Dr. Brad Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland, has announced his intent to retire on June 30, 2017.LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 1, 2016)—Dr. Brad Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland, has announced his intent to retire on June 30, 2017. Appointed CSM's fourth president in 2006, Gottfried has had a significant impact on the college, including expanding the college with a Regional Hughesville Campus, increasing CSM's partnerships and articulations, and keeping higher education affordable and accessible.
"Since 2006, it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the president of the College of Southern Maryland. I believe—and many will agree—the college has advanced in strategic ways during the past decade. The college is strong and continues to have a positive impact in our region," Gottfried said in a message to the community announcing his retirement. "It is with my utmost respect and appreciation that I'm announcing my intention to retire effective June 30, 2017. It has been a highlight of my professional career to serve as CSM's fourth president and I will definitely look back on my time here with pride," he said.
As president, Gottfried has been lauded by CSM's Board of Trustees for his passion to provide high-quality education that is accessible, affordable and flexible for all students and the community. "Much of CSM's success can be attributed to Dr. Gottfried's passion for lifelong learning and his embrace of the college's role within the community," CSM Board of Trustees Chair Dorothea Holt Smith said. "Through his leadership, he promotes an inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged to have a role in the college's success. Dr. Gottfried's leadership has resulted in many beneficial partnership opportunities, from articulations with four-year institutions, to collaborations with local and national agencies, to increased advocacy with local, state and federal elected officials."
"What's outstanding is his unwavering commitment to the economic health and welfare of the college and the greater community with a vision to make us stronger. This is reflected in our institutes developed under his leadership and dedicated not only to nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation, or supporting nonprofits, but also to strengthening and encouraging diverse relationships within our communities," Smith said. "One of his most lasting legacies that will continue to make us stronger as a regional college is our fourth campus, the Regional Hughesville Campus, centrally located to ensure equal service, equal proximity and equal access to high-quality programs that are convenient to all citizens of Southern Maryland."
In addition to creating a centralized presence with the Regional Hughesville Campus, Gottfried has worked to expand accessibility to higher education within Southern Maryland by enhancing dual enrollment programs for high school students and pursuing partnerships with universities and colleges. His leadership has led to a record number of graduates due to the college's focus on student success as well as more than 50 guaranteed articulation agreements with colleges and universities to enable students to easily transfer and pursue bachelor degrees. He has effectively partnered with the public school systems in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties to better serve students of all ages.
To enhance the region's economic development, Gottfried has worked with the community's businesses to address their needs and critical shortages. CSM has helped put Southern Marylanders to work by launching new programs in Cybersecurity, Nuclear Engineering Technology, Robotics, Medical Laboratory Technology, Digital Media Production and the trades.
CSM has experienced growth with new facilities on all of the campuses including a Wellness and Aquatics Center at the Leonardtown Campus, a second building at the Prince Frederick Campus and renovations that expanded facilities at the La Plata Campus, including the Business Building and Community Education Building.
Under his leadership, CSM successfully completed its five-year Periodic Review and 10-year Middle States Regional Association accreditation, embraced a culture of Quality Improvement with strategic planning, outcomes assessment and process improvement, and is recognized as an outstanding employer by managing a diverse workforce with innovative training, promotion opportunities and wellness initiatives while offering an attractive and affordable fringe benefits package.
Among his community-based initiatives are the Nonprofit Institute at CSM to strengthen region's nonprofit organizations and the Diversity Institute of Charles County, which promotes a culture of inclusiveness and understanding in a rapidly changing community. Recognizing the need to nurture the region's entrepreneurs and innovators, the Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute complements the array of business programs already offered at the college through the Small Business Development Center and the network of CSM institutes designed to help the college build relationships with local businesses and organizations.
Upon Gottfried's arrival to CSM, the college had its first major gifts campaign, exceeding its goal and raising $7.7 million. He and his wife, Linda, invest in both an annual and an endowed scholarship fund at CSM every year, and now as part of the college's $10-million Impact Campaign, they have made a leadership gift of $110,000 in cash and a deferred gift to the CSM Foundation that reflects their passion for education. Of their gift, $10,000 is directed to their annual scholarship with the remainder to be directed to the Bradley and Linda Gottfried Endowment Fund as part of their Living Trust to the CSM Foundation.
"As president of this college for 10 years, I'm out in the community regularly. I know the students. I know what their dreams and aspirations are and I know so many of them just are not able to get an education," said Brad Gottfried in announcing their gift earlier this year. "So for Linda and me, it's giving back to the community. It's helping individuals who really want an education to be able to afford an education. You can't take your money with you, so it makes perfect sense for us to leave a legacy for the college and for the community."
Gottfried has a long and distinguished career in higher education. After receiving his Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University in 1976, Gottfried served as a faculty member and a chief academic officer for many years before becoming president of Sussex County Community College in 2000. His strengths are in strategic planning and assessment of institutional effectiveness, fund-raising and academic program development. Gottfried is also an historian and author specializing in the Civil War.
"I will spend my remaining time here at CSM completing some key initiatives including orienting our three newest trustees, exploring innovative enrollment and retention initiatives, seeking funding for Regional Campus Health Sciences Building and advancing our $10-million Major Gifts Impact campaign," Gottfried said.
The college's Board of Trustees is launching an open and transparent nationwide presidential search. For information, visit www.csmd.edu/PresidentialSearch.