Montgomery College Names New President, Coming From Long Island

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Montgomery College has named a new president to begin in the first quarter of 2022. Jermaine Williams, who served most recently as the president of Nassau Community College on Long Island, was announced as the Montgomery College's new president last week.

"Throughout the search process, Dr. Williams impressed both the Board of Trustees and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee with his passion for educational excellence and the shared mission of community colleges,” said Michael J. Knapp, chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, in a news release. “Dr. Williams’ work in higher education has focused his energies on improving access for students, as well as retention and graduation. He has paid special attention to mitigating social inequities for historically underrepresented people. His impressive track record of leadership and achievement drew the Board to him as a leader who would fit the needs of the College in this critical moment.”

Williams has been the president of Nassau Community College since 2019, and has taught at 2- and 4-year institutions for more than eight years, a Montgomery College news release said. Williams got his doctorate in education administration from Temple University and earned Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

“Montgomery College has long been a leader among community colleges nationally and I am excited to be joining the ranks at this time of change and great urgency,” said Williams in the release.

Montgomery College said that Willians is lauded for his inclusive style of leadership and his ability to improve student outcomes.

“The heart of any organization is unequivocally its people. Institutions don’t drive themselves,” said Williams. “It’s the people who build them and nurture them. And I can see that Montgomery College has been fortified by people who believe that care, compassion, and equity are the hallmarks for addressing unmet student needs.”