Hood College appoints provost as its interim president

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The Hood College Board of Trustees on Tuesday announced the appointment of Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. as its interim president, effective July 1. 

Ricker will serve the post vacated by Andrea E. Chapdelaine, who will become the next president of Connecticut College on July 1. The college’s board of trustees is currently in the process of choosing a presidential search consultant.

“I am honored to have the confidence, trust and support of Hood College’s Board of Trustees and look forward to serving in this interim position for the 2024-25 academic year,” Ricker said. “We have a number of exciting strategic initiatives in progress and designed to further distinguish Hood College and our student experience.” 

Ricker began as Hood College provost and vice president of academic affairs on July 1, 2016, following a long career at York College of Pennsylvania, having served as a faculty member and department chair for the biological sciences department, associate dean of academic affairs and the founding dean of the Division of Academic Services.

As provost and vice president for academic affairs at Hood College, Ricker supports the academic mission of the institution. She works closely with leadership of the college’s 17 academic departments (including undergraduate and graduate programs) and its faculty, as well as administrative directors of student success, the learning commons/library, graduate school, institutional research, registrar, career center and faculty services. With the dean of students, as provost she also oversees student life, including residence life and student engagement and orientation.

“Dr. Ricker’s commitment to academic quality and to the students’ whole experience – in the classroom and out – perfectly aligns with the mission and vision of Hood College,” said Tonya Thomas Finton, chair of the board of trustees. “Debbie has a passion for the scholarship of teaching and student engagement, a deep background in hands-on, applied, experiential education and expertise in student success.”

Ricker earned a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill University in North Carolina.