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Photo courtesy Prince George’s Community College
The check presentation and co-naming were held at PGCC, where representatives from MedStar Health, the Powell family, and College leadership gathered to celebrate the gift, new co-branding, and the impact of Suggs’ legacy.
MedStar Health and Prince George’s Community College Announce Partnership for Newly Co-Branded Endowment Honoring Marilyn Suggs
By SONJI JOYNER
Prince George’s Community College
LARGO, Md. (June 2, 2025)—Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announces an impactful partnership with MedStar Health to expand nursing education through the newly co-branded MedStar Health–Marilyn Suggs Nursing Excellence Endowed Scholarship. Enhanced by MedStar’s generous contribution, the scholarship honors PGCC alumna, U.S. Army veteran, and nurse Marilyn E. Suggs, whose children originally established it in her memory. The scholarship will provide vital resources for nursing students at PGCC who demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for health care, helping shape nursing education's future while commemorating Marilyn’s lifelong dedication to serving her community.
The check presentation and co-naming were held at PGCC, where representatives from MedStar Health, the Powell family, and College leadership gathered to celebrate the gift, new co-branding, and the impact of Suggs’ legacy.
At the event, President Falecia D. Williams, Ed.D., emphasized connecting student support to personal stories. “At PGCC, we reflect on those who have walked these hallowed halls and gone on to make a profound impact in our community. When we attach a name and a story to a scholarship, like that of Marilyn Suggs, we’re not just honoring a legacy, we’re passing it forward,” Williams said. “Her story speaks to resilience, to excellence, and to purpose. Every student who receives the MedStar Health-Marilyn Suggs Nursing Excellence Endowed Scholarship will carry that inspiration with them.”
Dena Wilson, executive director of institutional advancement, said the gift will make a lasting difference in many lives. “We are honored to receive this generous gift from MedStar Health and the Powell Family in memory of Marilyn Suggs, a remarkable PGCC alumna,” said Wilson. “Marilyn’s legacy is one of service,
compassion, and empowerment, and this endowment will help ensure that future students can follow in her footsteps—advancing health equity and building stronger communities for generations to come.”
“You need grit to get through a rigorous nursing program and to pass those boards, but you also need compassion and a sense of community. My mother believed deeply in serving others and giving back,” said Lewis Powell, son of Marilyn Suggs. “I hope every student who benefits from this scholarship feels that same responsibility to lift others and create positive change in their own communities. We’re a family here at PGCC, and every one of us plays a part in carrying that mission forward.”
PGCC’s nursing program is nationally ranked #1 in the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCBSN) NCLEX-RN Report. An endowed scholarship is a lasting investment in PGCC’s nursing student success. The donated principal is permanently invested, and only the earnings are used yearly to award scholarships. This ensures ongoing support for students and creates long-term opportunity and access.
For more information about endowments, email foundation@pgcc.edu or phone 301-546-0858.
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Shayla Adams-Stafford Elected to Prince George’s County Council
Swearing In Ceremony Set for June 17
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Council Media
Shayla Adams-Stafford claimed victory in a special election on Tuesday, June 3, for the District 5 seat on the Prince George’s County Council. She is set to be sworn in on June 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Hearing Room at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD, 20774.
“I am so excited for the future of our County Council and the direction we are heading with the addition of Shayla Adams-Stafford,” said Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8). “I was honored to serve alongside her on the Prince George’s County Board of Education where her work ethic was unmatched. I know her bold ideas and commitment to positive change will continue to shape our county for the better, and that she is prepared to hit the ground running.”
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County REALTORS® Award $10,000 in Scholarships to High School Seniors
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS®
On May 30, 2025, The Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® (PGCAR) awarded $10,000 in college scholarships to deserving high school graduates. Through the REALTORS® David and Juanita Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund, named in memory of PGCAR’s 2006 President, David Maclin, and his wife, REALTOR® Juanita Maclin, the fund awarded four $2,500 college scholarships.
David and Juanita contributed to the economic development of Prince George’s County, and they were key contributors to the growth and development of area churches. Their efforts were acknowledged by numerous awards, certifications, and special recognitions.
It is because of their many contributions to the community that the Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® established the David & Juanita Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008. Based on the theme “How I Made a Difference in My Community,” the Scholarship Fund awards college scholarships to Prince George’s County High School seniors who are actively engaged in giving back to their communities. “Unlike traditional academic or athletic scholarships, these are given based on the students local community service efforts”, said Donald Frederick, Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
This year’s recipients served the needs of Prince George’s County communities by saving lives, providing education to the community on the importance of eating healthy and food insecurity, mentoring and tutoring students within Prince George’s County, creating an inclusive church environment for children with special needs, organizing donations for underserved youth, founding a Medical Science Club to inspire underrepresented students, and creating neurodiversity and mental initiatives within the educational system.
Of the 33 entries, four Prince George’s County High School seniors were each awarded $2,500 college scholarships:
• Bryanna Champion, of Oxon Hill High School, planning to attend Xavier University of Louisiana
• Laila Jefferson, of Riverdale Baptist School, planning to attend Howard University
• Timeera Niles, of Suitland High School, planning to attend Towson University
• Chelsea Onuekwusi, of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, planning to attend Columbia University
Since its inception in 2008, the Scholarship Fund has provided over $142,000 in scholarships to students graduating from Prince George’s County High Schools.
The Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® (PGCAR) is the voice for REALTORS® in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Representing more than 3,500 real estate professionals in the national capital area, PGCAR is an affiliate of the Maryland and National Association of REALTORS®. We are proud to serve our members and our community, and work to ensure professionalism in the industry. Our volunteers and staff work to offer services to real estate professionals and to provide avenues for our members to become more successful. We proudly work to promote and protect homeownership and private property rights.
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Governor Moore Uplifts Teacher Instructional Coaching Model to Improve Student Outcomes in Maryland’s Public Schools
By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 3, 2025)—Governor Wes Moore today visited Longfields Elementary School in Prince George’s County to uplift the power and importance of teachers receiving instructional coaching to improve student outcomes. During the visit, the governor greeted students and participated in a roundtable discussion with educators to learn more about teacher and student success driven by instructional coaching and more comprehensive support for underserved students.
“To have the best schools in the country, we need to have the best educators in the country. Longfields Elementary has shown that when we invest in educators and provide instructional coaching, we both improve student outcomes and increase teacher retention,” said Gov. Moore. “I am here to learn how we can build the best educator workforce in the nation, because when we uplift our educators and our students, Maryland wins.”
Instructional coaching provides subject-matter expertise and guidance to support the practice of teaching. Coaching promotes both high-quality instruction and educator development, in addition to improving student outcomes—particularly for underserved students. The Academic Excellence Program, part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act signed into law last month, is a proposed strategy based on instructional coaching to improve literacy and math scores in Maryland public schools.
“Strong, high-quality instructional coaching can transform student achievement,” said Maryland State Department of Education Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright. “The Academic Excellence Program provides the opportunity to set the standard for exemplary teacher support statewide.”
Longfields Elementary’s growth in academic achievement has been driven by instructional coaching in English language arts and mathematics. Between 2022 and 2024, academic proficiency rate increases at the school were among the largest in the school system, with 8.4 and 11.3 percentage point increases in English language arts and mathematics respectively.
“The success at Longfields Elementary underscores what’s possible when we invest in community schools and in coaching that directly supports teachers and students,” said Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II. “By building trust, modeling best practices and fostering innovation, we’re seeing teachers feel valued and empowered to help every student succeed.”
Longfields Elementary is also a community school, having received its community school designation in 2022. Community schools receive annual grants to support student populations with a high concentration of poverty. In addition to providing a traditional academic curriculum for students, community schools also provide wraparound support services for underserved students and their families, strengthening communities by more holistically addressing their needs.
“We’re seeing real gains in both academic achievement and school culture —and it’s a team effort,” said Longfields Elementary School Principal Carmen Bell. “Our educators, coaches and central office teams are working together to analyze data, share strategies and push forward to support every student.”
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