Allegany College of Maryland (ACM)

To provide convenient geographical access to post-secondary education to people within the service region of the college. To provide financial access to a college education by assuring reasonable tuition rates, comprehensive financial assistance, an tion rates, comprehensive financial assistance, and college scholarship opportunities. To provide quality education and services, in a safe and comfortable environment, at a reasonable cost. To support an environment that promotes quality teaching and learning. To promote a college that enhances lives and the community through education and service. To instill in our students a philosophy of lifelong learning. To foster a pro-learning campus environment that embraces the values of Allegany College of Maryland. To develop the technical competence, knowledge, and other essential skills that prepare students for direct entry into the workforce, for career change and advancement, or for transfer to another college or university. To continually assess our programs and services in order to promote and encourage continuous improvement.Allegany College of Maryland, the community's college in Allegany County and serving Western Maryland and the surrounding region, was founded in 1961. In fall 1996, with the College's role in the region continuing to expand, the College was renamed Allegany College of Maryland to reflect changes in its mission. We will be the college of choice that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and makes learners the center of everything we do. We deliver diverse and relevant education centered around student success in a supportive and engaging community. In developing and implementing the offerings of the College, the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the staff have steadfastly held, and continue to hold, the following beliefs: We believe in democracy as a way of life, and in both the freedoms and responsibilities inherent in a democracy. We believe in preparation for active participation in a democracy. We believe that education is a process by which certain objectives of society are reached. We believe that education is sustained, utilized, and protected by society. We believe that our college, as an essential and integral part of the American way of life, has a direct relationship and responsibility to the community to serve as a leader in educational thought and practice. To this end, the educational resources of the institution are made available for use by the community. We believe that education embraces knowledge, training, and aspiration. Consequently, we believe in the dissemination of knowledge, the liberation of minds, the development of skills, the promotion of free inquiry, the encouragement of the creative or inventive spirit, and the establishment of wholesome attitude toward order and change, with an emphasis on ethical and legal concerns. We believe that we should educate broadly through a program of general education which introduces the students to the basic fields of knowledge: the arts and humanities, English composition, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, and the biological and physical sciences. We believe that it is our responsibility to guide students in the exercise of self-direction and self-discipline in the solution of their problems, and to instill in them the desire to continue education as long as they live. We believe that knowledge alone is not enough. Ethics is indispensable; therefore, our program emphasizes appreciation of and response to beauty, truth, and justice, thus contributing to the general cultural development of the community through the individual. We believe in the cooperation of the College with all segments of its service area and in the continual evaluation of the College, its purpose and program, to the end that it may contribute to the maximum development of the individual and the area. Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) is a vibrant institution dedicated to transforming lives through student-centered education. Since its founding in 1961 as Allegany Community College, ACM has grown into a respected regional institution with a mission to deliver diverse and relevant education focused on student success. With President David R. Jones at the helm and Kim Leonard serving as Trustee Chair, ACM stands out as a college committed to strengthening communities and placing learners at the heart of its vision. ACM operates seven locations across Cumberland and Oakland, Maryland, and Everett and Somerset, Pennsylvania. The college offers 48 associate degree programs (AA, AS, AAS, and AAT), 31 certificate programs, and 10 letter of recognition programs. It is affiliated with the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Its Bedford County Campus is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The college community includes 98 full-time and 67 part-time faculty members, along with 30 non-credit instructors and over 200 administrative and support staff. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 and an average class size of 13, ACM ensures personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. The student body at ACM is diverse and primarily composed of part-time students (70.69%). Nearly 88% of students receive financial aid, and 47.59% are Pell Grant recipients, indicating a strong focus on accessibility. A striking 80% of students are first-generation college students. In terms of residency, 46.59% are in-state while 53.40% come from out-of-state. The student demographic is predominantly female (69.90%), with a racial composition that is 75.87% White, 11.56% Black/African American, and smaller percentages of other racial and ethnic groups. The mean student age is 24.82, with a median age of 19. In Fall 2024, 2,777 students enrolled in credit programs, including early college and dual enrollment. In the prior academic year, credit enrollment reached 3,413. ACM also serves a substantial number of non-credit learners, with 6,900 students enrolled in Continuing Education and Workforce Development programs and 11,736 total student registrations in FY24. ACM takes pride in its vibrant athletics program. The college fields teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Notably, the men’s basketball team has qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament 14 times, most recently in 2024. The baseball team has reached the NJCAA World Series nine times, and the women’s basketball team has participated in the national tournament four times. The men’s tennis team has also seen national championship action in the 1970s. Recognized for its community impact, ACM holds the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification and showcases campus life and achievements through its publications ACCESS ACM and the Expressions Student Literary Magazine. With its rich history, inclusive approach, and commitment to excellence, Allegany College of Maryland remains a beacon of opportunity for students seeking a transformative education. ...view more