A Welcome from Dr. DeRionne Pollard
Welcome to the Montgomery College Milestone Moments web chronology. Here you are invited to view a few of the many major, institutional developments since 2010. Be sure to check the links and take a closer look to see where, when, and how you have helped to contribute to the mutual success of our institution and work to create a successful and relevant learning environment for students and our community.
Montgomery College’s Principles on Building for Student Success
These icons represent the principles of our Building for Student Success. Use these icons to identify the milestones that support each principle.
You may also filter the timeline for each principle.
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February 2019
Dialogues with Dr. Pollard and her guests focus on the politics of radical inclusion, attracting speakers from a wide variety of fields. Author Dave Zirin discussed his book, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable, about the history of race in professional sports. Political commentator Neera Tanden, president and CEP of the Center for American Progress, sparked conversation about politics, democracy, and equality. Former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan discussed his book, How Schools Work, and the inequalities of the US education system. Former County Executive Isiah Leggett shared thoughts on radically inclusive leadership.
September 2018
This year, 2,500 ACES students receive academic coaching at 14 county high schools; 900 ACES students are enrolled at MC. Their course pass rates and retention rates surpass their nonACES counterparts.
June 2018
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaffirms MC’s accreditation for another eight years. The commission commended the College for the quality of the self-study, a credit to the MC team that led the year-long process. The accreditation process includes annual institutional updates, a mid-point report at the four-year mark, a self-study report, and a compliance report at the eight-year mark to show compliance with Middle States standards and with key federal laws pertaining to higher education.
February 2018
This year’s series, entitled Defining America, is dedicated to exploring identity and ideals in our nation. Dr. Pollard’s conversations with her guests explore the question of how we define “Americans” and how dissent from majority opinion impacts national identity. Experts whose work relates directly to these questions contribute perspectives on what lies at the root of American democracy. Guests include: Pat McGuire, president of Trinity University in Washington, DC; Seth Goldman, cofounder, Honest Tea and Fair Trade business leader; and Robert Green, director of Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.
February 2017
In the wake of a year marked by public incivility in politics, strained relationships in law enforcement, and violence that has planted suspicion across difference, more than ever our communities need to build bridges of understanding. Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard hosts a series of dialogues with experts to provoke dialogue that is inclusive, intelligent, and civil. Dialogues include Pastors Chris and Dennis Wiley of the Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Tom Manger, Ambassador Connie Morella, and Executive Director at Asian American LEAD Neel Saxena and Muslim Chaplin at Georgetown University Imam Yahya Hendi.
Read more: Presidential Dialogue Series website
January 2017
Academic Master Plan for 2016-2021 Published
Montgomery College shares the Academic Master Plan for 2016-2021. This document reflects both MC2020 and Academic Affairs Division goals, and leads the institution forward. Many (faculty, staff, administrators, governance, etc.) participated in the development process through focus groups, steering committee and sub groups, spring forums, a four-day think tank, and feedback sessions.
Read More:
Academic Master Plan
College Unveils Academic Master Plan for 2016-2021
September 2016
On September 16, 2016, Montgomery College marks 70 years of enriching lives in Montgomery County with celebrations on all three campuses.
On September 16, 1946, the first Montgomery Junior College classes were held in the evenings at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School with a student body of 186 men and women. Two years later, the first commencement ceremony was held with 25 graduates receiving associate of arts degrees.
Seventy years later, Montgomery College is a multi campus institution with numerous satellite locations serving nearly 60,000 students a year from more than 160 countries through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 130 areas of study.
Read More:
County Council Celebrates Montgomery College’s 70th Anniversary
College Fosters a ‘College Town’ Atmosphere on Its Campuses
Montgomery College Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Series of Events
May 2015
Dr. Pollard announces the beginning of the academic master planning process at the spring 2015 closing meeting. The Academic Master Plan will be the College’s roadmap for the future and will help to align our energy and resources with programs and practices that foster success. The Academic Master Plan will chart the College’s course for the next 10 years of academic programming—five years in some detail, and the next five more broadly.
Watch the 2015 spring closing meeting.
February 2015
The College publishes Montgomery College: The Workforce Development Anchor. The publication highlights the College’s role in matching skilled workers to in-demand jobs in the county and covers programs in the following areas: information technology and cybersecurity; biotechnology, life sciences, and health care; building, professional, and human services; communication, education, arts, and culture; and business and hospitality. The report also highlights the business partnerships the College has with government, industry, and community organizations to facilitate career training.
January 2015
President Obama reveals his plan for “America’s College Promise” during his state of the union speech. Dr. Pollard comments in national media about the president’s plan to provide two years of free community college to responsible students.
Read the January 20, 2015, op-ed article in The Baltimore Sun.
Inside Obama’s Proposal to Make Community College Free and Universal.
July 2014
Dr. Pollard approves an academic restructuring plan in March 2014 that would take effect in July 2014. The plan was crafted by nearly 200 faculty and staff representatives, chosen by their governance groups and the academic deans, who collaborated to restructure Montgomery College’s academic units into a model that will enhance collegewide consistency and cooperation, and better support student success.
Read the Academic Restructuring 100-Day Report, published in October 2014.
Hear Dr. Pollard comment on the academic restructuring at the spring 2015 closing meeting.
November 2013
Montgomery College reveals its new mascot, the Raptor.
September 2012
Office of Advancement and Community Engagement
The College creates the Office of Advancement and Community Engagement. The vision of OACE is to create effective branding and build strong relationships in the Montgomery County community to reflect the College as an outstanding learning opportunity, cultural arts resource, economic development resource, and intellectual center that is of high value to the future of the County and to its residents.
The focus areas of Advancement are Media Relations/Writing, Creative Services, Marketing, Photography, Development (annual and major gifts), Alumni Association and Annual Giving, Grants, Special Events, and Montgomery College Television.
The Office of Advancement and Community Engagement is also home to the Montgomery College Foundation, which raises more than $4 million in gifts annually for scholarships, programs, and facility needs of the College.
July 2012
In compliance with National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) and Title IX, the College implements a new athletics structure in which the College becomes a single, multicampus NJCAA member with only one College team for each sport. The Germantown Campus becomes home to men’s baseball and women’s volleyball. The Rockville Campus becomes home to women’s basketball and softball, men’s and women’s track, and men’s and women’s soccer. The Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus becomes home to men’s basketball, and men’s and women’s tennis.
June 2012
The Montgomery College Board of Trustees adopts the MC 2020 plan, a multiyear strategic plan that will guide the College’s actions for the remainder of the decade.
Read more about and view the plan at the Office of the President.
October 2010
Dr. DeRionne Pollard announces the creation of the Innovation Fund, an investment in College faculty and staff to encourage the proposal of intentional, sustainable, and systemic improvements for the enhancement of student education and services. The fund is a resource that supports cutting edge ideas and helps make them a reality for the benefit of students.
Read more about Innovation Works, including a list of projects and the Innovation Journal.
September 2010
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education approves the accreditation of the Montgomery College Germantown Campus, Montgomery College Rockville Campus, and Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus as a single institution, Montgomery College, with three campuses.
View the Middle States accreditation letter.
May 2010
Montgomery College’s Ninth President
The Montgomery College Board of Trustees names Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard as the ninth president of the College and introduces Dr. Pollard to students, faculty, and staff. The College inaugurates Dr. Pollard as its new president in October 2010. At 39, she is one of the youngest community college presidents in the nation.
Watch the inauguration of Dr. Pollard.