Columbia College Names Dr. Carol Moore President

COLUMBIA, SC (courtesy Millenium Magazine) — The Columbia College Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its January 26, 2018 meeting to appoint Dr. Carol A. Moore as President of the College. Dr. Moore came to Columbia College as Interim Provost in September 2016 and became Interim President in July 2017. Recognizing her strong leadership during her time here, and a need for continuity in the implementation of a growth plan, the Board took this step.

In his announcement to the College Community, chairman of the board of trustees, John C.B. Smith, Jr. said, “We are pleased to report very substantial improvement in our overall position since Carol came to the College. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Carol for all her hard work in making that happen.”

President Moore is excited to continue to build upon the great things she has found during her time at the College. “For me, it is all about the students,” she said. When she first arrived on campus, she immediately fell in love with the campus and the students. “The students are serious in their education at Columbia College. I have been amazed at how focused they are at doing their best, and I look forward to enhancing their educational opportunities.”

Arriving at Columbia College during a time of transition, Dr. Moore has led college-wide initiatives for students and has worked with faculty to launch an unprecedented 12 new academic programs. “Columbia College is an important part of this community,” she said. “We have an opportunity to put it and our students back on the map.”

With more than 40 years of education experience at six institutions of higher education, Dr. Moore is already making her mark on the College. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Biology from Montclair State University, and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University.

Dr. Moore started her career in education as a high school science teacher. After three years, she moved to the college level as professor of biology, division chairperson of science and technology, and subsequently assumed administrative roles at several private two- and four-year educational institutions. In 1992, she became provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mercy College (NY). In this position she was responsible for the overall academic leadership of three branch campuses, 13 satellite sites, libraries, and computer services. In August of 1998, she assumed the presidency of Lyndon State College. She has also served as president at Burlington College (VT).

Throughout her administrative career, Dr. Moore has been committed to strategic planning, establishing a clear vision to ensure student success, new program development, retention, assessment, building a development effort, curricular “right sizing,” and women’s advancement in higher education.

Dr. Moore’s other professional experience highlights her commitment to education and continuing work in the field of science. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in professional associations such as the National Association of Academic Affairs Administrators, the New England Estuarine Research Society, and the American Society of Zoologists; she has presented over 20 scientific and educational papers and is widely published in a variety of scientific and educational publications.

Dr. Moore has a strong commitment to empowering and instilling confidence in young girls as evidenced by her tenure on the Girl Scouts Council. Dr. Moore served on the Girl Scouts Council of Vermont Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008.

Between 1991 and 1992, she was a Senior Fellow at the American Council on Education (ACE). In 2007, ACE appointed Dr. Moore as chair to its Commission on Women in Higher Education (2007-2011) after having served on the Commission on Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness from 2004 to 2007.