Baltimore City Community College Names New Vice President of Academic Affairs

(Feb. 25, 2020) Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) has appointed Liesl B. Jones, Ph.D. as the new vice president of Academic Affairs. Jones, who began her new role on Dec. 9, brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education.

Most recently, she served as Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Union County College (UCC) in New Jersey. In previous positions at UCC, Jones served as chair of the Biological Sciences and Chemistry programs as well as the Neuroscience Doctoral Subprogram. She was also a professor of Biological Sciences.

“Dr. Jones is academically-centered and a thoughtful problem solver. In her career, she has earned a stellar reputation for her research and teaching focus and is also recognized for her integrity, collaborative leadership style and a deep commitment to student success,” BCCC President Debra L. McCurdy, Ph.D., said. “She is an asset to BCCC, and most importantly, the students we serve.”

Since becoming BCCC’s 14^th president over nine months ago, McCurdy has focused on student success, community partnerships and strengthening infrastructure. Jones said it was McCurdy’s leadership and the new direction she is taking the college is what drew her to her new role.

“I like to build things and I like to be a part of change,” Jones said. “I was impressed with what Dr. McCurdy is doing at the college, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Since arriving, Jones has worked on making changes to improve student success and getting to know faculty and staff as well as BCCC’s community and education partners. Over the next several months, she plans to focus more on curriculum and doing whatever she can to “get more students across the finish line.”

Jones holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Allegheny University and was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry from Mount Sinai Medical College. She earned a bachelor of science in Biology from Fordham University in New York.

McCurdy became BCCC’s 14^th president on May 1, 2019. In addition to Jones, she recently appointed Donal Christian, MBA as vice president of Administration and Finance. Since September, she has added several other members to her Cabinet, including: Stephan A. Byam, Chief Information Officer; Maria E. Rodriguez, Esq., General Counsel; and Stanley Singleton, Ph.D, vice president, Student Affairs. As McCurdy nears the 10th month into her presidency, she has also announced her leadership team is now in place.