Eastern Shore colleges report workforce growth; UMES seeks expedited capital for veterinary school

University and college presidents who addressed the Eastern Shore delegation on Friday highlighted enrollment gains, new workforce and transfer initiatives, and capital projects that they said require continued legislative support.

Salisbury University interim provost Jessica Clark said the university enrolled 7,243 students this year and reported a 20% jump in first-year applications. Community colleges updated the delegation on accelerated nursing tracks, mobile welding labs funded by federal earmarks and new workforce-aligned programs including cybersecurity and bioproduction.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Doctor Heidi Anderson urged the delegation to protect and, if possible, accelerate capital funding for a new School of Veterinary Medicine. She said the accrediting site team will visit the campus the week of June 21 and that the university must submit required documentation by March 30. "When they leave in June, they go back and we'll do a report. That report will come out in September," Anderson said; she asked legislators to keep the capital request in the budget and to consider moving some funds into FY27 to support readiness.

Chesapeake College reported final approval of a $48 million skilled-trades facility (75% state-funded) and progress on design and construction management steps. Presidents also described transfer-pathway work to ensure that credits from community colleges transfer into four-year institutions as juniors and highlighted apprenticeship and dual-enrollment growth.

Delegates asked targeted questions about the timing of accreditation, transfer alignment and sustaining programs that support local workforce needs. College leaders said they will follow up with materials and emphasized partnerships with K-12 districts and local businesses to keep graduates in the region.