Cecilia M. McCormick, J.D. named 15th President of Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College President-Elect Cecilia M. McCormick.
Elizabethtown College’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Cecilia M. McCormick as the College’s 15th president, following a 10-month national search. She will begin her tenure effective July 1, 2019 and will be the first woman at the helm of the 120-year-old institution. She will succeed Carl Strikwerda who will retire on June 30, 2019.
McCormick, a graduate of a liberal arts and professional education, has spent her career focusing on education, advocacy, and service to the community. Currently, McCormick serves as Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Special Programs at Thomas Jefferson University where she was integral to the successful merger of Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia Universities and developed numerous strategic initiatives, including new academic programs, an Institute for Emerging Health Professions, an Honors Institute, and effective academic operations and processes. She has collaborated across the institution in both the creation and implementation of strategic plans and budgeting processes. McCormick also secured school and community partnerships and launched pipeline programs for students in the Philadelphia region to create an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Education with a focus on skills and workforce development for underserved populations.
“It is truly an honor to have been chosen to lead Elizabethtown College, to build on its legacy and accomplishments, and to seek opportunities at a pivotal time in the history of the college. I look forward to working with faculty and staff members, students, administration, alumni and the broader E-town community to reinvent our vision as a learning institution focused on the educational and personal growth of our students in preparing them for 21st century careers and lives steeped in service,” McCormick said.
Previously at Jefferson, McCormick served as the Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs and the Associate Provost for Strategic and Academic Initiatives. At Johns Hopkins University, she was the Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Operating Officer. She also has held myriad positions at Widener University, including serving as Executive Director in the Office of the President and a member of the President’s Executive Team. McCormick has been celebrated as a champion for students and has taught in the areas of business, law, and leadership for students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
“Cecilia’s experience in both academia and private business along with her collaborative problem-solving skills will guide us through the changing landscape of higher education,” said Robert Dolan, chair of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees. “Her dedication to student development makes her an excellent leader for our college.”
“Throughout her career Cecilia has had a remarkable record of success at a variety of high-quality institutions. Those experiences, along with Cecilia’s strong background in strategic planning and finance, will benefit Elizabethtown College immediately,” said Ed Lovelidge ‘82, Presidential Search Committee chair. “The Committee was extremely pleased to recommend Cecilia as our next President.”
McCormick also maintains her license to practice law in Pennsylvania. Her legal experience includes serving as an attorney over a 10-year period with two private law firms in the Philadelphia region. Prior to that, she held the positions of Assistant General Counsel for PECO Energy and special project manager for The Vanguard Group’s Retirement Resource Center.
McCormick received her Bachelor’s Degree in Management/Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University, her Paralegal Certificate from Widener University, a Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School: Widener University and post-doctoral education from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University, Graduate School of Education.
McCormick resides in Ocean City, New Jersey with her husband, John. Her family includes three sons; Timothy (and his wife Danielle), Daniel (and his wife Heather), and John, and two grandchildren.
The search was conducted by a Presidential Search Committee with trustee, faculty, staff and alumni representation. Students also played an important role in the search as did Witt/Keiffer, an executive search firm. The Committee’s recommendation of McCormick was unanimously ratified by the Board of Trustees.
Founded in 1899, and holding true to its values and commitment to peace, non-violence, social justice and human dignity, Elizabethtown College has continually centered its mission and academic excellence on the holistic development of students while preparing them for lives of leadership and service as citizens of the world.
I just had the privilege of watching ETowns production of Romeo and Juliet. Well Done. My daughter is a freshman. Her plan was to major in early childhood and minor in theater. Everytime she contacted or visited Etown and talked with department chairs she was told this was a doable plan. Shippensburg offered the same plan and the life decision of where to attend college came down to these two colleges. She ultimately chose Etown because she fell in love with the small school atmosphere. A month before school was to start she received notification that Etown would be dropping theater program. She was crushed and felt deceived. At the very least, she should have been told this might happen early on in her application process. As much as she liked Etown, she would have chosen Shippensburg because they could still offer what she wanted. Etown did reassure her that extra curricular theater under a professor supervision would still take place. She has now learned this also will fade away. She was deceived again. Etown built a beautiful new athletic center but eliminated their theater program. Etown is a liberal arts school, yet you drop theater and build an athletic center. Etown is a D3 school for athletics. It is not going to attract athletes. It will attract art, music, andtheater students.Getting rid of an art at a liberal arts school is awful. Bring it back. My daughter is happy with the early childhood program, but she is thinking of transferring elsewhere. Etown needs to honor their promise and keep their theater department.