Debbie Ricker, Ph.D.

Debbie Ricker with a "sperm bank" and stress zebra.

Contact

Email: ricker@hood.edu
Phone: 301-696-3623
Office: Alumnae Hall 104

Biography

Dr. Debbie Ricker became interim president on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Ricker began as Hood College provost and vice president of academic affairs on July 1, 2016. She came to Hood following a long career at York College of Pennsylvania, having served as a faculty member and department chair for the biological sciences department, associate dean of academic affairs and the founding dean of the Division of Academic Services.

During her career, Dr. Ricker has served a number of professional and civic organizations, including:

• President of the Pennsylvania Academic of Science
• Member of the York Women’s Business Center Organization
• Member of the Dallastown School District Workforce Advisory Board
• Member of the York Technical Institute General Education Advisory Board
• Member of the LYNX Advisory Board for Frederick County High School
• Board of Directors for PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network)
• Member of the Maryland Governor’s Life Science Advisory Board

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 (approx. 100 full-time faculty), as well as administrative directors of student success, the learning commons/library, Graduate School, institutional research, registrar, career center and faculty services. 

In close partnership with appointed faculty directors, the provost is also responsible for four centers, including the Martha E. Church Center for Community Engagement, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, Center for Global Studies, and Center for Teaching and Learning, as well as the College’s Honors Program, which enrolls approximately 160 undergraduates. Beginning in January 2021, portions of the student life division were incorporated within academic affairs and the dean of students now serves as a member of the provost’s leadership team, overseeing residence life, student conduct, the office of orientation and student engagement, and the office of diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Dr. Ricker is a scientist, an educator and, above all, a lover of learning. She brings to Hood College a passion for the scholarship of teaching and student engagement, a deep background in hands-on, applied, experiential education and expertise in student success and persistence programming, as well as outcomes assessment and new program development.

She and her partner, Christopher, live in Jefferson, MD, with their three rescue dogs, Stella, Penny and Lucy. When she’s not working (which isn’t often!), she enjoys quilting.

Education

• Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University
• M.S., East Tennessee State University
• B.S., Mars Hill University