CSM Names Teaching Hub After Beloved Professor

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LA PLATA, Md., — The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) dedicated its new Teaching and Learning Center to the late Michelle Simpson, a revered faculty member who served the institution for 34 years, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the La Plata Campus. The event honored Simpson’s legacy as a professor of Theater and Communications, who died on March 4, 2024, at age 61. Faculty, staff, family, and community members gathered to celebrate her contributions to education and the college community.

CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson opened the ceremony, highlighting Simpson’s extensive impact. “As many of you know, Michelle Simpson dedicated more than 34 years to CSM, first as an adjunct instructor, and then as a full-time professor,” Wilson said. “She was a tireless advocate for advancing teaching and learning and a faculty leader whose influence continues to permeate throughout our college community and shape the experiences our students benefit from today.”

Simpson’s contributions included co-creating the Communication Capstone course, pioneering online communication courses 25 years ago, and serving on key initiatives like the Achieving the Dream Core Team and Middle States accreditation efforts. She also co-chaired the Diversity in Education Committee and founded the Faculty Innovation Team. “Naming this center in her honor is more than a tribute. It is a promise. A promise to continue her legacy by cultivating a space where teaching excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth are encouraged and thrive,” Wilson added.

The Michelle Simpson Center for Teaching and Learning, located in the Learning Resource Center, serves as a hub for faculty and staff development. It offers dedicated space for adjunct faculty, training and innovation programs, collaborative areas for tutors and instructional teams, and year-round programming such as workshops, boot camps, and policy discussions. The center’s establishment was supported by a significant donation from Simpson’s wife, Dr. Sue Subocz, associate president and provost of Walden University.

CSM Foundation Chair Trey Proctor acknowledged Subocz’s contribution. “Today, we are especially honored to celebrate a generous and deeply meaningful gift from Dr. Sue Subocz – a gift that, in addition to creating her beloved wife’s legacy at CSM, also ensures a legacy of innovation and professional growth for those of you who teach and support students,” Proctor said. “Dr. Subocz’s understanding of the transformative power of education and her commitment to supporting those who deliver it make this gift especially meaningful. On behalf of the CSM Foundation, thank you, Dr. Subocz.”

Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, CSM Dean of Learning Resources, shared personal reflections on Simpson’s influence. “Michelle was more than just a colleague. She was a friend, and a brilliant educator. She was a quiet force of transformation here at the college. Michelle believed deeply in the craft of teaching and in the unique life-changing power of community colleges. She was thoughtful, intentional, and fiercely student-centered,” McCaslin said. She noted Simpson’s mentorship in service-learning projects and emphasized the center’s role in perpetuating her legacy through every workshop and mentoring session.

Toni Kruszka, CSM director of development and a former student of Simpson, recounted her experience in a 1996 musical directed by Simpson. “I’m a product of Michelle’s commitment to excellence in education. For me, this ceremony is deeply personal. Like many of you, I knew Michelle not only as a brilliant educator, but as a guide, a mentor, a friend – and, in my case, also a director,” Kruszka said. She credited Simpson’s Basic Principles of Speech Communication course with shaping her career in communication studies. “That class didn’t just shape a semester. It shaped my life. Communication studies became my focus from that point forward. And it all started with Michelle: her insight and her encouragement,” she added.

Subocz, visibly moved, spoke briefly, invoking the memory of deceased CSM colleagues. “They’re all with us today and they’re going to help me,” she said, holding back tears. After a standing ovation from the crowd, she added, “And now it’s a celebration, and Michelle loved a celebration.”

The ceremony underscored Simpson’s enduring influence on CSM’s commitment to educational excellence. The new center is poised to foster innovation and collaboration, ensuring her vision for student-centered learning continues. Simpson is survived by Subocz and their daughter.