University Of Maryland Baltimore County Swears In First Female President

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Governor Wes Moore joined local officials on Thursday to swear in Valerie Sheares Ashby as the University of Maryland Baltimore County's first female president.

"It is an incredible honor to be asked to lead a university that has excelled in so many ways that are essential both nationally and to me personally—particularly in regards to foregrounding inclusive excellence," Sheares Ashby says.

Sheares Ashby joined UMBC from Duke University in 2015 and has since served as dean of the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. According to UMBC, she was responsible for significant new investments in faculty recruitment and development, philanthropy, and student engagement.

Before teaching at Duke, Sheares Ashby chaired the chemistry department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) from 2012 to 2015.

During the ceremony, Governor Moore praised her commitment to advancing innovation and equity.

"Dr. Ashby, herself, says, 'Diversity equals excellence.' You are absolutely right, so it is fitting to have her as the president of the university, an institution that understands that power. We don't have to choose between advancing innovation and advancing equity; we can do both," Moore said.