HOPE Inside centers in local Wells Fargo branches increase access to financial education and guidance in low-to-moderate income communities Baltimore, Md, – Wells Fargo and Operation HOPE, Inc., a national nonprofit dedicated to financial empowerment, today announced the opening of a new HOPE Inside center in Baltimore.     Each HOPE Inside center is located inside a Wells Fargo branch, and features Operation HOPE financial coaches who help empower community members to achieve their financial goals through free financial education workshops and one-on-one coaching. In Baltimore, the HOPE Inside center hub is located at 1643 Merritt Blvd. in the Merritt Point Shopping Center.   “Wells Fargo’s collaboration with Operation HOPE continues to play an important role in advancing financial inclusion,” said Nadia van de Walle, Head of Banking Inclusion Initiative at Wells Fargo. “By providing free, high-quality financial coaching and trusted guidance, this collaboration expands access to essential financial tools and builds financial confidence. Together, we’re helping consumers take control of their financial future while making a meaningful impact across communities.”   HOPE Inside centers are located within select low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhood branches that are specially designed around the needs of its community members. The branches feature redesigned spaces created to deliver one-on-one consultations, improve digital access, and offer financial health seminars.   “Economic inclusion isn’t a slogan — it’s about giving people a real path to ownership and upward mobility,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. “HOPE Inside brings financial coaching into everyday community spaces, so people can build credit, save, and plan for the future where they already live and bank. Each new location with Wells Fargo helps more families move from surviving to thriving, and that’s how you change communities for the long term. We’re grateful for the partnership.”   The Baltimore HOPE Inside location continues Wells Fargo’s commitment to make financial education and guidance more accessible to those most in need through opening HOPE Inside centers in 50 LMI communities by the end of 2026.   HOPE Inside is part of Wells Fargo’s Banking Inclusion Initiative, a 10-year commitment to help provide easier access to low-cost banking and financial education for underbanked and unbanked communities.     About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.3 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 38 on Fortune’s 2026 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.   Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo   Contact Information Wells Fargo Aryel Bell, [email protected]                                                                   News Release Category: WF-DI

Annual fall show brings home inspiration, local makers, family-friendly experiences and stars of Maine Cabin Masters to the Maryland State Fairgrounds (Timonium, MD) – The Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will return to the Maryland State Fairgrounds this October, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests for a three-day celebration of home, garden and seasonal inspiration. Taking place Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, the annual show offers homeowners, gardeners, interior design enthusiasts, DIYers and families the chance to explore the latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, alongside the opportunity to do some holiday shopping and take part in hands-on experiences all under one roof. Attendees participate in a Wreath Making Workshop. This year’s show will feature more than 300 exhibitors, including over 100 crafters from around the state in the Makers Market, along with unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series Maine Cabin Masters. “As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.” Meet the Stars of Maine Cabin Masters! Headlining this year’s show are Chase Morrill, his sister Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and her husband Ryan Eldridge, three of the stars behind Magnolia Network’s hit show, Maine Cabin Masters. The renovation team is known for transforming aging lakeside cabins across Maine while sharing practical renovation ideas, creative design solutions and behind-the-scenes stories with viewers. Ashley and Ryan, who drew excited fans to the home show with their appearance in 2024, will return this year with Chase for two Main Stage appearances on Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, October 17 at noon. Highlights of This Year’s Show In addition to the Maine Cabin Masters appearances, highlights of this year’s Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show include: Outdoor Oasis: Five seasonal, outdoor displays designed by top local landscapers, offering inspiration for turning yards, patios and outdoor spaces into extensions of the home. Makers Market: Hundreds of artisan makers, artists and small local retailers featuring jewelry, clothing, candles, food items, pet products, gifts and more, giving attendees an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping. Petting Zoo: Family-friendly animal encounters from The Enchanted Garden, featuring kid-friendly animals including goats, sheep, rabbits, tortoises, mini donkeys, mini cows, chickens and more. Tiny Living Square: A collection of small living and economical structures, each with its own style and purpose, made from refurbished sea containers and presented by Dale’s Cans. Kids Market: A brand-new show feature debuting Saturday and Sunday, giving attendees the opportunity to shop from local children - the next generation of entrepreneurs.  Save Your Fave’s: A new digital feature that allows attendees to scan QR codes at exhibitor booths and save business information, links and show specials directly to their phones. Attendees who scan three or more QR codes and provide their email address will receive two free tickets to the next show. Admission Information Tickets are available at the door and online. Online: Adults: $8 Senior Citizens (60+): $6 Children (ages 6-12): $4 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only At the door: Adults: $10 Senior Citizens (60+): $8 Children (ages 6-12): $4 Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only Special Offers: Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office. Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.mdfallhomeandgarden.com/

DMV Girls Hockey Weekend marks an annual joint effort between the Washington Capitals, MSE Foundation, PVAHA and several area youth hockey organizations to introduce girls ages 4-9 to hockey at no cost ARLINGTON, Va. – Registration is now open for the first-ever DMV Girls Hockey Weekend (previously DMV Girls Try Hockey for Free Day), taking place at 18 rinks across Maryland and Virginia on Sept. 12-13. DMV Girls Hockey Weekend is a joint effort between the Washington Capitals, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Foundation, the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association (PVAHA) and various youth hockey organizations throughout the region to introduce girls ages 4-9 to hockey at no cost. With a $32,991 grant from MSE Foundation supporting the weekend’s funding, hockey equipment is loaned to participants for a one-to-two-hour ice session. Click here to register for the weekend. Please note that the participating locations are subject to change, and new ones may be added throughout the summer. Provided equipment and equipment requirements will also vary by rink. Registrants are advised to refer to an email from their host rink prior to the weekend. To further showcase girls hockey, some of the rinks will also host a girls hockey game either before or after the free event. Participating clubs in Virginia include: Ashburn Ice House (Ashburn, VA), Caps Academy at MedStar Capitals Iceplex (Arlington, VA), Hampton Roads Warriors/Hampton Roads Youth Hockey Association at Iceland of Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, VA), NoVA Ice Dogs at Mount Vernon RECenter (Alexandria, VA), Potomac Lady Patriots at Prince William Ice Center (Woodbridge, VA), Reston Raiders at SkateQuest (Reston, VA), Richmond Generals at Richmond Ice Zone (Chesterfield, VA), Roanoke Lady Dawgs at Lancerlot Sports Complex (Vinton, VA) and STJ Hockey Club at The St. James (Springfield, VA). Participating clubs in Maryland include: Baltimore Youth Hockey Club at Reisterstown Sportsplex (Reisterstown, MD), Bowie Hockey Club at Bowie Ice Arena (Bowie, MD), Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex (Hagerstown, MD), Howard Huskies at Columbia Ice Rink (Columbia, MD), Montgomery Ice Devils at Rockville Ice Arena (Rockville, MD), Navy Youth Hockey at Brigade Sports Center (Annapolis, MD), Southern Maryland Sabres at Capital Clubhouse (Waldorf, MD), Tri-City Eagles at The Gardens Ice House (Laurel, MD) and Tucker Road Ducks at Tucker Road Ice Rink (Fort Washington, MD). DMV Girls Hockey Weekend aligns with USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free program, which provides local youth with the chance to try hockey during a one-to-two-hour ice session at no cost. Required equipment is loaned to participants through the local youth hockey organization. The program provides these organizations with a platform and opportunity to acquire new players locally and engage interested families into youth hockey programs across the region.  The Capitals partnered with the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association to host a DMV Girls Try Hockey for Free Day at 16 local rinks/clubs for the first time in 2023. Last year, 18 local rinks/clubs participated in the event, as more than 630 girls ages 4-9 tried hockey for the first time. Additionally, girls participation in the Future Caps Learn to Play program increased by more than 8% in a span of less than seven days following the event. According to USA Hockey, there has also been significant growth in hockey participation in the Washington, D.C., area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered youth and adult players in D.C. has climbed by more than 220 percent from 2005-06 through 2025-26. The total number of USA Hockey-registered girls and women players across D.C., Maryland and Virginia has also increased by 225 percent over that period. Additionally, the Southeastern District (comprised of D.C., Maryland and Virginia, as well as nine other states) ranked No. 1 in registration for the 2025-26 season. The Capitals Youth Hockey Development team offers a robust lineup of hockey programming and is committed to growing the game throughout the region. For more information on the programming, visit capsyouthhockey.com.

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are an ascending force in the Democratic Party. They have claimed victories not only in the New York City mayoral race with Zohran Manadi, but also in recent Democratic congressional primaries in New York and Denver. This raises a historical question around how socialists have engaged with the Black left. Though many of their candidates are people of color, recent actions by the DSA-aligned left show that current socialist left has much to learn from the history of socialists' failure to effectively engage the Black community. While Black folks have always been the most impacted by the poverty and joblessness produced by capitalism, they have consistently had to contend with class-first socialists arguing their desire to center race along with class are “splitting the left”. Hubert Henry Harrison worked for the socialist party in the 1910s, but eventually left to become a pan-African “race first” socialist.  He argued that socialists have a paternalistic attitude toward Black communities and that they take credit for political results tied more to Black desires for self-determination than their socialist “propaganda”.  He wrote in 1919: “The Socialist party thinks that the “unrest” now apparent in the Negro masses is due to the propaganda which its adherents support … Negroes in America are now reacting is not the exploitation of laborers by capitalists…It is not the Class Line, but the Color Line…we are seeking racial independence in business and reaching out into new fields of endeavor…Where Negro “radicals” of the type known to white radicals can scarce get a handful of people, Garvey fills the largest halls… racial solidarity…That is the secret of his success so far…” Nearly 100 years later, something similar is happening, with class-first leftist ignoring the role of race in politics. Krystal Ball, a progressive journalist, explained on her show Breaking Points that Maryland’s primary election results, with a “progressive challenger” defeating a “more conservative incumbent state senator,” were a result of the larger progressive, class-centric wave. She was almost certainly talking about Malcolm Ruff’s victory over Dalia Attar, a race defined by grassroots Black civil society mobilizing for Black power in a majority Black district. Advocates worked for months uniting Black civil society around Malcolm, whose platform included advocating for measures that would support grassroots violence prevention, support juvenile justice reforms, and sponsor a bill that would tax endowments of large non-profits to fund reparations. Ball reading this race through the lens of a class-first movement shows she, like Harrison notes, continued to mistake Black political agitation as a result of their “propaganda” rather than grassroots desire for self-determination. A more stunning example of this issue comes from a recent interview between podcaster Danial Denvir and journalist Briana Joy Gray. Gray is not a proponent of Black nationalism, but she is a critic of the racial blind spots of the socialist movement, including many leftist jettisoning the call to “defund police”. In an interview with Denvir, Gray mentions the limitations of the DSA’s “entrying” approach of running Democrats, presenting the alternative approach of combining this tactic with 3rd party activism. Denvir says she is rehashing her “6-year-old debate about DSA’s approach”, and claims that the conversation is “not enjoyable” and “melting his brain”. When Gray mentions leftist efforts in 2021 to “force the vote”, demanding the Democratic caucus use the leverage of the appointment of House leadership to force votes on key issues like Medicare for All, Denvir stunningly logs off the interview. This is an incredible show of disrespect not only for a Black woman leftist fellow traveler, but for the idea that the DSA progressive approach could ever legitimately be questioned. Professor Alex Vitale reported on Briana Joy Gray’s show a week before this interview that arrests for low-level offenses have actually increased under Mandani. If Denvir respected critiques of DSA’s approach, he could hear Gray’s question as stemming from this sort of concern.   Danial Denvir represents the kind of class-first socialist who does not respect Black criticism. He works for Jacobin magazine, which recently published a justification of the Young Patriots, a group of poor white populists Chicago Black Panther Fred Hampton formed an alliance with, using the Confederate flag. This example is framed through the lens of Black folks getting over their “woke” objections to the flag to see their mutual class interests with the Young Patriots. In reality, Hampton’s connection with the Young Patriots was a coalition where Black folks were willing to trade resources controlled by working-class whites for resources controlled by working-class Blacks. This can be seen in Hampton's famous chant “yellow power for yellow people, white power for white people, Black power for Black people”. This was an explicit attempt to combine class politics with Black self-determination that Jacobin, as Harrison notes, reads through the lens of socialist “propaganda” as a call for Black people not to be so mean to working-class white people, even though they fly a flag used to bring racial terror and violence to their ancestors. Denvir should apologize to Briana Joy Gray. Moreover, the DSA left, if they hope to win Black votes, should humble itself and respect Black community desires for self-determination. Outside of places like New York City and Denver, full of college-educated progressives, DSA’s current style of politics will not work as well without winning the working-class Black voters Malcolm Ruff won in Maryland’s 41st district. In Maryland, the left was not as successful as they were in New York, with an attempt to oust Senate President Bill Ferguson from a left insurgent sputtering out and a pro-AIPAC-backed Democrat winning in a mostly Black southern Maryland congressional district. Without an intentional effort to respect Black voters' desire for self-determination, progressive efforts to win with working-class Black voters will continue to fall short. Lawrence Grandpre is a political commentator for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle.

Program relaunches July 15 with expanded eligibility map Baltimore, MD — Live Baltimore today announced the relaunch of its nationally award-winning Buy Back the Block program, a groundbreaking initiative that helps Baltimore City residents become homeowners and build wealth in the very neighborhoods they already call home. First introduced as a pilot in 2023, the program has delivered strong early results and will reopen to applicants beginning July 15, 2026, with its largest eligibility area to date. “We are incredibly excited to relaunch Buy Back the Block with record-level funding and the broadest eligibility map this program has ever seen,” said Live Baltimore Executive Director Meghan McCorkell. “By growing both our resources and our reach, we can help many more Baltimore renters become Baltimore homeowners. We’re profoundly grateful to the Mayor, City Council, and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs for standing with us to make this kind of transformative opportunity a reality for our residents.” “I’m so proud of the way we used the American Rescue Plan Act and City dollars to help over 200 Baltimoreans buy a home,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Restarting Buy Back the Block means more folks will be able to create and build wealth for themselves and their families here in Charm City. That’s life-changing for the residents who will directly benefit from this program and all those who will indirectly benefit from the historic growth of our city." Buy Back the Block provides financial assistance to income-eligible Baltimore City residents who wish to purchase homes in designated areas with the goal of preventing displacement, stabilizing communities, and increasing Black homeownership and generational wealth. The new eligibility map for the July 2026 relaunch is now defined by Baltimore City’s Housing Market Typology, categories D through J, rather than the previously federally mandated Qualified Census Tracts, increasing the number of potentially eligible applicants across the City. Evidence of Impact Since its pilot phase began in 2023 through June 2026, Buy Back the Block has: Awarded 218 homeownership grants to Baltimore City residents. Provided more than $3.12 million in direct financial assistance toward home purchases. Supported home sales totaling $46.0 million across 88 Baltimore neighborhoods. Generated an estimated $2.03 million in single-year City property tax revenue from participating home purchases.  In the most recent run of the program from October 2025 to June 2026, 99% of grant recipients were first-time homebuyers. These results highlight the program’s ability to boost neighborhoods, assist long-term residents, and enhance Baltimore’s tax revenue, all while increasing homeownership opportunities. The Buy Back the Block FY26 Impact Report offers a comprehensive overview of the program, including customer demographics. Funding for Buy Back the Block is made possible through an award from the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, as well as a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs. Grant Options Through Buy Back the Block, eligible homebuyers may qualify for one of two grant options: $15,000 grant towards the purchase of a home; or $20,000 grant toward the purchase and renovation of a home. These funds are structured as grants that do not need to be repaid. Eligible applicants must currently live in a grant-eligible address and have lived there for at least 12 consecutive months, complete homeownership counseling through a city-approved agency, work with a Live Baltimore-approved lender, and meet other income and eligibility requirements.  "Building a competitive economy for working families in Maryland must include homeownership, which still remains one of the quickest paths to economic growth and stability for Marylanders," said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. "In Baltimore, we're removing barriers to bring more families closer to homeownership. By layering the new Reinvest Baltimore Rate Savings and Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance incentives with Buy Back the Block, residents can unlock greater purchasing power and put down stronger roots in the neighborhoods they love." Relaunch Details & Call for Applications Relaunch Date: Wednesday, July 15 How to Apply: Baltimore City residents who do not currently own any real estate and are interested in Buy Back the Block should visit LiveBaltimore.com/bbb to verify their address, take the eligibility quiz, and view additional resources. Grant funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more: Download the full Buy Back the Block FY26 Impact Report, visit LiveBaltimore.com/bbb for application details, and hear program recipient testimonials. About Live Baltimore Live Baltimore is a nationally recognized, independent nonprofit organization committed to promoting the benefits of Baltimore City living. Each year, Live Baltimore provides thousands of individuals with information on the city’s 250+ neighborhoods, rental living options, homebuying incentive programs, historic tax credits, and more. For more information, visit LiveBaltimore.com. PRONUNCIATION NOTE: Live Baltimore’s name is pronounced with a short “I” sound, as in “I live in Baltimore City.”

Ahead of 200th anniversary of American railroading and campus expansion, museum looks to the “Past. Present. The Possible.” BALTIMORE, Md. — As the nation prepares to commemorate the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, the B&O Railroad Museum, birthplace of American railroading, today announced it will become the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation, reflecting its expanded national mission to preserve and interpret America's railroad heritage while exploring the innovations shaping the future of rail transportation. Rooted in the place where American railroading began, the museum's new name reflects a broader vision that honors the extraordinary legacy of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad while embracing rail's continuing role in shaping America's future. "Nearly 200 years ago, a bold vision launched from this very place transformed our nation," said Kris Hoellen, executive director of the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation. "As we prepare to commemorate the bicentennial of American railroading, we are embracing a name that reflects both our responsibility to preserve one of America's greatest transportation stories and our commitment to exploring where rail transportation is headed next." Located on the 40-acre campus where the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad—the nation's first common carrier railroad—was founded, the museum occupies one of the most significant railroad sites in the United States. The campus is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a Smithsonian Affiliate and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site, preserving nationally significant collections and the historic B&O buildings and grounds where American railroading began. While the institution's name is changing, its commitment to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad remains unwavering. The story of the nation's first common carrier railroad will continue to be central to the museum's exhibitions, collections, educational programs and historic campus.  “The B&O is not being left behind—it is the foundation upon which the museum's expanded role as a nationally significant institution is built,” added Hoellen. “With today’s announcement, we celebrate the past, the present and the possibilities of American railroading.” The announcement comes as the museum continues its transformative $38 million campus expansion, one of the most significant investments in its history. The project includes new visitor experiences, expanded gathering spaces and an outdoor amphitheater. As part of the expansion, the museum will also provide public access to its nationally significant railroad archives for the first time in its history. Comprising more than 30 million documents, the archives represent one of the nation's most important collections chronicling the history, development and impact of American railroading. The expansion will culminate in the opening of Innovation Hall in 2027. Opening in 2027 as part of the nation's commemoration of the 200th anniversary of American railroading, the Innovation Hall will introduce a first-of-its-kind museum experience showcasing the present and future of railroading technologies. Through immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, visitors will explore engineering, automation, sustainability, freight systems, passenger mobility and emerging innovations shaping the next generation of rail transportation. Together, the museum's historic campus and Innovation Hall will connect the place where American railroading began with the technologies shaping its future. "This announcement represents a defining moment for one of our nation's most significant cultural institutions," said Governor Wes Moore. "The birthplace of American railroading has long preserved a story that began in Maryland and transformed America. As the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation, it will continue to honor that extraordinary legacy while helping future generations understand rail's continuing importance to our economy, our communities and our future." “As the direct corporate descendant of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, CSX is especially proud to celebrate this historic milestone," said Steve Angel, president and CEO of CSX. "The B&O lives on today through the railroad industry it helped create. We are proud to support an institution that honors this extraordinary legacy while embracing the innovation that continues to shape rail transportation." The announcement also introduces a new visual identity and logo that reflect the museum's broader vision while honoring its historic roots. "Our story began here," Hoellen said. "As the birthplace of American railroading, we have a responsibility to preserve that extraordinary legacy, explore how rail continues to shape our lives today, and inspire what is possible for the future. That is the vision behind the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation." About the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation The National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation is the birthplace of American railroading, located on the historic grounds of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the nation's first common carrier railroad. Situated on a 40-acre National Historic Landmark campus in Baltimore and recognized as a Smithsonian Affiliate and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site, the museum preserves one of the nation's most significant collections of railroad history while exploring the innovation and technologies shaping the future of rail transportation. As the birthplace of American railroading, the museum is uniquely positioned to help the nation commemorate the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027 while preserving the legacy of the industry's first two centuries and exploring the possibilities that will shape its next century. For more information on the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation, visit www.nationalrailroad.org.

Middle States Reaffirms University's Academic Excellence, Building Upon Eight Years of Historic Growth, Expanded Research, Record Enrollment and National Ascendancy BALTIMORE — Following a comprehensive, institution-wide evaluation, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has reaffirmed Morgan State University’s accreditation, confirming that Maryland’s largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) continues to meet the rigorous standards required of leading institutions of higher education. The reaffirmation, which extends the University’s accreditation through 2033, comes at a defining moment in Morgan’s evolution, reinforcing the strength of an institution that has simultaneously expanded its academic offerings, increased enrollment to record levels and strengthened its position as one of the nation’s fastest-rising research universities. Accreditation serves as one of the highest forms of institutional quality assurance in higher education, verifying that a university meets established standards for governance, academic excellence, student success and continuous institutional improvement. Morgan has maintained continuous membership with MSCHE since 1925. The Commission’s action follows a comprehensive self-study process that began in 2024 and concluded with MSCHE’s accreditation decision on June 25, 2026, which is now reflected in the University’s official Statement of Accreditation Status. Throughout the review, Morgan demonstrated compliance with the Commission’s core standards of mission and governance; ethics and integrity; design, delivery and assessment of the student learning experience; support of the student experience; and planning, resources and institutional improvement. Morgan President David K. Wilson congratulates a student graduating. “Reaffirmation of Morgan’s accreditation confirms our University's continued attainment of the highest standards of academic quality, institutional integrity and student success,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “For every student, alumnus and employer, this reaccreditation reinforces the enduring value of a Morgan degree. As we continue to elevate our research enterprise, expand academic opportunities and invest in transformative student experiences, this outcome validates that our growth has remained firmly grounded in educational excellence and sustained public trust.” The accreditation self-study serves as a comprehensive institutional assessment, enabling universities to evaluate their effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement and align future priorities with strategic goals. At Morgan, the process engaged leadership and stakeholders from across the institution in examining every aspect of University operations, while documenting the effectiveness of policies, academic programs and student support systems. Morgan’s accreditation effort was led by Solomon Alao, Ph.D., assistant vice president of Assessment and Operations and the University's accreditation liaison officer, who chaired the MSCHE Self-Study Steering Committee alongside Kara Turner, Ph.D., senior vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success, who served as co-chair. The reaffirmation also reflects the remarkable trajectory Morgan has sustained since its previous accreditation review in 2018. In the years that followed, the University experienced one of the most transformative chapters in its history, including: Introducing more than 40 new academic degree programs since 2020 Achieving Carnegie Classification as an R2 “High Research” institution Launching seven new research centers Receiving two historic philanthropic gifts totaling $103 million from MacKenzie Scott Surpassing $100 million in sponsored research commitments in a single fiscal year for the first time ever, reaching $104.4 million in FY25 Growing its annual economic impact on the State of Maryland to $1.5 billion Enrolling nearly 12,000 students for Fall 2025, marking five consecutive years of record-breaking enrollment Expanding and modernizing campus infrastructure with new student housing, the new Health and Human Services Center, Calvin and Tina Tyler Hall and a new Science Center now under construction Establishing the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies to advance the University’s “Morgan Completes You” initiative Conferring nearly 1,900 degrees during the 2025–2026 academic year — the largest graduating class in University history Morgan graduates process to walk across the stage at Spring Commencement. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a voluntary, nongovernmental membership association recognized by the U.S. secretary of education as an accreditor of degree-granting institutions across Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through its independent, third-party accreditation process, the Commission evaluates institutions as a whole, to ensure they demonstrate educational quality, institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement while maintaining public confidence in higher education. For Morgan, the Commission’s reaffirmation represents more than continued accreditation; it validates an institution whose rapid ascent has been matched by an unwavering commitment to academic quality, accountability and student success, as it continues its advancement toward even greater national prominence. About Morgan Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.