SALISBURY, MD—Two representatives of Salisbury University have been selected for the Leadership Maryland Class of 2019.
SU President Charles Wight and Eli Modlin, deputy chief of staff and director of government and community relations, join 50 other leaders from across the state.
Founded in 1992, Leadership Maryland is an independent, educational, non-profit organization designed to inform top-level executives, from the public and private sectors, about the critical issues, challenges and opportunities facing Maryland and its regions.
Wright became SU’s ninth president in July following five years as president at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. His priorities at both campuses have been college affordability, diversity and inclusion, campus sustainability, improving student success and community relationships.
He earned his B.S. in chemistry at the University of Virginia and Ph.D. at Caltech. Following two years as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Colorado, he was appointed assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Utah in 1984 and rose to professor. Wight also served in a variety of administrative and leadership roles at that campus, including associate vice president of academic affairs and graduate school dean.
Modlin, an SU alumnus and former U.S. Capitol intern, joined the University’s administration in 2016. Prior to SU, he worked at the Maryland Comptroller’s Office as special liaison officer and then public affairs officer.
Beyond the University, Modlin serves on the board of directors of My Brother’s Keeper, a Baltimore organization that provides workforce development and meals for those in need, and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of SU’s Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art board.
Following a two-day opening retreat in April, Leadership Maryland participants will attend six intense sessions focusing on economic development, education, health and human services, criminal and juvenile justice, environment, multiculturalism and diversity. More than 100 experts from business, government, education and non-profits serve as panelists and guest speakers.
Leadership Maryland is one of 34 such programs nationwide and has graduated over 1,100 statewide leaders. Alumni at SU include Drs. Karen Olmstead, provost and vice president of student affairs; Dane Foust, vice president of student affairs; Mary Angela Baker, director of the Center for Extended and Lifelong Learning; William Burke, executive director for economic development; Clifton Griffin, dean of graduate studies and research; Robert Joyner, director of the School of Health Sciences; and Memo Diriker, director of the Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON).
For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.
