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Members of Board of Trustees 

The Board consists of 10 members, all of whom (except the student member, who is appointed to a one-year term) are appointed to staggered, six-year terms. All Board members have full voting rights. The College president serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board.

A Nominating Committee of five Montgomery County residents appointed by the county executive (two persons), the county council (two persons), and the Montgomery College Alumni Association (one person) solicits recommendations to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees. 

The Nominating Committee forwards the names of at least two, but not more than four, selected candidates for each vacancy to the Governor, who appoints members to the Board of Trustees with the advice and consent of the Senate, except for the student member.

Board Members 

 Ten members and the College President are listed below:

Dr. Michael A. Brintnall

Dr. Michael Brintnall was elected chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2022-2023 term. He was appointed to the Board by Governor Larry Hogan for a six-year term that began on July 1, 2017. Dr.  Brintnall has served as first vice chair for two terms (2020-2022) and as second vice chair for one term (2019-2020).   

Dr. Brintnall has played a leadership role in higher education for over 30 years. He was Executive Director of the American Political Science Association (APSA) from 2002 to 2013, where he lead the establishment of the Conference on Teaching and Learning in political science as well as advanced the Association's continuing work in promoting scholarship, public engagement, and diversity and inclusion. In 2013, the Association established the Michael Brintnall Teaching & Learning Award in his name to support future faculty professional development.

Dr. Brintnall's earlier positions include Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, an organization that promotes public service and accredits professional degrees in public administration and policy; and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. He previously led an office of program evaluation at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and held a faculty appointment in political science at Brown University.

He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and has served as president of the National Humanities Alliance and on the boards and working groups of many organizations, including the Consortium of Social Science Associations, the Environmental Investigation Agency, the American Society for Public Administration, and networks of schools and institutes of public administration in Central and Eastern Europe, and in Latin America.

A long-time resident of Montgomery County, Dr. Brintnall is a former city council member in Glen Echo. He now lives in Cabin John. He is an active dancer of Argentine Tango and co-edits the DC area Capital Tangueros calendar. He has a PhD in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a BA degree from Amherst College.

Dr. Frieda K. Lacey

Dr. Frieda Lacey was elected first vice chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2022-2023 term.  She has served as second vice chair for two terms (2020-2022). 

Dr. Lacey was appointed to the Board of Trustees on November 1, 2018, by Governor Larry Hogan and is serving a six-year term through June 30, 2024.

Dr. Lacey has had a distinguished career as a professional educator that spans more than 40 years. She holds a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from George Washington University, a master of education degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland and a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education from Norfolk State University. 

Prior to her retirement in 2012 from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Dr. Lacey served as the Deputy Superintendent of Schools. Over the years she has held a variety of positions in MCPS including Chief of Staff, Equity Assurance Officer, Supervisor of Special Education, and principal. After retirement from MCPS, she served as the Director of Development for the George B. Thomas Learning Academy, a non-profit community based tutoring and mentoring program for 4 years.

Dr. Lacey previously served on the Board of the Foundation Schools as well as a three-year term on the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board. She has received numerous awards and honors during her career that include the Frieda K. Lacey Distinguished Scholar scholarship presented annually by the Montgomery County Alliance of Black Educators; the Bernie Scholarship Community Service Award; the Identity Theresa Wright Award of Excellence in Service to Latina Youth; the Middle States Regional Assembly of the College Board William U. Harris Award of Excellence; and the Maryland State Department of Education Excellence for Minority Achievement Award.

Ms. Gloria Aparicio Blackwell

Ms. Gloria Aparicio Blackwell was elected second vice chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2022-2023 term.  She was previously elected to serve as second vice chair for two terms (2015-2017), as first vice chair for two terms (2017-2019), and  as chair for one term (2019-2020). 

Ms. Aparicio Blackwell was appointed in 2009 to serve for the remainder of a six-year term that had begun on July 1, 2008. She was later appointed to a full term in 2014, and again in 2020 by Governor Larry Hogan.

Ms. Aparicio Blackwell is the Director of the Office of Community Engagement at the University of Maryland College Park under the Division of Administration & Finance. She has worked for the University more than 19 years. Her primary role is to contribute to the University’s commitment to the land grant mission, as well as, the overall efforts in making the University of Maryland a “Greater College Town”.

Ms. Aparicio Blackwell earned an associate’s degree in safety and fire science from Instituto Tecnológico de Seguridad Industrial in Venezuela and a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology with a concentration in safety and fire science from the University of Maryland. In addition, Blackwell earned a master of science in management from University of Maryland Global Campus. Prior to joining the University in 1997, Gloria worked in safety and fire management at Potomac Electric Power Company and for higher education institutions, including American University and Montgomery College as a student worker.  

Ms. Aparicio Blackwell has recently received the prestigious President’s Distinguished Service Award under the category of Public Service at the University of Maryland, adding to other awards such as UMD’s Outstanding Woman of Color Award.

Outside of her service to Montgomery College, Gloria volunteers with several organizations. She is a graduate and board member of Leadership Maryland and Leadership Montgomery, and serves as a board member of the International Town/Gown Association.

To maintain work/life balance, she is an avid runner/walker and more importantly, finds time to enjoy family and friends. Ms. Aparicio Blackwell resides in Gaithersburg with her husband, Stephen Blackwell.

Trustee Annice Cody

Ms. Annice Cody was appointed to her first term on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees by Governor Larry Hogan on July 1, 2022. 

Ms. Cody is the president of Holy Cross Health Network, Holy Cross Health's community-based operating division. Holy Cross Health Network operates safety-net health centers and primary care sites; provides more than 200,000 community health encounters annually through programs such as Senior Fit, perinatal education, Chronic Disease Self-Management and community health worker outreach; leads community engagement to promote health equity; oversees Holy Cross Health's $57 million community benefit program; leads Holy Cross Health's population health initiatives and guides the organization’s advocacy initiatives.

Ms. Cody serves as the board chair for Nexus Montgomery Regional Partnership, a joint venture of all six Montgomery County hospitals, focused on reducing avoidable utilization and improving health in our community in ways that no single hospital could accomplish on its own. She is on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the leadership group of Montgomery Moving Forward, a community collaborative using the collective impact framework to create a better early care and education system for our community.

Prior to joining Holy Cross Health, Ms. Cody worked as a vice president at the Lewin Group, a health care consulting firm in Fairfax, Virginia. She previously served as vice president, strategic and community planning at Advocate Health Care, a regional health system in Chicago.

Ms. Cody has an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.A. from Brown University. She and her husband have lived in Montgomery County since 1998 and have two children.

Dr. Kenneth J. Hoffman

Dr. Kenneth J. Hoffman began his service on the Board of Trustees April 26, 2010, when he was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley for the term of one year. He was reappointed to a full six-year term in 2011 and again in 2017.  

Dr. Hoffman is retired from the U.S. Army Medical Corps after 23 years of active duty. He held positions of increasing responsibility, which include duty assignments as the medical director of the Federal Interagency Board for Military and Veterans Health, medical director for TRICARE Population Health Improvement, and director of preventive services for the U.S. Medical Command in Korea. In addition, he served as the director for the Center of Training and Education in Addiction Medicine at the Uniformed Services University. Since 1988, Dr. Hoffman has taught at the Uniformed Services University in psychiatry and preventive medicine.

He has served on the Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Advisory Council and volunteers his time as a board member of Oxford House. Dr. Hoffman earned his BA from Cornell University, his MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and his MPH from Harvard University School of Public Health. 

     

The Honorable Michael J. Knapp

Mr. Michael Knapp was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Governor Martin O’Malley in March 2012 for the remainder of a six-year term that began on July 1, 2006. He was reappointed to serve a full six-year term in July 2012 and again in July 2018. Mr. Knapp served two previous terms as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2019. He was then re-elected Chair of the Board of Trustees for two more terms, serving from 2020 to 2022.

Mr. Knapp is CEO and co-founder of SkillSmart, a technology company that uses skills to empower individuals, employers and communities to maximize their potential. He served on the Montgomery County Council, representing District 2, from 2002 through 2010, and served as the council president in 2007 and 2008. Prior to his service on the County Council, Mr. Knapp was a biotech executive at Celera Genomics.

Mr. Knapp also serves chair of the Board of Advisors at the Universities at Shady Grove, as a board member for Identity, Inc., the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, as well as a co-chair of Montgomery Moving Forward. While serving on the County Council, he was the chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 2008 (member, 2002 to 2010), and a former member of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (chair, 2006). Knapp is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a bachelor of arts degree in economics and government and he served for ten years as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Trustee Omar Lazo

Mr. Omar Lazo was appointed to his first term on the the Board of Trustees by Governor Larry Hogan in 2021. Born in Washington, D.C. and the son of immigrants from El Salvador, Mr. Lazo went on to study at the University of Maryland in College Park, where he received his Bachelor's in General Business and Management.  After college, he worked on a government contract with the Department of Justice for four years, while at the same time running a family-owned restaurant.  At the Department of Justice, he played a vital role in the finance department's implementation of a nationwide monetary intake system, along with other duties. In 2004, he obtained a real estate license and worked as a realtor in the D.C. metropolitan area.  After taking over the day-to-day operations for Los Chorros Restaurant, he has solidified the business as a staple in the Wheaton, Maryland, community.  He has become very involved in social media campaigns and community outreach.  

Mr. Lazo has been very involved in the community and is 2nd Vice-President of the Board of the Wheaton and Kensington Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed by the County Executive to the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee that advises the Montgomery County Council and the County Executive. He is the treasurer for the Latino Democratic Club of Montgomery County.  Recently, he was appointed by the County Executive to the Board of Workforce Development for Montgomery County.  Mr. Lazo has been very actively involved in the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, working with Identity and the NAACP. He is also a member of the Greater Capital Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  He has been heavily involved in pedestrian safety and small business advocacy, leading walking tours and helping to get bicycle lanes and crosswalks installed in Wheaton. He is a founding member of the Montgomery County Latino Restaurant Association. Mr. Lazo is a husband and a father of three smart and beautiful Latina daughters. 

Robert Levey

Mr. Bob Levey was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to the Board of Trustees in 2015 to fulfill a partial term and reappointed in 2019 to serve a full six-year term. Mr. Levey spent more than 36 years on the editorial staff of The Washington Post. His daily column about local life, “Bob Levey’s Washington,” appeared for more than 23 years. Through the column, Levey raised more money for charity than any journalist in history.

In addition, Mr. Levey worked for nine radio stations and four television stations as a commentator or talk show host. Since accepting an early retirement buyout from The Post, Mr. Levey has been senior vice president for development at Washington Hospital Center Foundation and a senior fellow in the Montgomery County Government. He now runs Bob Levey LLC, a consulting firm that helps non-profits write better so they can raise money better.

Mr. Levey was chosen a Washingtonian Of The Year by Washingtonian Magazine in 1999. He has served on seven non-profit boards, including the Montgomery College Foundation Board. He has also been a journalism professor at five major research universities. He is the author or co-author of three books and dozens of magazine articles. He writes a regular monthly column for The Senior Beacon, and free-lances as a commercial voice talent.

Mr. Levey first came into contact with Montgomery College through his children, who both starred in productions at the college’s Summer Dinner Theatre. In 1995, Mr. Levey played the role of Wally Womper in a Montgomery College production of “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” causing massive embarrassment and amusement among his children.

Mr. Levey received a BA in English with special honors from The University of Chicago. 

The Honorable Marice Morales

Ms. Maricé Morales was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to serve a six-year term, beginning on July 1, 2019. She is a personal injury and criminal defense attorney at her own firm and has experience both at the district and circuit court levels in 15 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions.

Ms. Morales was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates as the first Latina representing District 19 in Montgomery County in 2014 and was the youngest Latina to serve at the state level in the country. She served as founding member and vice chair of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus.

During her time in Annapolis, Ms. Morales sponsored legislation to reform the criminal justice system, protect immigrant communities, protect workers’ rights, and combat the rape culture in our country. She sat on the Judiciary Committee for her first two sessions where she worked on major criminal justice reform, including Justice Reinvestment, the elimination of mandatory minimums, bail reform, and police accountability. She was later assigned to the Health and Government Operations Committee, where she focused on insurance coverage and mental health issues.

Ms. Morales was awarded the Governor’s Award for her work combating Human Trafficking, and was the recipient of the Outstanding Public Service Award in recognition of her work and contributions to the welfare of the Latino community through public service from several local organizations

Ms. Morales sits on the boards of the Jewish Council on Aging and Emerge Maryland, and is a contributing writer with Maryland Matters. She has a JD from the University of Maryland, School of Law, a master’s in public policy, and a bachelor’s in global affairs and French from George Mason University. Ms. Morales is fluent in Spanish, French, and English.

Trustee Deepica Premaratne

Ms. Deepica Premaratne was appointed to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees in July 2022 for a one-year term by Governor Larry Hogan.

Ms. Premaratne began her academic career at Montgomery College as a dual enrollment student in high school, then in her freshman year as a business major in the Macklin Business Institute. Her contributions to the Montgomery College community can be seen through her work as a co-leader of Raptor Tank, the collegewide business pitch competition encouraging participants to explore their entrepreneurial interests. In addition, she helped to revive the Macklin Business Institute Cafe after it was closed for two years due to the pandemic, implementing initiatives to improve customer experience, and raising funding for projects and programs benefiting the Montgomery College community. Through her many years of engagement with the College, she has developed a passion to improve the standards of education and opportunity within the Montgomery College community. 

Ms. Premaratne is committed to bringing a student voice to the board, ensuring inclusivity in academic and social opportunities at Montgomery College. She is looking forward to being a champion for the needs of the students. 

Dr. Jermaine F. Williams

Dr. Jermaine F. Williams became the president of Montgomery College on February 28, 2022.

Dr. Williams’ work in higher education has focused his energies on improving access for students, as well as retention, graduation, and post-completion success. He has paid special attention to mitigating institutional societal and racial inequities, strategically creating programs and policies that support historically underrepresented and/or marginalized groups. He has years of experience designing, managing, and enhancing institutional and statewide programs and initiatives that have yielded positive student outcomes.

Dr. Williams has been widely lauded for his inclusive leadership style and for building teams that create strategic programming and policies to improve student outcomes. His professional approach to student success is deeply rooted in equity-minded systems and data-informed analysis. Dr. Williams’ view of higher education as a public good informs his personal passion about enhancing access, completion, and post-completion success, goals that are shared across Montgomery College.

Presidents and Trustees Emeriti

Members
1948 Graduates

It is customary in academic institutions to bestow emeritus status on departing members of the community in recognition of service performed.

Prior to adoption of a Board resolution on June 16, 1992, this honor had not been accorded full-term departing members of the Board who had generously given of their time for the benefit of Montgomery College and the community.

The College is grateful to each Trustee who will receive this well-deserved recognition.

Presidents Emeriti | 1946 – 2021

Presidents are listed by year of service at Montgomery College below:

  • Hugh G. Price | 1946–1953 
  • Dr. Donald E. Deyo | 1953–1965
  • Dr. George A. Hodson, Jr. | 1965–1966  
  • Dr. William C. Strasser | 1966–1979 
  • Dr. Robert E. Parilla | 1979–1999 
  • Dr. Charlene R. Nunley | 1999–2007*
  • Dr. Brian K. Johnson | 2007–2009
  • Dr. Hercules Pinkney, Interim President | 2009–2010 
  • Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard | 2010–2021*
  • Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, Interim President* | 2021-2022

(* = Awarded by the Board of the Trustees, the Gold Medallion recognizes exceptional service and nationally recognized presidential leadership in higher education)

Trustees Emeriti | 1960 – 2022

Trustees are listed by last name alphabetically below:

Last Name | A – L
  • Clifford K. Beck* (1960–1968) 
  • William G. Colman* (1968–1972) 
  • Mary E. Cothran* (1994–2006) 
  • The Honorable Gene W. Counihan (1997–2009) 
  • Sylvia W. Crowder (1998–2009) 
  • John W. Diggs* (1985–1995) 
  • Darwin R. Drewyer, Jr.* (1974–1975) 
  • Jerry B. Duvall (1978–1990) 
  • Reginald M. Felton* (2007–2015) 
  • Yolande W. Ford (1977–1984) 
  • William Freienmuth (1966–1968) 
  • Michael W. Gildea (1990–2002) 
  • Georgette "Gigi" Godwin (2006–2011)
  • Jong-On Hahm (2002–2008) 
  • Howard J. Hausman* (1969–1977) 
  • Robert J. Hydorn (2015–2019)
  • Pearl B. Isenberg (1975–1981) 
  • Stephen Z. Kaufman (2001–2013) 
  • Lucy S. Keker* (1960–1968) 
  • Edward R. Lehman (1989–1997) 
  • Michael J. Lenaghan (1979–1989) 
  • Leslie S. Levine (2009–2021)
  • Michael C. Lin (2000 –2012) 
  • Norman Locksley* (1987–1999)
Last Name | M – Z
  • Robert C. Maddox* (1980–1992)
  • Lucille Maurer* (1960–1968)
  • James S. McAuliffe, Jr.* (1969–1971)
  • John W. Neumann* (1975–1978)
  • Owen D. Nichols* (1996–2009)
  • Howard R. Penniman* (1971–1980)
  • R. David Pittle (1975–1982)
  • Michael D. Priddy (2011–2017) 
  • Joseph A. Reyes (1992–1998)
  • Jean G. Ross* (1969–1979)
  • Charles B. Saunders (1966–1970)
  • Hamid R. Seyedin (1982–1994)
  • Roberta F. Shulman (1999–2011)
  • The Honorable Michael L. Subin (1983–1986)
  • Maureen E. Sullivan (1981–1993)
  • Robert E. Shoenberg (1995–2007)
  • Benjamin H. Wu (2012–2018)

(* = deceased)

Honorary Degrees | 1996 – 2021

Honorary Degrees
2019 Honorary Degrees
Catherine S. Leggett and Isiah "Ike" Leggett

The Montgomery College Honorary Degree Program (Associate of Arts in Public Service) was approved and established by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 1995.  

Through this program, the Board has the opportunity to recognize individuals who have risen to a position of eminence, have acquired a national or international reputation in a selected field, hold a distinguished record of public and community service, or have made a notable donation of time, talent, or gift to Montgomery College. 

Past honorary degree recipients are listed by year below:
(* = commencement speaker)
(^ = posthumously)

2020 – 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no honorary degrees were awarded in 2020 and 2021.

 

2019
  • Mindy P. Jacobson
  • Sheila C. Johnson*
  • Catherine S. Leggett
  • Isiah "Ike" Leggett
  • Elias Woldu
2018
  • Yahya Hendi*
  • Kazem Kazempour
  • Diego Uriburu
  • Erica Webber
2017
  • Mr. Kenneth Becker
  • Mr. James Muir
  • Ms. Audrey Hill
2016
  • Ms. Georgette "Gigi" Godwin
  • Mr. Kevin J. Sexton
  • Dr. Kenneth Weiner
  • Mr. Kojo Nnamdi*
2015
  • Dr. Michael Lin
  • Mr. Eliot Pfanstiehl
  • Ms. Cokie Roberts*
  • Mr. Steven Roberts*
  • Ms. C. Marie Taylor
2014
  • Ms. Judith Clark
  • Mr. Gustavo Torres
  • Mr. and Mrs. Adi and Iris Shmueli
  • The Honorable Valerie Ervin*
2013
  • Mr. Norman Augustine*
  • Ms. Nina Clarke
  • Mr. Ken Cook
  • Ms. Sally Rudney
2012
  • Dr. Wallace Loh*
  • Mr. George Dang
  • Mr. J. Henry Montes
  • Ms. Rebecca "Becky" Wagner
2011
  • Dr. Hercules Pinkney*
  • Mr. Charles Atwell
  • Ms. Suzan Jenkins
  • Dr. Stewart Edelstein
2010
  • Dr. Charlene Nunley*
  • The Honorable Henry "Hank" B. Heller
  • Ms. Carol Trawick
  • Mr. George B. Thomas
2009
  • Ms. Suzanne Malveaux *
  • Mr. Douglas Firstenberg
  • Dr. Karen Gruner
  • Dr. Donald Day
2008
  • The Honorable Constance Morella*
  • Mr. J.W. Marriott
  • Mr. Richard Marriott
  • Ms. Teresa R. Wright
2007
  • Mr. Calvin Cafritz
  • Ms. Bernice G. Grossman
  • The Honorable Ida Ruben
  • Dr. Winifred King* (Honorary degree received in 1998)
2006
  • The Honorable Margaret Spellings*
  • Mr. Donald Dworkin '62
  • Ms. Sarah Silberman
  • Mr. Joshua Freeman
2005
  • Ms. Judy Woodruff*
  • Mr. Al Hunt*
  • Ms. Mary Jarvis
  • Mr. Anthony Natelli^
  • Mr. Arthur P. Becker^
2004
  • Mr. Clifford M. Kendall
  • Mrs. Camille E. Kendall
  • Mr. Charles A. Lyons
  • Mr. H. Patrick Swygert*
  • Mr. Richard S. Will
2003
  • Dr. John W. Diggs^  
  • The Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary*  
  • Mr. Thomas E. Ladd
  • Mr. Paul L. Peck
2002
  • Ms. Esther Newman
  • The Rev. Dr. T. J. Baltimore, Sr.
  • Ms. Wendy Thompson*
2001
  • Mr. John J. Fitzgerald     
  • Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III*
  • Mrs. Nesse Godin   
  • Mr. Roscoe R. Nix
2000
  • Dr. A. Lee Fritschler*  
  • Reverend James C. Moone^
  • Mr. Gordon Macklin
  • Mrs. Marilyn Macklin
1999
  • Mr. Robert F. Costello III
  • Mr. Bernard I. Mills
  • Dr. Rex M. Ellis*  
  • Dr. Robert E. Parilla
  • Mr. Joseph L. Herson  
  • Dr. Paul L. Vance
1998
  • Mrs. Ruth Y. Becker    
  • Dr. Winifred King '76
  • Mr. Wallace H. Becker  
  • Mr. Bob Levey*
  • Mr. Solomon Graham  
  • Mr. Morgan Wootten
1997
  • Mrs. Marian Wright Edelman*
  • Mrs. Betty Mae Kramer
  • Mrs. Martha Gudelsky
  • The Honorable Sidney Kramer
1996
  • Mr. Milton (Sonny) Clogg '48