Silas Craft Collegians Program

The Silas Craft Collegians Program welcomes applications from students who:

• • Learn and work well in groups or teams, and want that kind of learning experience at HCC
  • Are interested in the network and support of like-minded students
  • Are interested in taking classes with students they already know and have built relationships with
  • Demonstrate leadership potential
  • Are interested in receiving one on one coaching/mentorship
  • Aspire to grow and be better
  • Have a deep desire to achieve academic success

The following is an outline of the required Silas Craft courses that Collegians are expected to take in their first year at HCC:

Associated Silas Craft Courses

First Year Fall Semester

HMDV-105-A900 (1 credit) – Silas Craft Collegians Seminar I

CMSY-110-A900 (3 credits) – Computer Concepts (taken in Fall only)

COMM-101-A900 (3 credits) – Introduction to Human Communication (taken fall or spring)

First Year Spring Semester

HMDV-106-A900 (1 credit) – Silas Craft Collegians Seminar II

COMM-101-A900 (3 credits) – Introduction to Human Communication (taken fall or spring)

We also offer designated Craft sections of developmental English-121 and various MATH and Students will be expected to register for these courses as determined by their academic placement.

Following their first year, students will continue to take the four remaining one-credit Silas Craft seminars each semester (fall and spring), along with any other required courses not completed in year one.

Dr. Silas E. Craft Sr. was an education entrepreneur in the Howard County Public School System. Through his efforts to achieve education opportunity and equality for African American students, he led the charge to open Harriet Tubman High School, the first of its kind in Howard County specializing in educating students from disenfranchised African American communities.

The Silas craft Collegians Program was named in honor of Dr. Craft due to his rich legacy in the Howard County community, his unwavering faith in education access and opportunity for all, and his family’s continuous work within the Howard County community.

Silas Craft Collegians Program Orientation

Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 8, 2025

Angela Phillips
Phone: 443-518-4128
Email: aphillips@howardcc.edu
Angela Phillips serves as the Director of the Silas Craft Collegians Program. In the Director role, Ms. Phillips is responsible for the strategic direction of the program, management of program scholarships, and providing enrichment, social, and cultural programming. Ms. Phillips also serves as an instructor for the Silas Craft Seminars, specifically designed to help students master self-management, develop self-awareness, and stay on course to ensure the successful transition and/or completion of their academic program. Ms. Phillips also provides academic advising and personal mentoring/coaching for the second-year cohort to stimulate student success and improve student learning outcomes.

Marcus Nicks
Phone: 443-518-4925
Email: mnicks@howardcc.edu
Marcus Nicks serves as the Assistant Director of the Silas Craft Collegians Program. Mr. Nicks manages program recruitment, historical enrichment, and social and cultural programming in the Assistant Director role. In addition, Mr. Nicks serves as the cohort manager for the first-year student experience. He ensures the successful transition from high school to college through the Silas Craft orientation program and as the instructor for the Silas Craft seminars. Mr. Nicks also provides academic advising and personal mentoring/coaching for the first-year cohort to foster student success for achieving student’s highest potential.

Deon Tillman
Phone: 443-518-3858
Email: dtillman@howardcc.edu
Deon Tillman serves as the Program Coordinator of the Silas Craft Collegians Program. Mr. Tillman is responsible for the third-year student experience in the Program Coordinator role. He ensures the successful transition from HCC to a 4-year college/university or career path through the Silas Craft seminars. Mr. Tillman also provides academic and personal mentoring for the first-year cohort, monitors program academic warnings, manages program study sessions, coordinates advising initiatives, and coordinates service-learning projects.