DR. MAUREEN M URPHY

President of College of Southern Maryland

TELL US ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT INSPIRED YOU.

A recent event that really inspired me to keep going was a college-wide Zoom after George Floyd’s murder. That incident, with the pandemic as a backdrop, had so many of us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. When the college came together, and people shared their feelings, I had a glimmer of hope. It’s hope that sustains us, and I’m grateful to the CSM community for sustaining me.

When youchooseSt. Mary’s College honors-level education, you’re askingfor something special: elevatedacademics,a pathway to a prosperouscareer, prestigewithout thepretentiousness,andprofessors whogenuinelycareabout your success.

POPULAR AC AD E MIC PROGRAMS like EducationalStudies,Psychology, EnvironmentalStudies;and Women, Gender& SexualityStudies.

ELEVEN women-centricorcoed varsitysportspluswomen-centric clubsportslike rugby, soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.

WISHLIVIN G& LEARNING

CE NT ER , formed to supportwomen inSTEM,opened in2006 andis the longestcontinuallyrunLLCatSt. Mary’s College.

LEARNMORE AT WWW.SMCM.EDU

Born and raised in Panama, Maria Icaza later attended Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa., where she learned to fluently speak English. She spent a semester abroad at the Universite de La Sorbonne in Paris, France, studying the French language and culture. Upon graduating, she attended New England School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor’s degree. After having met her husband in Law School, the pair moved back to Panama where she practiced law in a private firm for a decade.

In 2000, Maria and her husband relocated to St. Mary’s County and after five years in the area, she decided to open her own business. Following a visit from family one weekend, her mother-in-law from New Jersey expressed how much she loved Dunkin’ back home and made the suggestion to Maria. After finding that St. Mary’s County did not have a Dunkin’, Maria researched the opportunity and made the call to Dunkin’ Brands that following Monday. Maria has been a Dunkin’ franchisee since 2005 and opened her first store in 2007. To date, she currently owns and operates four Dunkin’ locations in two counties with the fifth store opening in the coming weeks.

Both as a Dunkin’ franchisee and a member of the community, Maria has strived to get involved in a number of different ways. Previously, she sat on the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for seven years and is currently a member of the Lexington Park Rotary Club. On a personal front, she is an avid supporter of Special Olympics and employs at least one special needs individual in each of her stores. As a Dunkin’ franchisee, she enjoys supporting local schools through sponsorships for special events, as well as donating to other charitable organizations in St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties. Since 2017, Maria’s restaurants have also participated in an annual charitable program through Dunkin’, which includes helping raise more than $75,500 toward Children’s National Health System through the market’s Iced Coffee Days program.

Maria’s mother is and has always been her greatest inspiration. After her father passed when she was at a young age, Maria observed and drew inspiration from her mother’s worth ethic and determination in handling raising a family of five while simultaneously running her father’s business.

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Securities offered throughLPLFinancial.MemberFINRA/SIPC. CovingtonAlsinais aseparateentityfromLPLFinancial.

We wouldliketohonor Anna Jonesfor hercommitmentto excellencetoherclientswhilecontinuallyservingthelocal communityandbeyond. Anna Jones,TeamLeaderof TheJones Team hasbeen givingbacktoChristmasConnectionforover25 years.

Fromorganizingbookbagdrivestocoat drives forthoseinour localschoolsandthoselessfortunate,Anna hasbeendedicated tothecommunityforover10years. Additionally,Anna sponsorsmultiplechildrenfromaroundthe world providing neededfood, clothing, costofschoolingandsupplies.

Takinginitiative,Annaorganizeda grouptosupportComfort Cases, aprogramforfosterchildrenprovidingbagswithclothes, toiletriesandotherpersonalitems forchildrenenteringthe foster caresystem.Thankyou,Annafor allyoudotosupportand serveothers!