Community colleges are one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—engines of opportunity in the United States. Nearly one in three American undergraduates attends a community college, and these institutions educate over 40 percent of all first-generation college students nationwide. For many students, particularly those from low-income and working-class families, community colleges represent the most accessible pathway to higher education.

Community colleges also play a critical role in workforce development. They educate a significant share of the nation’s nurses, first responders, technicians, and skilled professionals, while offering flexible schedules and affordable tuition. With tuition costs often less than half that of four-year public universities, community colleges reduce financial barriers and expand access to education for students who might otherwise be excluded.

Honoring Leadership and Expanding Opportunity: The Murthy–Reihl Speaker Series

Recognizing the transformative role of community colleges, Sheela Murthy made an early and intentional investment to create the Murthy–Reihl Speaker Series at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) in 2012. Established with seed funding that Ms. Murthy and the MurthyNAYAK Foundation provided, the series was designed to expose students—many of them first-generation college students—to leadership, learning, and real-world success.

Held annually, the speaker series focuses on leadership themes that evolve each year, reflecting different dimensions of professional growth, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning. Through this initiative, CCBC students can engage directly with senior leaders from across the country—individuals from diverse fields who share their experiences, impart practical wisdom, and participate in live question-and-answer sessions. For many students, these interactions provide rare access to role models they may never otherwise encounter.

A Legacy of Friendship, Service, and Purpose

The inspiration for the Murthy–Reihl Speaker Series is deeply personal. The idea was born after the passing of Sheela Murthy’s close friend and colleague, Donna Reihl, who served as a dean at CCBC and passed away from cancer in 2011. Wanting to honor Donna’s commitment to education, leadership, and student success, Sheela Murthy established the annual leadership talk in her memory.

Continuing the Mission Through the MurthyNAYAK Foundation

The work does not stop with a single program. Through the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, Sheela Murthy continues to support initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of families—particularly those navigating higher education for the first time. The foundation’s focus reflects a deep understanding that first-generation students often require not only financial support, but also mentorship, exposure, and encouragement.

Further strengthening this commitment, Jessica Beaver, an attorney at the Murthy Law Firm, serves on the board of the CCBC Foundation. In this role, she provides guidance, mentorship, and strategic support to help ensure the foundation’s work remains impactful and forward-looking—benefiting not only today’s students, but generations to come.

Conclusion

Why do this at CCBC? Because it’s not only the largest community college in Maryland, with more than 70,000 students, it’s also the largest provider of higher education and workforce training in the Baltimore metro area. In other words, it isn’t just smart philanthropy, it makes sound business sense as well: it’s good for CCBC and its students, and good for Maryland’s economy!

Beyond academics, community colleges serve as community anchors—places where education, mentorship, leadership development, and economic mobility intersect. When these institutions thrive, so do the families and communities they serve. The MurthyNAYAK Foundation is pleased to support our youth and provide them opportunities and open doors for them to succeed, not just one family at a time, but helping families and the community, for generations to come.