After more than seven years as President of the Baltimore City Community College, Debra McCurdy is planning to retire.
McCurdy said in a message to faculty and staff last week that she intends to retire from her position effective Dec. 31 and that a transition plan will be announced soon for the college, located at 2901 Liberty Heights Ave.
McCurdy became the 14th president in the college’s history on May 1, 2019. She previously served as President of Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio.
Here is the text of McCurdy’s message:
Good Afternoon BCCC Faculty and Staff:
Over the past several months I have given a great deal of thought and had numerous conversations about my tenure and service as the President of Baltimore City Community College. As I reflect on the years, I am humbled and grateful to have been invited to serve in this capacity when the College was facing a very critical time and the call was for change and realignment. While the Board of Trustees mandate and guidance was clear, I know the institutional transition took all of us, and together we accomplished so much which now positions the College for its next stage of evolution.
I believe the perspectives and voices from many faculty and staff rang loud and often pushed us to reexamine priorities, direction and decisions; thank you for joining me at the table of engagement. I am grateful for the opportunities, Board support and the extraordinary experience that Baltimore City Community College posed; I will always cherish and reflect on the many collegial relationships that were built as we continued to place our students first, persevere and pursue our greatness.
I extend my thanks and gratitude to the executive leadership who labored beside me and continued to serve in their capacities to fulfill the mission and carry work that often went above and beyond. So, it is with a great deal of heaviness and thought that I express my intent and will retire from the position as President of Baltimore City Community College, effective December 31, 2026. With executive leadership, the College will be in good hands; in the next few days, the Board will communicate a transition plan to the College community to maintain the forward movement and momentum.
I have the deepest regard and respect for the BCCC faculty and staff, the many College stakeholders including Legislative support and of course our student body; you deserve the very best and all good things to come.
As Always, Best Regards. BCCC Strong!
Debra L. McCurdy, PhD
President
Baltimore City Community College
