In November 2025, Dr. Dawn Lindsay, announced her retirement from Anne Arundel Community College, concluding 13 years of service as the college’s president. Her retirement will be effective June 30, 2026. In an email to the college community, she reflected on her time at AACC.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such an exceptional community of professionals. The dedication, innovation and unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff to student success have been a constant source of inspiration. Together, we have embraced challenges and opportunities with integrity and creativity, always striving to advance the mission of this remarkable college.”
Additional updates, including information about the appointment of an interim president and opportunities to celebrate Dr. Lindsay’s leadership, will be shared as details become available.
Read the press release announcing Dr. Lindsay's retirement.
As we celebrate the leadership and legacy of Dr. Dawn Lindsay and begin the transition to our next president, we’re committed to keeping our community in the loop every step of the way.
We'll provide updates on the transition process, including the overall timeline, key milestones and ways to get involved. Check back often for the latest news. This is a shared journey for our college community, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead together.
The Anne Arundel Community College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Tanya Millner as the college’s interim president effective July 1, 2026, following Dr. Dawn Lindsay’s retirement June 30. Millner has served as provost and vice president of Learning since August 2021.
“I am honored to serve AACC during this important time as we build upon the solid foundation provided by Dr. Lindsay,” Millner said. “This is a time of significant changes at the college, but each change is part of a broader effort to strengthen the institution to deliver exceptional learning experiences for everyone at AACC. I am committed to supporting our students, employees and community as we move forward together.”
Read the press release announcing Dr. Millner's appointment.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to share an important update.
The Board has appointed Dr. Tanya Millner as interim president of Anne Arundel Community College effective July 1. The Board unanimously supported the appointment of Dr. Millner as the right leader to provide the continuity needed as the college prepares for new presidential leadership and a new chapter following Dr. Lindsay’s retirement.
In this role, Dr. Millner will be expected to build upon the solid foundation established by Dr. Dawn Lindsay over the past 14 years as president. As you know, there are a number of major initiatives underway aimed at maintaining excellence and supporting student success. These initiatives bring short-term complexity that requires shared responsibility and patience. Chief among them are clarifying faculty representation and how faculty and administration can work together to ensure shared governance. Additionally, the college continues to implement a new technology infrastructure that will strengthen college operations over time.
Dr. Millner has proven her commitment to the college and demonstrated strong leadership experience as provost and vice president of Learning since August 2021. The Board has full confidence in her ability to see the college through this period of intentional transition and continued stewardship. As we ask Dr. Millner to support the college’s strategic plan and protect the long-term viability and sustainability of the institution, we encourage everyone to remain grounded in the college’s core values.
The search for a permanent president continues, and recruitment is expected to begin soon. Additional details about the presidential search are available on the webpage. I will continue to keep the community informed as the process moves forward.
Our collective goal is a stronger, more resilient college that continues to deliver exceptional learning experiences for students and the community well into the future.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to the mission of AACC.
Warm regards,
A. Joyce Price-Jones
Chair, Board of Trustees
Good morning,
I am pleased to share that the Board of Trustees has selected the Presidential Search Committee, which will begin its work soon. The committee includes representatives from across the college and community. The members will be:
Additionally, if you were unable to attend a listening session or have additional thoughts to share, the survey will remain open until 4:30 p.m. today, Friday, April 17. This information will be used to help inform the executive search profile, which will serve as the blueprint for marketing the position and recruiting and evaluating candidates. All survey data will be submitted directly to our search firm, RH Perry & Associates.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we move forward with this critical search.
Sincerely,
A. Joyce Price-Jones
Good morning,
We are excited to share additional details regarding two opportunities for community participation are outlined below. Updated information is also available on the presidential transition webpage.
Search Committee
The search committee will include the following representatives. Additional information will come from constituency group leaders for those who would like to be considered for the committee.
Listening Sessions
RH Perry & Associates, the executive search firm supporting AACC in the search for our new president, is asking for your participation in one of the scheduled listening sessions on April 13 and 14 in CALT 107. If you cannot attend with your constituency group, please feel free to attend an open forum. If you’re unable to attend any session or have additional thoughts to share, please complete the survey. The survey data will go directly to RH Perry. These sessions will provide important information that will help identify and attract outstanding presidential candidates.
Monday, April 13, 2026
9:00-9:45: AMIL (via Zoom)
12-12:45: Open Forum
2:30-3:15: ASO
3:30-4:15: Part-time Faculty
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
9:00-9:45: President's Cabinet
10-10:45: Student Leaders
11-11:45: PSSO
2:15-3:00 TFO
3:15-4:15: Open Forum
Dr. Joanne Bashford and Ms. Charlene Newkirk will use your valuable, unique and insightful perspectives to help create an accurate executive search profile that serves as the blueprint for marketing this position and recruiting and evaluating candidates.
Interim President
As the board continues to focus on the presidential search process, a separate process for selection of an interim president continues and will be announced later in the spring or early summer.=
Thank you for your participation,
Nadine Chien, Ph.D., Esq
Good morning,
On behalf of the board of trustees, I am writing to share an update on the presidential search process.
At last night’s meeting, the board heard a presentation from the selected presidential search firm, RH Perry & Associates. The presenters, former college presidents Dr. Joanne Bashford and Charline Newkirk, will be the lead consultants for the search. They provided a proposed timeline and key milestones Including opportunities for engagement across the college community:
Please keep in mind that these dates are tentative and subject to change. The new Presidential Transition webpage will be updated regularly with announcements and information as the process advances.
We appreciate the engagement and partnership of our college community as this important work continues.
Sincerely,
Nadine Chien, Ph.D., Esq.
Chair, Board of Trustees
Good afternoon,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to share an update on the presidential search process.
After reviewing all RFP responses, the Board has selected RH Perry & Associates to lead the search for our next college president. The firm will provide a brief introduction at the Feb. 24 Board meeting, which you may attend either online or in person in Cade 219 at 4 p.m.
Additional information is available on the new Presidential Transition webpage. This page will be updated regularly with news, announcements and information as the process moves forward.
While the search for the next President is underway, a parallel process to identify an interim president has also begun. I do not have further updates at this time, but I will continue to keep the college community informed as both processes advance.
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with this important work.
Sincerely,
Nadine Chien, Ph.D., Esq.
Chair, Board of Trustees
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to provide an update on the presidential search process.
To ensure a fair, transparent and thorough search, the Board is engaging an external search firm. A request for proposals was issued on November 11, with submissions due December 16.
A committee of trustees will review all proposals, interview finalists, and hopefully select the search firm by early February. I would like to thank Vice Chair Price-Jones and Trustee Ulvila for working over the holidays to review search firm proposals to meet this aggressive timeline. Once the firm is engaged, the Board will work with them to establish a clear timeline for the remainder of the search.
I understand there are questions about the presidential transition and how the process will unfold. While this work is still in its early stages, I want to assure you the search will be inclusive and will involve a committee representing key stakeholders, including constituency groups.
I will continue to provide regular updates to keep the college community informed as the process advances and more information becomes available. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with this important work.
Sincerely,
Nadine Chien, Ph.D., Esq.
Chair, Board of Trustees
ARNOLD, MD, Nov. 5, 2025: Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) president Dr. Dawn Lindsay has announced her plans to retire effective June 30, 2026, concluding a distinguished tenure of more than 13 years of service to the college and community.
During her presidency, Dr. Lindsay guided AACC through a period of exceptional growth, innovation, and achievement. Under her leadership, the college opened the Health and Life Sciences Building and the Clauson Center for Innovation and Skilled Trades, which expanded skilled trades programs, and celebrated the reopening of the Truxal Library, all designed to create spaces that inspire learning and foster connection.
Dr. Lindsay led AACC with compassion and resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity of learning and safety for students, faculty and staff. Dr. Lindsay established the college’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, championed AACC’s core values, and oversaw two exceptional accreditation reviews.
Under her leadership, AACC earned recognition as one of the top community colleges in the nation, received multiple Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Awards and was named among the nation’s Military Friendly Schools. The college strengthened transfer agreements statewide and nationally, expanded Early College Access Programs, and deepened its engagement with partners such as the Aspen Institute. She is a member of the board of directors for the League for Innovation in the Community College and a board member of the American Association of Community Colleges, which she serves as a member of the Community College Advancement Committee, and member of the National Council of Instructional Administrators.
Most recently, Dr. Lindsay was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame for her lasting contributions to education and community development.
Dr. Lindsay shared the following statement with the college community:
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such an exceptional community of professionals. The dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff to student success have been a constant source of inspiration. Together, we have embraced challenges and opportunities with integrity and creativity, always striving to advance the mission of this remarkable college.”
Anne Arundel Community College Board Chair Nadine Chien, Ph.D., Esq. stated “The Board of Trustees expresses our deepest gratitude for Dr. Lindsay's many years of visionary leadership and service to Anne Arundel Community College,” and added, “The Board is committed to a fair, transparent, and inclusive search for our next president, supported by an external search firm.”
Dear Colleagues,
When I arrived at Anne Arundel Community College in the fall of 2012, I made a personal and professional commitment that AACC would be the institution where I would ultimately conclude my career. After much reflection, I have decided that I will retire from AACC effective June 30, 2026.
Details regarding the search for a new president will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing our important work over the remaining months as we ensure our students achieve their goals.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such an exceptional community of professionals. The dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff to student success have been a constant source of inspiration. Together, we have embraced challenges and opportunities with integrity and creativity, always striving to advance the mission of this remarkable college.
As I prepare for this next chapter, I do so with immense gratitude and pride. My 13 years at AACC have been among the most rewarding of my career, and I will always look back on this time with deep fondness and appreciation. I have every confidence that AACC will continue to thrive, meeting the future with the same excellence, vision, and resilience that define this outstanding institution.
With sincere thanks and warm regards,
Dawn