This will be Willis' second college presidency. At 34 years old she was named president of Everett Community College (in Washington state). This past Thursday, the Howard Community College trustees unanimously elected here during a public meeting on Thursday. She will take over in January.
“The trustees were impressed with Dr. Willis’s energy and accomplishments, her commitment to students and their education, and her steadfast focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work," said Christopher G. Marasco, chair of the board of trustees. "We look forward to working alongside her as she leads Howard Community College into the future.”
In a statement, Willis said she has always been focused on students.
"As the next president, I commit to empowering the college and the Howard County community, inspiring innovation, closing the achievement gap among students, and advocating for social justice, equity, and education for all," she said.
Willis oversaw 840 employees and a $73 million budget at Everett Community College. She takes over a school that has 2,377 full-time students, 13,911 students enrolled in credit-bearing courses and degrees of study and 7,543 students in continuing education and workforce development courses.
Howard Community College has 2,577 total employees and a $93 million budget.
Willis said she is looking forward to moving her family to Maryland.
Her career has taken her to several states. Willis was the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Onondaga Community College, which is one of the community colleges of the State University of New York. Other previous leadership positions include the dean of academic studies at Lee College in Baytown, Texas; executive dean of centers/dean of instruction at the Lone Star College-North Harris Greenspoint Center and Victory Center; and department chair of social and behavioral sciences and kinesiology at Lone Star College-University Park Campus in Texas and the Faculty Senate president.
Willis began her career in academia as an adjunct faculty member in history at Tallahassee Community College in Florida and later as an adjunct faculty member in history at FAMU. She earned her Ph.D. in history from Florida State University and hold's a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s degree in history education from FAMU.