McDaniel College announces new executive director of the CEO

Mel Brennan has been named the new executive director of the Center for Experience and Opportunity (CEO) at McDaniel College.

Brennan, who currently resides in Westminster, Maryland, graduated from the college in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history.

In his new role at McDaniel, he oversees the work of the CEO, its programs and initiatives, while working closely with academic departments, as well as community partners. He also plays a key role in developing experiential learning opportunities for McDaniel students.

Beginning his professional career as a confidential investigator with the civilian complaint review board in New York City, Brennan then served in general management for Sega GameWorks, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and the Walt Disney Company/Disney Regional Entertainment.

He later transitioned into leadership roles with various nonprofit organizations, including the YMCA of Central Maryland and the YMCA in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Maryland Fuel Fund, Maryland Food Bank, Thread, Inc., and most recently, the United Way of Southern Maryland.

Brennan pursued a Ph.D. (A.B.D.) in sport and human rights from the University of Stirling in Scotland and was formerly the head of special projects for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), one of FIFA’s six continental governing bodies. He is currently included in the Netflix documentary “FIFA Uncovered.”

For more information about the CEO, visit www.mcdaniel.edu/ceo.

Visit www.mcdaniel.edu for more information about McDaniel College.

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McDaniel College, founded in 1867, is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering more than 70 undergraduate programs of study, including pre-professional specializations and student-designed majors, and over 20 graduate programs. One of 40 “Colleges That Change Lives,” McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, its 24 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,800 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary. www.mcdaniel.edu