Real Students, Real Stories: Alumna Tiffany Barber Shares How Her Journey with CSM Brought Her Life Full Circle

"The College of Southern Maryland was a catalyst in my career (and life)."

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is more than educators transforming students’ lives. As CSM Alumna Tiffany Barber '00 explains, CSM is a convener and a connector that helps build bridges, and create pathways that transforms lives -- including her own.

Barber, who is the executive director of The Poiema Movement – a nonprofit providing housing for women transitioning from crisis, took time a few months ago to share her journey from brokenness to restoration with attendees at the 2023 Nonprofit Institute at CSM Conference. She explained how, as a struggling, single mom living below the poverty line, it took succeeding in one English class paid for by a Pell grant to launch her into graduating second in her Nursing class and then begin a career giving back to her community. 

"As the executive director of Poiema Movement, I get to lead women who are like me," she said. "Women whose stories are different, but whose needs are the same. Women whose lives have been broken and shattered by trauma and choices, but whose value and purpose are significant."

Barber also shared how CSM has been a constant point of contact every step of the way. Please listen, as she shares how her inspirational journey with CSM has brought her full-circle.