The University of Baltimore Day in Annapolis took place earlier this week! The Schaefer Center, University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs, and The Rosenberg Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion partnered to bring students and staff to the state's capital for a full day of learning and networking!
The day kicked off with a guided tour of the historic Maryland State House by state capital staff and former Maryland Secretary of State John Willis, Esq., followed by sitting in on Senate and House sessions.
In the afternoon, we heard from inspiring legislative and public service leaders about the impact of public service, including:
Thank you so much to the CPM alumni that were able to attend on Tuesday. A powerful day of learning, leadership, and UBalt pride!
On Monday, the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program held an in-person orientation for new participants joining the program. Participants from Cohort 24 came together to learn what to expect from the program and about each other! Thank you to alumna, Theresa Grundy, Chief of Learning and Development, City of Baltimore Department of Human Resources, for sharing her experience.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, our Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program Class of 2025, Cohort 20, graduated!
The ceremony included a welcome from University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke, remarks from Shamiah Kerney, Deputy City Administrator, Baltimore City Government and Patrick Johnson, Deputy Chief of Employee Training and Development, Baltimore County Government, a presentation of certificates to graduates, and capstone presentations from three cohort representatives including Troy King, Chief of Procurement, Baltimore City Department of Public Works; Sheronda Winborne, CPM, Deputy Chief, Office of Strategy and Performance, Baltimore City Department of Public Works; and Matthew Leone PE,CPM , Chief of Design, Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Baltimore County Department of Transportation and Public Works.
The Outstanding Capstone Award was presented to Matthew J. Leone in recognition of his exemplary capstone project. Closing remarks were presented by Roger Hartley, Dean of the University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs.
Congratulations to our new graduates and welcome to the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Alumni Association!
On Wednesday, our Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program Class of 2025, Cohorts 17-19, graduated from the program!The ceremony included a welcome from University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke, remarks from the University of Baltimore Provost Ralph Mueller, a presentation of certificates to graduates, and capstone presentations from three representatives of each cohort. Jennifer Eastman, Director of Community Living Policy and Programs, Maryland Department of Disabilities; Alisa Bralove-Scherr, Attorney-Mediator, Office of the Maryland Public Access Ombudsman; and W. Zak Shirley, Director, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The three presenters received the Outstanding Capstone Award in recognition of their exemplary capstone projects. Closing remarks were presented by Roger Hartley, Dean of the University of Baltimore College of Public AffairsCongratulations to all of the graduates!
Baltimore, MD- Applications are now being accepted for the Class of 2026 Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program offered by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore. Applications are due by June 16, 2025.
The Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM) is a leadership development program accredited by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium. The 300-hour academically grounded, job-relevant program requires participants to complete a Capstone Project for their agency to improve a service, reduce costs, or increase revenue.
The 2026 program is fully funded and will be offered entirely online combining live online instruction, and discussion with self-paced learning, built upon a set of core competencies. Training will include interactive classes, projects, and readings. The overall goal of the program is to develop world-class leaders for Maryland public service.
The Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program has a limited number of funded spaces available for managers and executives from state, local, municipal government, and nonprofit organizations in Maryland for 2026. Eligible applicants can attend the program at no charge to them or their agency. The program is open to supervisors and managers living or working in Maryland who work for a government (local, state, or federal), quasi-governmental, or nonprofit organization.
Apply online at the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program website.
CONTACT: Diane Geiman, Training Manager, dgeiman@ubalt.edu, or Dr. Ann Cotten, Executive Director of the Schaefer Center for Public Policy and Director of the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program at marylandcpm@ubalt.edu.
CPM Flyer 2026.Final.pdf
We are proud to announce that former U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski is the 2025 recipient of the William Donald Schaefer Award for excellence and commitment to public service. She was awarded yesterday at our 2025 William Donald Schaefer Conference and Awards Ceremony.
From her trailblazing work on the Baltimore City Council to becoming the longest-serving woman in U.S. congressional history, Senator Mikulski embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and advocacy that this award honors. Her legacy of making government work for the people is a true reflection of the values championed by William Donald Schaefer.
Senator Mikulski, thank you for your decades of dedication to Maryland and the nation. We’re honored to celebrate your remarkable impact.
See the coverage from WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore of the award ceremony.
The Baltimore Banner selected 15 community leaders as its 2025 Emerging Leaders honorees, who will be recognized at an event in May. Amongst those selected is Randolph Wells, CPM Candidate.
This is the third year for the event, which launched in 2023 to shine a light on the next generation of leaders under the age of 40 who are making an impact in their community. The honorees are described as rising leaders driving change throughout Maryland and have shown a personal commitment to serving the community.
All honorees were nominated by colleagues, leaders or peers. A selection committee made up of members from The Baltimore Banner along with a group of leaders in the community vetted the nominations and selected the final list of honorees.
See the full list of honorees here.
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has selected Catherine Znamirowski, University of Baltimore as a 2025 Founders’ Fellow, recognizing her exceptional achievements and commitment to public service. This prestigious program identifies emerging leaders in public administration, providing them with professional development opportunities to enhance their impact in the field.
As part of the 2025 Founders’ Fellows cohort, Catherine will participate in a year-long series of mentorship and learning experiences, beginning with ASPA’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Throughout the year, she will engage in research presentations, tailored programming, and one-on-one mentorship with an experienced public service professional.
This honor underscores Catherine’s dedication to advancing effective, equitable, and innovative solutions in public administration. Please join us in congratulating her on this outstanding achievement.
Read more about ASPA's Founders' Fellows Program.
After six months without a town manager, Oxford has named Holly Kamm Wahl, MBA, as its new leader. Currently serving as Chesapeake Beach’s Town Administrator, Wahl will officially step into the role on January 6, 2025. Her appointment marks the culmination of a challenging search process and brings a new chapter of experienced leadership to the town.
Read more about Holly Wahl's appointment.
The Schaefer Center for Public Policy at The University of Baltimore will graduate the members of its Maryland Certified Public Manager Program 16th cohort on Friday, Nov. 15. The graduation ceremony's guests will include county and city government officials, including remarks from UBalt President Kurt L. Schmoke, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and Patrick Johnson, chief of Employee Training and Development in the Computer Training Center for Baltimore County. The ceremony will feature capstone project presentations from five of the Cohort 16 candidates. These presentations will address a significant issue in their organization and solutions to the issue. One presenter will be receiving the Askew Award in recognition of their exemplary capstone project.
The program's director, Dr. Ann Cotten, reflected on today’s ceremony: "The CPM candidates came into this program as successful public sector leaders. The skills, knowledge, and connections they gained during the program enhanced their effectiveness while preparing them to address the complex public management challenges of tomorrow."
View the list of graduates.
Schaefer Center for Public Policy
Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program
University of Baltimore
21 W. Mount Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410.837.6188
Email: MDCPMAlumni@ubalt.edu
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