She had been serving as interim president since last year.
Dr. Debbie Ricker, Hood College President (Photo from Hood College)
Frederick, Md (KIM) The Hood College Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Debbie Ricker as its new President. That vote was taken at the Board’s annual March meeting. The announcement was made on Monday
“I am truly honored have been selected to serve as Hood College’s 12th president,” Dr. Ricker says, in a statement. . “At this pivotal moment in the history of the College and, more broadly for higher education, adaptability, agility and forward thinking will be essential..”
Dr. Ricker had been serving as interim President since July 1st, 2024. She will take over the position as President on April 1st, 2025.
The selection by the Hood Board of Trustees comes after an exhaustive search by the firm Isaacson, Miller and the Presidential Search Committee which consisted of Hood Trustees, staff, faculty, alumni and students starting in the summer of 2024, college officials say.
Dr. Ricker has been with Hood College since 2016, starting off as provost and vice president for academic affairs. While serving in that position, she worked to establish undergraduate programs in public health, sustainability studies, art therapy and finance. Hood says in a statement.
She is also a published scientist, writing on such topics as academic advising, curriculum development, sperm mobility and embryo development.
Dr. Ricker earned her Ph.D at Johns Hopkins University, her master’s degree in biology at East Tennessee State University, and her bachelor’s degree in biology at Mars Hill University.
By Kevin McManus