Howard Community College President Joins National Research Council

Howard Community College President Daria J. Willis was recently appointed to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues, according to a news release. The Association is made up of nine commissions with boards made up of CEOs and administrators from member institutions.

“I am honored to serve on this commission and to represent our dynamic community of scholars and employees,” said President Willis. “Community colleges are the backbone of higher education, and I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders to drive innovation, equity, and student success in our sector.”

The Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues provides advice on nationwide policies and issues that could become trends or challenges facing two-year institutions, the news release reports. Willis’ previous local and domestic leadership experience includes serving on the Boards of Directors for the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, the World Trade Center Institute, the Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society, and the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

Willis was appointed President in December 2021. Since then, the college’s enrollment has increased over each of the last four years, and it has also reopened the campus Children’s Learning Center to support student parents, the new release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Photo credit: Elkus Manfredi Architects

    University of Virginia Selects Design-Build Team for New Residential Complex

    The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., recently announced that it has selected a design-build team for a new upper-class residential development on campus, according to a news release. Capstone Development Partners—in partnership with Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Hoar Construction/Hourigan construction team—will move forward with the three-building, 310,000-square-foot housing facility.