Debbie Ricker

Biography

Ricker first joined Hood College as provost and vice president of academic affairs on July 1, 2016. A champion of Hood’s core values of Hope, Opportunity, Obligation and Democracy, Ricker spearheaded the development of new undergraduate programs in public health, sustainability studies, art therapy and finance. Ricker was also instrumental in launching Hood’s highly successful graduate cybersecurity program. She oversaw all student retention efforts, including the formation of Hood’s Office of Student Success, which helps students of all class levels achieve their academic goals via mentorship, tutoring and advising. Ricker’s efforts led to record-setting first-year retention and graduation rates. Ricker also led Hood’s High Impact Practice Task Force, which aimed to ensure that every Hood student has at least one experiential learning opportunity before graduating. 

Prior to joining Hood, Ricker spent 20 years at York College, serving in several academic and administrative roles, including associate dean of academic affairs, dean of academic services and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. Reflective of her career as a scientist and academic administrator, Ricker’s research history includes more than 25 publications and presentations on topics ranging from academic advising and curriculum development to in-vitro fertilization rates, sperm motility and embryo development.