Official Proclamation
(Office of the State's Attorney, Prince George's County, Maryland)
Issued under the Official Seal of the State's Attorney by State's Attorney Tara H. Jackson proclaiming November 2026 as First-Generation and Low-Income College Students Month.
Under the Official Seal of the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County, Maryland—representing over 947,000 residents across the state's second-largest jurisdiction—State's Attorney Tara H. Jackson has issued an official Proclamation recognizing November 2026 as First-Generation and Low-Income College Students Month.
In Maryland, a State's Attorney is the county's constitutional prosecutor and chief law enforcement official. This historic proclamation bridges the worlds of criminal justice and educational advocacy, formally recognizing on the public record that educational attainment is a proven catalyst for crime prevention, and that community mentorship, textbook equity, and academic intervention directly disrupt systemic pathways into the justice system.
Signed by State's Attorney Tara H. Jackson · November 2026 · Upper Marlboro, MD
Full Text of Official Proclamation
Office of the State's Attorney
Prince George's County, Maryland
PROCLAMATION
“WHEREAS, the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County, Maryland, recognizes November as First-Generation and Low-Income College Students Month understanding that equitable access to higher education is a cornerstone of a just society, and that first-generation and low-income college students strengthen Prince George's County by building safer, more economically stable, and civically engaged communities; and
“WHEREAS, these resilient students frequently overcome profound systemic barriers, including socioeconomic inequities that often intersect with the justice system, as they pursue higher education without a family roadmap or significant financial safety nets; and
“WHEREAS, educational attainment is a proven catalyst for crime prevention, and investing in the academic success of vulnerable youth disrupts systemic pathways into the justice system while fostering long-term public safety; and
“WHEREAS, many first-generation and low-income graduates go on to become dedicated advocates, attorneys, and public servants, ensuring that our legal systems reflect, understand, and protect the diverse communities they serve; and
“WHEREAS, supporting educational equity and breaking cycles of poverty are essential to advancing justice, strengthening communities, and promoting the overall well-being of the residents of Prince George's County; and
“WHEREAS, First-Generation and Low-Income College Students Month provides an opportunity to recognize the perseverance, achievements, and contributions of these students and to encourage continued community investment in educational pathways that promote safety, stability, and opportunity.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, TARA H. JACKSON, STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, do hereby recognize November 2026 as First-Generation and Low-Income College Students Month. FURTHER, I commend the first-generation and low-income students, graduates, educators, mentors, and community partners whose commitment to educational equity strengthens public safety, expands opportunity, and builds a more just and thriving Prince George's County for all.”
Office of the State's Attorney
Prince George's County, Maryland · Official Seal
A Prosecutor's Call to Disruption Through Education
In our work with high-school and college youth, the shadow of systemic injustice is never theoretical. When families lack emergency savings or legal safety nets, educational disruption often precedes justice system involvement. State's Attorney Tara H. Jackson's proclamation offers an essential re-framing: academic support and mentorship are not merely charitable extras; they are vital civic investments that preserve liberty and safety.
This proclamation is dedicated to every first-generation student balancing jobs and study sessions, and every educator and mentor opening doors across Maryland. Dedicated to protecting the rights of the voiceless and underrepresented as the modern landscape evolves.
The Methodology
The results of our actions are clear: systemic barriers require systemic, data-hardened solutions. By translating human friction into undeniable longitudinal mathematics, STEMpathize forces the legislative and executive apparatus to confront the reality of their policies. We will continue to operate at this intersection until the gap is permanently closed.