December 9-13, 2024, marks Computer Science Education Week, an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. The skills gained in computer science education are essential for bolstering Charles County’s robust technology industry and driving innovation across the county.
“Globally, the emergence of artificial intelligence and new tech point to the staying power of computer science jobs,” said Charles County Economic Development Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle. “Within Charles County, our top industries like healthcare and defense look to software specialists and engineers to maintain critical systems and innovate efficient solutions.”
In Charles County, initiatives led by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) help students build computer science skills at each level of their education. These programs prepare students to capitalize on opportunities in the county’s growing defense, healthcare, and tech industries and pursue long-term careers right in their hometown.
“The work that CCPS and CSM are doing to educate our youth and find them local experience opportunities is critical to sustaining these key industries and providing viable careers with livable wages within Charles County,” says Robertson-Slagle.
Computer Education Begins in Charles County Public Schools
Simone Young, STEM Coordinator for Charles County Public Schools, helps introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills early on.
“STEM can be a catch-all phrase, but we try to focus our programs on evolving industry needs for our workforce,” says Young. “This has shifted over the years, but recently, we've put tremendous attention into computer science since that is where the workforce needs support.”
In elementary education, students participate in regular computer lab classes, introducing critical thinking and computational tools they’ll use throughout their careers.
“The heart of programming is really problem-solving,” shares Young. “Early programs set CCPS students up to be strong critical thinkers, a skill that will support them throughout any career.”
In middle school, CCPS students must take at least one STEM-focused elective, which can be a pre-course on the computer science pathway called Exploring Computer Science. “An eighth grader is learning what they enjoy just as much as what they don't enjoy in these types of courses. Still, we have many that follow the pathway to high school.”
High school students can step into Career and Technical Education (CTE) with a three-course computer science program that also includes two advanced placement computer science classes. After completing the initial course, students are encouraged to pursue internships that provide practical experience.
“CCPS works well with many businesses and institutions in Charles County to find placements that give students a chance to build their resume, test their skills, and gain perspective into the opportunities we have right here in Charles County,” finished Young.
Providing strong connections to higher education, CCPS also collaborates with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) on the Southern Maryland VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) Tournament, which brings together 30 middle and high schools to test their engineering and robotics skills in real life.
This CTE pathway offers students a seamless transition into the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) computer science programs, where they can further deepen their skills and build on their experiences.
Continuing Computer Education at CSM
CSM educators, including Joe Burgin, Professor and Program Coordinator for Data Science, and Dr. Eugen Leontie, Associate Professor specializing in Computer Science and Cybersecurity, work closely with students to prepare them for thriving careers in technology.
“Computer science is one of the most rigorous of the four STEM programs we offer at CSM,” shared Burgin. “It's demanding math and programming sequences challenge students but also prepare them for a future in tech.”
To ensure student success, CSM also provides learners with free academic support through its writing and math resource centers. Here, tutors assist students with any challenges that may come along with course rigor. Deepening students interest and understanding of computer science is also encouraged outside of the classroom with cybersecurity clubs, a competitive robotics team, and other ventures.
By combining comprehensive classroom learning, outside engagement, real-world insights, and hands-on internship opportunities, CSM is shaping a tech-ready workforce that meets the needs of students and employers, ensuring that talent stays and thrives in Charles County.
CSM uses industry-recognized curricula to ensure students receive the most relevant training. Recently, CSM’s Cybersecurity Associate Degree Program ranked in Intelligent.com’s Top 10 nationwide for 2025.
To prepare students with the skills employers need today, the college works closely with advisory councils composed of local business leaders, who provide insights that help instructors continuously refine and adapt the curriculum.
“We rely on our advisory council to provide recommendations, so our graduates are ready to succeed from day one,” said Dr. Leontie. “We constantly adapt our courses to incorporate new, relevant material.”
Dr. Leontie explains, “When I ask the advisory board members why they are interested in our students, many respond that it is not difficult to find talent outside of the area, but it's very hard to retain that workforce for the long term. CSM students are more likely to stay in the region, making them ideal candidates for long-term careers in local industries.”
Professor Burgin, along with other faculty, assists with job and internship coordination for the Technology Department, helping students find experience-building placements in Charles County. “The Patuxent Partnership is very active in supporting our Computer Science program and students through funding for CSM's state-of the-art CyberLabs on each campus,” he said.
Since 2007, The Patuxent Partnership has been a loyal supporter and advocate of CSM, having committed more than $400,000 in funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics scholarships, the CSM Robotics Team “The Talons,” STEM programming, and cybersecurity initiatives.
Aligning workforce needs with the computer science curriculum often also involves soliciting alumni for feedback.
“We regularly conduct program reviews with alumni to gauge where their careers led them after CSM,” shares Dr. Leontie. “The feedback we got two years or three years ago during the cybersecurity program review was that a majority of students found a job either in a government or contract-related field, which is a major employment sector in Charles County.”
As Charles County’s primary industries, including defense, continue to grow, the need for educated, experienced employees also thrives. The collaborative efforts of CCPS, CSM, and local businesses ensure that Charles County students have the tools, knowledge, and support systems needed to excel and begin their meaningful careers in Charles County.
