Hood College Announces Innovative Partnerships with Frederick County

FREDERICK, Maryland—Hood College President Andrea E. Chapdelaine and Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced two innovative partnerships between Hood College and Frederick County.

The first partnership agreement will allow Hood College to use two county-owned greenhouses at the Scott Key Center for community gardens to supply food to people through the Frederick Food Security Network. The second agreement is the NeighborHOOD Partners Program that provides educational opportunities to county employees and their qualified dependents.

“Our collaboration with Hood College will provide food for people in need throughout our community,” said Executive Gardner. “I’m also excited that our employees will benefit from scholarships at the college, as we work together to develop people who are vested in our community.”

“We are excited to have such strong partnerships with Frederick County and be able to improve communities and offer scholarships,” said President Chapdelaine. “As an institution of higher education, our mission is to empower students and the community to meet personal, professional and global challenges. These partnerships allow us to do just that.”

The Scott Key Center greenhouses previously provided employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities. The center recently shifted its focus to finding clients internships and jobs with employers in the community. As a result, the greenhouses will be used by Hood College students to grow fresh local produce, which they will supply year-round to the Frederick Food Security Network. These community gardens improve food security for residents of local food deserts and promote better eating habits and environmental stewardship in the community.

In exchange for the use of the greenhouses, Hood College will recruit and train volunteers and students to work there, and they will grow plants to feed community members.  The college will also provide education outreach programs for the community.

Executive Gardner and President Chapdelaine also signed an agreement for Frederick County employees to participate in the NeighborHOOD Partners Program, allowing the employees and eligible family members to take advantage of Hood’s educational opportunities. Tuition discounts will be available to county employees, their spouses and dependent children who are degree seeking and enrolled either full time at the undergraduate level or part time at the graduate level.

Hood College is an independent, liberal arts college, offering 28 bachelor’s degrees, four pre-professional programs, 19 master’s degrees programs, two doctorates and 10 post-baccalaureate certificates. Located in historic Frederick, near Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the I-270 technology corridor, Hood gives students access to countless internships and research opportunities.

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