AACC to name Martha Smith president emeritus
Martha A. Smith, president of Anne Arundel Community College from 1994 to 2012, will be awarded the status of president emeritus Tuesday by the college board of trustees.
During her 18 years at the college, Smith was credited with the expansion of AACC into the western part of the county; the growth of cybersecurity, science, technology, engineering and math programs; and the completion rate initiative known as Student Success 2020.
The community college budget grew from about $36 million in 1994 to about $103 million in her final year. The population of full- and part-time students grew from 40,000 to 53,000.
“She led the college in truly making us the community’s college, promoting student success and meeting the needs of the community through shared governance,” AACC President Dawn Lindsay said in a statement released by the college. “She created a dynamic workforce and high expectations that really set the foundation for what we’re doing now and plan to do in the future.”
To be eligible for president emeritus status, a candidate must have served at least 10 years as president with a record of excellence and have a lasting impact on the college. The board must approve the honor unanimously in open session.
Three previous presidents have been named president emeritus — Andrew Truxal, Robert Ludlam and Tom Florestano. They have buildings named for them as well.
The board will meet in the Cade Center for Fine Arts on the Arnold campus at 4 p.m. A reception follows at 5:30 p.m.