Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible, students must:

• Be pursuing their first bachelor's degree.
• Be Maryland residents who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or covered by DACA.
• Have completed at least 30 credits, including or entering into a transferable math course.
• Be enrolled in a program of study that transfers to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).
• Be available to take a daytime Southern Management Leadership course each semester.
• Be committed to participating in program-related and team-building activities.
• Make steady progress toward earning an associate degree in a transferable major at PGCC and a bachelor's degree at UMCP.
• Be a member of or willing to join a PGCC student organization, such as the Collegian Centers.
• Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Applications are accepted from March 1 to May 31.

Suzanne Hillman, president and CEO of Southern Management Companies, and the Hillman Family founded the program to enrich students' educational experiences in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. These communities are where Southern Management began more than 50 years ago, and where the company's roots remain strong today.

Students selected as Southern Management Leaders must demonstrate:

• An entrepreneurial mindset
• Potential to become a successful entrepreneur or a leader within a larger organization
• Academic ability to graduate from PGCC and UMCP

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Complete the online application.

2. Submit one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer.

3. If you have not attended PGCC for at least two semesters, submit your official college transcript(s) from your previous institution(s) via fax, email, or mail.

Send materials via email to:

SMLP@pgcc.edu

Send materials via mail to:

Ruth V. Lewis, Program Director
Southern Management Leadership Program

Center for Health Studies, Room 3211
Prince George’s Community College
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774

Yes, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to enter the program.

Unfortunately, students with bachelor's degrees are not eligible for the Southern Management Leadership Program. SMLP supports those pursuing their first undergraduate degree, beginning at Prince George’s Community College or Montgomery College and transferring to the University of Maryland, College Park.

Southern Management Leaders must take one class together each semester. The required course is selected to enhance students’ entrepreneurial knowledge. Note, this course is usually offered in the afternoon.

Students in the program will transfer to the University of Maryland, College Park, which is geared to full-time students who take classes during the day. Southern Management Leadership applicants must show they have the flexibility in their schedules to matriculate at UMCP. Note, the required Southern Management Leadership course is usually offered in the afternoon.

The program is for students who plan to remain in Maryland and contribute to the state's growth and success. International students with permanent residency are eligible to apply.

Scholarship funds are determined based on financial need. To receive a scholarship at UMD College Park, you must submit a FAFSA.