St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), located in St. Mary’s City, has named Stephen L. McDaniel, CFRE, as interim vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation, and Eileen Petula as interim vice president for business and chief financial officer. These key appointments strengthen St. Mary’s College leadership, supporting the institution’s mission as Maryland’s National Public Honors College and its role as a Southern Maryland educational hub.
According to SMCM President Rhonda G. Phillips, Ph.D., FAICP, “Eileen Petula and Stephen McDaniel bring a wealth of higher education knowledge and experience to these key leadership roles. Stephen’s proven track record in development and outreach will provide continued strong leadership for institutional advancement, while Eileen can be counted on to maintain excellent fiscal and operational oversight of our business functions.”
Stephen McDaniel enhances St. Mary’s College leadership with decades of fundraising and marketing experience from institutions like the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State University, and Tuskegee University. Starting his career in 1980 with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), he contributed to major fundraising campaigns and led the Atlanta office until 2006. McDaniel’s international experience includes consulting in Niamey, Niger, in 1997 and assessing fundraising potential in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2001.
A Certified Fund-Raising Executive, McDaniel earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a certificate in Institutional Advancement Management from the University of Chicago. He has served on national education councils and currently holds roles as trustee for the Charles B. Wright Charitable Trust and secretary for the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, while leading development efforts for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Eileen Petula joins St. Mary’s College leadership to oversee finance, accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, information technology, human resources, facilities, and auxiliary services. A certified public accountant, Petula previously served as interim chief operating officer at Chatham University, where she helped eliminate a significant budget deficit. Her prior roles at Bucknell University, managing a $264 million budget and $1 billion endowment, and positions at Allegheny, Lafayette, and Swarthmore colleges highlight her fiscal expertise.
Petula holds a master’s in business administration from Villanova University and a bachelor’s in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has served on boards for economic development, health care, and arts organizations, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
The addition of McDaniel and Petula to St. Mary’s College leadership ensures robust advancement and financial management for SMCM’s 1,500 students. McDaniel’s fundraising skills will bolster community engagement and resource development, while Petula’s financial oversight will maintain SMCM’s $40 million budget stability. These roles are vital for sustaining SMCM’s academic excellence and its economic impact in Southern Maryland.
SMCM, known for its liberal arts curriculum and scenic waterfront campus, continues to thrive as a regional anchor. The new St. Mary’s College leadership will support ongoing initiatives to enhance educational offerings and community partnerships, benefiting St. Mary’s County and beyond.
With McDaniel and Petula at the helm of advancement and finance, St. Mary’s College leadership is poised to drive growth and stability. Their expertise will support SMCM’s strategic goals, from securing donations to ensuring fiscal responsibility, reinforcing the college’s role as a cornerstone of Southern Maryland’s higher education landscape.
