The College of Southern Maryland announces the appointment of Dr. Richard B. Fleming as vice president and dean of the Prince Frederick Campus. Most recently serving as vice president for academic affairs at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Va., Fleming has more than 30 years of experience in college-level instruction and administration.

“Dr. Fleming brings a wealth of higher education experience to the college. As we began the search, I was seeking a seasoned professional who had experience and interest in working with the community to make our Prince Frederick Campus even stronger," said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. “He also knows education in a way that few administrators do, having worked his way up through the ranks from a faculty member to a college president. We are most fortunate to have him on board.”

Fleming’s academic leadership includes positions as president of Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, Ariz., vice president for instruction for New Mexico Junior College, dean of the Center for Business and Corporate Development for Community College of Denver and dean of continuing education for North Lake College, Irving, Texas. He also has served as full-time faculty teaching management and computer information systems.

“I'm looking forward to working for a vibrant, growing college that is committed to student success and to serving its communities. I am particularly interested in Prince Frederick since it is the fasting growing campus in the college and I want to be involved in the development of the new building,” Fleming said. “I was also looking for a college where I could, once again, become more actively involved in the community.”

Fleming is a 2009 recipient of Phi Theta Kappa International’s Administrator Award of Distinction, awarded by the community college honor society to college vice presidents, deans or leaders serving in an administrative capacity who have demonstrated a strong level of support for PTK. While at North Lake College, Fleming was named innovator of the year by the League for Innovation in the Community College for his efforts in developing a local area network and online database scheduling system for continuing education.

In addition to his academic leadership, Fleming has been active within the communities where he's resided, providing leadership within economic development, chambers of commerce and several service organizations.

Fleming has served as board chair of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, as well as board member for Main Street Hobbs, the Southeastern New Mexico Regional Law Enforcement and Corrections Academy, Eastern New Mexico Workforce Development Board, and White Mountain Regional Development Corporation. The Chamber Champion Award from the Denver Chamber of Commerce was awarded to him for years of outstanding volunteer service to the chamber.

Fleming is a member of Rotary and has served with United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the governing board of the Southwest Symphony in Hobbs, NM. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Fleming has most recently provided guidance on the military affairs committee for the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

He holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Northern Colorado, master’s degrees in industrial administration and business administration from the University of Dallas, and a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Memphis State University.

Fleming is married to Dr. Jean Fleming, who is also in education, and has a daughter, Meredith, and a grandson, Ian, who live in Arlington, Texas.