Volleyball Club
Winners at Ping Pong (WAPP)
WE’RE ALL in this TOGETHER
Our professors and staff are advisers, advocates, confidants and friends. Together we form an engaged community of invested learners. Add our guarantee of campus housing for all students and you’ve got something special.
YOU MIGHT EXPECT A COLLEGE THAT’S ENTIRELY HONORS TO BE INTIMIDATING AND COMPETITIVE — ONE GIANT FREE SOLO CLIMB. That couldn’t be further from our truth.
“After visiting St. Mary’s College with my mom, I knew this was a place where I would really thrive. The small community and extensive resources and opportunities available to students really sealed the deal for me. Plus, the campus is beautiful!”
ELLA PRICE ’25, History
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
ADVISING
PEER MENTORS
TUTORING
WRITING AND SPEAKING CENTER
STUDENT FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
PHYSICAL FITNESS
AQUATICS CENTER
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
CLIMBING WALL
KAYAKS & PADDLE BOARDS
SAILBOATS
WELLNESS
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS & REFERRALS
MEDICATION
LAB TESTING
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
DAILY COUNSELING WALK-IN HOURS
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP THERAPY
24/7 HELPLINE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
PEER HEALTH EDUCATION & SUPPORT
INTERFAITH PRAYER & MEDITATION SPACE
# 7
BEST BEACH COLLEGE BY COLLEGE CONSENSUS, 2024
TOP 25
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE RANKED IN THE TOP 25 HEALTHIEST COLLEGES IN THE U.S., ACCORDING TO GREATIST
#1
BEST COLLEGE FOOD IN MARYLAND (NICHE, 2024)
WHERE SEAHAWKS GO AFTER HERE MAYBE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, MAYBE YOU’RE NOT THERE YET. EITHER WAY, WITH THE HONORS-LEVEL LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE YOU’LL EARN HERE, YOU’LL BE PREPARED FOR MULTIPLE CAREER PATHWAYS — WITH THE SKILLS TO BE AMAZING AND THE CONNECTIONS TO GET AHEAD. OUR GRADS ARE OLYMPIC ATHLETES, AUTHORS, ATTORNEYS, PHYSICIANS, JUDGES, CEOS, BIOCHEMISTS, AND BEYOND. AND THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. TAKE A LOOK.
STEPHON DINGLE ’12
History
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KENYA, AFRICA
“I’m
self taught when it comes to code and tech, and have a B.A. in psychology, focusing on social interactions and research best practices. These two sides of my education came together when I discovered the field of UX and have led me to where I am now.”
KAIT HINES ’10, psychology major, now UX Designer for Alexa in Mountain View, CA
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA
READY FOR AN EDUCATION ON PAR WITH THE BEST PRIVATE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES, AT THE COST OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION, IN A SETTING THAT’S BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL?
That’s what you’ll find here.
JOIN US.
“We want to ensure that ALL students who join our community not only have the potential and capacity to succeed but that we provide an environment where they can truly thrive.”
TUAJUANDA C. JORDAN, PHD, President
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND WAS FOUNDED IN 1840. OUR 361-ACRE WATERFRONT CAMPUS LIES IN THE HEART OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION, ADJACENT TO HISTORIC ST. MARY’S CITY, MARYLAND — THE 4TH-OLDEST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT IN NORTH AMERICA.
ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND AT-A-GLANCE
ACADEMICS
• 65 academic programs
• Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
• 67% of St. Mary’s College students major or minor in a second academic discipline
• 128 full-time faculty
• 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio means you’ll get personalized attention
• 24 study abroad programs
• 66% conducted research with faculty (Class of 2023)
• Member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
C AMPUS LIFE
• #1 for best college food in Maryland (Niche.com)
• 84% of students live on campus (2023-24)
• 8 residential areas (co-ed and single-sex halls, suites, apartments and townhouses)
• 23 varsity athletic teams (NCAA Division III, InterCollegiate Sailing Association, Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference)
• Nearly 70 student clubs and organizations
ENROLLMENT
• 1601 students (fall 2023)
• 29% of students are from historically marginalized communities (fall 2023)
• Mathematics
MAJORS
• Anthropology
- Archaeology*
• Ar t
• Asian Studies
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Business Administration & Management
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• English
• Environmental Studies
• History
• International Languages & Cultures
- Spanish
• Marine Science
• Neuroscience
• Performing Arts
- Integrated Performing Arts*
- Music*
- Theater, Dance & Performance Studies*
• Philosophy
• Physics
- Applied Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Policy Studies
• Sociology
• Student-Designed
MINORS
• African & African Diaspora Studies
• Anthropology
ACADEMIC PROFILE (middle 50%)
• 3.5-4.2 (weighted GPA)
• 3.2-3.8 (unweighted GPA)
LOCATION
• Our 361-acre waterfront campus lies in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region, adjacent to historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland.
• Distance to Campus (in miles/driving time) Annapolis: 70 mi/1hr 30 min Washington, D.C.: 75 mi/1 hr 30 min Baltimore: 97 mi/2 hr Richmond: 114 mi/2 hr 10 min San Diego: 2667 mi/40 hr NYC: 279 mi/5 hr 30 min
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
• Ar t
• Asian Studies
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Economics
• Educational Studies
• English
• Environmental Studies
• History
• International Languages & Cultures
- Chinese
- French
- Spanish
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Museum Studies
• Music
TESTING (test optional) (middle 50%)
• SAT: 1110-1320
• ACT: 24-30
TUITION & FEES
Tuition is frozen for the foreseeable future
• Maryland: $12,116
• District of Columbia: $22,116
• Out of State: $28,192
• Fees: $3,120
• Room: $8,332 to $10,206
• Board: $6,340 to $6,858
FINANCIAL AID/ SCHOLARSHIPS
• 98% of students receive merit scholarships or need-based aid.
• The Landers Scholars program awards 4 students a full tuition, fees, room and board scholarship per year
• Musical Ar ts Administration
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Special Education
• Theater Studies
• Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
CROSSDISCIPLINARY
• African & African Diaspora Studies
• Asian Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Museum Studies
• Neuroscience
• Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
PRE-PROFESSIONAL
• Pre-Dentistry
• Pre-Engineering
• Pre-Law
• Pre-Medicine
• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Pharmacy
• Pre-Veterinary Science
DEGREES OFFERED
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
GRADUATE PROGRAM
• Master of Ar ts in Teaching (MAT)
*Concentration