The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) proudly partnered with the Maryland Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement (OSP) to facilitate a unique learning experience for 70 High Point High School students in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Held on October 22, 2024, the event aligns with NASPO’s mission to elevate the public procurement profession and build talent pipelines that will shape the future of procurement leadership. This event was made possible in part through NASPO’s sponsorship of Ramsey Solution’s Foundations in Personal Finance course, with High Point High School chosen as the sponsored school for this initiative.

“We were thrilled to facilitate this incredible opportunity for Maryland students to see firsthand how a career in public procurement can create meaningful change,” said Brandi Ann Willard, NASPO Director of Partnerships. “Maryland’s commitment to outreach and workforce development is a shining example of how states can nurture the next generation of talent.”

The presentations and discussions were led by Maryland OSP team members Shae Cronin, Chinweike Eseonu, Ph.D., Chantal Kai-Lewis, Esp., and YLan Nguyen and highlighted Maryland’s commitment to engaging young minds about the benefits of working in public procurement. Students were able to learn about the vital role procurement plays in government operations and advancing the state’s public service goals.

“It was truly inspiring to see such enthusiasm from the students as we explored how the Office of State Procurement is at the forefront of innovation, continuous improvement, workforce empowerment, and supporting our Maryland business partners,” said Shae Cronin, Maryland OSP Lean Program Manager. “Experiences like this remind us why a career in public service is so rewarding – it’s all about making a difference together.”

“I am immensely grateful to High Point High School for allowing us the opportunity to connect with their students and staff, as well as NASPO for their diligent work in helping to make this collaboration possible,” said Wallace Sermons II, Chief Procurement Officer for the State of Maryland. “I also commend my team for their steadfast dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of public procurement and the critical role it plays in serving our communities. These moments of engagement are crucial for supporting young minds and their impact in public service, while helping us all work together to shape the future workforce of procurement professionals.”

High Point High School teachers Hugo Jackson and Denyelle Miller were pleased to offer this opportunity to their General and Advanced Financial Literacy Classes.  “Thank you all for taking the time to visit our school and share valuable insights with our students,” said Hugo Jackson. “Many of them were highly focused, and several have personally thanked me for the opportunity to learn more about careers in procurement and potential internship opportunities with the State of Maryland.”

NASPO encourages its state members to collaborate with local high schools to introduce students to careers in public procurement and help make procurement a career of choice for the next generation entering the workforce. NASPO is also hosting a State Procurement Job Shadow Challenge among member states, where the state that engages the most students will earn the opportunity to send a high school student to the 2025 NASPO REACH conference to further explore and learn about the procurement profession. States can contact NASPO’s Partnerships Team for support in creating and facilitating these opportunities.

About NASPO: The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. To learn more, please visit www.naspo.org.

Media Contact:
Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications
National Association of State Procurement Officials
kdavila@naspo.org