Presidential Search

Meet the finalists

After an extensive nationwide search, the search committee has selected three finalists for the position of Wor-Wic's third president. Each candidate will meet with faculty, staff, administrators, students and the community during a public forum. Those who attend public forums or other meetings with candidates will have the opportunity to provide feedback that will be shared with the board of trustees. The board will select one candidate to fill the role of president.

Meet candidate one: Dr. Deborah Casey -- Monday, May 15

Dr. Deborah Casey.
Dr. Deb Casey has dedicated twenty-five years of service as a leader and strategic partner in higher education and currently serves as vice president of student affairs at Green River College. She worked in various administrative positions as interim vice president of human resources and instruction, dean, and in teaching roles at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Florida.

Casey’s work centers on student belonging, equity, and inclusion. As a transformative leader, teacher, and partner, Dr. Casey is committed to the community college mission working alongside the community creating pathways for student access and success, supporting culturally responsive curriculum and services, and eliminating systemic inequalities and barriers.

She is described as an energetic, entrepreneurial, equity-focused leader committed to creating a culture of care for students and employees. Her highlighted accomplishments include community partnerships to open a Completion Center addressing food and housing insecurity; leading the institution-wide pre-and post-pandemic emergency response; visioning and opening a Veterans Success Center; research focused on students with disabilities, and playing a vital role in the college’s commitment to the Guided Pathways framework to help more students succeed. Her lived experiences as a first-generation, Pell-recipient provides her with perspectives much like the students and community she serves.

Dr. Casey implemented critical student success interventions throughout her career increasing enrollment, persistence, and completion rates of low-income, first-generation, students of color; served as a key partner with campus teams on strategic enrollment management; and served as a member of the campus-wide Equity Strategic Planning Committee. She has successfully collaborated with multiple businesses, industry, and community groups to create critical partnerships, economic growth, and workforce development resulting in enrollment growth and additional fiscal investments.

Casey earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research Methodology from Florida Atlantic University.

She adores her adult daughter, working out, golf, and traveling.

Meet candidate two: Dr. Dreand Johnson -- Tuesday, May 16

Dr. Dreand Johnson.
Dr. Dre, as he is popularly called, is the Provost of Trinity Valley Community College. Upon his arrival at TVCC, he was first hired as the Associate Vice President, Palestine campus, where he immediately began networking with TVCC teachers, employees, and Palestine community members. His strong skill is relationship development, but he is also an expert in enrollment tactics, fundraising, workforce education, and operations.

In addition to directing and providing for teachers and staff, he collaborates extensively with community groups at all satellite locations. By establishing links with each area's Economic Development Councils, local government officials, and legislative representatives, the alliance has improved future chances for students while also benefiting TVCC's development and growth prospects.

Dr. Johnson formerly worked at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Associate Vice Chancellor, St. Joseph campus. He was essential in enhancing and extending dual enrollment programs, boosting high school students' access and achievement, and forming collaborations with nonprofit and corporate leaders.

Dr. Johnson served as the Vice President of Instruction and Chief Academic Officer at Iowa Central Community College, where he helped academics reach new heights. His connection building fueled a significant increase in enrollment in CTE programs, as well as the establishment of the first Career Academies at strategic sites around the service region.

Lastly, Dr. Johnson served in other roles such as Dean of Math and Science at Tarrant County College's Trinity River campus, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Alamo Colleges, St. Philip’s. His educational founding was established as tenured History professor at Lone Star College, Tomball. He enjoys teaching History to students when he has the opportunity.

Dre received his B.A., History at Texas Southern University; Master’s of Liberal Arts degree from Houston Baptist University; A Ph. D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Meet candidate three: Dr. Bryan Newton -- Wednesday, May 17

Dr. Bryan Newton.
Dr. Bryan Newton joined Wor-Wic Community College in July 2015 as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services. Before coming to the Eastern Shore Bryan served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience at Aiken Technical College in South Carolina, and as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Indiana. He holds a Ph.D in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University, a juris doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In addition to Enrollment Management and Student Services, Bryan has work experience in fundraising, human resources, legislative advocacy, marketing and political advocacy.

Bryan lives in Salisbury, and he is the immediate past chair of the board of directors for the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, and immediate past chair of the board of directors for Shore Leadership. He served on the Delmarva Horizons Board of Directors in 2022. Bryan is active in his profession, serving as Chair of the Maryland Chief Student Affairs Officers Group from 2018-2020 and as their legislative liaison from 2018 – present. He also served on the Editorial Board of College & University Journal from 2004-2022. Bryan is active in his home parish of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where he serves on the Vestry, is Junior Warden and is Chair of the Planned Giving Committee.

Bryan’s leadership philosophy focuses on transparency, good communication and helping people to enhance their leadership skills. Shared governance is vital to success and decisions should be made by those impacted whenever possible. He believes that in order to be a good supervisor, you first have to be a good human being and you have to always treat people with dignity and respect.

View the candidates' schedule of events below:

The Wor-Wic Community College presidential search committee co-chairs, Kimberly C. Gillis and Martin Neat, are pleased to announce the members of the presidential search committee. The committee is comprised of 15 individuals representing the college’s faculty, staff and administrators; a student representative; members of the board of trustees and the foundation; community leaders; and county elected officials. They include:
 
Matthew D. Geel   
Kimberly C. Gillis
Julie Giordano 
Frederick Grant
Denean L. Jones-Ward
Dr. Ryan Messatzzia
Chelsea Milligan
Martin T. Neat
Anna G. Newton
Reginald Oliver
Diana Purnell 
Jennifer A. Sandt
L. William Shockley
Heather Trader
Sonya Whited