Sandra L. Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) in Maryland, has announced she will step down from her presidency on July 31, 2027. She will then take a one-year sabbatical before officially retiring in 2028, concluding her more than five-decades-long career in higher education.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve this extraordinary institution and community,” said Dr. Kurtinitis. “Together, we have built a strong, student-centered college that is recognized for innovation, access and excellence. I remain fully committed to leading CCBC over the coming year and ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership.”
Dr. Kurtinitis began her presidency in 2005. Under her leadership, CCBC completed the merger of what were once three distinct community colleges into one institution. Dr. Kurtinitis also helped to establish CCBC’s Honors College, strengthen transfer and workforce pathways, increase dual enrollment opportunities, and build partnerships with employers and community organizations.
A national leader in community college education, Dr. Kurtinitis previously chaired the American Association of Community College Trustees. She has been invited to the White House on several occasions to champion the role of America’s community colleges in meeting the country’s workforce needs.
A graduate of Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where she majored in British literature, Dr. Kurtinitis holds a master’s degree in British literature from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in American civilization from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.