ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Board of Trustees unanimously selected Rhonda G. Phillips, PhD, as its eighth president, effective July 1, 2025. Phillips, a seasoned leader in higher education and community development, will succeed Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD, who retires in June 2025 after an 11-year tenure.
“I’m thrilled that after a rigorous national search, the board has voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Phillips as the 8th President of SMCM,” said John J. Bell ’95, chair of the SMCM Board of Trustees. “Her passion for the public liberal arts, distinguished service building honors programs, and hands-on approach to leadership are but a few of the qualities that made her the clear choice for this moment. I, along with my fellow trustees, are excited to welcome Dr. Phillips when she officially joins us on July 1st.”
The selection followed a four-month national search by a 14-member committee, led by Trustee Ray Wernecke and including trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. A national search firm assisted, and the full board participated in the final decision. Phillips was chosen for her vision and proven leadership in academic innovation.
“As the National Public Honors College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is an exemplar in liberal arts and sciences education, combining learning, discovery and engagement opportunities in a transformative environment,” Phillips said. “I’m eager to work with the trustees, faculty, students, staff and community partners to further elevate SMCM’s excellence and recognition for its exceptional value-added educational experience.”
Phillips currently serves as president of Chatham University in Pittsburgh, where she led financial restructuring, expanded NCAA Division III athletics, and built community partnerships. Her efforts reduced operating deficits and strengthened alumni engagement. Previously, she was the inaugural dean of Purdue University’s John Martinson Honors College, which gained national recognition under her leadership, and associate dean at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, often cited as the top U.S. honors college.
Phillips holds a PhD in city and regional planning from Georgia Tech—the first woman to earn this degree there—a master’s degree in economics from Georgia Tech, and a master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as a B.S. in geography from Southern Mississippi. She has authored or edited over 30 academic books, including “Introduction to Community Development,” and co-founded two journals on community well-being. Her awards include three Fulbright scholarships and the 2024 Duane L. Gibson Distinguished Service Award from the Community Development Society.
Jordan, whom Phillips succeeds, elevated SMCM’s profile as the National Public Honors College, oversaw the construction of four major campus facilities, and reduced tuition in real dollars. Her creation of the Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland addressed historical inequities, earning national recognition.
Phillips and her husband, Dr. Mark M. Miller, professor emeritus at the University of Southern Mississippi, will relocate to Southern Maryland this summer. The couple, parents to adult children and grandparents, are eager to join the SMCM community. Founded in 1840, SMCM is Maryland’s public honors college, known for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum and waterfront campus.
