On May 14, 2014 the Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. James D. Ball as the third president of Carroll Community College. Dr. Ball assumed the presidency on July 1, 2014. He succeeded Dr. Faye Pappalardo who retired on June 30, 2014 after fifteen years as president.

Dr. Ball was previously vice president of Academic and Student Affairs and dean of the faculty at Carroll, a position he held since 1999. Dr. Ball has over thirty years of progressively responsible experience in the community college setting, including 18 years as a senior-level executive. His expertise includes academic and student affairs administration, technology planning and integration, faculty and staff development, student affairs, strategic planning, budget development/administration, facilities planning and development, fundraising, accreditation processes and policy development.

“The Board of Trustees congratulates Dr. Ball on his appointment,” said David Bollinger, who was chair of the Board of Trustees during the selection process. “He possesses all of the experience and leadership characteristics required of a college president. His vision for the college and performance excellence, along with his integrity and strong interpersonal skills, make him best-suited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the college.”

“As the third president of Carroll Community College, I welcome the opportunity to continue to grow and develop the college as a premiere source of higher education in the county,” said Dr. Ball. “I am passionately committed to the community college mission, to student success and to continuous improvement in those endeavors. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and the community as the new president of the college. I especially want to thank the Board of Trustees for their support and Dr. Faye Pappalardo for her exceptional leadership, her passion and her dedication.”

“I believe that Dr. Ball has all the skills and qualities that will make him an excellent president,” said Dr. Pappalardo. “He fully understands the role of community colleges in higher education. He is an innovative thinker with much insight into student achievement and success. He knows the enrollment, budgetary and facilities challenges that lie ahead and is uniquely prepared to meet them. I wish him all of the best in his new position as president.”

Prior to joining Carroll in 1999, Dr. Ball was vice president of student services at Howard Community College in Columbia, Md. He is also a former assistant vice president and dean of instruction at Howard, as well as director of adult and evening services.

Dr. Ball holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Virginia Polytechnic and State University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Higher Education Administration from the same university. He has a M.Ed. in Counseling and Student Services/Psychology and a B.S. in Education with a minor in Psychology from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas).

Back to top