March 2, 2022 -- For its deep commitment to the University of Maryland community and impact on students, Southern Management Companies will receive the Presidential Flagship Award today.
Presented by UMD President Darryll J. Pines, the annual award honors the outstanding commitment of a university partner to the continued success of the university and the growth of the Greater College Park ecosystem as an educational, research and business corridor. Today’s ceremony will celebrate Southern Management and its founders who created the Southern Management Leadership Program and continue to partner with the university on paramount projects such as The Hotel at University of Maryland and its new Visitor Center for UMD’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
“Southern Management shares our ambitious vision for the future. They have invested in our diverse student body and the Greater College Park community,” said Pines. “Their impact and generosity is extraordinary and we are pleased to honor them with this award.”
The Southern Management Leadership Program supports and develops students who have an interest in entrepreneurship and an enthusiasm for starting a business venture, leading a company, or changing the world. Through mentorship, guidance, and scholarship support, the program aims to identify, encourage, and graduate ethical leaders who want to energize and give back to their local communities.
The program was founded 16 years ago by Suzanne Hillman (President and CEO of Southern Management Companies) and her late husband as a way to enrich the education of students living in and around the apartment home communities Southern owns and manages.
“We are deeply honored by this award and the recognition of our company’s core value–giving back to the communities we serve,” said Suzanne Hillman. “We have always been committed to being good corporate citizens where we do business and we remain absolutely dedicated to developing impactful, creative and inspiring local leaders.”
Since its inception in 2006, the Southern Management Leadership Program has provided more than 500 scholarships to students at Prince George’s Community College, Montgomery College, and the University of Maryland. In addition to scholarships, students receive guidance from full-time mentors at each institution. Students earn a minor in technology entrepreneurship from the A. James Clark School of Engineering while building essential professional skills and participating in community and team-building activities.
“We are truly grateful to Southern Management Companies and for the vision of the founders of the Southern Management Leadership Program for providing these incredible undergraduate student opportunities,” said Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies William A. Cohen. “The program and its students exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of our university.”
In addition to SMLP, Southern Management provides housing each year to a U.S. military veteran seeking a graduate degree at Maryland. They also participate in dozens of other local charitable efforts including providing backpacks and school supplies to local grade-school students.
The company’s impact is visible all around College Park: Graduate Hills and Gardens provides housing for UMD graduate students, and two Southern Management hotels anchor downtown College Park. The Cambria Hotel, which opened in 2018, is owned and operated by Southern Management. The Hotel at the University of Maryland, a luxury property that opened in 2017, is also owned and operated by Southern Management and is home to the new Visitor Center for UMD’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
About Southern Management
Southern Management Companies is one of the largest privately-owned residential property management companies in the United States. Southern Management owns 77 apartment communities with approximately 25,000 apartment homes. In addition to residential property ownership and management, Southern Management owns and manages commercial properties as well as four hotels and conference centers. For more information, visit www.southernmanagement.com.