[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTHA SMITH

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
accomplishments of Martha Smith, Ph.D., who is retiring as president of 
Anne Arundel Community College, AACC, in Anne Arundel County, MD. For 
18 years, Dr. Smith has been the visionary and driving force behind 
many of the accomplishments of AACC. Her tireless dedication and 
unwavering enthusiasm have been instrumental in bringing extraordinary 
educational opportunities to the students of AACC. Under her 
leadership, AACC has grown to meet the needs of students and employers 
in Anne Arundel County and throughout the State of Maryland. The 
college has focused on high-growth industries and opportunities 
presented by the base realignment and closure, BRAC, process. As a 
result, its enrollment has increased from 40,000 to 53,000 students and 
the number of degree and certificate programs has nearly doubled. The 
campus locations have grown to include Glen Burnie and Arundel Mills, 
as well as nine new buildings.
  Dr. Smith has led AACC's growth and success by keeping her finger on 
the pulse of workforce trends, student goals, and employer needs. This 
year, she announced nine new associate's degree programs in fields such 
as juvenile justice and early childhood education. Under her 
leadership, AACC opened the Centers for Cyber and Professional Training 
and Applied Learning and Technology and introduced a new degree in 
information systems security, evincing the increased demand for highly 
trained cyber security professionals. In response to the growing needs 
of Maryland's health care and tourism industries, Dr. Smith has 
overseen the expansion of the physician assistant certificate program 
and she cut the ribbon on AACC's new Hospitality, Culinary Arts and 
Tourism Institute.
  Dr. Smith's considerable expertise and leadership in the areas of 
workforce development and education has enabled her to serve in many 
leadership roles with local, State, and national organizations. As a 
passionate advocate for high-quality, affordable education for all 
students who want to pursue higher education, her role on national 
community college and workforce investment boards has been instrumental 
in building partnerships and making changes that have strengthened the 
community college system and enabled more students to be successful. 
During Dr. Smith's tenure, AACC has garnered numerous awards and 
honors, including Community College of the Year from the National 
Alliance for Business.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Smith on her 18 
years of accomplishments as president of Anne Arundel Community 
College, in thanking her for her inspired leadership and public 
service, and in wishing her well in her retirement.

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