 (Left to Right) Susan Bateson, Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Stewart Edelstein, USG, and Georgette “Gigi” Godwin, MCCC. |
The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is proud to announce that Stewart Edelstein, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland and Executive Director at USG has been awarded the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Visionary Award. This award is given annually to an individual with the “creativity and perseverance to innovate, who embodies a generosity of spirit and has the passion to envision a place in which future generations can flourish and prosper in Montgomery County, Maryland.”
“Leaders in business and industry are defined by their ability to set a vision that guides the future success of their organization,” said Georgette “Gigi” Godwin, MCCC President and CEO. “Stewart Edelstein has shaped a bold vision for USG and transformed the campus into one that is truly a national model for the delivery of higher education in the 21st century.”
Edelstein received the Visionary Award at MCCC’s 52nd Annual Dinner on June 1, in front of more than 800 business leaders and elected officials in addition to USG Board of Adviors, staff, and students. The award was sponsored by Human Genome Sciences.
Innovation Through Partnership
Edelstein has led USG since 2002. During his tenure, the number of USM partner institutions has increased to nine, and the campus now offers 70 degree and certificate programs. This year, USG celebrated its tenth graduating class. In total, more than 3,500 students have received bachelor’s degrees and several thousand more students have received graduate degrees from programs at USG over the past 10 years.
 Stewart Edelstein pictured with students at USG during MCCC Annual Dinner. (Left to Right) Justin Philip, Fatima Sitson, Stewart Edelstein, Stacie Herring, Jennifer Willis, Scott Geraghty. |
“The success of Universities at Shady Grove would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our economic and workforce development partners in Montgomery County,” said Edelstein. “I am honored and humbled to be selected for the Visionary Award, and share this achievement with my dedicated and hard-working colleagues.”
Edelstein oversaw the construction of USG’s third academic building, the Camille Kendall Academic Center, which allowed USG to triple their enrollment capacity. Under his leadership, USG has also worked closely with Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to better articulate curriculum planning and college access initiatives within the county. An important partnership initiative is a series of 2+2+2 programs – together with MCPS and Montgomery College – to create education and career pathways in health and technology fields. These programs place special emphasis on strengthening the pipeline for minority and first generation college student populations.
A True Advocate for the Future of Montgomery County
A member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Edelstein serves as co-chair of the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee. He is also a member of the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education, the Montgomery County Bioscience Task Force, the Montgomery County Smart Growth Initiative, the Montgomery County Economic Advisory Council and the Montgomery County Life Sciences Advisory Committee and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning’s Great Seneca Science Corridor Advisory Committee. In 2006, he received a Community Service Award from The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program and the Chairman's Award for his contributions to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Watch MCCC's video tribute to Stewart Edelstein!