Community Engagement | Montgomery College, Maryland

The Office of Community Engagement takes Montgomery College beyond the campus and into the community through community engagement centers, partnerships with nonprofits, community events, and grassroots outreach.

As the face of Montgomery College in the community, our primary job is to empower students and county residents by connecting those in underserved and under-represented communities with the College. We're ready to help anyone find the next step toward success and achieve their potential. Our staff speak many languages, and we offer translation and interpretation services.

Community Engagement - A Year in Review 2023 (PDF, )
View Community Resources During COVID-19 Crisis (PDF, )

Centers

We operate three community engagement centers. Some classes are offered at the centers, and center staff can direct you to information about other classes and programs at the College.

Gaithersburg Community Engagement Center
Gaithersburg Library, 2nd Floor
18330 Montgomery Village Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
240-567-9080

East County Education Center
2221 Broadbirch Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20904
240-567-9080

Ethiopian Community Engagement Centernew window
8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite 601
Silver Spring, MD 20910
240-839-7805

Center Services

We offer a variety of services at our community engagement centers and other sites throughout the county. Visit a center or contact us for more information.

Credit and noncredit programs
ESL and vocational ESL programs
GED programs and preparation
Career and job readiness
Montgomery College resources and more

Computer Basics
Child Development
Montgomery College certification/licensing programs

Admissions and financial aid counseling
FAFSA application assistance
Scholarship search
Academic and career advising
Financial literacy advising

Engage with MC - Newsletter Archives

2023

January 2023new window
February 2023new window
March 2023new window
April 2023new window
May 2023new window
June 2023new window

September 2019new window
October 2019new window
November 2019new window
December 2019new window

Translation and Interpretation

Montgomery College is dedicated to providing high-quality educational services for all students, faculty, staff, and residents in our county and to removing language barriers to College services.

You can always visit our language resource webpages, which have general information about MC in six languages: Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese.

For the General Public: Speak with Someone through an Interpreter

MC offers an interpretation service if you prefer to speak to someone in a language other than English. If you know the office or employee that you need to speak with, call their phone number and ask for an interpreter. If you are unsure which office or employee you need to speak with, please call 240-567-5000 and ask for an interpreter.

For MC Employees: Request Written Translation or In-Person Interpretation Services

The College has contracted with Schreiber Translations, Inc., to offer in-person interpretation services as well as written translation services for many languages.

Montgomery College faculty and staff may use these services to translate documents like brochures and flyers into multiple spoken languages or to bring in-person interpreters to a College event.

How to Request Translation or Interpretation Services

To request a written translation, submit a Communications Service Request. Before placing a request, please obtain approval from your departmental supervisor. The Office of Community Engagement will approve requests based on available funding and will prioritize activities that have a demonstrated history of need for translation/interpretation.

For oral interpretation, submit a request to Karla Silvestre and you will receive a form to complete. Indicate the type of oral translation and/or interpretation needed, such as simultaneous (using headsets) or consecutive (an interpreter interprets after the speaker has finished a sentence or phrase). Also, provide pertinent details such as event location, date, and number of attendees. Please note that simultaneous interpretation includes headsets for up to 25 people. Minimum lead time for interpretation services is typically two weeks. Approved requests will be paid for by the Office of Community Engagement. Last-minute requests may not be accommodated.

If you have questions or would like more information, email Karla Silvestre.

Community and Corporate Partnerships

By combining resources with other organizations, the College's faculty and staff are developing opportunities for training, student internships, employment, and other professional development. To explore partnership opportunities, contact Karla Silvestre at Karla.Silvestre@montgomerycollege.edu.

Community Partners

Asian American LEAD
Career Catchers
CASA de Maryland
East County Regional Center
Ethiopian Community Center of Maryland
Family Justice Center
Family Services
Future Link
Gaithersburg Library
Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity
Health and Human Services
Housing Opportunities Commission
Identity, Inc.
Leadership Montgomery
MCAEL
Montgomery County Department of Corrections
Montgomery County Public Schools
Montgomery History
Unity Christian Fellowship Youth Organization

Corporate Partners

ABC
Adventist HealthCare
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Amarex
BioMaryland
The Community Foundation
Department of Economic Development
Holy Cross Health
Lockheed Martin
Marriott
MedImmune
Mental Health Association
Moving Maryland Forward
NIST
Tech Council of Maryland
WANADA
Workforce Investment Board

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we partner with the College?

The College is organized into departments including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Advancement and Community Engagement, and Workforce Development. The Office of Community Engagement can help you connect with the right partner or department. Each area will then decide if they wish to enter into the partnership. Please email Karla Silvestre, Director of Community Engagement, or call her at 240-567-4365.

How can I invite the College to sponsor an event?

Please email sponsorship packages to Karla Silvestre, Director of Community Engagement. Please note that we prioritize programs and events that support education, youth and College engagement with underserved communities.

How can I invite representatives from Montgomery College to participate in an event?

Please email Karla Silvestre, Director of Community Engagement, with the details of the event including date, time, audience, type of event, and number of attendees expected. Then we can help you find the appropriate person.

To invite someone to speak about Financial Aid, send an email with the details of your event to FinancialAidOutreach@montgomerycollege.edu.

How can I recruit student volunteers from the College?

Our Student Life Service Learning and Volunteer page provides contact information for all three campuses.

Can the College help me get the word out about my event?

If the event benefits the College's students and staff, contact the office of Community Engagement. We may be able to post your event in our internal newsletter. Email details to Karla Silvestre, Director of Community Engagement.

My organization/company offers internships. Where can we post these opportunities for Montgomery College students?

To post paid internships or employment opportunities, please visit Student Employment Services.

I'd like to rent space at Montgomery College. Who can I call?

Visit Montgomery College facilities rental website for contact information, rental policies and forms.

Does the College offer space to nonprofits for free?

If the event is in partnership with the College and supports the mission of the institution and its students, then space fees may be waived or reduced. Please allow three to six months of a planning time when considering a partnership activity. Email Karla Silvestre, Director of Community Engagement, for more information or call her at 240-567-4365.