Carroll Community College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo informed the Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting on June 27, 2013 that she will be retiring effective June, 2014. The Board of Trustees formally accepted the retirement and will be responsible for determining the process to hire a new president.

Dr. Pappalardo was appointed president of Carroll Community College by the Board of Trustees in 1999 and is the second president of the college. She first joined the college in 1988 as dean of students and assumed a variety of progressively responsible positions until she became president 14 years ago.

Board Chair David Bollinger said: “The Board of Trustees, students, faculty, and staff of Carroll Community College recognize the outstanding service of Dr. Faye Pappalardo within the field of higher education. I commend Faye for her work on behalf of the thousands of students whom she has encouraged to pursue their academic and professional goals. We will certainly miss her and wish her all of the best in retirement.”

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement as president of Carroll Community College,” said Dr. Pappalardo. “I consider myself to be truly blessed. I have enjoyed the opportunity to shape Carroll into a college that the community is proud to call its own. I want to wholeheartedly thank the Board of Trustees; our vice presidents, faculty and staff; county, state and federal elected leaders; our Foundation donors and our volunteers, with whom I have had to pleasure to work. Most of all, I want to thank our wonderful students who make it a joy for me to lead this college.”

A major accomplishment of the president is her vision for and implementation of the Nursing program. The Nursing building opened in 2004. The Nursing program has evolved into a premier health education model for other institutions of higher education. The numbers of nursing program graduates continue to increase each year.

In 2011, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaccredited Carroll Community College. Dr. Pappalardo was instrumental in the process of obtaining the initial accreditation of the college. She is also the author of the prospectus documents for both candidacy status and for independence.

Throughout Dr. Pappalardo’s presidency, the college has experienced tremendous growth in enrollment, programs, and facilities. In addition, the many awards and accolades the college continually receives are a testament to the strong and positive reputation the college maintains in the community.

Enrollment has grown rapidly over the years. In fall, 1993, credit enrollment was 2,636 students. In comparison, credit enrollment in fall 2012 was 4,103 students. Non-credit headcount in 2012 was almost 9,000 students. The numbers of employees has also grown to support the growing enrollment. In 1993, Carroll employed 94 people full-time. In 2013, the college has 271 full-time employees.

Programs have also grown. During the early years, Carroll Community College offered 10 programs plus a number of concentrations. Today, the college offers over 40 credit transfer and career programs including Engineering, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Teacher Education. The college also offers Continuing Education and Training classes in workforce development, in business training and in lifelong learning.

Throughout Dr. Pappalardo’s presidency, campus facilities as measured in building square footage doubled. The Theater building, the Business Training Center, the Life Fitness building, the Nursing and Allied Health building, and the K building (housing classrooms, offices, the cafeteria, and conferencing facilities) opened during her presidency.

Among many other accomplishments, Dr. Pappalardo developed the college into one of Maryland’s fastest-growing two-year institutions; increased partnerships in the community; established thriving new academic programs; and provided pathways for students to seamlessly transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

The president has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Record, was honored as a Good Scout by the local Boy Scouts Council, and was recognized by the Rotary Club as 2007 Citizen of the Year.

The president’s distinguished career encompasses working in all aspects of higher education, including academic affairs, student affairs, planning, research, and institutional advancement. She is very active in the community and presently serves on the Carroll County Economic Development Commission. Dr. Pappalardo is chair of the Carroll County Scouting Advisory Committee. She previously served as chair of the Board of Directors of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Pappalardo is a former vice-chair of the Board of Directors of Carroll Hospice.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Dr. Pappalardo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Mount Saint Mary’s College, a Master of Science degree in Higher Education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Adult Education from Columbia University. She received her Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from Columbia University. Dr. Pappalardo completed Harvard University’s Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education. She studied French in the master’s program at Catholic University. She also studied abroad and received a certificate in French Studies from L’Institut Catholique de Paris.

“I am proud to have served as a part of an institution which invites students of all ages to learn in an atmosphere of integrity, and which provides a culture of caring and professionalism,” said Dr. Pappalardo. “I am pleased to say that the welfare and success of our students has always remained at the heart of what we do.”

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