CSM Student Leaders Network at Summit and Etiquette Dinner

Current and future community leaders met and dined at a formal etiquette dinner last week at the Student Leader Networking Summit held at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) La Plata Campus April 3.  

CSM student leaders interacted with business professionals from Southern Maryland during the invitation-only event, facilitated by CSM’s Center for Career Development and Success, which featured workshops focused on networking, effectively using LinkedIn, and building soft skills. Workshops provided participants practical tips on how to engage with peers, faculty, staff, and members of the business community with confidence and professionalism.  

Nearly 70 individuals attended the summit, which featured interactive networking activities, followed by an etiquette dinner. Instruction on networking and etiquette skills was given by Cathleen Hanson of the International School of Protocol in Baltimore.  

During the dinner, students learned the proper social form, flow, and behavior for professional events. They also received guidance on dining etiquette, including how to conduct themselves during an interview over a meal or in a business dining setting.  

“I attended the Student Leader Networking Summit not really knowing what to expect,” said Kathryn Dolan, CSM student and vice president of the Prince Frederick Campus Association. “We started out in one room and were directed to talk to someone we did not know, and every five minutes we would switch to a different person. I already knew quite a few people. I met a variety of students, engineering majors, computer science majors, and business administration majors. It was refreshing to talk to new faces in the CSM community to learn about what they were interested in. Every time we had to switch to different people, I was internally disappointed because I was having such nice conversations,” she said.  

At the dinner, “I learned about when to sit, when to toast, when to drink after a toast is made, what utensils to use, where to place utensils after I am done using them, a lot of information on dinner etiquette,” Dolan said.  

The participating CSM student leaders “went to class, completed internships, participated in additional workshops and learning opportunities, and served as campus leaders,” said Ralph Critten, Director of Industry Engagement for the Center for Career Development and Success. “They are our future workforce.” 

Larisa Pfeiffer, executive director of the Center for Career Development and Success, said, “I am enormously grateful to our sponsors who see the value in providing students with a real-world, hands-on experience that allows them to grow their social and networking skills. Our students are valuable – they are committed to their education, and we are enhancing their college experience by connecting them with paid internships in their fields of study and showing them the value of building their professional networking capital.” 

The event was supported by generous sponsorship provided by the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union. Additional support was provided by the CSM Foundation, and the Thomas V. Miller Center for Leadership.  

To view photos of the event, visit https://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/studentleadersummit2025.