This is What Extraordinary Looks Like
Transformation is something we see every day in the lives of our students at Montgomery College. We see it in the parent balancing work and academic courses on the path to a new career, the first-generation student finding confidence through mentorship, or the recent graduate transferring to a renowned Ivy League university or joining the workforce to make a difference in our community.
Our mission is simple yet powerful—Montgomery College is where students discover their passions and unlock their potential to transform lives, enrich the community, and change the world. That mission comes to life through our students, and through the many individuals who support them every step of the way.
View the full 2026 MC Annual ReportTransformational Aspiration: Access
For high school students, Montgomery College continues to redefine what access looks like. Over 400 earned college credentials this year while still completing high school through the College's dual enrollment programs. Whether pursuing an associate's degree through Early College, accelerating progress through Middle College, or earning individual credits through Jumpstart to College, students are exposed to advanced courses while reducing the time and cost required to complete a college education.
Every extraordinary outcome begins with an exceptional opportunity. No matter where they begin, Montgomery College meets students where they are—opening doors, removing barriers, and creating possibilities. Access is the foundation for everything that follows. When opportunity is paired with support, flexibility, and a true sense of belonging, students can transform their own futures and the communities around them.
Every student's path to Montgomery College is different. Some arrive directly from high school, eager to begin earning college credits. Others return after years in the workforce to prepare for a new career, build new skills, or pursue a long-held dream. Many are balancing work, family responsibilities, military service, or financial pressures while taking the next step toward their future.
What unites them all is the opportunity to move forward. Over 47,000 credit and non-credit students were drawn to this opportunity in FY2026, with credit enrollment growing by 6 percent to nearly 20,000 students. This momentum demonstrates how Montgomery College is a place where students of every age and background can discover pathways that fit their lives and aspirations.
Read more in the 2026 MC Annual Report. (PDF, 
)
Marco's life doesn't pause for class schedules. As a father, working adult, and international student, he’s navigated setbacks that would have stopped many people—injuries, financial pressure, long commutes. Montgomery College didn't ask him to choose between his education and the rest of his life. It gave him the flexibility to keep going.
For Marco, extraordinary isn't fast or flashy. It's steady.
Transformational Aspiration: Completion
Industry and higher education partnership explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the workforce and reshaping the future of education.
Every student has the potential to achieve extraordinary things. At Montgomery College,
that potential grows through challenge, encouragement, and a community that believes
in every learner.
Completion is more than earning a credential. It is building confidence, discovering
new strengths, and inspiring students to achieve more than they ever imagined.
Here, excellence can be found everywhere. This year, student Misale Endrias was appointed
by Governor Wes Moore and confirmed by the Maryland Senate as the Student Commissioner
on the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Nine Montgomery College students were
named semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship,
one of the most competitive scholarships for community college students. And, students
earned honors that included selections to the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and as
Harvey Lincoln Student Scholars and Hites Scholars.
Read more in the 2026 MC Annual Report. (PDF, )
One conversation changed Madeleine’s future. Encouraged by a professor who recognized her potential, she embraced new academic challenges through the Honors program, undergraduate STEM research, and close faculty mentorship. Along the way, she became Montgomery College’s first Barry Goldwater Scholar—one of the nation’s highest honors for undergraduate students pursuing research careers in the STEM fields.
Now continuing her education at Columbia University after completing her MC studies, Madeleine shows what’s possible when students are challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve more than they ever imagined.
A nationally renowned educator and advocate for inclusive STEM education, MC alumna Kara Ball directed her full $5 million award to expanding opportunities for children with learning and thinking differences.
Transformational Aspiration: Post-Completion Success
Every student’s journey continues long after graduation.
At Montgomery College, education is designed to prepare learners not just for what comes next but for the countless opportunities and challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.
As graduates transfer, launch careers, and serve their communities, they shape the future and demonstrate the extraordinary impact of a Montgomery College education.
Read more in the 2026 MC Annual Report. (PDF, )
Mariam didn't need to start over. She'd already earned degrees, built a career, and proven herself professionally. What she needed was a targeted certification that built on everything she'd already accomplished and opened new doors. Montgomery College gave her exactly that: focused, flexible learning designed for a life already in motion.
For Mariam, extraordinary isn't reinvention. It's continuation—gaining momentum, clarity, and the confidence to take the next step.
The Aspen Institute named Montgomery College (MC) as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.
Archive, 2020-2025
- FY25 Annual Report (PDF, )
- FY24 Annual Report (PDF, )
- FY23 Annual Report (PDF, )
- FY22 Annual Report (PDF, )
- FY21 Annual Report (PDF, )
- FY20 Annual Report (PDF, )