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.
About the Search Firm
We’re excited to share that 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 will be 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.
We will share additional details about the search committee, opportunities to engage with the search firm and other key milestones as they become available.
Search Committee
The search for AACC's next president will be led by a committee which will be 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. The search committee is comprised of the following:
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
PSSO members
Professional staff
- Caitlin Silver Negrón, Coordinator, Inclusive Excellence
Support staff
- Keke Doy, support coordinator, Social Sciences, Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies and Transfer Studies
TFO representatives
- Mickey Dehn, Associate Professor, Biology
- Antione Tomlin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Academic Literacies
Student
Foundation board member
- Dan Mathias, President, AACC Foundation
Community partners
- Ryan Eller, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- Karen Adams Gilchrist, President and CEO, Providence of Maryland
- Kevin Hamlin, Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent for College & Career Readiness, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- David Hunt, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
- Asha Smith, Director, Equity & Human Rights, Office of the County Executive
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
Appointment and Closure
December 2026
- Board of trustees vote to select next president
- Offer extended and contract finalized
New President Joins AACC
July 2027
