After 11 years leading Montgomery College as president, Dr. DeRionne Pollard will be stepping down as she takes on a new role as the next president of Nevada State College (NSC) in Henderson, Nevada.

Plans for an interim president of Montgomery College and the process for selecting a new president will be announced in the coming days.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released the following statement:

Montgomery County is losing an incredible leader. Dr. DeRionne Pollard has made a tremendous impact since assuming leadership of Montgomery College in 2010.Dr. Pollard led the college in a new strategic direction and worked, in partnership with Montgomery County Public School and the Universities at Shady Grove, to develop programs and initiatives that created a stronger link between the public school system and higher education. She has worked closely with the business community because she understands that colleges and universities provide the talent pool for businesses. We will miss her vigor, her commitment to equity, and her work for access to a quality education for all our residents.

On behalf of the people of Montgomery County, I congratulate Dr. Pollard as she assumes the presidency of Nevada State College. I am confident that she will do great things at Nevada State College as she did here in Montgomery County.

Montgomery College Board Chair Michael Knapp also released a statement:

The Board is grateful to have partnered with Dr. Pollard on numerous initiatives over the years, helping to situate the College optimally to fulfill its mission. Dr. Pollard’s leadership has produced some extraordinary changes in our shared notions of inclusion, access, and quality. In many ways her unique vision has fundamentally shaped the way we think about serving our community as fiscal stewards, business partners, and architects of student success. Her practicality combined with a tireless mission-drive has brought out the best in many of us, allowing us to contribute our own skills and leadership to the College’s work. The Board is aware that Dr. Pollard’s impact on many at the institution has been similarly inspirational and empowering. She embodies many of the most highly respected qualities of leadership. While she will be greatly missed, the Board is certain that this move will allow her to contribute in new ways to higher education and that Nevada State College will benefit from her vision.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for the latest.