ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today celebrated commencement for the Department of Service and Civic Innovation’s second Service Year Option and Maryland Corps cohort. Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller, members of the Moore-Miller Administration, members of the Maryland General Assembly, and host site partners joined the governor in congratulating the nearly 500 individuals who completed the service programs this year—more than double the number of last year.
“Your service matters—now more than ever. As you start a new chapter, some of you will stay in Maryland. Some of you will do the work elsewhere. My only ask is that you never slow down,”
said Gov. Moore. “There will continue to be those who question whether service matters. You are the case in point. So keep pushing, keep reaching—keep making it matter that you were here.”
The historic
Service Year Option—the first-in-the nation public service year program for high school graduates—is a service opportunity for young adults who recently completed high school.
Maryland Corps is a service opportunity for people of all ages. Both programs create new pathways of service to meet community needs across the state, enhance workforce development, and promote preparedness for both higher and vocational education.
“Governor Moore and I believe service is how we move from individual success to shared purpose – from ‘me’ to ‘we,’”
said Lt. Gov. Miller. “People want to create change – they just need a pathway. I'm proud to help lead a state that provides that opportunity, and even more proud to see our Maryland Corps/Service Year Option grads take the next step in their journey. The Class of 2025, through their service, now has the opportunity to shape Maryland’s future and write the next chapter for our state.”
Following graduation, Service Year Option and Maryland Corps members emerge from the programs well-equipped to contribute to Maryland’s workforce. The second cohort completed more than 73,000 hours of technical instruction to become proficient in more than 5,100 certified competencies and earn more than 40 Google Career Certifications across cybersecurity, project management, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing, and e-commerce. More than 300 members earned registered apprenticeship credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor for career pathways such as community outreach specialist, youth activities coordinator, and conservation associate.
“Maryland has a distinguished history of civic engagement, service, and volunteerism – and we knew Governor Moore’s call to service would resonate across generations,”
said Paul Monteiro, Secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation. “This year’s enrollment grew significantly and saw most earn a certification or federal apprenticeship credential through their service. This class included members from every region of our state and demonstrated how individuals of all backgrounds can come together through a common purpose. We are deeply proud of and grateful for this exceptional class.”
“When I started my service year, it was hard for me to imagine that there would be a place for an awkward teenager in a world of professionals with decades of experience over me,”
said Service Year Option member Jailene Piper. “I decided to adopt the mindset of someone who is competent, composed, and confident. When I took the initiative to adopt that mindset, it manifested in the way I carried myself and the way I spoke. Although I did doubt myself at times, I would smile through it until it didn’t feel like an act, it became who I am. The impact of the past nine months helped me gain confidence, open up and step out of my comfort zone.”
In its second full year, the
Department of Service and Civic Innovation also partnered with more than 150 organizations representing a cross-section of non- and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, and higher education institutions to host members of the second class. Host partners provide meaningful full-time work, on-site professional development, job training, mentoring, health care, and other benefits.
“This class reflects what we consistently see in higher education – when students are engaged in real-world, hands-on experiences, they gain critical skills, grow in confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their communities,”
said Former Baltimore Mayor and University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke. “Governor Moore and the Department of Service and Civic Innovation recognize the potential of these driven young Marylanders. With the right support, they won’t just strengthen our workforce – they’ll also continue advancing their education and shaping the future of our state.”
“Partnering with the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program reflects our department’s strong commitment to cultivating a spirit of service in Maryland’s future leaders,”
said Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Acting Secretary Ross Cohen. “This initiative is about more than launching careers—it’s about shaping a generation grounded in duty, purpose, and community impact. The members we've hosted developed and now lead our Constituent Services program, directly benefiting almost 1,200 Maryland veterans and military family-members since 2023. We proudly salute this year’s cohort for their outstanding dedication and service.”
“We were honored to host the exceptional members from the second Maryland Corps/Service Year Option class, whose contributions sparked innovation and momentum within our agency,”
said Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “Their initiative and fresh perspective helped us better serve the people of Maryland. As DSCI’s programs grow, we’re proud to deepen our collaboration – and we strongly encourage other public agencies to take part in building a dynamic pipeline of future public servants.”
Applications for the next cohort, which will launch in September, are now open. Visit
serve.maryland.gov for more information.
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