Annapolis, MD (January 28, 2026) Anne Arundel County’s multi-year effort to transform the former Crownsville Hospital into a space that promotes healing, wellness, and generational change is advancing through a new educational partnership. Gaudenzia, a nonprofit that serves those in need of treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, and Bowie State University are collaborating on the Gaudenzia Crownsville Campus Internship Program following a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This initiative is filled on a rolling basis with spring, summer, and fall cohorts and has already celebrated and welcomed its first group of students.
"Crownsville holds a complex and painful history, marked by the medical mistreatment and discrimination faced by Black patients," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "This partnership with Gaudenzia and Bowie State University is a way for the county to address that history — not by rewriting it, but by striving to create an equitable future. I want to thank our partners for working with the next generation to ensure that our residents can access the mental health and medical care they need.”
This new program integrates higher education directly into critical community service, offering Bowie State students purpose-driven, real-world experience at the intersection of behavioral health, community reintegration, and equity.
Designed for counseling, psychology, nursing, social work, and criminal justice majors, the internship is a rare, multidisciplinary experience in which interns are immersed in trauma-informed care. The program heavily emphasizes mission-based learning and multidisciplinary collaboration, backed by high-touch mentorship and crucial hands-on experience with justice-involved populations across the full continuum of care.
“Bowie State students are gaining meaningful, hands-on experience through their Gaudenzia internships from day one,” said Dr. Deja Gilbert, CEO of Gaudenzia. “They’re learning alongside our teams in real-world care environments, building the skills and confidence to serve others with compassion. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals while strengthening the communities we serve. We’re honored to walk alongside these students as they grow, contribute, and prepare to lead in powerful ways.”
“As Maryland’s oldest HBCU, Bowie State University is deeply committed to transforming lives and advancing equity through education,” said Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, President of Bowie State University. “This partnership at Crownsville provides our students with meaningful, hands-on experience across critical fields including healthcare, mental and behavioral health, social work, and criminal justice — areas that are vital to the well-being of our communities. We are proud to contribute to the site’s legacy of healing and transformation while preparing the next generation of professionals to lead with intellect, compassion, and purpose. We look forward to continuing this important collaboration with Anne Arundel County and Gaudenzia.”
This educational partnership aligns directly with the county’s vision for the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park. Following Anne Arundel County’s acquisition of the former Crownsville Hospital Complex from the State of Maryland in December 2022, County Executive Pittman unveiled the Final Master Plan in February 2025.
The Master Plan, created based on extensive community outreach and collaboration, serves as a blueprint for future development, providing detailed recommendations for land use and building programming to foster healing. The Gaudenzia Crownsville Campus Internship Program is one of the first steps in laying the groundwork for a lasting legacy that will inform and inspire future generations.
Students interested in the program can find more information at gaudenzia.org/internships.
To learn more about the steps taken to develop Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, visit AACounty.Org/CrownsvillePark.