![Headshot of Debbie Ricker standing in front of Alumnae Hall](/sites/default/files/2024-04/100523_Debbie%20Ricker_NZ84888%20copy.jpg)
Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., Appointed as Interim President Effective July 1
The Hood College Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. as its interim president, effective July…
On behalf of Tonya Finton ’78, Chair, Hood College Board of Trustees and Susan Ganley ’79, Vice Chair Hood College Board of Trustees
Dear Hood Community members,
We are writing to share that we are preparing to launch the search for Hood’s next President. Tonya Finton ’78, Chair, Hood College Board of Trustees and Susan Ganley ’79, Vice Chair, Hood College Board of Trustees will be co-chairing the 17-person search committee, which represents stakeholders from across the institution. The full list of committee members can be found at the end of this note. We would like to thank the committee for agreeing to serve the College in this important task.
We have retained the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller (www.imsearch.com) to assist in the recruitment of candidates. Over the coming weeks our search consultants, Kate Barry (Partner), Keight Tucker Kennedy (Partner) and Stephanie Simon (Senior Associate) will be speaking with a wide range of constituencies at Hood, including faculty, staff, and students. Senior leadership listening sessions will also take place and will provide valuable insight into the institution’s culture and environment.
Listening sessions will be held (dates and times below) so the committee and consultants can benefit from your perspective on the Hood President position, how you would expect to interface with the President, and what you consider to be the key challenges and opportunities the new President will face.
Open forum for students:
Wednesday, August 28th, 8:30 pm, Whitaker Campus Commons
Open forum for staff:
Thursday, August 29th, 9:00 am, Dreiling Seminar Room, Lower Level of Coblentz Dining Hall
Open forum for faculty:
Thursday, August 29th, 1:00 pm, Dreiling Seminar Room, Lower Level of Coblentz Dining Hall
We have also scheduled sessions with trustees, emeriti trustees, alumni and community partners over the two-day period.
These discussions will help our search consultants learn about the position and gain an understanding of Hood’s culture, current environment, and the context in which the President will operate. Information gleaned from these sessions will inform the position profile, a document that will describe the essential characteristics of the College, explain the challenges and opportunities for the next President, and outline the desired attributes of successful candidates.
We hope you will be able to participate in the conversation and provide your thoughts and perspectives on the search. If you are not able to join these discussions, a Zoom “catch all” session for students, faculty and staff will be scheduled in early September, or if you prefer to share written feedback, we welcome your input in a survey linked here: https://www.research.net/r/9TJLT5S
Presidential Search Committee List
Trustee Representatives
Alumni Representative
Senior Staff Representative
Faculty Representatives
Student Representatives
Staff Representatives
Committee Resource Person
On behalf of Tonya Thomas Finton ’78, chair of the Board of Trustees
Dear Hood College Community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’m happy to announce the appointment of Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. as interim president, effective July 1, 2024.
Dr. Ricker’s commitment to academic quality and to the students’ whole experience – in the classroom and out – perfectly aligns with the mission and vision of Hood College. She has a passion for the scholarship of teaching and student engagement, a deep background in hands-on, applied, experiential education and expertise in student success.
Dr. Ricker began as Hood College’s provost and vice president of academic affairs on July 1, 2016, following a long career at York College of Pennsylvania. As provost and vice president for academic affairs at Hood College, Dr. Ricker supports the academic mission of the institution. She works closely with leadership of the College’s 17 academic departments (including undergraduate and graduate programs) and their faculty, as well as administrative directors of student success, the learning commons/library, Graduate School, institutional research, registrar, career center and faculty services. With the dean of students, as provost she also oversees student life, including residence life and student engagement and orientation.
Dr. Ricker will serve the post vacated by Andrea E. Chapdelaine, who will become the next president of Connecticut College on July 1, 2024. The Board of Trustees is in the process of choosing a presidential search consultant; details will be forthcoming.
I have every confidence that the College will be in good hands while we search for Hood’s next president.
On behalf of Tonya Thomas Finton ’78, Chair, Board of Trustees
Dear Hood Community,
Earlier you received a message from President Chapdelaine communicating her decision to step down as Hood’s president at the end of the current academic year.
During her nine-year tenure as Hood’s president, Hood has advanced on many fronts. Accomplishments include:
In the coming weeks, we will have more information to share about next steps in this important leadership transition. In the meantime, please join me and the entire Board of Trustees in thanking President Chapdelaine and her family for their years of love and commitment to Hood.
The Hood College Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. as its interim president, effective July…
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