Parker selected as director of St. Charles Children’s Learning Center

The College of Southern Maryland announces Carolyn Parker as its director of the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center at CSM. Parker brings 15 years of experience to the position and a passion for children and learning.

‘‘I would like to see the center go through the Maryland State Department of Education accreditation process, receive its accreditation and provide our children and families with the highest quality of care,” Parker said regarding the center’s ongoing preparations prior to applying for accreditation. ‘‘By accomplishing this task, our children will leave the center ready for kindergarten.”

Previously serving as education specialist for the Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee Head Start program, Parker oversaw more than 60 educators. Now at CSM she said she is excited to be guiding the staff toward their teacher and assistant teacher certifications.

Working to advance content area specific curricula for ages 3, 4 and 5, Parker served on the Maryland State Department of Education Board’s Evaluation Committee tasked with curriculum review and recommendation for state endorsement.

Parker received her master’s degree in education with a concentration in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Sojourner-Douglass College in Baltimore.

The St. Charles Children's Learning Center provides quality childcare and a safe learning environment for the children of students, faculty, staff and community. The center's program is devoted to enhancing the lives of young children through a child-centered developmentally appropriate curriculum. The center is committed to enhancing the students' quality of life by supporting their educational goals.

For information about the St. Charles Children's Learning Center, visit www.csmd.edu⁄clc.

As the College of Southern Maryland celebrates its 50th anniversary, the CSM Foundation marks a major milestone in the history of the college with its “Campaign for the Next 50 Years.“ The campaign is raising $5 million to fund an Institute for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (ISTEM), a Regional Center for Trades and Transportation Technologies; and initiatives to address local nursing and healthcare workforce shortages; focus on educational excellence, and endow a student scholarship fund for access and success.