Wor-Wic Community College recently installed its third president, Deborah Casey, Ph.D., in a ceremony held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Casey has held the role since August 2023, and in her first year, she has worked to advance the institution, announcing new initiatives and goals for the college as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
During the investiture ceremony before an audience of state and local officials, community members, guests from other colleges and universities as well as Wor-Wic students, faculty and staff, Casey spoke about her vision for ensuring another 50 years of success for the college.
“When I was hired to serve you, the trustees charged me to lead with courage, to inspire with vision and to serve with humility, while upholding the values that have made Wor-Wic Community College a beacon of hope and opportunity in our three counties,” Casey said. “For 50 years, this college has been providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education to countless students and our local workforce. This institution is our place of learning; it is a cornerstone of our communities. Wor-Wic has been pivotal in shaping the futures of individuals and families across the Lower Shore, fostering economic growth, and empowering generations to dream bigger and reach higher.”
Casey noted the many successes that Wor-Wic has had over the past year.
“This fall we offered two seven-week terms or one 15-week term for students to enroll in classes; in partnership with the Maryland Higher Education Commission we financially incentivized full-time student status; we implemented a standardized course schedule; opened our beautiful Patricia and Alan Guerrieri Technology Center building, offering more credit and non-credit programs; received our first National Science Foundation grant for advanced technologies; started a fire science program; created a new risk management and insurance concentration; signed a transfer agreement with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore into the School of Pharmacy and a two-way transfer degree with Salisbury University in forensic science; taught at Eastern Correctional Institution; successfully completed 10-year accreditation for occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant programs; our radiologic technology students had a 100% success rate on their licensure exam followed by our licensed practical nursing program being ranked No. 1 nationally by the Mountain Measurement report; and we graduated our 93rd police academy class.”
Casey said she wants the next half century to build upon that success.
As we look ahead, my vision for Wor-Wic is clear,” she said. “Our focus will remain steadfast on our one-college model increasing student access and success while creating pathways from K-12 school districts, dual enrollment, Junior Achievement Center, industry, apprenticeships and career and technical education programs to Wor-Wic and from Wor-Wic to our transfer partners or the workforce. We will continue to create pathways that are flexible, inclusive and innovative, ensuring that every student who walks through our doors has the tools they need to thrive, whether in furthering their education, the workforce or life.”
Some of the possibilities Casey saw on the horizon for Wor-Wic included a new student success and wellness center; the addition of athletics, academic exchange programs in France and India; more partnerships with local industry to continue to meet the needs of the workforce; and attaining a student population of 10,000, with more full-time students and more credentials conferred.
“I invite each of you to join me in this journey as we write the next chapter in the history of Wor-Wic Community College,” Casey said. “We will continue to build programs that respond to the needs of our students and our community, from cutting-edge technology and healthcare, skilled trades, to the arts and humanities, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to lead and thrive in the 21st century. And most importantly, we will continue to place our students at the center of all that we do, ensuring that they have the resources, support and opportunities they need to succeed.”
Morgan Hazel, chairperson of the Wor-Wic board of trustees, and president emeritus Dr. Ray Hoy, who retired from Wor-Wic in 2023, performed the official investiture, bestowing the presidential hood and mace.
Additional speakers included Dr. Sanjay Rai, secretary of education, Maryland Higher Education Commission; Dr. Brad Phillips, executive director, Maryland Association of Community Colleges; Josh Wyner, vice president of the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit; and Dr. Karen Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping community college students succeed.
Dignitaries speaking included Sen. Mary Beth Carozza; John T. Cannon, president of the Wicomico County Council; Julie M. Giordano, Wicomico County executive; and Anthony W. “Chip” Bertino Jr., president of the Worcester County Commissioners. Community partners who took the podium included Kelley M. Selph, vice chairperson, Wor-Wic Foundation, Pam Gregory, president and CEO of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, and Shawna Nadine Kearsley of Pohanka of Salisbury.
Melissa Reddish, associate professor of arts and humanities, spoke on behalf of the faculty, and Chuck Porter, arts & humanities department head and associate professor of developmental English, delivered a new alma mater in honor of the occasion. Ricky Thorne Jr., the president of the Student Government Association, spoke on behalf of students.
“Dr. Casey is more than our school president — she is a trusted ally and a pillar of our community,” Thorne said. “Her remarkable ability to blend professional expertise with heartfelt compassion makes her an irreplaceable figure in our lives. It is this unique combination of qualities that earns her the deep respect and affection of the entire student body.”
Dr. Mary Spilde, president emerita of Lane Community College; Dr. Deborah L. Floyd, professor, educational leadership and research methodology at Florida Atlantic University; Dani Crivello-Chang, dean of campus life, Green River Community College, and Alfred Souma, retired faculty of Seattle Central Community College and faculty at Santa Barbara High School, also delivered remarks.
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office presented colors and veteran student John Whipps led the pledge of allegiance. The OC Pipes & Drums Corp. led the academic procession with “Pomp & Circumstance,” and musical presentations by Ryan Jackson and the UMES choir enhanced the event.
