A Milestone to celebrate



Southern Management Leadership Program has awarded more than 500 scholarships to students at Prince George’s Community College, Montgomery College and the University of Maryland since it was created in 2006.

It also provides mentorship and guidance, with the goal of graduating ethical leaders who want to energize and give back to their local communities. Students earn a minor in technology entrepreneurship from the A. James Clark School of Engineering while building professional skills and participating in community and team-building activities.

David Hillman started the program in thinking about how to give some of his good fortune back to the community. He looked for bright young people with potential who, given proper support, can become successful, sometimes in spite of challenging backgrounds. The goal, shared by his wife Suzanne and Southern Management, is for scholarship recipients to have the opportunity to pursue a college education, become entrepreneurial thinkers and, like him, give back to their communities in Maryland.

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An Army reservist studies musical arts without worrying about how she’ll pay the rent. A first-generation college student is graduating with a job at a major technology corporation. And an alum is running her own nonprofit, providing job training to homeless women.

They are just three students among hundreds supported in their academic and professional pursuits by Southern Management Companies, and part of why the company was honored with the University of Maryland’s inaugural Presidential Flagship Award.

Presented by UMD President Darryll J. Pines in March 2022, the annual award honors the outstanding commitment of a university partner to the continued success of UMD and the growth of the Greater College Park ecosystem as an educational, research and business corridor. The ceremony celebrated Southern Management and its founders, Suzanne and David Hillman, who created the Southern Management Leadership Program 16 years ago. The company continues to partner with the university on 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 are extraordinary, and we are pleased to honor them with this award.

Suzanne at podium with smiling student

"We are deeply honored by this award and the recognition of our company’s core value – giving back to the communities we serve."

- Suzanne Hillman



Scenes from the Ceremony  


Held at The Hotel at University of Maryland on March 2, 2022, President Pines presented Southern Management with the inaugural Presidential Flagship Award. SMLP students, alum, university leaders and local dignitaries celebrated the milestone.