Dr. Daria J. Willis Installed as President of Howard Community College
The Board of Trustees of Howard Community College ceremoniously installed Daria J. Willis, Ph.D. on October 14, 2022, as the fifth president to lead Howard Community College (HCC). The ceremony marked the culmination of a week of events to mark Dr. Willis’s presidency. While she started in her role in January 2022, the installation of a college president stands as a time-honored tradition in higher education.
“The Board of Trustees has entrusted Dr. Daria Willis with a great responsibility – the responsibility to lead the students, faculty, and staff of our treasured institution. She also has the honor of supporting the alumni, donors, Howard County residents, and the business and community leaders who value education,” said Chris Marasco, chair of the Howard Community College Board of Trustees. “With her installation, Dr. Willis continues a great legacy of the presidents who have preceded her. The board looks forward to the future.”
The installation of Dr. Willis is also a historic moment; Dr. Willis is the first African American to lead HCC. She joined the college after serving as president of Everett Community College in Washington. She previously held progressively responsible academic leadership positions in Texas and New York.
“While I am the first African American leading Howard Community College, it would not be possible if it were not for the sacrifices of all who came before me. We have work to do to realize an equitable future for all residents in Howard County,” said Dr. Daria J. Willis. “I will give my all to this college and this community as our lives and our nation depend on it.”
Joining the celebration were college trustees, elected officials, presidents and representatives from colleges and universities, Howard County leaders, and faculty, staff, and students of the college. The ceremony included videos about the life of Dr. Willis, singing by HCC alumna Summer Pearson, greetings from elected officials, and a poetry performance by HCC students of “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou.
To officially install Dr. Willis as president, Howard Community College Board Chair Chris Marasco presented Dr. Willis with the presidential medallion. The medallion features the shield of HCC surrounded by laurel leaves. It also has five badges – one for each of the college’s five presidents: Dr. Albert Smith, the founding president; Dr. Dwight Burrill, who served from 1981 – 1998; Dr. Mary Ellen Duncan, president from 1998 – 2007; Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, who retired in 2021; and now Dr. Daria J. Willis.
“The presidential medallion is held by a chain that represents the continuing legacy of presidents whose leadership helped make Howard Community College into a great institution,” said Chair Marasco. “It is the honor of the Board of Trustees to present this medallion as a symbol of the trust we now place in you.”
After receiving the presidential medallion, Dr. Willis delivered her installation address, where she spoke about her life and her priorities in her work to move HCC forward.
"When we talk about equity gaps, we should not be blaming people for their station in life. We need to look at institutional performance gaps and not equity gaps. What can we, as an institution, do better to serve people who have historically been denied access and opportunity?" remarked Dr. Willis. "Our institution is a system, and we must analyze our systems to ensure they are not putting barriers in place for future generations to access an education."
"We must keep moving forward. And as we move HCC Forward, we must understand that the work we do in teaching and learning, in providing experiences for everyone who comes to this college, is helping to ultimately save lives, while preserving our democracy," she continued.
After Dr. Willis concluded her address, guests were invited to continue the celebration at a reception in the lobby of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.
Images, videos, and additional information about the inauguration is available at howardcc.edu/inauguration.