Heidi M. Anderson Named New University of Maryland Eastern Shore President
Adelphi, Md. (July 17, 2018) -- The University System of Maryland (USM) today announced the appointment of Dr. Heidi M. Anderson as the next president of University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), effective September 1, 2018.
Anderson replaces Dr. Juliette Bell, who stepped down July 1. Former Bowie State University President Mickey Burnim recently was appointed to lead UMES on an interim basis.
Anderson, who holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy Administration, brings nearly two decades of higher education leadership success to the role. As former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville from 2015 to 2017, she managed a $35 million budget and oversaw 22 academic departments, 10 centers and institutes and more than 40 academic majors. She guided the creation of new degrees in areas from computer science and engineering to clinical mental health counseling. She also was actively involved with the team responsible for the design and construction of a new $60 million music facility.
Under Anderson’s guidance, the university implemented new articulation agreements with four community colleges, increased the number of dual-enrolled students, and helped secure an additional $2.5 million in funding to support student success and faculty development efforts. During her tenure, research spending increased 4.6 percent. She also led a major restructuring that included such offices as the Registrar, Study Abroad, Student Success and Office of Sponsored Research and Graduate Studies. Several academic programs (including Engineering, Social Work, Communications Sciences Disorders, Music) underwent accreditation reviews under her tenure. All received highly successful outcomes. In addition, the College of Business received AACSB accreditation, the first ever for the university.
In September 2017, Anderson took on the role of Special Advisor to the President, from which she led and completed a plan for a new College of Allied Health Professions and helped guide the creation of the TAMUKingsville programs in the new University System Center near the flagship Texas A&M University-College Station.
“The Board of Regents and I are pleased to welcome Heidi Anderson as the new president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” said USM Chancellor Robert L. Caret. “Everyone we spoke to described Heidi as a visionary, dynamic, inspirational and trusted leader who fosters strong, collaborative and collegial teams, and who values transparency, integrity and shared governance.”
“In provostial and vice-presidential roles on campuses as varied as Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and the University of Kentucky, Heidi has helped grow student enrollment, lead successful fundraising campaigns, create research opportunities for faculty, improve the student experience, and bolster connections with local communities, all the while demonstrating sound fiscal stewardship,” Caret said. “Beyond these measurable attributes, we were equally impressed by her passion and energy for supporting students, for the UMES mission, and for actively driving positive change. Heidi Anderson will be an excellent and transformative leader for UMES.”
“I am thrilled to be appointed the 16th leader of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” Anderson said. “I embrace UMES’ focus on high-quality teaching and on producing knowledgeable citizens capable of leading and competing regionally, nationally and globally. As a first-generation student, I’m particularly impressed by the university’s strong emphasis on student success.”
“I had the opportunity recently to visit the campus on my own and to speak directly with several students,” Anderson continued. “What I learned about and from them touched me deeply. I look forward to helping support these smart, talented young scholars achieve the bright futures they have earned through their dedication and hard work.”
From 2013 to 2015, Anderson served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. As the university’s chief academic officer, she managed a $37 million budget, launched a faculty development initiative to improve retention rates and helped guide the construction of a $26 million Integrated Professional Education Complex, as well as the design of a 426-bed residence hall. She also led initiatives that increased African American (28.4%), Hispanic/Latino (22.7%) and American Indian (1000%) enrollment to record levels.
As Vice President/Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness from 2011 to 2013 and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs from 2006 to 2011 at the University of Kentucky, Anderson managed a $25 million budget and created and led new policies, practices and programs for faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion and retention. She also served that institution as Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation and as a professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science.
Before her time in Kentucky, Anderson chaired and served as a professor in the Pharmacy Care System Department at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. She was also an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee’s College of Pharmacy.
Anderson earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacy Administration, M.S. in Education and B.S. in Pharmacy at Purdue University. Among many other honors and professional service affiliations, she has served as President and Vice President of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. She is also the author or co-author of scores of refereed publications, as well as professional articles, abstracts and book chapters.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
