Meet USM's Newest Regents

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents welcomed six new members in 2015. Two of those members—James Brady and Robert Pevenstein—have served on the board before, while the other three—Joseph Bartenfelder, Dr. Michelle Gourdine, Robert Neall, and student regent Sydney Comitz—are serving on the board for the first time. As with all USM regents, these individuals bring unique experiences and perspectives that help inform the board’s discussions and decisions, and help position USM as a leader in higher education.

Read on to learn more about USM’s newest regents, including why they choose to serve on the board and what they are looking forward to about their board membership.

 

 Regent Jim Brady
Jim Brady
 Former Secretary, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development

Why He Serves: “I strongly believe in the power of higher education. It is an essential component of what the United States must do well to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

What He Looks Forward To: "Helping USM institutions adapt to and embrace the technological changes that are taking place in higher education, so that they can continue to ensure and enhance educational access and quality."

 Regent Michelle Gourdine
Dr. Michelle Gourdine
 CEO and Principal Consultant
 Michelle Gourdine and Associates, LLC
 

Why She Serves: “As a physician, I understand that improving educational attainment of all students improves quality of life, not only through better career opportunities, but also through better health outcomes. I want to ensure that the USM continues to provide higher education of the highest quality that is accessible to all.  I also want to level the playing field by working to eliminate disparities in educational attainment, address issues that are common to parents of college students, and to shape the education of students enrolled in USM institutions, including my own children.”

What She Looks Forward To: “Visiting as many USM campuses as possible and interacting with leadership and students across the system. Each institution has its own unique attributes. I want to better understand those attributes, so I can more effectively advocate for higher education across the state.”


 Regent Robert Neall
Robert Neall
Chief Executive Officer
 Priority Partners Managed Care Organization

Why He Serves: “I seek to help advance USM’s mission, which is to ‘to improve the quality of life for the people of Maryland by providing a comprehensive range of high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities; engaging in research and scholarship that expand the boundaries of current knowledge; and providing knowledge-based programs and services that are responsive to the needs of the citizens of the state and the nation.’”

What He Looks Forward To: “Playing a part in improving USM’s performance in meeting the objectives of its strategic plan.”


 Regent Robert Pevenstein
Robert Pevenstein
President
Princeville Partners, LLC

Why He Serves: “I believe that the USM’s role is to continue to find ways to efficiently and qualitatively educate the citizens of Maryland while dealing with the current and preparing for the future significant fiscal challenges facing higher education. At the same time, the USM should continue to strive to be a major driver in many aspects of the State’s economy.”


What He Looks Forward To: “Becoming significantly involved as the chair of the board’s finance committee once again; Efficiency &Effectiveness 2.0; and finding reasonable ways to make the system even more efficient by implementing best practices wherever applicable. I also have a keen interest in the efforts of the board’s Economic Development and Technology Commercialization Committee. It is great to see the progress that has been made in this area since I was first on the board, and I am excited to play a role in the continued positive impact from creation of businesses and jobs.”



Student Regent Sydney Comitz
Sydney Comitz
Student
University of Baltimore School of Law

Why She Serves: “I view my membership on the Board of Regents as an opportunity to bring the student voice into the decision-making process of an institution that plays a crucial role in shaping the educational, economic, and cultural landscape of the future for the citizens of Maryland. Working together with other USM champions, I wish to ensure that all citizens of Maryland have access to an affordable, quality education that sets the standard for excellence in higher education across the country.”

What She Looks Forward To: “Having the opportunity to work alongside the USM's excellent student leaders and to gain professional advocacy experience by sharing their initiatives with the board, other members of the USM family, and the greater Maryland community.”