Dr. Brad Gottfried Selected as CSM’s Fourth President
New President To Take Office on July 31

           

The College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees announces the selection of Dr. Bradley Gottfried as the fourth president of the college after an extensive nationwide search. Gottfried, who has been connected with community colleges for 30 years, will begin his duties on July 31.

Since 2000, Gottfried has served as president of Sussex County Community College, a comprehensive community college in New Jersey where he initiated and led its transformation into a Learning/Planning institution. He has prior experience as the dean of academic affairs and the interim director of distance learning at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) in Pennsylvania and campus dean at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, enrollment management, fiscal and facilities management, and cultivating community and legislative relations, as well as developing successful initiatives in curriculum, technology, faculty, transfer programs and business development.

“Dr. Gottfried is an experienced leader who is passionate about the community college mission. He has demonstrated a dedication to the community college experience, and he can take our college and continue to build on the successes and strong efforts that Dr. Ryan and the college leadership have achieved,” said CSM Board Chair Joseph Shannon. “We are very impressed with his focus and deep involvement in the community, his sense for what the community and students need, and for his ability to move an institution forward to meet those needs.”

“I am deeply honored to be given this opportunity to lead CSM. It is a fine institution with a wonderful reputation. Dr. Ryan did a fantastic job of leading the college into the 21^st century and I look forward to building on its fine traditions of being an outstanding student-centered college that is committed to the communities it serves,” said Gottfried.

            In addition to his previous positions, Gottfried has chaired academic departments at Armstrong State College and the College of St. Catherine, and has been on the faculty of those two institutions as well as at the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac and Mount Mercy College. As an advocate of distance learning, he initiated the first online program at MCCC. In 1997 Gottfried developed an online environmental biology course, which he has continued to teach.

He holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University of Ohio, a master’s in biology from Western Illinois University, and a bachelor’s in biology from West Chester University. He began his college studies at MCCC, which he credits with giving him the confidence to succeed.

Gottfried told a forum audience during his campus visits, “The toughest degree I earned was my high school diploma. No one would have thought that I would continue on for a doctorate or become a president of a college. But that’s what community colleges are about. It’s about a dream and helping people realize that dream.”

A five-time author of Civil War history books as well as a writer of numerous articles and presentations, Gottfried has received the Distinguished Leadership Award and the Past Chairman Award from the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership. He has been named by the Star Ledger as “Person of the Year in Sussex County” as well as one of the “Persons to Watch in Sussex County.” Active on Sussex County’s economic development, chamber of commerce, United Way and Hospice boards, Gottfried believes that “building a community is most important—how does the college help its community to prosper?”

Gottfried outlines priorities as providing outstanding service in education and support services, a quality workplace where people feel valued, an educational and cultural center for the community, and fiscal solvency and stability.

            Gottfried succeeds Dr. Elaine Ryan, who will retire June 30. Appointed CSM’s third president in 1998 and the college’s first female in that position, Ryan has been associated with the college since 1971.

            “We have a tremendous amount of appreciation for what Elaine has done for the college and the high standards she has set. We’re pleased that Dr. Gottfried is coming on board and confident he will be able to provide leadership going forward,” said Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Presidential Search Committee Chair Rick Bailey.

The presidential search process began last September as the Board of Trustees worked with the executive search firm of Diversified Search and appointed the Presidential Search Committee consisting of five trustees, three foundation directors, three faculty members, two staff members and a student.

Approximately 70 applications were reviewed by the committee, which narrowed its consideration to five individuals. The five candidates participated in site visits of the college during April and toured the college’s three campuses. They interacted with the college leadership, faculty, students and staff, as well as had opportunity to meet with each county’s elected officials, business leaders and community members during open forums at each campus. Total community forum attendance on average was 140 people per candidate.

Bailey praised the Presidential Search Committee for its thorough review of the candidates and the evaluations provided by those who met with the candidates during their campus visits.

“Each committee member took the responsibility extremely seriously and put their best efforts into the work. The end candidate had excellent recommendations and we are pleased that the Board of Trustees concurred with our recommendations,” Bailey said.

The College of Southern Maryland is a regionally accredited community college that provides programs and services with a special focus on local workforce development to maintain and grow a healthy economy and community. For eight of the past 10 years, CSM has remained one of the top three community colleges in Maryland for its four-year graduation and transfer rates among first-time, full-time entering freshmen classes. For additional information on Gottfried and the presidential search process, visit www.csmd.edu.

 

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