St. Mary’s College of Maryland has appointed Shontay Kincaid, DBA, as administrative director and board liaison in the Office of the President, effective July 22, 2026.
President Rhonda Phillips announced the appointment in a message to the campus community. In the role, Kincaid will lead and coordinate executive, administrative and operational functions while supporting board governance and the implementation of the college’s strategic priorities.
Phillips said Kincaid stood out during the search for her collaborative leadership style, thoughtful approach and deep understanding of board governance and institutional operations. “I am delighted to welcome her to St. Mary’s College and am confident she will be a tremendous asset to the College as we continue advancing our strategic priorities,” Phillips wrote.
Kincaid brings more than 15 years of experience supporting board governance and directing institutional operations in academic and nonprofit settings. She most recently served as senior advisor and director of governance and administration at the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. Before that, she worked as director of institutes and senior project manager at the Council on Undergraduate Research.
She can be reached at slkincaid@smcm.edu. Phillips encouraged the campus community to welcome her as the college prepares for the upcoming academic year.
The appointment comes roughly one year after Phillips assumed the presidency. The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Board of Trustees selected Phillips as the institution’s eighth president, effective July 1, 2025. She was formally inaugurated in April 2026.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland is the state’s public honors college, a small liberal arts institution located in historic St. Mary’s City. As a public institution with a focused mission on undergraduate education, the college relies on strong coordination between the president’s office, the Board of Trustees and campus operations to advance priorities in academics, student success, enrollment and community engagement.
The new position of administrative director and board liaison is designed to strengthen that coordination. Board liaisons typically manage the flow of information between the governing board and the administration, help prepare materials for board meetings, support committee work and ensure strategic initiatives move from policy into practice. In a small college environment, such a role can free senior leaders to focus on external relations, fundraising and academic vision while keeping internal operations aligned.
Kincaid’s background in large national organizations provides relevant experience for these responsibilities. At the American Psychological Association, she worked in governance and administration supporting volunteer leadership and organizational processes. The Council on Undergraduate Research focuses on promoting high-impact undergraduate research experiences, an area that aligns with the scholarly culture at institutions such as St. Mary’s College.
The timing of the appointment places Kincaid on campus as the college transitions into the 2026-27 academic year. Recent campus communications have addressed office realignments in academic affairs and the arrival of other senior staff, including a new vice president for advancement. Adding a dedicated administrative director and board liaison continues the effort to build capacity in the president’s office under Phillips’ leadership.
Southern Maryland’s only four-year public institution of higher education, St. Mary’s College plays a visible role in the region’s educational landscape. Local residents, alumni, K-12 partners and elected officials often follow leadership changes and strategic developments at the college. Clear governance processes and effective internal coordination help the institution respond to state funding priorities, enrollment trends and community expectations.
Phillips’ message emphasized that Kincaid looks forward to connecting with colleagues across campus. In a residential liberal arts setting, relationships between the president’s office and faculty, staff and student leaders are central to institutional culture. A board liaison who understands both formal governance and day-to-day operations can serve as a bridge among those groups.
No further details about the search process or the specific strategic priorities Kincaid will help implement were released in the announcement. The college’s website and official communications remain the primary sources for updates on board actions and presidential initiatives.
Kincaid’s arrival adds another experienced administrator to the team supporting Phillips as St. Mary’s College of Maryland continues its work under new presidential leadership.
