Southern Management Leadership Program

The Southern Management Leadership Program is a unique educational model designed specifically for local Maryland students. The program provides scholarships to college students from Montgomery College, Prince George’s Community College and the University of Maryland, who have an enthusiasm for seeking leadership roles in the career fields they are most passionate about, and will use their knowledge and skills to make the state of Maryland, and the world, a better place for all.

The SMLP Model of Education

The Southern Management Leadership Program offers a new model in education. Students who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education are now starting their college career at either Prince George’s Community College or Montgomery College and transferring to the University of Maryland to complete their degree in any major. They receive up to 2/3 tuition in scholarship funds. They also receive deep mentoring from full-time mentors at each institution. Students participate in community and team-building activities while taking classes in entrepreneurship and leadership.

Students transfer to Maryland in pursuit of their bachelor's degree where they continue to receive up to 2/3 of their tuition. With the expansion, up to 180 students will be receiving scholarships each year with 30 at each community college and up to 120 at the University of Maryland. The community college programs are second year programs with student selection occurring at the end of the first year to better determine potential for success. At Maryland the program is a junior/senior program.

This program is about training entrepreneurial leaders who will become the ethical leaders of tomorrow’s local economy.

Celebrating 15 years of the Southern Management Leadership Program

Southern Management Leadership Program has awarded more than 500 scholarships to students at Prince George’s Community College, Montgomery College and the University of Maryland since it was created in 2006.

It also provides mentorship and guidance, with the goal of graduating ethical leaders who want to energize and give back to their local communities. Students earn a minor in technology entrepreneurship from the A. James Clark School of Engineering while building professional skills and participating in community and team-building activities.

David Hillman started the program in thinking about how to give some of his good fortune back to the community. He looked for bright young people with potential who, given proper support, can become successful, sometimes in spite of challenging backgrounds. The goal, shared by his wife Suzanne and Southern Management, is for scholarship recipients to have the opportunity to pursue a college education, become entrepreneurial thinkers and, like him, give back to their communities in Maryland.