The Maryland Center for Community Schools (MCCS), based in Towson University’s College of Education, will hold its annual convening on Wed., March 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Towson University’s campus at the University Union.

The convening will bring together educators, community partners, nonprofit organizations, school leaders and policymakers from across Maryland to share strategies and strengthen partnerships that support community schools in addressing barriers to student and family success. Community schools serve as neighborhood hubs, uniting educational supports with health, social and community services to promote equitable outcomes for students and families. This statewide effort that has expanded rapidly through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

“Community schools are now about 50% of all public schools in Maryland and have transformed the education landscape in the state,” says Jessica Shiller, director of the MCCS. “Through community schools, our families and students can gain access to the support and resources they need all in one place: their local public school.”

The event centers on a keynote from Michael Martirano, the superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools. Attendees will also participate in interactive workshops, peer networking opportunities and discussions focused on areas such as family engagement, mental health supports, integrated student services, expanded learning time and sustained collaboration across sectors.

“Our annual convening is an opportunity for those working in community schools to come together and exchange ideas so we can ensure our families, students and communities thrive inside and outside the schoolhouse,” Shiller says.

The Maryland Center for Community Schools extends appreciation to the organizations supporting this year’s event. They reflect the cross-sector collaboration central to community schools, spanning youth development, mental health, food access, educational advocacy and community engagement.

To learn more about the event and to register, visit: https://www.towson.edu/coe/centers/maryland-center-community-schools/annual-convening.html.

For media inquiries, email Brittny Brown at .

About the Maryland Center for Community Schools

Established within Towson University’s College of Education, the Maryland Center for Community Schools supports the growth and effectiveness of community schools statewide by providing professional development, training, research and evaluation to educators and partners. Through these efforts, MCCS advances equitable opportunities that help students learn and thrive academically, socially and holistically.

About Towson University

Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and nearly 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.