Dr. Theresa Felder, senior vice president for student success at Clark State Community College, has accepted the position as president of Harford Community College near Bel Air, Maryland.
Felder will take over leadership of the Harford Community College beginning January 1, 2021. She is replacing Dr. Dianna G. Phillips who resigned from the College in February 2020.
“The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Dr. Felder as the next president of Harford Community College,” said Board Chair Laura Henninger. “Her strength, breadth of experience and her student-focused background align with Harford’s mission, vision and values. We believe that she is the right person at this time to move the college forward.”
Dr. Felder has served Clark State Community College in a number of positions, most recently as the senior vice president for student success. Prior to this position, she was the vice president of student affairs, dean of Clark State’s Beavercreek campus location, an academic affairs coordinator, a college access director and a Workforce Development coordinator.
Clark State Community College President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin remarked that, “Dr. Felder has provided excellent leadership while at Clark State, and the Harford Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students saw in her what we see every day: a passionate advocate for student success, a data-driven decision-maker, a strategic thinker and an empathetic and future-focused visionary.”
Dr. Felder’s focus is on providing access to higher education for all students. She is especially passionate about increasing the number of college graduates from first-generation and low income backgrounds, which was addressed in her doctoral dissertation.
“It is an honor to have been chosen as the next president of Harford Community College, and I am excited to lead such a fine institution,” said Felder. “I am also extremely grateful for all the opportunities Clark State has afforded me over more than 15 years at the college. Dr. Blondin has been an incredible mentor and has supported my professional growth—allowing me to prepare for this very important next step in my career. I will forever cherish the friendships I have at Clark State, and I am confident the great work of positively impacting students and families will continue.”
Dr. Felder has served on various nonprofit boards in the past, including the local chamber of commerce and is currently serving on the United Way Board, the Economic Development Advisory Board, the Community Improvement Corporation and the local Community Action Agency Board.
Dr. Felder started her professional career in corporate accounting and later became an independent consultant, specializing in job readiness and employment training. Dr. Felder completed her doctoral degree in higher education leadership at Northeastern University and holds a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Syracuse University.
A nine-member committee led by two of Harford Community College’s Board of Trustees, Steve Linkous and Christopher Payne, oversaw the presidential search process. The Board of Trustees employed Storbeck Search, a division of Diversified Search Group, to assist in the search process.
Harford Community College, the anchor institution for higher education in Harford County, is centrally located on 352 acres near Bel Air, Maryland. The College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs of study, as well as a variety of noncredit community education and workforce development courses.
As an open-access institution, Harford Community College promotes graduation, transfer, individual goal attainment and career and workforce development. The College fosters lifelong learning, global awareness and social and cultural enrichment. Harford’s top priority is the quality of education it provides its students.