Stevenson Hosting Members of the Inaugural Class of the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Programs
Maryland State Senator Hettleman and Delegates Cardin, Pasteur, and Stein are excited to announce the participation of Stevenson University as a host site for the inaugural class of Service Year Option and Maryland Corps members, a partnership with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation.
The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation in its first year is expanding service and volunteerism statewide, creating new pathways of service to meet community needs, enhance workforce development, and promote preparedness for both higher and vocational education. Roles at the host sites can range from academic tutoring, assisting in healthcare facilities, and advancing public safety to taking up environmental conservation projects.
Stevenson will host two service members in their Wellness Center and with the Campus Safety Office. Being on a university campus will allow them the opportunity to learn how these critical departments support student health and well-being.
“We’re beyond excited to roll out these programs,” said Paul Monteiro, Maryland’s Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation, “they’re not just about offering opportunities but linking service, education, and job readiness into a unified, powerful experience.”
The District 11 team remarked, “As public servants, we believe in nurturing young leaders who can contribute to our civic life with compassion, practicality, resilience, and responsibility. This collaboration will offer participants the ability to identify opportunities where they can make a difference.”
“Stevenson is proud to host members of the inaugural class of Maryland’s Service Year Option program,” said Elliot Hirshman, Ph.D., President of Stevenson University. “This significant State initiative seeks to transform people’s lives through experiences that link education, career readiness, and community service. This approach aligns naturally with Stevenson’s own mission to support students’ academic and career development for the betterment of their lives, our region, and our state.”
“The launch of the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Program represents a renewed commitment to cultivating opportunities and inspiring a spirit of service in Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore. “We’re not just launching programs; we’re connecting Marylanders to their communities and unlocking their potential in ways that will shape our collective future.”
About Maryland’s Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Programs:
The Service Year Option is a service opportunity for young adults who recently completed high school. Members earn at least $15 an hour and work at least 30 hours a week. Members gain both hard and soft skills through a service placement aligned with their area of interest, in addition to working with support coaches to develop and refine their post-service plans—whether they include college, career, or continued service.
Maryland Corps is a service opportunity for people of all ages. Like the Service Year Option, members earn a minimum of $15 dollars an hour working in organizations that provide job training and professional development. Program partnerships with both Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and community colleges provide an additional level of collaboration and support for members, in addition to alignment with skilled trades and apprenticeship programs to facilitate transition into continued education or the workforce. Following completion of their service year, participants in both programs will earn a completion award of $6,000 that may be accessed as a direct payment or as a deposit into a Maryland 529 Education Account for those pursuing their studies.