College Advancement

Hagerstown Community College alumna creates $25,000 scholarship

The Hagerstown Community College Foundation recently received a $25,000 donation from an anonymous HCC alumna, to establish a new scholarship in honor of Steve Zabetakis, retired professor.

Zabetakis began teaching at HCC in 1976, a year after the Administration of Justice (ADJ) program was initiated. Following his retirement in 2000, he continued as a part-time instructor for 11 years. During his teaching career, he developed the corrections and police programs and created the Center for Public Policy Studies.

“Professor Zabetakis was/is a strong advocate of the Administration of Justice program at HCC,” said the donor. “He was dedicated to the program and ensured his students received the education and practical knowledge needed to prepare them for a career in this field.”

Zabetakis said his goal was to ensure his students transitioned into bachelor’s programs and into criminal justice careers. His students became lawyers, police chiefs, Coast Guard members, correction managers, and captains in sheriff’s departments.

“It was just the ongoing experience of working with students that made it meaningful,” said Zabetakis. “I’ve worked with so many students over the years and always focused on helping them succeed. I’m especially proud that several students who started in the program went on to become part-time instructors themselves.”

The donor agreed, “He made an impact on my life and career, as I am sure he did others. He is most deserving to have a scholarship in his name, as he was a champion for the program and HCC."

Zabetakis said he is honored the scholarship is presented in his name. He hopes the scholarship will assist students in pursuing their goals in the criminal justice field. In addition to Zabetakis’s many accomplishments, he founded the ADJ Advisory Committee, served as the administrator for the Baltimore criminal justice program in Hagerstown, and taught courses at the Maryland Correctional Institution and Fort Ritchie. He received the Top Professor Award from the University of Texas at Austin and was named HCC Faculty Emeritus.

For more information on Professor Steve Zabetakis’s endowed scholarship or other scholarship opportunities, contact the HCC Foundation Office at collegeadvancement@hagerstowncc.edu or 240-500-2348.

(June 5, 2025)