USM Chancellor Caret to Give Charge to Presidential Search Committee for Coppin State University

Baltimore, MD (May 8, 2019) -- University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert L. Caret on Thursday, May 9 will give the Chancellor’s official Charge to the newly appointed search and screening committee for the new president of Coppin State University.

Current Coppin State President Maria Thompson in January announced that she will retire, effective July 1. The Charge from the Chancellor establishes parameters, best practices, and general guidelines to ensure a successful appointment of the university’s next president.

Chaired by Regent Katrina Dennis, this committee will be assisted by Academic Search, an executive search firm with extensive experience in higher education.

The committee and search firm will be at Coppin on May 9, taking part in a forum held on campus at which all members of the campus community will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the background and experience the next president should possess to be successful and impactful.

An open forum for faculty, staff, and students will be held from 3-4:45 p.m. May 9 in the James Weldon Johnson Auditorium.

“As we always note, the task of finding and hiring unique presidents for each USM institution is always one of the most important duties our Board of Regents can fulfill,” Caret said. “I am pleased to have met in recent weeks with members of the broader community at Coppin State and receive important feedback. In making the membership decisions, internal and external stakeholders were consulted, with nominations for service on the search committee solicited. The input received from these groups was invaluable and is well-reflected throughout the committee membership.”

“I am confident the committee will move forward with a thoughtful, engaging, and collaborative search, identifying strong candidates to build upon the impressive strides the university has made under President Thompson’s leadership,” Caret said.

The members of the committee, which includes representatives from the broader Coppin community as well as representatives from Coppin’s leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni are:

• Katrina Dennis, Regent (Chair)
• Ellen Fish, Regent
• Aisha Almond, Principal, Coppin Academy High School
• Reginald Exum, Vice President/Community Development Officer, Citi Community Development
• Sandi Green, Director, First-Year Experience Program
• Synethia Green, Program Specialist, Records and Registration and President of the Adjunct Faculty Association
• Ellen Herbst, USM Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration (Chancellor’s Liaison)
• Dawn Kirstaetter, Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Partnerships, Baltimore City Community College
• Pamela Love Manning, USM Foundation, Coppin State University Alumni
• Milton Mayo, Coppin State alumnus
• Mary Owens-Southall, Dean, School of Graduate Studies
• F. Michelle Richardson, Assistant Professor, Sport and Entertainment Management, College of
Business
• Johnny Rice, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
• Alicia Ritchie, Attorney, Coppin State University Alumna and Athlete, Chair of Coppin State University Development Foundation
• Steven Sandler, Graduate Student
• Hany Sobhi, Associate Professor, Organic & Clinical Chemistry, Natural Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences & Education
• Aerian Tatum, Assistant Professor, Health Information Management, School of Allied Health
• Mary Wanza, Director, Parlett L. Moore Library
• Arynne Wilburn, Undergraduate Student

It is anticipated that the search will take approximately six months to complete. The committee's work will conclude with its recommendation of finalists for consideration by the chancellor and the Board of Regents. The board will make the final selection.

 

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu