Students Visit State Capital Gretchen Phillips April 02, 2025 - 1:44 pm
April 02, 2025
Eight St. Mary’s College of Maryland students visited the Maryland State House in Annapolis to get a first-hand look at the legislative process and learn the history of Maryland’s capital.
The trip was a civic engagement collaboration with several departments at St. Mary’s College including the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, the Center for the Study of Democracy and the Multicultural programs office. While visiting, the group had a chance to meet and have photos taken with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and meet with local legislators, Maryland Sen. Jack Bailey (R-St. Mary’s, Calvert) and Del. Brian Crosby (D-St. Mary's) where among several topics, the two discussed their bi-partisan working relationship.
Summer Larocco ’26 said the Annapolis trip was personally fulfilling. “I was able to see more of the intricacies that go along with being involved in government affairs and I was able to make real connections with influential people, such as Senator Bailey and Delegate Crosby.”
The group also had an opportunity to catch up with St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan in the Lowe House Office Building next to the State House as she addressed the the Education and Economic Development subcommittee of the Maryland House of Delegates that afternoon.
Nsyr Mathis-Chambers ’27 said it was a surprise to see President Jordan that day. “It was cool to see her in action and represent our college on a broader scale. The committee was very receptive to her piece.” Mathis-Chambers recommended others visit the State House when they get a chance. “It gives people an eye-opener about how politicians effectively communicate outside of the media.” He said the history of Maryland's capital also gives SMCM students “more appreciation of our campus and its history.”
Brandon Engle ’18, director of government affairs for St. Mary’s College, helped arrange the Annapolis trip which included sitting in on a portion of a House floor session and a tour of the State House. Engle recalled a similar experience he had while a student at SMCM.
“A class trip to Annapolis during my junior year is what originally inspired me to work in both the House of Delegates and Senate before returning to the College, and over the course of seven legislative sessions, I’ve found that students are often legislators’ favorite meetings of the year," said Engle. "I hope trips like this continue to introduce students to a new dimension of public policy – we need their energy, ideas, and perspectives, and not just in Washington D.C.”
Photo by Pat Sibert @MDgovpics
April 02, 2025
Eight St. Mary’s College of Maryland students visited the Maryland State House in Annapolis to get a first-hand look at the legislative process and learn the history of Maryland’s capital.
The trip was a civic engagement collaboration with several departments at St. Mary’s College including the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, the Center for the Study of Democracy and the Multicultural programs office. While visiting, the group had a chance to meet and have photos taken with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and meet with local legislators, Maryland Sen. Jack Bailey (R-St. Mary’s, Calvert) and Del. Brian Crosby (D-St. Mary's) where among several topics, the two discussed their bi-partisan working relationship.
Summer Larocco ’26 said the Annapolis trip was personally fulfilling. “I was able to see more of the intricacies that go along with being involved in government affairs and I was able to make real connections with influential people, such as Senator Bailey and Delegate Crosby.”
The group also had an opportunity to catch up with St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan in the Lowe House Office Building next to the State House as she addressed the the Education and Economic Development subcommittee of the Maryland House of Delegates that afternoon.
Nsyr Mathis-Chambers ’27 said it was a surprise to see President Jordan that day. “It was cool to see her in action and represent our college on a broader scale. The committee was very receptive to her piece.” Mathis-Chambers recommended others visit the State House when they get a chance. “It gives people an eye-opener about how politicians effectively communicate outside of the media.” He said the history of Maryland's capital also gives SMCM students “more appreciation of our campus and its history.”
Brandon Engle ’18, director of government affairs for St. Mary’s College, helped arrange the Annapolis trip which included sitting in on a portion of a House floor session and a tour of the State House. Engle recalled a similar experience he had while a student at SMCM.
“A class trip to Annapolis during my junior year is what originally inspired me to work in both the House of Delegates and Senate before returning to the College, and over the course of seven legislative sessions, I’ve found that students are often legislators’ favorite meetings of the year," said Engle. "I hope trips like this continue to introduce students to a new dimension of public policy – we need their energy, ideas, and perspectives, and not just in Washington D.C.”
Photo by Pat Sibert @MDgovpics