A Passionate Educator Takes Her Leave
Montgomery College's Departing Leader Plans to Keep a Hand in Fundraising

By Lori Aratani
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 1, 2007

After eight years as president -- and 27 years altogether -- at Montgomery College, Charlene R. Nunley is moving on.

Beginning today, a new administrator will occupy the corner office with the windows overlooking the athletic fields of the college's Rockville campus.

Brian K. Johnson, chief executive of the Allegheny campus of the Community College of Allegheny County, Pa., will become Montgomery College's seventh president. Nunley will be in an advisory role until June 30, and though she no longer will be based in the college's Hungerford Road headquarters, she will remain a presence in college life.

Among her post-presidency plans: continuing to work with the college's foundation to raise money for student scholarships -- long one of her passions.

Nunley's commitment to access and affordability has roots in her experience as an undergraduate at Penn State University. She was the first in her family to attend college, but after freshman year, her father, a letter carrier, was injured and no longer able to work. She told her professors that she would not be returning to school because her family could not afford the tuition. A faculty member urged her to take the time she needed to help her family but not to give up on her education. When she returned, a scholarship and a job were waiting for her, she said.

It was while she was working at Penn State's Center for the Study of Higher Education that she first learned and became passionate about the mission of community colleges.

For Nunley, 56, who announced early last year that she would step down as president, the decision to leave was not an easy one.

"I love this college," she said. "It's not just a job, it's part of my life. A presidency at a college these days is not a job, it's a lifestyle."

But at the urging of her husband, who wanted to retire, Nunley decided that the timing was right. November's elections also happened to usher in a new county executive and several new county council members, with whom a new college president will be able to develop fresh relationships. Nunley turns over leadership of the 22,893-student college -- with campuses in Germantown, Rockville and Takoma Park/Silver Spring -- at a pivotal time. The student population is diversifying and getting younger. Not only do Montgomery College students come from 170 countries, more of them are bound for four-year schools, which adds to the challenge facing educators.

Community colleges, instead of being seen as a refuge for students who couldn't go anywhere else, increasingly are an affordable alternative for people on their way to a four-year degree, Nunley said.

"People don't realize that across that county, nearly half of all undergraduates begin at community colleges," she said. "Much more now, students are choosing to begin here."

Nunley said among her proudest accomplishments are the creation of several honors programs for college students and one that allows Montgomery public high school students to experience college. She also oversaw the renovation and expansion of the college's Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.

Nunley has been instrumental in raising money through the college's foundation. The school now ranks among the top five nationally among community colleges in fundraising. The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation recently announced a gift commitment of $3 million, which will go toward building a state-of-the-art visual arts center at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The donation is the largest on record to a Maryland community college.

"She believes strongly in the power of education to transform lives," said Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a longtime friend of Nunley. "When she speaks, the listener knows she's sincere, knowledgeable, experienced and passionate."

That's part of the reason, Nunley said, that she will continue working with the national Achieving the Dream initiative, designed to help community college students succeed by offering scholarships and other support.

But "retirement" won't be only work.

Also on her agenda: improving her golf game and traveling. Nunley, who confesses to loving "bad fiction," said she may even try her hand at a little writing.

She doesn't rule out other adventures.

"I want to evolve," she said. "I'm not really sure what my interests are at this point because I haven't had a chance to sit back and reflect on that and see what I enjoy."

She will be missed.

Her final days have been filled with farewells. There was the staff pizza party last month. Then, before an afternoon conference call, she had a visit with Montgomery College's student ambassadors. Those who knew Nunley greeted her warmly. Others who were meeting the outgoing president for the first time used the opportunity to thank her for all she has done for the college. Together, they joked about which of the two dozen or so students in the room might become the future president of Montgomery College.

The students offered plenty of praise.

"Dr. Nunley has been a wonderful president here," said Aaron Kaufman, 19, a first-year student who is studying political science.

Added Vanessa Coleman, 19, a biological science major who serves on Montgomery College's board of trustees: "Dr. Nunley is amazing. She's really the perfect balance for a president. We're really lucky to have her. I'm sad to see her go."

Nunley leaves with a fond goodbye.

"As I leave, I hope that nationally, in our state and here in Montgomery County that we are going to be paying attention to the economic and demographic changes that are occurring that really could change the nature of the future if we don't step up and meet the challenges," she said.

"Hopefully I'll be able to continue to make some impact on all of that by continuing to speak about some of the things we learned as we worked with the national Commission on [the Future of] Higher Education."