THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.

[♪♪] CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

COMING UP UP ON OUR PROGRAM A NEW REPORT ON THE CHANGING ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE.

THE BAY BOUNCES BACK.

WE SPOKE WITH THE AUTHORS OF A STUDY FROM THE VERSE CENTER UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

WE ARE JOINED BY Dr.

HADET HEALTH AND ALEXANDRA FRIES THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

IF YOU WOULD TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS STUDY OR SURVEY WHICH, I GUESS, GOES BACK TO THE 1980s.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE FIRST REPORT CARD WE PRODUCED WAS OR 2006.

SO THE REPORT CARD IS A PHYSICAL DOCUMENT CAME OUT IN TWUK AND 2006.

THE DATA REHABILITATION AND ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE LION THEY GO BACK TO THE MID-1980s SO WE CAN GO TO THE SCORES ALL THE WAY BACK THEN.

WE HAVE A 40-YEAR HISTORY OF SCORES RELEVANT TO THE CHESAPEAKE.

>> Jeff: AND THE TOP LINE ON THOSE SCORES I'VE SEEN TWO THINGS.

I'VE SEEN THIS IS THE BEST WE'VE EVER SEEN AND IT GETS A LETTER GRADE OF C.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS YEAR IS THE HIGHEST SCORE THAT WE'VE SEEN SINCE 1986.

IT IS A 56%, A C PLUS.

IT IS OUT OF 100% A LITTLE MORE THAN HALFWAY TO ACHIEVING OUR GOALS.

BUT THESE TYPE OF INDICATORS AND WATER QUALITY CAN TAKE A LONGTIME TO CHANGE.

SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE NORMAL GRADING SCALE YOU MIGHT SEE.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE MAYBE THINKING WE HAD THE HORRIBLE SEWAGE SPILL IN THE POTOMAC AND YOUR DATA IS LOOKING AT 2025.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

ANY RESULTS OR I AM PACKAGES OF THIS SPILL INTERCEPT FOR SPILL WOULD BE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S REPORT CARD FOR 2026 DATED TA.

>> Jeff: IN THIS REPORT, GIVE US MAYBE A BRIGHT SPOT WHAT IS THE MOST OPTIMISTIC THE BEST NEWS IN A SET OF GOOD NEWS AND THEN MAYBE SOMETHING WORRISOME.

>> I CAN START WITH THAT.

TO ME, THE BEST NEWS IS THAT, YES, THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE WE'VE EVER IN FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY GOING BACK TO THE MID-1980s.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST SCORE WE HAVE ACHIEVED.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRENDS IN THAT TIME PERIOD, THE TREND IS GETTING BETTER.

WE ARE GETTING BETTER SCORES AS TIME GOES ON.

SO THE GRIT BRIGHT SPOT FOR ME THE INVESTMENTS WE ARE MAKING IN RESTORING CHESAPEAKE BAY THEY ARE WORKING.

WE'RE NOT GETTING THERE AS FAST AS WE WANT TO GET THERE.

BUT WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING ARE WORKING.

>> Jeff: WHAT SHOULD POLICYMAKERS TAKEAWAY FROM THIS?

I IMAGINE IT'S TOO SOON TO DECLARE A VICTORY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY TOO SOON TO DECLARE VICTORY.

WE HAVE A LODGE WAY TO GO A C PLUS IS NOT THE GRADE YOU WANT TO BRING HOME TO YOUR PARENTS AND IT IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF A FULLY RESTORED CHESAPEAKE BAY.

SO, YEAH, WE HAVE A LOT A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO BUT FOR POLICYMAKERS I THINK THE MESSAGE IS THAT WE'RE DEMONSTRATING WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SO NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO GO BACK ON THAT AND STOP DOING THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

NOW IS THE TIME TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS AS CHANGING CLIMATE AND SEA LEVELS AND LOTS OF STRESSES CONTINUE, WE NEED TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO RESTORE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT POLLUTION A LITTLE BIT.

AND MAYBE IT'S DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF IN TERMS OF MAYBE PIPE COMING OUT OF SOME FACTORY WITH CHEMICALS DROPPING INTO THE WATER.

I'M GUESSING WE DON'T SEE TOO MUCH OF THAT ANYMORE.

BUT WE SEE KIND OF TWO KINDS.

THERE'S POINT SOURCE POLLUTION AND NONPOINT.

AND IF MAYBE GIVE US DETAIL ON THAT.

>> I THINK THE THE MOST IMPACT WE'VE HAD IS THROUGH IMPROVING POINT SOURCE POLLUTION BIKE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES UPGRADES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S STILL MORE TO DO, DON'T GET ME WRONG BUT THAT IS A PLACE WHERE WE'VE MADE A LOT OF IMPACT.

THE HARDER PART IS THE NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION THE RUNOFF FROM DIFFERENT LAND USES WILL BE WITH US FOR A WHILE.

AND ALEX YOU HAVE DETAILS ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME.

>> YEAH.

WITH THOSE NONPOINT SOURCES IT'S JUST A LOT MORE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED AND FLOWING INTO THE BAY.

SO WHETHER IT IS A HOMEOWNER'S YARD PUTTING FERTILIZER DOWN OR PUTTING SALT DOWN FOR ICE, WE NEED TO BE DOING THESE THINGS IN A SMART MANNER WHERE WE'RE USE WHAT WE NEED, AND WITH THE LARGE POPULATION PRESSURE AND CONSTRUCTION, ON DEVELOPMENT, THAT CAUSES THESE NONPOINT SOURCE SEDIMENTS TO BE FLOWING OFF INTO OUR CREEKS AND RIVERS AND EVENTUALLY TO OUR BAY ESPECIALLY WITH THE STORM WE HAD RECENTLY, MULTIPLE INCHES OF RAIN IN ONE STORM THAT CAN BE A LOT OF SEDIMENT THAT FLOWS OFF ACROSS THE GROUND AND BRINGS THOSE POLLUTE ANTEDS AND CHEMICALS INTO OUR WATERWAYS DOING THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES TAKE MEASURE MEASUREMENTS DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR AMERICA WEATHER?

WE GOT A BIG STORM AND STUFF IS GOING TO WASH DOWN AND A WINDY DAY THE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT IS GOING TO INCREASE?

>> MY TEAM DOES NOT TAKE WATER SAMPLES BUT WE WORK WITH WATERSHED AGENCIES THAT TAKE THE SAMPLES TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE WATER IS DOING.

AND THEY DO HAVE STORM SAMPLING.

SO THERE ARE GROUPS WHERE THEY WAIT FOR THE STORM, THEY ALMOST LIKE CHASING THE STORM AND GOING AND MONITORING THE WATER DURING STORM EVENTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT KIND OF AFFECTS THE SITUATION WITH THE DIFFERENT RIVERS AND STREAMS.

THEN THERE'S MONITORS THAT GO OUT DURING GOOD WEATHER, AND THEY ARE AFFECTED BY SMALL CRAFT ADVISORIES WE GET IN OUR REGION.

SOMETIMES THEY CAN'T GO OUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE GROUP THAT IS MONITORING AND THEIR PRODUCT COLES AND THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE.

>> I WOULD SAY GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE MONITORING GROUPS THAT WE WORK WITH, THEY TRY AND GO OUT WHENEVER THEY CAN.

LIKE THEY HAVE A SCHEDULE AND THEY GO OUT WHATEVER THE WEATHER IS, AS LONG AS IT'S SAFE.

YOU CAN'T GO OUT IT'S NOT SAFE.

IT IS A RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

WINDY DAYS, RAINY DAYS, SUNNY DAYS, HIGH FLOW AND LOW FLOW DAYS IT IS GOOD TO GET THE CONDITIONS.

>> Jeff: THE THING THAT CONNECTS OUR VIEWERS TO THE BAY, OF COURSE, IS MARYLAND SEAFOOD, CHESAPEAKE BAY SEAFOOD THE FISH THE CRABS THE OYSTERS.

WHAT IS THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THOSE FISHERIES?

>> YEAH, THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION AND SOMETHING WE'RE WORKING ON AND WHAT I WOULD SAY THE CONNECTION IS CURRENTLY WITH THE REPORT CARD IS THAT WE'RE LOOKING THE HABITAT AND THE CONDITIONS THAT COULD SUPPORT STRONG FISHERIES AND STRONG NATURAL RESOURCES.

BUT WE ARE WORKING ON WAYS IN WHICH TO MORE DIRECTLY IN A RELEVANT WAY, LOOK AT THE NATURAL RESOURCES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, FISHERIES WERE CRABS, OYSTERS, STRIPED BASS WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE REPORT CARD.

IF YOU HAVE UPDATES WHERE WE ARE HEADED WITH THAT?

>> YEAH.

WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE SOME NEW INDICATORS TO LOOK AT OYSTERS AND FISH POPULATION IN THE BAY IN NEXT YEAR'S REPORT CARD.

I COULD SAY STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

AND IT IS A LOT OF WORK AND WE WORK WITH COLLEAGUES IT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF CREATING THE INDICATORS WE DON'T DO IT ALONE IT IS A WORK OF BY ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED AND HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE.

BUT THE AQUATIC GRASSES WHICH IS A STRONG HABITAT FOR BABY FISH AND CRABS ARE IMPROVING OVER TIME IN THE BAY.

SO WE'RE SEEING IMPROVING SCORES.

IT'S STILL A C. BUT THAT'S IMPROVING.

SO THAT'S GOOD THUS FOR FISH AND CRABS.

>> Jeff: I'VE HONESTLY BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A PESSIMIST ABOUT THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF THE BAY, JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO DEPEND END ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE WATERSHED AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THOSE PEOPLE.

AND THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE KEEPS INCREASING.

SO IS THERE A REASON FOR OPTIMISM IN THERE SOMEWHERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING OVER THAT TIME PERIOD IN THE WATERSHED FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

IT'S REMARKABLE WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS AND SEE THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

WHEN YOU'VE HAD SUCH A MASSIVE POPULATION INCREASE AND INCREASE IN DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE IN AGRICULTURE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE PUTTING PRESSURE ON OUR CHESAPEAKE BAY.

AND DESPITE THOSE THINGS, WE'RE STILL SEEING IMPROVEMENTS.

>> Jeff: YOU LOOK AT 15 DIFFERENT REGIONS, WHAT STANDS OUT?

MAYBE HIGHLIGHTS AND LOW LIGHTS?

>> YEAH.

I THINK ONE OF THE THE HIGHEST SCORING REGION IS THE LOWER BAY.

THAT IS THAT PART OF THE BAY THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

SO THEY'VE GOT EXCHANGE OF WATER WITH THE CLEANER WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THAT SECTION ROUTINELY GETS A GOOD SCORE.

WHAT I'M ENCOURAGED ABOUT IS THE UPPER BAY, IT RECEIVES THE WATER FROM THE SUSAN ELLERBEE RIVERS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF FRESH WATER INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND THAT REGION IS ALSO IMPROVING.

YOU KNOW, THE FRESH WATERS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY ARE ALSO IMPROVING OVER TIME.

SO I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER REASON FOR OPTIMISM AND ANOTHER REASON FOR [INAUDIBLE] THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> Jeff: THE SUSQUEHANNA HAS BEEN A CONCERN IT DRAINS MUCH OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, A LITTLE BIT OF NEW YORK STATE, MAYBE THE AUTHORITIES IN HARRISBURG A LITTLE LESS SENSITIVE TO THE CONDITION OF THE BAY THAN THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH IT IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

WHAT WOULD LEAD TO AN IMPROVEMENT UP THERE?

>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD THE RELEASE EVENT FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REPORT CARD IN HARRISBURG AND GOVERNOR SHAPIRO ATTENDED.

AND IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE HIGHLIGHTED WAS THE GOOD NEWS IN THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY AND THE RESULTS WE'RE SEEING THERE.

SO I THINK, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING RIGHT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WATERSHED AND IN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN AND A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING RIGHT.

WE'RE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS ON THE DIFFERENT SOURCES OF WASTEWATER AND POLLUTION THAT ENTER THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER.

>> Jeff: ALEX, BEFORE WE GO ALMOST ALL OUR VIEWERS LIVE IN THE CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED WHAT SHOULD THEY THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY ARE FERTILIZING THE LAWN?

WHAT AS INDIVIDUALS CAN WE DO THAT WILL CONTINUE THE PROGRESS YOU ARE SEEING WITH THE BAY?

>> YEAH, THERE'S LITTLE THINGS WE CAN DO THAT IF MANY PEOPLE DO THEM IT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE THOUGH IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE IT'S JUST ME AT MY HOUSE.

BUT FERTILIZING LETS OR FERTILIZING IN THE FALL IS BETTER IF YOU HAVE A LAWN WHERE YOU WANT TO FERTILIZE.

ALSO CONVERTING NATIVE LAWN TO SOME LAWN TO NATIVE PLANTS.

YOU CAN HAVE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS THAT IF THEY ARE NATIVE THEY REALLY SUPPORT POLLINATORS WHICH ARE IMPORTANT FOR OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

AND ALSO USING CORRECT AMOUNT OF SALT.

LAST YEAR EARLIER THIS YEAR WE HAD THE SNOW SITUATION WITH THE ICE.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF SALT YOU NEED TO PUT ON YOUR SIDEWALK BLOCKS OR DRIVEWAY THAT WILL KEEP YOU SAFE BUT ALSO NOT HAVE TOO MUCH SALT GOING INTO OUR FRESH WATER RESOURCES.

>> ALEXANDRA FRIES AND HEATH KELSEY VERSE VERTS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: A NEW REPORT OFFERS INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE STATE'S WORKFORCE.

NANCY YAMADA HAS THE STORY.

>> IF THIS FITS MY PERSONALITY REALLY WELL, I AM SUPER CREATIVE AND I LOVE TO LEAD.

>> LAUREN STARTED HER CLOTHING SHOP SIX YEARS AGO IN A SCHOOL BUS.

TODAY SHE OWNS TWO RETAIL STORES ONE IN HAGERSTOWN AND DOWNTOWN FREDERICK.

GARDEN BELL OPENED IN SEPTEMBER OFFERING CLOTHING MADE OF MOSTLY NATURAL FIBERS AND ORGANIC MATERIALS.

>> WE'VE HAD AMAZING FOOT TRAFFIC AMAZING RESPONSE TO THE KIND OF BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE HERE WITH THE NATURAL FIBERS.

>> SHE IS AMONG THE WOMEN DRIVING THE STATE'S START UP GROWTH AND A NEW REPORT FINDS SINCE 2019, WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR 58% OF NEW BUSINESSES ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE, FOR GARDEN BELL THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

>> I WOULD SAY BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND BUSINESS OWNING.

BECAUSE BEING THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS AND BEING A SMALL BUSINESS I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING ALMOST FER PART OF THE BUSINESS WHILE HOME SCHOOLING MY CHILDREN AND MAKING SURE I'M PRESENT.

>> COMPTROLLER SAYS THE STATE IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS.

>> SO THEY CAN ACCESS CAPITAL AND SCALE UP AND NAVIGATE PROCUREMENT CHALLENGES.

>> THE REPORT SHOWS HOW VITAL WOMEN ARE TO THE STATE'S WORKFORCE, 56% OF THE POPULATION, WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR 80% OF EMPLOYMENT IN HEALTHCARE AND 67% OF EMPLOYMENT IN EDUCATION SERVICES.

EVEN SO THE DATA ALSO SHOWS... >> WOMEN CONTINUE TO EARN LESS THAN MEN AT EVERY ECONOMIC LEVEL.

TWO EXAMPLES FOLKS 25-64 WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER THERE IS A 21,000 DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

>> SHE BELIEVES THAT COULD BE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MORE WOMEN ARE CHOOSING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

>> THE REASON WE DO THE REPORTS SO OUR POLICYMAKERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO ENSURE THAT OUR ECONOMY IS WORKING IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND BEST WAY IT CAN AND WE OFFER A FEW IDEAS I THINK FROM THIS TO SUPPORT WOMEN IN THE ECONOMY.

>> AS FOR GARDEN BELL.

>> IT'S VERY CHALLENGING TO START A BUSINESS.

AND FIND CAPITAL IF YOU DON'T HAVE CREDIT.

>> SHE WILL NEVER STOP ENCOURAGING OTHER WOMEN TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS.

>> YOU CAN ALTHOUGH START A BUSINESS WITH VERY LITTLE OVERHEAD.

YOU CAN START A SHOP ON INSTAGRAM AND INSTAGRAM'S FREE.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS FREE FOR THE MOST PART AND THAT IS HOW WE GREW AN AUDIENCE.

IF YOU FEEL INSPIRED ABOUT A BUSINESS IDEA, GO FOR IT.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THE EVOLVING WORKFORCE AND OUR CHANGING ECONOMY ARE TOP OF MIND CONCERNS AT THE STATE'S NETWORK OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

LAST MONTH WE CAUGHT UP WITH Dr.

BRAD PHILLIPS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

>> COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE A UNIQUE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR SURE.

WE HAVE 16 COMMUNITY COLLEGES THAT SPAN ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF THE STATE.

A LOT OF COLLEGES SUPPORT OR COUNTIES SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

HOWEVER WE DO HAVE THREE IN PARTICULAR, THAT ACTUALLY HAVE A SERVICE AREA THAT IS MORE THAN ONE COUNTY.

CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE HAS FIVE COUNTIES THAT IT SERVES AS WELL AS WARWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHICH HAS THREE AND THE COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND THAT SERVES THREE COUNTIES.

OVERALL MOST-OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE FOCUSED ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMIES ARE THRIVING THAT THEY ARE PRODUCING THE LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT LOCAL BUSINESSES NEED, REGIONALLY AS WELL.

AND THAT LOOKS DIFFERENT ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

WE CAN HANDLE AND TACKLE STATE-WIDE ISSUES BUT WE ARE AATTUNED TO WHAT OUR LOCALS NEED AS WELL.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH OF IT IS THE PURSUIT OF AN ACADEMIC DEGREE VERSUS WORKPLACE TRAINING, OTHER KINDS OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES?

I KNOW ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS BUILDING A NEW FACILITY FOR CERTAIN TRADES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE THE CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF BUILDING OUT A FACILITY TO DO JUST THAT.

WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY THAT HAS A WELDING TRAINING CENTER WE JUST OPENED THE NEW CENTER FOR SKILLED AND HANDS ON TRADES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

I THINK WHAT YOU ARE FINDING IS A LOT OF LEARNERS ARE SEEKING SOME TYPE OF CREDENTIAL BECAUSE THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WAS NOT ENOUGH.

AND THEY DON'T NECESSARILY NEED A TWO-YEAR DEGREE OR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

AND WE HAVE FOUND ALMOST AS MANY STUDENTS ARE ENROLLING IN WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES AND CREDENTIALS AS THEY ARE IN OUR CREDIT PATHWAYS THAT LEAD TO TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

BUT THE ONE THING YOU CAN CARRY ACROSS ALL PATHWAYS IS THAT [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] THEY ARE THE STATE'S PATHWAY FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO UPSCALE, GET SKILLED, HAVE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW JOB EXPERIENCES, THAT ALL CAN BE DONE WITHOUT YOUR TRADITIONAL SORT OF TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR PATHWAY.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS DUAL ENROLLMENT ALL ABOUT?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THIS GOES BACK A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

THE BLUEPRINT DID EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.

AND WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE BLUEPRINT, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS IS IF YOU WERE CONSIDERED COLLEGE AND CAREER READY BAY THE END OF 10TH GRADE YOU WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE AT NO COST A COLLEGE COURSE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

IT COULD BE FOR CREDIT.

CONTINUING EDUCATION, IT COULD BE APPRENTICESHIPS IT CAN BE ALL SORTS OF OPTIONS.

AND WE HAVE SEEN A TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THAT WHERE 97% OF STUDENTS ARE DUAL ENROLLED IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO FIND PATHWAYS TO LET THAT EXPAND.

AND IT'S HELPING PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE HAVING A COURSE OR EXPLORE WHAT MAY MIGHT LIKE HAS REALLY OPENED THE DOORS AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT STUDENTS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN DUAL ENROLLMENT HAVE A HIGHER SUCCESS OF COMPLETING WHATEVER THEIR ASPIRATIONS MAYBE.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS A RELATIVELY NEW THING?

IT WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, BUT MAYBE FAIR TO SAY IT'S BEEN MORE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED BY LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS OVER THE LAST, SAY, DECADE?

>> YES.

WE'VE SEEN VARIOUS REGIONS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE PICKED UP ON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

IT REALLY IS LOW COST, NO COST TO THE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO ADVANCE IN SOME OF OUR EARNING THEM AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE AFTER THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

AS WE HAVE GROWN AND LEARNED WE BEGAN TO STRUCTURE PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS AND DEDICATED CAREER FIELDS.

TEACHER PREPARATION FOR EXAMPLE.

OR MAYBE ALLIED HEALTH FIELDS OR MAYBE CYBERSECURITY AND ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY WE ARE DEALING WITH STATE-WIDE.

>> Jeff: WHERE ARE THE STUDENTS LEADING YOU?

IN OTHER WORDS WE KNOW WHAT PROGRAMS ARE IN FAVOR IN THE STATE CAPITOL AND LOCAL COUNTY SEATS BUT WHEN YOU SEE STUDENTS REGISTER FOR CLASSES WHERE ARE THEY DRIVING?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AS WELL.

AND THERE'S NO ONE SINGLE ANSWER.

DEPENDING ON THE EMPLOYERS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COLLEGE HAS BUILT OUT THE BIOTECH INDUSTRY AND IT'S THRIVING.

WE HAVE SEEN STUDENTS ENGAGING IN CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOSCIENCE.

WE SEE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL.

WARWICK, COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND, MAYBE CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THEY ARE ALL LOOKING WAY INTO THE FUTURE AT POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

AND THINKING ABOUT QUANTUM AND THINGS COMING AT US WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF AN A.I.

SORT OF TO MAKE SURE QUANTUM IS THE NEXT THING WE SEE OUR COLLEGES TACKLING SOME OF THE BIG SECTORS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO ATTRACT IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: I'M CURIOUS WHEN YOU ARE THE LEADERS OF YOUR INSTITUTIONS GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE A.I., WHAT DO THEY SEE CHANGING IN TERMS OF BOTH DELIVERING EDUCATION AND ALSO PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE WHATEVER IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> RIGHT.

WE'RE REALLY ENGAGED IN TRYING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS REALIZE THAT A.I.

IS ANOTHER TOOL.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ONE THAT SHOULD REPLACE WORKERS IT IS ONE THAT CAN ENHANCE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WORKFORCE AND REALLY HAVING AN UNDERSTANDING HOW THAT HAPPENS AND HOW THAT CAN AID EMPLOYERS AND HOW IT CAN HELP STUDENTS AND LEARNERS IS GOING TO BE A BIG GOAL FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AS WELL AS THE STATE LOOKING FORWARD WITH THE IMPACT OF A.I.

THAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Jeff: COUPLE INDUSTRY BUZZWORDS, TO ASK ABOUT.

MICRO CREDENTIALS AND STACKABLE PROGRAMS.

ARE WE SEEING MORE OF THOSE AND WHAT ARE THEY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS STUDENTS NONTRADITIONAL LEARNERS, INCUMBENT WORKERS PEOPLE LOOKING TO UPSCALE ARE LOOKING FOR A SET OF SPECIFIC SKILLS TO HELP THEM ADVANCE IN WHATEVER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

WHAT WE ARE BEING MINDFUL OF IS MAKING SURE THOSE MICRO CREDENTIALS THOSE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES ARE ALL LEADING TO COMPETENCIES AND OUTCOMES THAT CAN BE STACKABLE TOWARDS SOMETHING BIGGER MAYBE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE WHICH WOULD LEAD TO A TRANSFER TO A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION TO TAKE A BACHELOR'S PROGRAM IT COULD LEAD TO A MASTERS.

MAKING SURE THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY EXPERIENCE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARE BUILDING ON TOP OF THEMSELVES.

THAT'S THE GOAL.

>> Jeff: I KNOW ANOTHER AREA OF FOCUS FOR THE WHOLE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN ON PROVIDING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY ON DEGREE FOCUSED PROGRAMS, MAKING SURE THAT ANY BARRIERS TO COMPLETING THE DEGREE ARE DEALT WITH AS BEST YOU CAN.

WHETHER IT'S FINANCIAL OR SOMETHING ELSE.

I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT HAND HOLDING ENHANCED SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO TAKE EVERY POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE.

>> WE'RE ABOUT A LITTLE OVER A DECADE INTO WHAT I WOULD CALL THE COMPLETION ERA.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT SUPPORTING STUDENTS MAKES ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE PARTICULARLY IN UNDER RESOURCED POPULATIONS, UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

STUDENTS THAT DIDN'T NECESSARILY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD IT OR NEEDED TO WORK TO PROVIDE TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Jeff: THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

OF CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.