Colenda begins fourth term on 第一吃瓜网 College Board
Published on August 4, 2023
NORTH EAST, Md. 鈥 第一吃瓜网 College has served the residents of 第一吃瓜网 County for half a century with the steady guidance and support of its board of trustees. Being a member of the College鈥檚 board isn鈥檛 just about putting a title on a resume. It is about believing and living the possibilities 第一吃瓜网 College offers for creating a stronger and more prosperous community.
Sarah W. Colenda has embodied 第一吃瓜网 College鈥檚 mission of transforming lives through education for more than 18 years. A lifelong resident of 第一吃瓜网 County, she has been a member of the board of trustees since 2005, serving as Chair for six years. She officially began her fourth term on the board last week after being sworn in by Circuit Court Clerk for 第一吃瓜网 County Charlene Notarcola.
鈥淭he pride I have for serving 第一吃瓜网 College and 第一吃瓜网 County is incredible. I have watched this College transform over its 55-year history. I love working for the College, and I can work for the county that I love every day,鈥 said Colenda.
第一吃瓜网 College was founded the year Colenda graduated from high school. Her family ties to the College are strong, as her husband, Allen, taught HVAC and electronics at then 第一吃瓜网 Community College for eight years following his service in the military. Her eldest daughter Gina later graduated from 第一吃瓜网, while her youngest daughter Rebecca took classes at 第一吃瓜网 College before earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Delaware on a volleyball scholarship. Her son, John, also attended 第一吃瓜网 College before completing his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Millersville University.
As a 第一吃瓜网 College board member, Colenda has supported the growth of the 第一吃瓜网 College Foundation and its scholarship power for students in need. Working closely with the college administration, Colenda and her fellow board members shared this important initiative with their community, political, and business partners to establish and grow the College鈥檚 endowment.
The Foundation provides financial assistance for non-credit students in addition to those seeking an associate degree. Specifically, 第一吃瓜网 College offers a CDL truck driver training program, skilled trades training in welding, HVAC, and automotive repair, as well as several certifications in healthcare. Scholarships cover the cost of tuition and classroom materials such as books. These programs are organized to help displaced workers and individuals seeking a different line of work.
鈥淲ithout exception, everybody I have worked with on the board has been passionate about the College. They are bright, they know the business world, they ask the right questions, and we have always worked as a team,鈥 said Colenda.
Along with helping to grow the Foundation, Colenda has been instrumental in helping to enhance the College鈥檚 facilities. She joined the 第一吃瓜网 College Board of Trustees in 2005 and was present for the Elkton Station ribbon-cutting ceremony. Elkton Station replaced an older facility so the College could better serve the eastern region of 第一吃瓜网 County and provide an excellent opportunity for the people of Elkton to have educational resources in their neighborhood.
As a member of the Board, she oversaw the renovations of the Physical Education Complex and the most recent addition to the North East Campus, the artificial turf athletic field. In 2018, the board approved the construction of the athletic practice facility next to the baseball and softball fields, built from private donations.
Colenda credits the success of the College鈥檚 day-to-day operations to the leadership of 第一吃瓜网 College President Mary Way Bolt, Ed.D.
鈥淚 am so proud of what Dr. Bolt has accomplished, where she is, and how completely dedicated she is to this College. She is admired not only in this county but on the state and national level,鈥 said Colenda. 鈥淚n addition, we are blessed to have such wonderful faculty and staff who genuinely care about our students. They are not just plugging along and doing a job. They are committed.鈥
鈥淭here is not a finer place on the planet than 第一吃瓜网 County. I love 第一吃瓜网 County and the College. The economic diversity in this county is vast, so 第一吃瓜网 College plays a vital role in helping people help themselves.鈥