AACC is conducting a national search for its next president. The college is committed to a thoughtful and inclusive process that reflects the values and priorities of AACC. Updates and information will be shared as the search progresses.
Meet the Candidates
The Presidential Search Committee has selected four finalists who will visit campus over the coming weeks. Each finalist will spend a full day on campus. on Oct. 27, Oct. 29, Nov. 2 and Nov. 4.
The purpose of these visits is to provide each candidate with an opportunity to learn more about AACC, meet members of our community and experience our campus firsthand. As part of their visit, each finalist will participate in an open forum that is open to the public, where they will introduce themselves, share their interest in the presidency and respond to questions. All members of the college community and the general public are invited and encouraged to attend these forums. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on the finalists after each open forum.
All open forums will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in HLSB 100. See the schedule below for additional details about each finalist's campus visit.
Schedule
8:15 - 8:30 a.m. Candidate Orientation with Executive Director of HR
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast with President’s Cabinet
9:30 - 9:45 a.m. Candidate Comfort Break
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Meeting with ASO HLSB 100
10:30 - 11 a.m. Student-Led Tour
11 - 11:30 a.m. Student Meet & Greet HLSB 100
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Candidate Comfort Break
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Open Forum (open to the public) HLSB 100
12:45 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch with Human Resources (Benefits/Retirement)
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Meeting with PSSO HLSB 100
2:15 - 3:00 p.m. Meeting with TFO HLSB 100
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Break and Candidate Preparation Time
3:30 - 3:45 p.m. Walk to CADE
3:45 – 5:15 p.m. Board of Trustees Interview
5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Dinner with Board and Foundation
Proposed Timeline for Presidential Search
Needs Assessment and Marketing Plan
March-April 2026
Listening sessions with stakeholder groups (faculty, staff, students, community members) and additional input gathered through online survey
Accept nominations for search committee membership; the board of trustees reviews and approves the proposed membership and the search committee is formally announced
Preparation of Presidential Search Profile and marketing plan
Recruitment and Candidate Management
May-Early August 2026
Recruitment and outreach to develop strong, qualified candidate pool, including solicitation of nominations
Selection and Evaluation
Late August-October 2026
Presidential Search Committee begins review of candidate pool and evaluates top candidates for further consideration
Presidential Search Committee selects semi-finalists, conducts interviews and identifies finalists to recommend to Board of Trustees
Finalist Due Diligence and Campus Interviews
November 2026
Finalist interviews on campus with board of trustees and participate in open forums
Feedback on finalists is gathered through an online survey
Board of trustees vote to select next president
Appointment and Closure
December 2026
Offer extended and contract finalized
New President Joins AACC
July 2027
Search Committee
The search for AACC's next president is led by a committee responsible for reviewing applicants and engaging prospective candidates. They will ultimately provide a pool of three to five candidates for the board of trustees to evaluate.
Board members
Jennifer Pastrone, Co-Chair
JaCina Stanton-Buttrom, Co-Chair
Sandra Moore
Anelle Tumminello
Vice presidents
Melissa Beardmore, Learning Resources Management
Richard Kralevich, Ed.D., Information and Instructional Technology
Felicia Patterson, D.Mgt., Learner Support Services
ASO members
Amberdawn Cheatham, Director, Student Engagement
Sandy Jones, Dean, Continuing Education and Workforce Development
We have selected RH Perry & Associates to lead the search for the next president of Anne Arundel Community College.
The firm has successfully completed nearly 1,100 executive searches and brings five decades of experience to this important work. Our search is led by experienced executives who are former college presidents. Their firsthand understanding of higher education leadership will help ensure a thoughtful, inclusive and thorough process.
