Student Advocacy Day, 2026
Students from Howard Community College joined peers from all 16 Maryland community colleges in Annapolis for the 2026 Student Advocacy Day, meeting directly with legislators and their staff to discuss issues impacting higher education. Students advocated for dual enrollment, workforce development programs such as cybersecurity, and financial aid initiatives that support affordability and student success.
Among HCC's student advocates was Ian King-Smith, Club Liaison for the Student Government Association, who shared how the Dr. Edward L. and Catherine Joan Cochran Family Endowment scholarship supported her educational journey. During the visit, she also connected with Delegate Courtney Watson, whose parents established the HCC scholarship.
Student Advocacy Day remains an important opportunity for the college to elevate student voices and reinforce its commitment to access, workforce readiness, and economic mobility through engagement with state leaders.
“Receiving the Cochran Scholarship gave me one of the most valuable gifts anyone can receive: the gift of time. It gave me the ability to focus on my studies, become involved in the Student Government Association, and continue serving my community through volunteer work that I care deeply about,” said King-Smith. “Scholarships like this do more than ease financial burdens, they create opportunities for students to grow, lead, and thrive.”