DR. RICHARD MacLENNAN APPOINTED NEW GARRETT COLLEGE PRESIDENT

MacLennan has over 20 years of experience in higher education administration.  Since 1998 he has been vice president for student services at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington, where he created the Students in Need Group (SING) to help students in financial difficulty gain access to college and community resources.  He was honored in 2009 with the Olympic College "You Make a Difference Award" and the Board of Trustees "Leadership Award."

MacLennan earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Portland (Oregon) State University, a master’s degree in college student services administration from Oregon State University and a doctor of education degree from Wilmington (Delaware) University in educational innovation and leadership.  Prior to coming to Olympic College, he was associate dean for student life and associate dean for student services at Chesapeake College.  He served previously as dean of students and admissions at Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans. 

Professionally, he has been active within the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).  He was an accreditation evaluator for the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities, president of the Washington State Student Services Commission and a member of the Washington State Intercollegiate Relations Council.  A noted presence in his community, MacLennan is co-convener of the West Sound Education Leadership Council, a collaborative initiative between the College and local schools.  He is also chair of the Board of Kitsap Community Resources, Inc.

"We expect that President MacLennan will continue and expand his community activities in Garrett County," said Trustee, Duane Yoder, who chaired the presidential search advisory committee of college and community representatives.  "The selection process has been highly inclusive, and we envision a seamless transition to new leadership."

MacLennan follows Dr. Jeanne Neff, who has served as Interim President of Garrett College since May 2009.  Neff has led Garrett successfully through the final stages of its re-accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, including the development of a new, comprehensive strategic plan.  She has also overseen the design and approval processes for a new Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC), which recently had its formal groundbreaking.