With decades of college campus experience, Dr. Caroline Wood returns to Maryland this month to take her new role as Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Management at Chesapeake College.

“I am thrilled to join the team at Chesapeake College. It has been a pleasure meeting caring, compassionate and highly capable professionals who put the student at the center of decision making,” Dr. Wood said. “Chesapeake is a shining star. I look forward to bringing my positive spirit to the college and the wonderful communities we serve.”

Dr. Wood comes to Chesapeake after a distinguished higher education career in Virginia. With more than two decades of high education experience, Dr. Wood has a deep knowledge of small institutions serving rural areas.

Most recently, she was the Associate Vice President of Student Services and Academic Support at Laurel Ridge Community College (Middletown, Va.) She also served as the institution’s Interim Vice President for Student Services and Academic Affairs, and held two dean positions. Laurel Ridge is a two-year institution serving seven counties with an enrollment of more than 7,000 credit and adult education students.

She began her higher education career at Howard County Community College where she was Assistant and Interim Director of Testing and Campus Information Services, and an adjunct faculty member. She later became director of the Mt. Airy College Center for Healthcare Education. Through a partnership of Howard, Frederick and Carroll community colleges, the center offered five clinical degrees/certificates, plus multiple non-credit offerings.

“We look forward to Caroline’s arrival on our campus. She shares our vision of driving student success with a supportive environment, innovative programming and excellent resources,” said Chesapeake President Clifford P. Coppersmith.

Dr. Wood earned a bachelor’s degree at Drew University (N.J.), a master’s degree at McDaniel College (Md.) and a Ed.D at Northeastern University (Mass.)