HowardCC.fyi

Welcome to Howard CC FYI

This site is for those who have been abused and silenced by the current administration at Howard Community College. Anonymous comments have been submitted here and also gathered from various sites on the internet and placed here for public review.

This is a forum for everyone who has attended, interacted with, is currently working at, or has been terminated from Howard Community College during the current administration and would like to talk back.

Note: This site is not sponsored by or associated with the recently created HCC faculty union.

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What people are saying about HCC

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From: Other	December 21, 2024
Accreditation
Community input is key, look no further than Howardcc.fyi
Advice to the Administration:
The internal accreditation team at HCC should make the external accreditation team aware. Perhaps also mention the Baltimore Banner.

From: Employee	December 20, 2024
Bold initiatives by admin with poor planning and mismanagement
It seems that many are struggling to understand what is truly happening at Howard Community College (HCC). The example I’m providing is clear and visible, and reflects a larger pattern of leadership under Dr. Daria J. Willis. This isn't just an isolated incident; it illustrates how HCC leadership often announces bold initiatives that, in practice, are plagued by poor planning and mismanagement. On August 14, 2024, the College proudly unveiled new institutional and athletic branding, introducing new logos for the first time since 2014. However, fast forward to December 20, 2024—what logo do you see when you approach the College? The old one. Walk around the campus, and you’ll notice it everywhere—from mud mats and signs to promotional materials, name tags, and even the email footers of senior leadership. The new brand, which was so eagerly announced, is barely in the majority of the visible brand on campus. While I personally don't find the new branding particularly compelling, others do, and I am happy to promote the new unique logo, an H in a shield. However, the key issue here is the pattern of leadership: HCC senior leadership is quick to announce major changes but seems unable or unwilling to follow through with proper implementation. Wouldn’t it make sense to announce a rebrand only after thoroughly planning its rollout? Instead, all we’ve seen are poorly made t-shirts for staff and hastily applied logo stickers on doors—hardly the hallmark of a well-executed rebranding effort. This example is far from an isolated incident; it exemplifies a larger pattern in leadership at HCC. Time and time again, senior leadership communicates ambitious changes, but those changes lack substance and execution. This rebrand fiasco is a microcosm of that ongoing issue, where words are plentiful but the follow-through is sorely lacking. Note: Did not bring up the cost of changing the fairly new signs and building facades that have signs. When admin says we are in a budget crisis, why spend on this? Investing in the future. The future is with the students.
Advice to the Administration:
Smoke and mirrors. The empress has no clothes. Meaning: This expression is used to describe a situation in which people are afraid to criticize someone because the perceived wisdom is that the person is good or important. The truth is out. Buckle up because the fun is about to begin! HCC Forward initiative version 4.0? Will you concede that 1,2, and 3 have failed as a result of administrative failure? Formerly, we had less Vice Presidents and Associate Vice presidents and they did more work. Proof is in the pudding (i.e. functioning institution, support services, and national recognition). Now we have MORE and they are paid MORE and they complain about the work. See requests for executives assistants for VPs. News Flash: Consultants won't tell you the truth because if they do, you fire them. They are milking the college for, how much? Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes not. Currently, you have voided the college competence and now seeking outside help. I have yet to see one of these consultants that are supposedly helping my area improve, but they did report about all the interviews and data they collected at the Board of Trustees meeting a while back. Something seemed amiss, but that is just imo. Wes Moore/Calvin Ball please respond. Howard County, we have a problem. Let's come together! Enjoy the Holiday Break!

From: Employee	December 19, 2024
Leadership Program
This program is as much of a joke as any initiative set up for the past three years. No one is running the ship. The leadership is just as much a joke. Another reorganization. Moving offices again. What a joke.
Advice to the Administration:
It is too late for you to leave. Maybe stay and ask for help? I am sure the faculty would help to rebuild. Do it before it is too late.

From: Employee	December 19, 2024
Embedded tutoring and wrap-around services is a sham
Thank you to the individual who wrote about the lack of wrap-around services and embedded tutors. It is so frustrating to hear Willis speak of these and to see publications mention them like they exist. It is a true figment of her imagination - they aren't here. Send someone looking for them. They do not exist. Instead, faculty are fighting to provide services to students who are overwhelmed in 7 week classes, burnt out, struggling to balance 15 week courses and 7 week courses, and unable to keep up with these demands. And we have no where to send them. "Wrap-around services" do not exist; in fact, getting "services" at this college has become next to impossible. "Embedded tutoring" sounds GREAT. Faculty were so excited about the idea. But it was nothing more than an idea. I don't know how she can lie about these things and sleep at night. They don't exist. It is frustrating to hear her take credit for 7 week classes and brag about her belief in their success when the support systems she claims exist do not exist.
Advice to the Administration:
Provide these services or quit the charade

From: Other	December 19, 2024
BOT meeting on 18th Dec 2024.
The schedule has the meeting, but there was no agenda posted. It was planned to be a open session followed by a closed session.
Advice to the Administration:
Did the meeting go ahead as planned? If so there was no agenda posted on the regular site.

From: Employee	December 19, 2024
Initiative Fatigue
I cannot name one initiative ordered by Daria Willis that has been successful implemented at HCC. She is using HCC as a resume packing stop on her journey to who knows where. She can say she brought all these different programs to the school but employees can’t name one that was successfully completed or any that improved on what was previously at the school. It is easy for her to say she brought 7-weeks to the school and she brought Middle College to the school and she brought Howard Hub to the school (to name a few or the many) but all of these were poorly implemented, understaffed, and no one with feet on the ground were provided with support and no one inside or outside the college who are involved with these areas would say the changes improved the school. Her favorite to mention is wrap around services and embedded tutoring and although she continually tells the BOT and outsiders about them, they only exist in spoken word- there are no embedded tutors or functioning wrap around services and that isn’t because the employees tasked with them haven’t tried- the employees are not being given the resources they need to make this happen. People need to be hired to make this work and instead or adding these positions, more and more money is being spent on the President and VP’s salaries. During her initial hiring interview, Daria Willis acknowledged that initiative fatigue is a real thing and she told the college employees that she didn’t think that was a good thing for a school and yet she is the queen of aimless initiatives. College employees are burnt out and the experience for students is only going to get worse.
Advice to the Administration:
Just because you said you brought it to the school does not mean it worked or was ever fully implemented or was even a good thing. Anonymously ask those who work on these initiatives how they are going because the BOT is only ever told what DW wants them to hear. PROD’s data does not reflect what is actually happening and without anonymous surveys, there is no real data from employees (yes, admin is still requiring employees to put their names on all college feedback surveys- another change brought about by DW). The response rate on employee surveys has plummeted and those who do sign the surveys need their jobs and therefore are not telling the whole story.

From: Employee	December 18, 2024
RE: luxury beliefs
"To those implementing these initiatives, it seems more important that they have these ideas rather than their practical implementation." NAILED IT.

From: Student	December 18, 2024
Luxury Beliefs
Luxury beliefs - Ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while often harming the lower classes. HCC was once a well-oiled social mobility machine. Now there are a bunch of initiatives aimed at bridging achievement gaps, while at the same time financial aid and scholarships have fallen apart. This is a major contradiction. Where has the money gone? Is the money for new intiatives coming in externally in their entirety or are funds such as those for financial aid and scholarships being diverted towards those initiatives as well for the sake of financial cushioning? In any case, the dismantling of these departments comes at the detriment of the lower class. To those implementing these initiatives, it seems more important that they have these ideas rather than their practical implementation. In other words an increased status has been conferred to them by virtue of solely having these “luxury beliefs/ideas” rather than measurable results that they can be held accountable to. The role of Aspen: Elite organization; mouthpiece of upper classes; selects dynamic, upwardly mobile individuals from the lower classes to communicate/sell/implement their initiatives to the lower classes? The President and the administration have gaslit us and hidden behind a smokescreen of race and gender to avoid the issue of class. At their current salary and benefits level they are no longer one of us, if they had once been earlier in their lives. With the combination of high earnings and positions of power, they are insulated from the consequences of the senseless and ill-implemented initiatives that have made their way to this campus the past few years, while the entirety of the cost is inflicted on the less fortunate
Advice to the Administration:
Time is running out - Yours truly, a “poc” (cringes and shudders at the use of the term)

From: Employee	December 17, 2024
Leadership program
I’m sorry- but is anyone else laughing at the so called “leadership” program?! Were employees forced to take this? This is the only reason I can think of why people are taking this. It is a joke correct?
Advice to the Administration:
Play legos somewhere else please.

From: -fyi	December 17, 2024
Re unpublished: NOT ALL HR STAFF ARE SQUEAKY CLEAN
Once again we have received a post from someone who asks that we do a "deep dive" into non-specific allegations. And again, we say why ask others to do what you claim to have already done? if you have done the deep dive yourself then share what you have found. -fyi

From: Other	December 16, 2024
Shakeup in Student Services?
In the past week, jobs have gone up for: - Records and Registration Specialist - Associate Director of Financial Aid Services, Program Admin - Senior Financial Aid Analyst I wonder what the circumstances surrounding these jobs are? Hopefully the college will give proper support for student-facing services this coming semester…

From: Employee	December 14, 2024
Embarrassed to work at HCC (Glassdoor Review from 2 months ago)
Pros: Unlike some of the faculty, I have a paycheck… for now… Cons: Once upon a time, I recommended HCC as a place to work. Now, I’m embarrassed to work here. And I would NOT advise applying for employment or enrollment. What a difference three years made! - Current employee, more than 5 years
Advice to the Administration:
Just leave… since you have such low opinions of Howard County and what is left of the remaining, once dedicated employees. Your intentions have been bad from Day 1. While the world is not perfect, HCC is not the racist/sexist place you and your deranged posse claim. Leave us in peace to heal and recover… if not already too late.

From: County Resident	December 13, 2024
Another handout program at tax payers expense
The Columbia Housing Center is grateful for the opportunity to help students at Howard Community College find and keep affordable apartments in Columbia. With rents in Columbia skyrocketing due to the current housing shortage, this program makes it possible for HCC students to rent apartments near campus. This program, along with Dr. Ball’s other housing initiatives, will help our county remain open and inclusive to all who wish to live here. Columbia Housing Center is excited to be part of this important work. -- Jessamine Duvall, Executive Director, Columbia Housing Center Howard Community College is excited to partner with the Columbia Housing Center to address the current affordable housing crisis facing college students -- Daria J. Willis, HCC President If there is a housing shortage, how in the world do rent handouts create more housing? Another example of the government misunderstanding a problem and throwing money at it. This will fix nothing. But we as citizens of Howard County are expected to cheer for this lunacy.

From: Other	December 12, 2024
re An HCC Forward Update
Where are they getting their statistics for “population loss?” The department of planning shows a slow down in the rate of increase through 2045, but that still means the population of Howard County will grow rather than shrink. What am I missing?
Advice to the Administration:
Does this bleak economic forecast mean you’ll reconsider growing the cabinet? Why hire one more upper manager when you can hire 3-4 student facing employees instead?

From: Student	December 12, 2024
HCC Pathways email / Substack post yesterday “An HCC Forward Update” meaning?
Not in the know, but this is what the email says vs. what seems to be the reality at HCC 1. Financial Accountability vs. Past Allegations - What the Email Says: HCC highlights fiscal transparency, referencing a clean audit and collaboration with the forthcoming Office of the Inspector General to ensure compliance. - Reality at HCC: Allegations of embezzlement and financial mismanagement under the current administration, alongside understaffing in critical departments (I.e., financial aid and advising), seem at odds with claims of fiscal responsibility. The focus on “transparent stewardship of public funds” may be an attempt to repair the college’s reputation, but it raises questions about how deep the issues go and whether these claims are credible. 2. Reorganization as a Distraction from Core Issues - What the Email Says: HCC is restructuring divisions to align with student and workforce needs, improve leadership roles, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. - Reality at HCC: Reorganization could be a response to financial pressures and declining morale, but it might exacerbate dysfunction if implemented poorly. Long-standing issues like high staff turnover, inexperienced replacements, and a toxic work environment could hinder the effectiveness of these changes. Without addressing the root causes of dysfunction, this reorganization might feel like superficial restructuring rather than meaningful reform. 3. Focus on Equity vs. Leadership Actions - What the Email Says: The administration is committed to equity, dismantling barriers to student success, and using data to drive decisions. - Reality at HCC: The alleged firing of long-time staff and creation of a toxic environment undercuts the equity narrative. Equity isn’t just about students—it extends to faculty and staff. The treatment of employees (“root guards”) suggests a disconnect between the administration’s stated values and its actions, potentially undermining trust and morale. 4. Commitment to Student Success vs. Student Support Failures - What the Email Says: HCC is prioritizing student success by reallocating resources and optimizing faculty roles to improve outcomes. - Reality at HCC: Chronic understaffing in financial aid and advising, coupled with communication breakdowns, directly impacts students’ ability to succeed. While the email positions these changes as student-focused, the dysfunction in student services suggests a lack of foundational support for these ambitions. Without addressing these systemic issues, “student success” may remain a hollow promise. 5. Emphasis on Accountability vs. Disconnect in Governance - What the Email Says: The college is leaning into “plan-do-check-act” cycles and greater accountability through audits and oversight. - Reality at HCC: The administration’s historical lack of accountability, as suggested by faculty backlash and anonymous forums, indicates that trust in leadership is low. Promises of accountability and collaboration might not resonate with faculty and staff who feel alienated by top-down decision-making and unclear leadership. 6. Lean Economic Times vs. Leadership Choices - What the Email Says: The college is adapting to economic realities with a focus on efficiency and interdisciplinary collaboration. - Reality at HCC: Mismanagement and poor communication have already strained resources, leaving essential departments understaffed. Restructuring may save costs on paper, but without strategic investment in critical areas, it risks deepening dysfunction and further alienating students and employees. - The email reads as an attempt to project confidence, transparency, and forward-thinking leadership. Unfortunately, when juxtaposed with the dysfunction mentioned in most of the posts on this forum—including financial mismanagement, toxic culture, and understaffing—it feels more like damage control than a genuine solution to HCC’s problems. If the administration doesn’t address the underlying issues—trust, communication, and support for students and employees—these changes may not only fail to resolve the current dysfunction but could also deepen the divide between leadership and the rest of the college community.

From: Other	December 12, 2024
Another reorganizatio?
It looks like the first attempt at reorganization hasn't panned out as once hoped. Starting SP25 semester, the latest version is going to be implemented. Another reshuffle and a new division IV. We just have to see how long this new iteration will last.
Advice to the Administration:
Get your acts together. HCC is not a LEGO set to demolish and rebuild over and over.

From: Other	December 11, 2024
Time for a union?
If the staff unionized when the faculty did, I wonder how many employees we could have retained instead of being caught in this Sisyphean retraining loop? Do we have enough people left that will take a stand? I’m sure the faculty would be helpful with these efforts.
Advice to the Administration:
Was this the point of culling anyone willing to stand up for the students or themselves? Would it be too humiliating for you to endure another move to unionize? Would you call security a second time?

From: Student	December 11, 2024
HCC Pathways email / Substack post yesterday “An HCC Forward Update” meaning?
For those in the know, what does the email/substack post sent out yesterday really mean? (Between the lines)

From: Employee	December 10, 2024
Spring Break and Morale
I have worked at the college for a few years. In the past, if a major change was suggested by administrators, there were meetings and committees formed to review the change, and time was given to implement the change. Now, it is here today either gone or added tomorrow. No rhyme or reason. Why were spring break dates changed????? No explanation and no input. Do they care how this is going to affect people? The morale is so low, people are not engaged. This is not sustainable. Either with class prep, wasted money, lack of committee involvement, lack of meeting attendance, and the list goes on and on. When someone is asked to do something, very few respond. In the past, people would serve out of love for HCC and out of their respect for management. Now, we do what we do to keep a job. Students are feeling the effects. Every day it seems as though another person quits or is fired. Administration does not know what they are doing. I echo a previous post. This is the case from prez to the chairs. They are either overworked or simply unable to do their job. I see so many mistakes, then cover ups.
Advice to the Administration:
What are you planning to do when there is no one left and you are left to do things yourselves. Stop hiding behind emails, Facebook statements and Instagram. Talk face to face with your employees. A good leader addresses their people.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
In Response to the "At First. . . " Comments
I’ve seen a few posts here that say, "Faculty and staff were initially thrilled when Dr. Willis was hired." I wasn’t. A simple online search revealed the utter disaster she had caused at Everett Community College. I remember reading about it and being stunned. How could we—how could the Board of Trustees—have been so blind? Did we honestly think we’d get someone different from the job-wrecker she had already proven herself to be at Everett?
Advice to the Administration:
So the answer, obviously, is she needs to go, followed by most of the senior administration. And then, THIS time, we need to do basic background checks for our next president. If you don't know how to do that, ask your 6 year-old who knows how to do a basic Google search.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
Let's Step Back for a Moment
I know that county residents and students and other people mean well on this site, but please don't tell HCC employees to do anything that could cost them their jobs/livelihoods. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet and finding a job somewhere else takes time. Many of us are not going to risk a "sick out" to prove a point. The administration doesn't care, and they've made that abundantly clear. They can and will let go of people at the drop of a hat. This is why there is a large gap in institutional knowledge at the college now. To the person who is upset about the cybersecurity training date being pushed back to January 1st, it's been live since October. If you taught during Fall 1, you had access to it. If you taught in Fall 2, you have access to it right now. Just go ahead and take it this week and be done with it. To students and parents who are having a hard time accessing services, please come on campus. There are people who truly want to help you. But they are overwhelmed. So, they may be with in-person students all day long and not be able to answer questions by phone. Come on campus and plant yourself in the office that you need assistance from until you get the help you need.
Advice to the Administration:
I have no advice for the administration because they are playing out of the playbook of mistrust. It's a shame because the pool of institutional knowledge is getting shallower each day.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
RE: Required IT training
Exactly. I'm guessing you were initially given less time to complete this surprise required training than it took them to pay you for your work too. Just another example of this administration's inability to think of any other group of people besides themselves. If you're faculty (adjunct or otherwise) you're the lowest of the low in their eyes--unless they need you to be a volunteer building monitor or help out some other area of the college during the last week of the semester.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
Required IT training - when off contract???
Logged into my HCC email on a whim because I don’t teach again until the next session. According to an IT email, every employee (including adjuncts) must complete mandatory IT security training by January 1st. (The date was extended because not enough employees completed it in November).
Advice to the Administration:
Advice to the Administration- You set up 7 week classes (which means most adjuncts are employed for only half a traditional semester) but did not change ANY OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE cadence. Less than half of all teaching adjuncts were teaching in November and those who start the next 7 week load aren’t working until January 20th (at the earliest). So who is taking this training????? Perhaps your gaggle of consultants can help you with this one.

From: Student	December 9, 2024
Re: WIKIPEDIA
To make an edit: 1. Navigate to Page/Article you wish to edit 2. Click the “Edit” or “Edit Source” button, typically found at the top of the article To Add a Section (I.e. “Controversies”): 1. Once you have clicked “Edit” the Visual Editor should have opened up. Place your cursor where you want the new section to appear and type the section heading with two equal signs on either side: == Controversies == To Cite Sources: 1. By this point you should have some idea of how to navigate making edits. The longer way to reference is copying this format and plugging in all relevant information for each reference: <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Title of the source \|url=URL of the source \|access-date=Date you accessed it \|publisher=Name of the publisher \|date=Publication date }}</ref> 2. The short way is using the Visual Editor. Click “Edit” 3. Highlight the text where you want to add a reference. 4. Click “Cite” in the toolbar 5. Select the type of reference (I.e. book, web, news) 6. Fill in the requested fields and Wikipedia will format the reference for you To Save Your Changes: 1. Click “Preview” to see your changes. 2. Add a short Edit Summary (e.g., “Added a reference to support a statement”). 3. Click “Publish Changes”. Some tips to keep in mind: Neutrality: Avoid presenting the controversy in a way that implies judgment. Wikipedia requires a neutral point of view. Notability: Only add controversies that are covered in reliable, independent sources. (I.e. The Baltimore Banner, Inside Higher Ed?) Verifiability: If you can’t verify the information with credible sources, don’t include it. Avoid WP:UNDUE flagging: Ensure the controversies section doesn’t dominate the article unless the controversy is a defining aspect of the subject Best of luck! :)

From: Other	December 9, 2024
Calling All Deans
Have any of the deans looked into the ongoing rumor about grade tampering? It is a dean’s duty to investigate claims of academic fraud. In cases like this, deans have a FERPA need-to-know or special circumstance… look it up. Perhaps the deans do not know how to investigate an improper grade change. This is perfectly understandable since some are new to the college and some are new to the position. If this is the case, the deans should reach out to current or former administrators whom they trust—and who trust them—for advice on the matter. There may be someone they could talk to who has detailed knowledge of institutional processes and systems but lacks the authority to investigate or take appropriate action. Deans could put an end to this rumor, or they could remedy an instance of academic fraud. Either outcome is a win for the college. If they were fired for looking into a persistent rumor of academic fraud, the wrongful termination lawsuit they could bring would be epic (so would the press coverage if they choose to contact the media). Deans accepted a challenging leadership role. If they can’t, or won’t, look into persistent rumors of academic fraud in their divisions because it might involve a high-profile/high-authority employee, that’s another painful sign that HCC is in crisis.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
Dear Dr. Ball
According to your recent piece in The Baltimore Banner, you knew many past HCC presidents. Perhaps you should put your scholarship to use and investigate the state of HCC during their tenures. Particularly employee morale, turnover rates, efficiency of institutional operations, the student experience regarding basic services, and HCC’s reputation among area universities. Did any outlets like this site exist in those days, or need to exist? HCC needs a new board, new president, and new senior leadership. If you believe we should unite around failed academic initiatives, exceptionally low morale, sparsely staffed and barely operable campus services, granting lucrative contracts to third party companies owned by friends (with little to no results to show for it), circumventing proven hiring practices to give high-paying positions to friends and favorites who can’t seem to effectively do their jobs, and showing an open disdain and distrust for the community you live and work in, then we need new county leadership as well. She’s not worth it.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
To the community
There has also been a major restructure - and now, comically, we are “re-envisioning the restructure” because the restructure was a failure. It is truly laughable. We are hemorrhaging money to consultants to “fix” a problem that did not exist and instead creating more problems, requiring more fees to the these consultants. The amount of money spent on consultants is unbelievable. Meanwhile adjuncts are existing on salaries of thousands a semester (and working 6+ weeks without a first paycheck) and full-time faculty are forced to work additional contracts and outside jobs to try to scrape together a reasonable living wage. All of the money wasted on consultants and flashy conferences and celebrations for the leadership team could instead be dedicated to work that is truly student-focused. We have lost excellent faculty and staff - people that truly built this college through the creation of thoughtful student-centered programs and courses and years of hard work and dedication. I see these people thriving at other colleges now and I feel so sad that our once-great institution is a skeleton of what it once was. We have especially lost excellent female faculty and staff. We’ve also lost people who have tremendous institutional knowledge. All of us that are on the inside know the current state of things. The college systems have fallen apart because Dr. Willis did not recognize the vital roles these individuals played. We have been duct taping the system back together since these people have been fired or driven out. It is truly madness to all of us on the inside and we wish those that would help us would LISTEN to us and not the lies that are being told by leadership. We CANNOT speak out at this college. We will lose our jobs if we do so. Not only do we depend on these salaries, but we - the people still here giving our heart and soul to HCC - LOVE this college and we want to save it. There are many of us who are not willing to let this ship sink. Please help us. We are a NOT a small fraction of the college. We are the voice for the majority. This is how the majority of the college feels. We literally cannot speak up without losing our jobs. This is why we are forced to share our opinions in this private discussion board. What a relief that this actually exists for those of us that have worked in fear for these past few years! We have watched our friends and colleagues voice their opinions to the leadership and lose their careers.
Advice to the Administration:
To the community, please help us. Please listen to us and help us. And finally, to the leadership. It is unfair to barrel through life with a “my way or the highway” attitude. To do this as the leader of a college is absolute insanity. Listen to us. We care about the college and how it is run. We are a large part of the college.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
We need a true leader
Faculty and staff were thrilled when Dr. WIllis was initially hired. She felt like just the person we needed here at HCC. But unfortunately her paranoid dictator-style leadership quickly changed that. Anyone that disagrees with her in any way is fired. She wants people to believe that any complaints about her are simply sexist or racist. She has been setting the stage for that from early on. Yet we - the people she claims are racist and sexist - live in a diverse community. We work and teach at a community college. We obviously value and appreciate diversity. We ARE diverse. Take a poll of this college and see who we voted for in the recent presidential election. Trust me: we want Black women in power and as leaders. This is not about her sex or race; it is about her terrifying and selfish leadership style that is designed only to make her look good - not to truly improve the college. And tragically, Dr. Willis has fired so many excellent female faculty and staff members and POC at our college. We have lost so many talented teachers, staff members, and leaders because of her. The leadership also insisted on forging forward with seven-week courses even though an outside consulting team warned them that they were not prepared. College leadership promised embedded support and help for students in these seven-week classes, and none of that has materialized. In fact, many students did not even realize they were enrolled in seven-week classes. All of this fell on the backs of faculty, who took on additional assignments to prepare seven-week course templates and were left with no support as seven week courses began. The Board - including those who either were fired or quit this year - are complicit in this. We repeatedly voiced our concerns to them, including Sean Keller who was, until recently, the president of the board, and we were dismissed and even laughed at. They claim they answer to Dr. Willis. This is not how this system is supposed to be; she is supposed to answer to the Board. Unfortunately the Board has connections to Dr. Willis.
Advice to the Administration:
Community members, please help us. We need our jobs to support our families. Speaking up means retaliation. It is absolute insanity. Please voice your concerns. Protect the faculty and staff here at HCC.

From: Employee	December 9, 2024
It is a mess
The leadership has created a culture of fear and distrust at what was once an outstanding college. In years past, HCC won the “Best College to Work For” award annually and was even awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge Award for Excellence. Now faculty and staff are scared to speak up. The only opportunity they are provided for feedback are surveys where they are required to log in with their name and email. In the past, anonymous surveys allowed faculty and staff to safely share grievances or issues without fear of retaliation. That is no longer the case. Anyone who speaks up against the leadership is dismissed from the college - fired or forced out (there are even cases of the college President screaming at faculty and staff and having them escorted out by security). Faculty and staff have begged the Board of Trustees for help - since they are the only ones able to fire the president - and were dismissed as complainers. Howard Community College was once an outstanding institution with excellent faculty and staff that helped to shape the college. Now one dictator is rapidly tearing the college apart. Since Howard Community College is part of the community, it is important that community members know about this and help support the silenced and fearful faculty and staff.
Advice to the Administration:
HCC leadership has been: * Misappropriating funds * Firing faculty and staff without just cause * Cutting funding to student services and other student-centered programs * Reorganizing student services (try making an appointment with disability support services or an advisor - it is next to impossible) * Withholding pay; faculty and adjunct faculty are waiting months and begging for pay (often teaching an entire course without a single pay check) and ultimately people are leaving for other more stable opportunities * Falsifying grades * On top of bullying the entire college and completely shifting the entire culture of the college Administration, take a BIG step back and look at the big picture. Stop operating like you are being attacked. Work with us. Listen to us. Don't treat us like we are disposable.

From: County Resident	December 8, 2024
Suggestion for County Residents
If you are a Howard county resident and concerned about the current administration at HCC, I suggest directly contacting Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Governor Wes Moore. Mention that you are a voter. Your vote is your voice and your power.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign as soon as possible.

From: Employee	December 8, 2024
RE: Suggestions on actions to take
Love your idea about HCPSS parents getting involved. I'm sure once they find out spring break at HCC is no longer aligned with the K-12 schedule many will be upset. A note to HCPSS parents: Don't have your child ask faculty to make exceptions for them. This is college and they are expected to adhere to the responsibilities and expectations that go with being college students. If they're not ready for that (with your support), do not have them take courses at HCC this spring. Please direct your complaints to administration (see below).
Advice to the Administration:
About 2 years ago I was in many meetings where faculty and staff alerted admin to the issues that would arise with spring break NOT occurring at the same time as HCPSS's break. The issues included child care, HS students not getting any break, transportation issues for HS students, etc. As usual, no one listened. So much to being student focused, admin. Here's to hoping it goes well, but get ready to feel the wrath of HCPSS parents. They're a smart, involved, and formidable group.

From: Other	December 7, 2024
Low pay and total disaster
From Glassdoor.com Oct 17, 2024: Environmental services Former employee, more than 5 years Pros The best benefits are the holidays and vacations. Cons As a former employee I was treated disrespectfully. They overworked us for a little over $15.70 per hour. This is low pay compared to other colleges. What happen to the union?
Advice to the Administration:
Reorganize and get rid of the dead weight. The employees are miserable. Does the President acknowledge EVS?

From: Employee	December 7, 2024
RE: Diversity? Practically non-existent at the BOD and Leadership Team Levels.
My issue is a complete lack of qualifications, clueless dictates that are never in writing and constantly change, no hiring committees with members representing all college constituency groups, and NO accountability to the board. I've seen misrepresented data presented to the board whose members then have no questions. THAT is a huge problem in my opinion.

From: Other	December 6, 2024
Diversity? Practically non-existent at the BOD and Leadership Team Levels.
Willis diversity and inclusion mission? What a joke. Of the current 13 BOD and Leadership positions there is only one Caucasian. Diversity claims by Willis...very questionable.

From: Other	December 6, 2024
Not the first time Calvin Ball has defended his friend the Cool Prez...
Mr. Calvin Ball on tape: beginning at minute 16:26 through minute 21:00... Change has its enemies My spouse works at HCC, was in the audience, and like many in attendance knew these comments were directly intended at the faculty and staff regarding the Cool Prez's tenure and the dismantling of HCC (Change, change, change! Get on board!!!). I feel bad the graduates had to sit through much of this speech he gave knowing nothing about the internal culture/struggles. I know people in power and out of self-integrity I would never ask said individuals to defend my mistakes (speaking now about the Baltimore Banner Opinion piece, found here: link.) I would invite criticism, collaborate, fix whatever the issue was, and move forward. I find the ‘phone a friend’ opinion piece appalling to say the least. Honestly, is he being paid or just a loyalist? For what it’s worth, I'm not a white male.

From: County Resident	December 6, 2024
Suggestions on actions to take
Can the faculty union draft a letter to the Baltimore banner? Can data be provided about the decline in applications for openings at HCC. Since HCC is partnered with HCPSS for dual enrollment, parents of students in HCPSS should voice concerns to the school system.
Advice to the Administration:
I hope Dr. Ball realizes and has suggested to Dr. Willis that she has a role in working to unite and earn trust back for her employees rather than continuing to govern by fear. Let us not forget that she said to “trust no one” and that is what is happening.

From: Employee	December 6, 2024
Human Resources and Hiring: Hang on
There has been another firing of a Human Resources employee. When asked where this person went, we are told they were fired. Why? Should employees be concerned? With no one working in HR, it is impossible to get access to help. No one answers the phone or emails. If your department wants or NEEDS to hire an employee, it is impossible. Good potential employees are left hanging until they choose to move on. HCC employees, do not turn your anger and frustration to each other. Stand United. I am seeing evidence of employees getting tired and irritated. Use that energy for positive. We cannot self implode. Hold on. We are in this together. I will not vote for these politicians who ignore this issue. Do an investigation yourself. Do not ignore. There are many professional employees who live in Howard County. We will not support a government who works for one person and does not care about its citizens.
Advice to the Administration:
To Moore and Ball: do not let this influence your tenure.

From: Other	December 6, 2024
Scholarships
As a former employee, in my department, a committee would meet to discuss students and distribute funds from various scholarships. This process was the process used prior to this regime. Since the new regime, THIS PROCESS HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE. Not that I am aware. If rewards have been given, how have they been determined. There is no one to run this. FUNDS: Where are these coming from? There was a department that would help solicit various funds for ALL students. Now, it seems as though the only person who gets funds is DW. They are for her own interests. People are throwing money at her. I have not heard of any meetings taking pace to determine student monetary awards. Call the financial aid office and ask about scholarships. See if you get an answer. A response. Or if someone will even pick up the phone. Students, flood the phones. Do this with all departments. Admissions, financial aid , bookstore, advising. Keep calling.
Advice to the Administration:
Hire people to serve students. Your “humanness” ticket system is not working.

From: Other	December 5, 2024
Uniting the Community
Calvin Ball and Wes Moore are doing a. Sterling job of brining the community together. This site is helping unite the entire county.
Advice to the Administration:
It’s a united community against the tyrant prez. A true dictator whose reign should end, and end affordably if lyric had her grades changed by Mama. That’s on you Mr Ball and Mr Moore.

From: Student	December 5, 2024
Sorting Smoke from Fog
The first thing I want to do is praise those with the courage to speak up. The recent Baltimore Banner article was a huge relief to read, I was starting to worry nothing would happen. Gauging the posts of others, I think the two statements below categorize how people feel events are transpiring. 1. Bureaucratic paralysis is widespread across multiple departments 2. Short staffing, featuring high turn over, lots of recent firing and hiring, is widespread across multiple departments. It's not hard to imagine these two problems are connected in a vicious cycle; people are unhappy and leave, leading to worse conditions as the trained defect and leave worse conditions for those who remain. The underlying initial causes could be anything from personal disagreement with administration to something less savory. Having said that, I have two points of concern. 1 Financial discrepancies in 2021 budget and 2022. When and why was full time administration approved for an extra 1 million dollars in wages? 2. Closed meetings. As part of the law regarding Maryland public servant meetings, they must declare when and why they meet behind closed doors. Since her presidency, the number and duration of closed minutes had increased a great deal. Through public petition the Maryland Open Meetings act can be invoked to examine the minutes of closed sessions. A concerned, curious citizen might inquire.

From: Employee	December 5, 2024
More from the Baltimore Banner
Apparently our County Executive is now on the Daria Willis Damage Control Committee. The Baltimore Banner published this Letter to the Editor written by Ball on December 5, 2024: Calvin Ball wants people to come together to support Howard Community College There was a time when I had some level of respect for Ball, and Governor Wes Moore, but those days have long since passed. The Willis regime may not damage their political careers long term but they have lost my confidence and will never, ever get my vote.

From: Employee	December 5, 2024
RE: Scholarships?
This is in response to the recent comment from a student who did not receive scholarship funds or other financial aid. Many of the HCC-backed scholarships and grants come from funds raised by the Rouse Company Foundation (RCF). A colleague in another department recently told me they were on a hiring committee for RCF two years ago. The committee went through the usual process - or what used to be the usual process - of reading resumes and cover letters, interviewing candidates, and making suggestions to higher ups about who we felt were the best candidates. Our two top candidates both ultimately passed on the position, and so the process started again. Several months went by without any word on new candidates or interviews. When my colleague reached out to the chair of the search committee, they were told no movement had been made regarding the position and the committee chair was unsure if/when the process would resume. I don't know enough about how RCF functions or how its funding is allocated, but the timing of the above situation seems awfully coincidental, wouldn't you say? Could DW somehow be responsible for this as well? If anyone else reading this can shed light on the situation, please update us.

From: Student	December 5, 2024
Scholarships?
Has anyone actually received scholarships this semester? I had previously received around $3,000 in only HCC’s institutional scholarships each semester. With the new scholarship platform, “Scholarships Universe”, I applied to over 120 scholarships and did not receive a single one. I somehow managed to get a hold of someone in financial aid like two months ago and I was told that it’ll take time for scholarships to be disbursed but because I have a great gpa and had received multiple scholarships previously, I should expect to be awarded scholarships some time during the semester. No awards have been made, financial aid has since not picked up any of my calls, and on top of that I have not received the federal grant that I had received in all previous semesters despite qualifying based on need.
Advice to the Administration:
Messing with students’ financial situation is actually nefarious. Many of us are just starting out in life and need the security and flexibility that can be provided by scholarships and aid. Many of us work jobs to fund our education and a short-term incentive to get excellent grades is to earn scholarships which allow the financial flexibility to cut back on work hours, allowing us to study more and potentially take more classes, make great grades again with even more time to study, and then hopefully earn even more scholarships. The short-term incentive is now gone. Students will have to work more hours, meaning less time for study, meaning they won’t be able to maximize their academic potential (given that study time is being sacrificed for work time). Idk why I’m explaining all this. You are smart people, You already know all this. Why is this happening? I take it that this is some peripheral consequence of making changes to financial aid and/or other related departments?

From: Other	December 5, 2024
WIKIPEDIA
Under the categories for two pages there is no posting of Controversies.those pages are - Howard Community College - Daria Willis ( note no “J”) Does anyone know how to post on Wikipedia and add a reference to Howardcc.fyi under Controversies. Also worthy would be adding the reference links to the Baltimore Banner.
Advice to the Administration:
Let there be light!

From: Employee	December 4, 2024
Still Bad Despite Damage Control Efforts (Glassdoor review 5 months ago)
Pros: The college offers great benefits. Cons: The culture at HCC continues to be toxic due to the ‘leadership’ of president Willis. There is full-scale damage control going on in an effort to salvage the college’s badly damaged reputation. Faculty and staff aren’t stupid, though, and see right through it. It is such a shame that HCC’s Board of Trustees has allowed the institution to deteriorate for so long due to terrible and immature leadership. Employees continue to leave because they are treated so poorly, and the other higher ed institutions in the area are hiring former HCC employees and benefiting from their knowledge and experience. HCC has lost the respect of the community and other institutions because people have heard the horror stories about what it’s like to work at HCC under Dr. Willis and other incompetent leaders. - Anonymous current employee Worked here for over 10 years
Advice to the Administration:
Please, please remove president Willis from the institution so that we can begin trying to repair the damage she has done.

From: Other	December 3, 2024
A step too far.
With a renewal of a three year contract for the Prez, she believes she’s untouchable. Which board members approved that and at which meeting? Any proof of falsifying the academic records for her daughter Lyric may be grounds for dismissal with cause, and could save the county over $1,000,000 to buy out her contract. That evidence if true is your insurance clause.
Advice to the Administration:
If you get the evidence, and current 4 voting BOT’s don’t do anything, they are at risk of being litigated. For Students who contribute to this site, do you have fellow students who can help make this site go viral. Sharing Howardcc.fyi on anonymous websites could dramatically help spread the word and rally the total views towards one million. You have more power than you think, just keep it anonymous and protect yourself against retaliation from the Prez. That’s where Coolness meets Cool.

From: Employee	December 3, 2024
Motives
The growing toxic and destructive environment at HCC raises the question of “why.” What are president’s motives and goals? Why is she systematically destroying HCC, which was once recognized as a one of the premier community colleges in the nation. Her actions suggest she may be trying to destroy traditional social and structural environments that are often perceived as, and associated with racial barriers and oppression (despite her rise to a senior leadership position in higher education.) Is this anger or maybe just stupidity? In any case, the BOT are complicit in this lunacy!!
Advice to the Administration:
This disaster is well known within the county, state and beyond. Your tenure is almost up.

From: Employee	December 3, 2024
Values
Welcome back from break! Check out HowardCCPrez on Instagram. While we continue to flounder with no answers to pertinent questions, DW is apparently in Milan? Pisa? I decided to remind everyone of HCC's values and where we stand today: Innovation- nope. Unless constantly reorganizing is supposed to be innovative Nurturing - you've got to be kidding me Service and Sustainability - nope. Admin has no idea what "service" means. Partnerships - ok. Maybe this one is still valid...as long as this means partnerships with people who give HCC money Integrity - see below. Everything below Respect - lol Excellence - Well, if invisibility is a measurable metric, then ok. We have excellence in invisible leadership Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - no staff in our equity center, zero activity with the diversity committee. Heard a rumor it's back, have seen no evidence.
Advice to the Administration:
Perhaps a rebrand is in order. You seem to like those: Ineffective Narcissistic Self-destructive Puerile Injudicious Rigid Egomaniacal Disappointing There! That's more accurate.

From: Student	December 3, 2024
Transfer Season
I imagine that something that will significantly increase traffic to this forum and the Baltimore Banner Articles is when students link those respective pages for context on the parts of their applications that ask for “extenuating circumstances” and other “contributing factors to hardship” faced while attending school. At that point, the situation here at HCC will become widespread knowledge among admissions officers at 4 year institutions in Maryland and beyond (if it isn’t already). Given that I am not and never have been an admissions officer, I really have no way to anticipate what the fallout from that might be, be it positive or negative; or if it will help or hurt students transfer prospects in future transfer cycles.
Advice to the Administration:
Uh Oh

From: Employee	December 3, 2024
With love and respect, how does this end?
I echo the sentiments of previous comments left by employees who have departed from HCC, and send my respect and love to those holding the line. Leaving was one of the hardest decisions I've made, as like many of you, I believed in the core principles of the college and saw it flourish under Hetherington's leadership. I desperately wished to continue in my role. I wanted to be a part of the HCC community and believed we were doing right by students and the community at large. But, I couldn't take it anymore and a little over a year into her presidency, I made the difficult decision to put in my notice. Ever since, I've kept tabs and maintained relationships with friends and collegaues who are still at the college. I'll get updates on how badly things are going. How difficult it is to just get through a day of work. How hard it is to prop up a leader that doesn't deserve it and clearly takes everyone's hard work for granted. Folks are making themselves sick stretching themselves too thin, meeting unreasonable expectations, and bending over backwards to address last minute changes. Now that her contract has been renewed, I ask with love, how does this end? What are staff and faculty willing to live through and what is the goal here? I understand how devastating it is to turn your back on this community, but HCC is unrecognizable, and I respectfully think folks need to face the facts. This is not 2018 HCC anymore, and even if she left today, she's made decisions that will effect the college for years and years and years. It's not a game of waiting her out anymore. She's clearly here to stay - and she has the Board support to do so. There's no winning here. It's heartbreaking. I know it's complicated (mentally, financially, etc) and the job market is unwelcoming and many people are stuck or feel stuck or are determined to outlast her. I'm looking at this from the other side of leaving, and wish my fellow HCC staff and faculty a better career than this. What does this future look like and what are you willing to give up to stay?
Advice to the Administration:
To staff and faculty, please, please take care of yourselves. It may be time to put yourself before the students and figure out an exit plan.

From: -fyi	December 3, 2024
Don't think it won't be about you eventually
For those telling us how we "should be doing things differently on this site": please back all the way off. If you are looking for something else and not finding it, please create your own site and see how it goes. Most of the people posting here are here to blow off steam. The minute the people posting here reveal themselves is the minute they agree to unemployment based on principle. And while principle is worthwhile, most of us would prefer to keep buying groceries and paying the mortgage while we work out our next move. The reason this site exists is because we can't be forthcoming about what's happening at the college without making ourselves targets for immediate termination, hardship, and character assassination. -fyi
Advice to the Administration:
Eventually, they will come for you after they come for the least of us. You already know this. What's your defense when they come for you? Scratch together whatever you can find in spare change and buy a clue.

From: County Resident	December 3, 2024
RE: Banner Second Article
I think it’s very very interesting to note that according to the second Banner article the 3 board members who resigned are now pushing for a 9 person board. That would mean the governor would appoint 5 new people. The current pro/Daria board has 4 people and if the 7 person format remains the new people will be in the minority of any major votes. Also interesting to learn that the local Howard County delegation makes recommendations to the governor about who to appoint to the board. As in the same delegation that just had a celebration honoring the 3 former board members and apparently is planning to push for a 9 person board of trustees. Jarrett Carter can say all he wants about that meeting and celebration of the 3 former trustees but if it were really all that wonderful and happy and positive don’t you think DW would have been there herself to receive the accolades? Sure looks like she just sent her underling there to do damage control. Perhaps we as a community should be lobbying hard for that 9 person board…
Advice to the Administration:
Five is greater than four and everyone knows it.

From: County Resident	December 2, 2024
Cool Prez
A few more additions: Shows up with a statue that is very offensive to some. Changes the hiring process so it is no longer fair and unbiased. Picks her cronies to serve with her. They have zero clue as to what they are doing. Destroys student services. Leads with an attitude that she can do no wrong and if she don’t like you, you go. Does not take teaching seriously. Students are here to learn. Not to play and have parties. Changes the entire landscape of the college Wastes money. Destroys morale. Spies on employees. Leadership does not trust faculty. Look at the name of the story from Baltimore Banner. Is virtually non existent. Constant travel and conferences and parties. Does not take a faculty feedback serious . The list goes on and on.

From: Other	December 2, 2024
Cool Prez!
All the Cool Prez had to do was take over a fully functioning community college (that had just earned Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award!) and do nothing. She could have played with her Legos and maintained her MASSIVE social media presence without much issue. Instead, she did the following: Changed HCC’s classes to 7 weeks from 15 weeks (guess what, students graduate faster and learn less!) Changed HCC’s logo Changed HCC’s motto Replaced/added senior leadership with unqualified confidants Got rid of many middle management positions Reorganized HCC MULTIPLE times – not sure if she’s done with it… Fights with union members Fired multiple employees without cause (curious: are there any pending wrongful termination lawsuits?) Drove multiple employees away with her toxic/narcissist/me-first leadership style Created an environment of racist/misandrist culture (she’ll accuse those that criticize her of the same) Let a convicted felon have access to HCC employees' personal information via his HR position Created rumors of grade falsification and misconduct erasure for her daughter (probably not a rumor) Perhaps I’m forgetting something? Does anyone know when will the new board members be installed?

From: Employee	December 1, 2024
RE: Circling the Drain
I'd like to add that skeletal staff are doing just as much to keep us operating. We're all just trying to keep afloat at this point... my heart aches at what HCC was once and should still be. It's such a shame that the folks who should care, so clearly do not. They just know all the buzz words and promote themselves very well.

From: Employee	December 1, 2024
Circling the Drain (Glassdoor review 1 month ago)
“Pros: Faculty are keeping this place afloat Cons: The prez is running an award winning college into the ground in less than three years on the job. Was a highly respected college nationally, now is a disaster.” - Professor, Current employee, more than 10 years

From: Employee	November 30, 2024
"The Students Here Think I'm Cool"
I'm guessing that the 16 year old single mother version of yourself would never have thought the current version of you was "cool." She'd wonder why you were playing with Legos in your office instead of working down in the food pantry handing out diapers and formula to people who look like you were back then.
Advice to the Administration:
Everyone can see you for the fraud you are. You could help others just like you, but you've insulated yourself with your Legos in your office. You are helping no one.

From: County Resident	November 30, 2024
“The students here think I’m cool.”
“The students here think I’m cool,” she told The Banner. No they don't. They think you are desperate for attention. We do too.
Advice to the Administration:
Students aren't looking for you to be "cool," they're looking for you to be an advocate for them. That can come in an "un-cool" package as long as it's genuine.

From: Employee	November 30, 2024
Disappointing experience - would NOT recommend. (Indeed Review 08/29/24)
“I loved HCC when I started. The community of staff and students is strong and deeply caring. But I would run out of characters if I wanted to type up every reason I would recommend job seekers to stay FAR away from this place. Upper management is selfish and superficial. As long as HCC looks polished on social media and gets its grants and awards, the staff and student experience doesn’t matter. Everything feels like an emergency because there are not enough resources to do what the bigwigs want us to do. Hundreds of students come in every day for academic advising and admissions help from a tiny team of overworked, exhausted staff, some of which feel forced to work overtime/through lunch with no extra pay because the bottom lines are too demanding. The “self service” course registration is confusing and inaccessible to students and there is virtually no tech support. Busy students have to wait hours in crowded rooms to meet with advisors for two minutes because if they try to register themselves, they could pick the wrong courses and delay their graduation. Staff had been telling upper management about all these problems AND pitching solutions for years prior to me working there, and after significant staff turnover, the problems still persist. Staff quit constantly because we are given no room for growth, virtually no reward or respite, and way too little pay for what we are expected to do. A colleague died and we got a brief, dry email from the (now fired) VP letting us know, and then we were expected to keep working. The only thing that kept me there was my desire to support my colleagues and the students. I felt a sense that if I left, I’d contribute to our lack of staff, and I’d be letting my team down. There were many instances of positions being removed rather than refilled after staff left, making the remaining team even more stressed. I’ve never worked in a more exhausting and draining environment. That school is barely holding it together and until there is a MAJOR change in the culture, I would never recommend anyone work there.” - Former Admissions Employee

From: Employee	November 30, 2024
No one mentioned a bit of nepotism
No one mentioned that in Dr. Willis' first year, she got the Continuing Ed department to hire her daughter for the HCC Summer program, Kids on campus. She was one of the worst employees in the history of that program. She was essentially a "mini me" version of her mom - Deeply narcissistic and held a firm belief that she was a member of an oppressed class and she was above doing menial work. She couldn't be bothered to show up to work on time (her mother drove her to work each day), and was lazy beyond words. But had plenty of time each day to engage on social media. She eventually went on to become a student at HCC and a subsequent nightmare for faculty. I'll bet there are some great stories faculty could share. One day, at Kids on Campus their dad showed up with breakfast because his kids didn't get fed before going to school, Daria had program administrators deliver the meals to her kids while they were in class. This is almost royalty. I could not wait to resign from that place.
Advice to the Administration:
You do realize it's possible to hold people to a minimal standard of conduct, and not be a racist, right? I think accountability is what we expect in our leaders, irrespective of race. No one gets a free pass because of their skin color.

From: Employee	November 30, 2024
I was a victim of Dr. Willis her first month on the job
Within her first month, Dr. Willis announced that all short-listed candidates for open positions would be interviewed by her, no matter what level. This was a head-scratcher for most who were not accustomed to the President interviewing entry-level candidates. I was a current employee in good standing interviewing for a slightly higher position. There were two other candidates - two of us young, white males, the other a middle aged Hispanic woman. When it came my turn to interview with Dr. W, she spent the whole time checking her phone, answering email, generally going out of her way to let me know she was not the least bit interested in me as soon as I walked through the door. The other white male got the same treatment, and she hired the Hispanic woman. This was a common refrain from others I spoke to. It was clear she held a deep hatred for white men, and was planning to remake the organization in her image, so I left and I am eternally grateful she did me this favor. I am soooo better off than those left behind.
Advice to the Administration:
You made your bed, now you have to sleep in it. Dr. W is an insecure leader, and is highly vindictive. The ship has sailed, let's see if anyone in County Government has backbone. I doubt it.

From: Other	November 29, 2024
CLIMATE CHANGE AT HCC
I think I speak for many former HCC employees as I express my deep sadness at what is happening to our beloved college. We worked hard for many years and were justly proud to see the difference made in students’ lives as they progressed. We worked with a sense of purpose, and we worked together as a team focused on student success. Of course it wasn’t perfect, but there was always the sense of striving together to do the best we could for students. It is heartbreaking now to hear former colleagues say that they dread going to work, that campus morale is at an all-time low, and that they are afraid to let their opinions and feelings be known. The campus climate is certainly not what it used to be. Speaking of campus climate, one thing that made HCC unique among higher education institutions was its annual anonymous QUEST Survey, which rated all aspects of campus life, including the president, vice presidents, and the board of trustees. Those in leadership positions were not afraid to be evaluated by college employees and the results were used to make improvements. There are two and a half decades of QUEST results, but the current administration has chosen not to continue the survey and has instead used other survey instruments that are not anonymous (meaning their value is questionable).
Advice to the Administration:
Show some courage and reinstitute the QUEST Survey with the same questions and rating scale as the original one. Have it administered by a third party, MACC or MHEC perhaps, ensuring anonymity. With or without the survey, it would be a good idea to have MACC or MHEC conduct an audit with personal, confidential staff interviews to determine the legitimacy of some of the allegations about college leadership. It is in the best interest of the college to clear these matters up before the next Middle States site visit. If that visit were to happen in the near future, the college’s accreditation would be in question.

From: Employee	November 29, 2024
Happy Thanksgiving?
What about division end of year meetings switching from catered lunch to now a potluck? What is up with that? I know saving $$ is good, but do you think HCC has $$$ issues? The divisions in the past were tight knit and everyone was close and got along. Just like any dictator, break the people down so they are in silos. I don’t even talk to anyone anymore. Either they are scared to talk, they are new and no one knows them, they are overworked and want to get the h-ll out of there, or just don’t care. Poor morale. Leadership is poor from the Chairs to VPs.
Advice to the Administration:
Show compassion to your employees who work to keep the place running.

From: Employee	November 28, 2024
A Good Fundraiser?
I read a few posts in these threads that commented how good a fundraiser Dr. Willis is. And that was also one of the points made on the news broadcast. But in the meantime, she is also creating nonsense senior level positions, while cutting critical mid-level positions and faculty and staff jobs. So I think this rather negates the point that she’s a “good fundraiser for inanimate buildings,” wouldn’t you agree? These are facts, they are not acknowledged at any level by her or Carter — and pointing this out is also not racist, obviously.
Advice to the Administration:
You can’t even acknowledge that anything said here – – not ONE thing – – is something that needs to be addressed? Then you must leave.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
The fish rots from the head
As a former employee, I saw this coming and was hopeful at first but I was stonewalled and bullied. At the head of the group you have DW who has a left hand that is a former police lieutenant ready to cleverly patch up any bruises and a right hand that is savvy at pulling public relations stunts and Dr. Stone, who is the stager and another one to watch. Like layers of an organized crime: at surface this organization will make it seem like what you all are claiming is hard to prove and that is because people are rightfully afraid and there are also others who stopped drinking the koolaid and don’t want to incriminate themselves. These people aka senior leadership mask wrongdoing under the guise of chaos. And when you have so much chaos going around it will distract the public and then an alleged affair rumor will become minute because it is just marked as another unjust attack.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
Re Contract Extension for three more years
Given that Jarrett Carter publicly thanked the three gentlemen for their service, I would read deeper into Jarrett’s comment.
Advice to the Administration:
The probability of a 4-3 scenario looks more likely given the comments form Mr Crisis Management. Rumour is that Jarrett and Daria are very close, closer than their actual offices.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
Contract Extension for three more years
When was the vote to renew the contract for Daria? Could it have been a 4-3 vote, the three members voting against renew resigning with immediate effect?
Advice to the Administration:
If the above scenario did happen, it’s all on the remaining 4 BOT’s.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
Reddit Comment
“I just found out from a friend in NY that Daria Willis drove the Onondaga CC paramedic program into the ground and is not well remembered there.” There's a lot being said on Reddit. It's not just HowardCC.fyi the HCC administration needs to worry about.

From: Employee	November 28, 2024
Removing the Community in Community College
Regardless of opinion and experience, the evidence of HCC’s destruction is evident in the words of Willis - “Trust no one”. Where is the sense of Community in that sentiment?
Advice to the Administration:
Everrett Community College is still healing from your “leadership”. Thankfully their community continues.

From: Employee	November 28, 2024
Gratitude Missing from Leadership: Actions Speak Louder Than Social Media Posts
I’ve received Thanksgiving messages from my dentist, mortgage company, Charter Radiology, my ex-wife, Harris Teeter, Starbucks, friends, my neighbors, and my co-workers. But did HCC senior leadership send any note of thanks to their employees? Nope. Did we receive notification of folks leaving HR and how to now handle hiring? Nope. Seems like Jarrett Carter Sr. spends more time dealing with Crisis Management than communication with HCC employees.
Advice to the Administration:
Actions taken (or not taken) behind closed doors say far more than the polished, performative displays posted on social media. Senior leadership should be deeply thankful for the employees at HCC because they are the ones who truly know how to get the work done. These employees are the real reason students attend the school and, ultimately, why senior leadership even has jobs.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
Jarrett Carter linkedin post
I was honored last night to be at the Howard County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly meeting as they honored former trustees Sean Keller Chris Marasco, and M. Shafeeq Ahmed,MD,MBA,FACOG for their service to Howard Community College. Their partnership with Daria J. Willis, Ph.D. helped to yield enrollment growth, historic fundraising, and unprecedented legislative engagement in supporting our forthcoming workforce development and skilled trades center. They supported a vision of enhanced access for student parents, veterans, students of varying abilities, and students impacted by the criminal justice system. We are a rebranded national model for a 2-Gen approach to higher learning, an emerging force in cybersecurity training and innovation, and the premier resource for personal and professional development in Howard County. Kudos to you gentlemen and thank you for your service!
Advice to the Administration:
It’s a “Carterism” comment. Just missed out the bit about all three former board members resigning at the same time. HCC will defacto be one of the Greatest Case Studies used by higher education accrediting bodies. It may also shed some light and help bring the scrutiny that the Aspen Institute truly deserves.

From: Employee	November 28, 2024
Trust No One
This site is not racist. People making comments are not racist. We are people who want to work under fair conditions. “Trust No One” was the best title they could give? Let’s just hope things change. Let me make it simple: She is a fund raiser, not a leader. Imagine a house worth lots of money sitting on no foundation. That is HCC. I not only blame the president, but the BOT and other leadership. Let’s give credit where it is due. It is not just DW. The BOT is just as guilty. Shame on them. True about HR. There is no HR. One person running the entire area. Zero communication.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign. Then reapply as the Director for Marketing or even the development office. You have great ideas in those areas. Just not a good leader.

From: Other	November 28, 2024
Jarrett Carter, - LinkedIn comments about union members
An unbalanced and misleading piece won’t hinder our progress, or confuse the hardworking students and employees who know for whom we are working and serving. Very interesting that no one who supports the president among faculty and staff were cited, and those who were directly quoted are all faculty union members.
Advice to the Administration:
It’s good to have a comms VP to support your “prez” Professionally and Personally. Emphasising the “ally” in both P’s. It will be a site called “Howardcc.fyi” free from sexist and racist comments that shows the American public the problems in Howard County and Marylanders just how toxic HCC has become. Keep on posting.

From: Employee	November 28, 2024
Lakey Boyd
Another casualty of HCC's personnel issues was Vice President of Equity, Inclusion, and Transformation, Lakey Boyd, who left HCC after only 7 months on the job. She was well liked and respected by the rank and file. Apparently, upper management froze her out, so she left.
Advice to the Administration:
All these people leaving, voluntarily or not, have stories like the one you're reading here, and they will tell their friends and families about it. This site is just a visible version of what people are saying all around you that you can't or won't hear.

From: -fyi	November 28, 2024
WJZ TV / Baltimore Banner report
The issues at HCC have now percolated up to our local television news media (WJZ TV): WJZ TV / Baltimore Banner Report Does anyone know when this was aired? And where the entire segment can be found? -fyi

From: Other	November 27, 2024
Reposted by Daria. You can’t make this stuff up!
From LinkedIn.com: ******** Jarrett Carter Sr., External Affairs \| Fundraising \| Communications \| Crisis Management \| Strategic Planning Was grateful to see the Baltimore Banner reporter on Howard Community College recent coverage share her insights. She went into detail about the less-than-positive views of Daria J. Willis, Ph.D. and the college’s senior leadership from about 24 people interviewed and three members of the full-time faculty union specifically named and quoted in the article. But she also called out some of the “racist” and “unkind” content posted on a non-union affiliated, anti-administration message board that sparked this coverage, and she affirmed that the president has supporters and is a “prodigious” fundraiser for the institution. ******** The very fact that Jarrett Carter put out his email response to the Baltimore Banner, and now posted on linked in claiming that howardcc.fyi is “racist and unkind” means that the WORD is spreading, the site is working. I think that the creater of Howardcc.fyi has done an amazing job moderating this site to provide the only window to the Outside World. 200,000 views by November, 250,000 by December 2024. Please share the site with 10 friends over Thanksgiving. The level of trust in Mr Carter has now reached an all time low. No respect either.

From: Employee	November 27, 2024
Example
The one HR person currently handling hiring was “let go (?)” 5 days ago. There has been no announcement to the college at large, and no info about how to proceed with things currently in the hiring pipeline. No one (including Division leadership) knows who is in charge or how to keep things moving. I found out about the loss of this employee by chatting with other staff.
Advice to the Administration:
Glad Carter has dessert parties and hopes that will entice applicants for his new executive assistant position. Might want to get someone to process new hires soon or the desserts may go bad.

From: Employee	November 27, 2024
Staff
Environmental Services has been under staffed for years. We have asked to hire people for years and nothing has happened. Then they wonder why people call out, they're having to do 2/3 area. With the brand new building (MAC) they still haven’t hired people to go in that building. EVS is so so over worked they have no one to go to to get things done.

From: Employee	November 26, 2024
Not the first black president
Daria Willis is not the first black president at HCC. We had an interim president before, Linda Jolly who established that milestone. Linda Jolly paved the way for other black women, but Daria Willis has pulled up the rope ladder for any other black woman who might reach for that first rung.
Advice to the Administration:
Be nice to those you meet on the way up. They’re the same folks you’ll meet on the way down.

From: Other	November 26, 2024
Dismayed Alum and Former Adjunct
HCC was a huge turning point in my life, and it was because of a few very talented and dedicated faculty. They didn’t need to teach, and could’ve made more money elsewhere, but did it for the love of it. I popped in for a visit this summer to chat with them as I do when I’m in town, and was dismayed to hear that they had ALL left. These were good, hardworking, impactful mentors of mine, and one in particular was a force of nature that was shrewd and careful, and wouldn’t have left without very good reason. The kind of professor who had found their calling. I had the privilege of teaching as an adjunct for a semester after getting my Master’s, and he became my boss. Can’t understate his impact on my life. He left because of the culture the new administration has brought, and I feel terrible for him, but even worse for the HUNDREDS of students that won’t get to have him as a mentor and inspiration.
Advice to the Administration:
I won’t conjecture or play armchair psychologist, and college faculty can be overly sensitive and dare I say melodramatic. I get that. But a great fundraiser at the cost of a tight-knit and collaborative culture does not a good leader make. It’s not about you, it’s about the mission, and treating staff with disdain is not the way to accomplish it. It’s never too late to turn things around. Show them that you’re listening to feedback, and they’ll see it as an act of good faith. There will always be the old head grumps that will gripe at the drop of a pin, but they were there before you so don’t worry about those.

From: County Resident	November 26, 2024
Let's Get Real
Lots of people have commented about the Leadership Team and Dr. Willis. But here is the bottom line as I see it. We have a president of HCC who gets paid $325,000 and other perks. This is OBSCENE for someone who is taking trips around the globe and posting all kinds of selfies - and all of this at the expense of funds from HCC. When she is in her office, she spends time building Legos rather than dealing with real work. The leadership team is no better. They come to meetings and are pleasant and taking notes. But do they do anything about issues? Nope, not at all. They get paid to go through the motions but accomplish very little. What is really offensive is that while Dr. W. is getting paid this enormous salary, the pay for adjuncts is below Maryland poverty level and the average annual pay for many is $10,000 - $15,000 A year. The adjuncts are spending hours on lesson plans, teaching, and grading. They have no time to build Legos and worse than that, they can't take care of their families. Yet the president of HCC and her VP's get paid at least a quarter million dollars per year and have a cushy life while the rest of us have to work 2 or 3 jobs to feed our families and pay mortgages. I won't bother to summarize the disrespect of the regular faculty, the hiring of friends, the firings of those who disagree, and the autocratic approach of the leadership team. The optics of our leader playing with Legos all day, selfies of new shoes, and clothes, and fashions never takes into account faculty and students living in poverty. This is not racist, sexist - it is just reality. So Let's Get Real and see that the emperor has no clothes.

From: Employee	November 26, 2024
RE: Violating the college’s policies and procedures
This admin actually WROTE the policy they didn't follow... merit used to go on employee base pay, whereas now it's a one time payment. That was THEIR change. So they ignored the policy they actually rewrote and implemented. Can't wait for the next longwinded email blaming employees for this too (we're ungrateful, we don't like change, whatever). Hope they also tell us it's just getting better and better too.

From: County Resident	November 26, 2024
Need votes any time soon?
My voting age children (yes, they went to HCC and I have taken classes as well) are talking about not voting for Calvin Ball or Wes Moore again. Get it together, public servants. You're going to go down if you don't open your eyes and ears and start caring about this nightmare.

From: County Resident	November 25, 2024
Only one step possible
It’s time for the employees to have a no-confidence vote. You are slowly losing this battle.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
Violating the college’s policies and procedures
HCC and Jarrett Carter used an old email address from the prior Pathways Magazine to send an email into the Howard County community with various “talking points” about the Baltimore Banner article. In this email statement, Jarrett Carter admits that the college violated their own policy and procedures regarding Merit pay for the 2023-2024 academic year. Jarrett’s email states that in “FY25 a 3% COLA; 1% merit for all employees” was given. (Was actually paid in FY24 but we don’t expect our senior leadership team to keep track of details such as that.) The problem is, this violates HCC Merit Pay (Staff) Procedure 63.04.07 which says: Non-Base Merit Adjustments- Staff who earn a 3 or 4 on a performance evaluation are eligible for a tiered merit adjustment. Employees who earn a 1 or 2 are not eligible for a merit adjustment. You might wonder why this is a big deal- isn’t everyone happy because everyone received merit pay? The issues are that: It completely circumvented the merit process. A merit score is arrived at from an employee’s mid-year and end of year evaluations. The evaluations take hours to complete in a thoughtful and meaningful way and the supervisors completed all of them, providing ranks and justifications. This process was turned upside down when the President decided to give everyone, regardless of their evaluation, a one time 1% merit pay. Employees take on extra roles and tasks throughout the year, hoping to earn a 4 on the merit scale as it results in a larger Merit payout (the tiered merit in the procedure). It wasted weeks of time for those who supervise large groups of people and have to meet and writeup reports for each employee, only to have those reports deemed unnecessary and meaningless. Was this violation of procedure because it was easier and less work for the Senior Leadership team who had to review all the 3’s and 4’s? Is this violation because all leadership is new and no one took the time to learn the actual process and procedure? The Why is unknown but the point is, this is a specific example of the senior leadership at the college blatantly violating the college’s policies and procedures and NO ONE in leadership at the college, NO ONE external to the college and NO ONE on the Board of Trustees cares. This signals to the President to just keep doing what you’re doing because there are no checks and balances, even when it violates written procedures.
Advice to the Administration:
HCC General Counsel needs to start holding administration accountable for violations of procedure. In addition, they should start working with the new Howard County Office of Inspector General to investigate all of the malfeasance at HCC.

From: County Resident	November 25, 2024
Upper level management bloat continues
From LinkedIn last week: ******** Jarrett Carter Sr. I’m looking for an executive assistant! If you have a heart and passion for supporting others through data analysis, scheduling, inventorying, and reporting, this is a job for you. I hope that the folks in the Division of External Affairs, Communications & Advancement will attest that I’m a leader who loves to have fun, loves to support others, cares about people, and reveres our teammates and their work. I also like to throw random dessert parties. The salary is negotiable based on experience and love for the work. Please apply or let someone you know this job is open - I think it’s a great job! ******** Executive Assistant to the Vice President of External Affairs, Communications and Advancement The upper management contibnues to grow while the faculty and staff dwindle and the few incoming replacements are overworked and under trained.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
Misrepresenting facts.
The email sent out to the college community is available here: HCC original Q&A with Baltimore Banner “This is false. The most recent tradition of executive appointments was the hiring of Dr. Kate Hetherington, who, according to college records, was appointed by the HCC Board of Trustees following the tenure of Dr. Mary Ellen Duncan without a formal search or campus-wide search committee. Under the Willis Administration, only two senior leaders have been appointed without a campus-wide search committee.” It fascinates me that Jarrett Carter doubles down on this because it was three. Joe Whalen, who was escorted off campus. Dr. Shanty Grays and Dr. Ty Stone, who was an interim and then made permanent.
Advice to the Administration:
Maybe don’t accuse faculty of omitting/misrepresenting information when your VP of Comms Jarrett Carter is doing the same. They are sharing their lived experience. Jarrett is misrepresenting facts. Maybe it was a mistake and the two refer to active senior leaders. But you’ve lost the benefit of doubt.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
The State of HCC
I find this to be very disturbing. As one of the few colleges who actually look after students with learning deficiencies, it sounds as if they are being lost in the shuffle. I do not know Daria nor am I familiar with her prior to reading the article. Perhaps there is a way to meet in the middle. I hope there is a way to put the students first.

From: County Resident	November 25, 2024
The Circus That Is Howard Community College
It's really this simple: HCC has a President that is a narcissistic charlatan; and she has an ideological agenda. Ultimately, the students will suffer for it (as will the reputation of the College). Have a look at Exhibit A: Leadership Team
Advice to the Administration:
To the President (and those administrators who support this mountebank): Muster up the courage to resign.

From: Employee	November 25, 2024
The Truth is Out
The article in today's Baltimore Banner was thorough, meticulously researched, and unflinchingly revealing. In contrast, the defensive email sent to the entire school by Jarrett Carter was disingenuous, and often outright laughable. Its attempt to downplay the article's impact will likely backfire, drawing even more attention to it and ensuring that those who might have ignored it will now be enticed to read it. The ridiculous but revelatory images of Legos in a professional workspace, the heartbreaking accounts of neglected students, and the mistreatment of faculty and staff all serve as powerful evidence of the dysfunction under Willis’s leadership. But perhaps the most damning revelation is the story of Joy Milfort—a former VP, and a woman of color, who was clearly fired without cause. Her story is a quintessential example of the ineffective, autocratic management style that has defined Willis’s tenure. It’s also becoming increasingly evident that those in positions of power are finally beginning to grasp the severity of the situation. Let’s hope they act swiftly and decisively. If Willis needs to be bought out—just as she jokingly suggested—so be it. If there’s anyone in a leadership role who more clearly deserves to be removed, I would be hard-pressed to find them.
Advice to the Administration:
A vote of “no confidence” seems in order, followed by the hiring of a competent, proven leader, who can clean up this mess.

From: Student	November 25, 2024
HCC Pathways Magazine email by Jarrett Carter Sr.
This morning, Howard Community College Pathways Magazine sent out an email containing an article by Jarrett Carter Sr., the Vice President of external affairs, communications, and advancement. In it, he alleges that the article published today by the Baltimore Banner “omits and misrepresents a great number of facts and context provided in an in-person interview with HCC President Daria J. Willis, and an email Q&A.” “For context, HCC is providing the full and unedited response to questions provided to the administration by reporters Jess Nocera and Brenna Smith. All Banner questions and HCC responses (in bold) have not been changed, and a PDF of that response can be accessed here.” Could those who are in the know check out that email and let us know how the full email exchange compares with the final publication and the validity of the entirety of Jarrett Carter Sr.’s responses to questions posed by Baltimore Banner reporters Jess Nocera and Brenna Smith? Many thanks!

From: Student	November 25, 2024
Confused…
I won’t pretend like I fully understand this situation because I’m only now coming on to reddit etc. but as a student it is a bit alarming that this is the 2nd (I think??) email I’m getting where it’s just 5000 words to defend the president… Like? What is going on? It just looks unprofessional to me that this is needed. I went to another institution with a mildly liked president and never got any emails like this… I know so many professors who are hated and they have no need to do all this. It’s just unsettling. I just want my degree.
Advice to the Administration:
If you’ve been here longer than her, the students have more allegiance to you. If it’s what y’all want, I’m all for getting rid of her because I have no ties to her. She just got here.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
Wow.
“The students here think I’m cool,” she told The Banner. “I’m a historian,” she said, piecing together the Lego Millennium Falcon at her desk. Her doctorate in history taught her to study the rise and fall of leaders, the forces that shape them and the resistance they inevitably face. Carter said Willis’ Lego builds are “a personal showcase of her campus-wide commitment to mental wellness and meeting students and employees where they dream.”

From: Employee	November 25, 2024
Simple Questions
From the recent Baltimore Banner article, "The Board of Trustees and Dr. Willis are extremely proud of the work they have accomplished together in just three years,” said Jarrett Carter Sr., the college’s vice president of external affairs, communication and advancement." "The Board of Trustees and Dr. Willis are extremely proud of the work they have accomplished together in just three years" Such as? “By every measure, this is a successful administration and an era of progress for the college." By what measure(s) specifically? Seriously, how are you measuring this? Help us out here. "And the best is yet to come.” Oh? Like what?
Advice to the Administration:
Unfortunately, plenty of people will read those empty words and breathe a sigh of relief that all is well at HCC. You are all perfectly safe. Since no one holds you accountable, there's no point asking for context, examples, and data in a public forum. Well played. We are left to dream, and consider those exit doors.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
$850 in emotional support Legos - Honestly, thanks Baltimore Banner!
I work full time and not next to Legos; I'm pretty sure I would be fired. Also, Calvin Ball is defending Daria...so guys, this breaks my heart to say it but all HCC employees: suck it up. Power through it. My best.
Advice to the Administration:
Continue hiding.

From: Employee	November 25, 2024
Toys in the Attic
After reading the Baltimore Banner article with Daria and the Legos, something occurred to me: she's a 40-year old woman who got pregnant at 16 and had a baby. Her childhood ended then, and she's never gotten over it. Hence the playing with toys, temper tantrums, screaming at employees like "Mean Girls" was a training video.... News is that she's planning to halve the faculty offices so the college can build a playground on campus. Any children I see on campus, I will tell with great excitement about the Legos in the president's office, and how she would LOVE a crowd of sticky toddlers playing with them...!
Advice to the Administration:
Having someone in charge who can't let go of her lost youth (see the leather Instagram video) or put away her toys at work does not instill confidence in her leadership abilities. I would pity Daria, but she's such a terrible human being that all I can do is watch and wait for the Karma Train to pull into the station.

From: Other	November 25, 2024
The article is out
‘Trust no one:’ Howard Community College’s president rattles a changing campus This stood out to me “Carter defended the appointments, saying only two senior leaders were hired without a campus-wide search, in accordance with school policy.” It is actually three senior leaders. Two current senior leaders but Joe Whalen was the first appointment. Putting it up to three. Also, Willis is clear about who her person is in a senior leadership search.
Advice to the Administration:
This was a balanced take on the situation, don’t lash out!

From: County Resident	November 24, 2024
BOT
The remaining board members all seem to support what is happening. I hope they can find enough faculty and staff to work at HCC because people continue to leave and it’s hard to find anyone willing to work in such a toxic environment. Installing loyalist VPs is not the mark of good leadership.
Advice to the Administration:
Listen to these very real concerns and seriously consider if the smoke and mirrors will continue to cover up the hostile takeover you initiated. I don’t see faculty mentioned at all during all these ribbon cuttings and photo ops. Students seem like an afterthought. Who will be left to teach the students?

From: Other	November 24, 2024
So what’s next
In what appears to be a coordinated move between Howard County Senators and Howard Community College (I am assuming here) leadership, proposed legislation aims to significantly restructure the college's Board of Trustees (BOT). The proposed changes would expand the current seven-member board to nine members, while simultaneously extending terms for two incumbent members – notably suspected to be the current chair and vice chair, though this requires further confirmation. Perhaps most striking is a provision that would, for the first time, allow a board member to reside outside Howard County boundaries. These structural changes raise questions about the underlying motivations and potential implications for local educational oversight. The timing and unified nature of this legislative push from Howard County elected officials suggests a calculated effort to reshape the college's governance structure. Key questions remain unanswered: - What specific issues or needs are driving this expansion? - Why the push to extend certain members' terms? - What advantages or risks come with allowing non-resident board membership? - How might these changes affect the college's responsiveness to local community needs? This is my opinion. This has been in process for years in Howard County. Watch: County Executive Ball Addresses Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration 2025 Proposed Local Legislation and Legislative Bond Initiatives Issues of income, race underlie Howard County school redistricting

From: Student	November 23, 2024
Advice To Fellow Students
The interests of administration are no longer aligned with the interests of students. Attend this institution at your own risk (gutted financial aid and advising) If you are already here, stay focused, take a couple classes, do what you need to do, and get out as fast as possible. This institution has been reduced to an (extremely unsteady) stepping stone. Don’t step on it too long; just enough to get to the next chapter of your academic / career journey and life in general
Advice to the Administration:
The magic is gone

From: Employee	November 23, 2024
Examples
But honestly, before Daria Willis got here, didn't you find yourself thinking, "Sure the Chronicle of Higher Education called us a great place to work, but I'll just NEVER get a chance to meet the people from the Office of General Counsel"? Thank Heaven for that "Meet and Greet" they're going to have for an hour on a Tuesday in December, am I right? It's a silly, trivial example of a broader pattern: "solutions" for problems that don't exist, at the expense of addressing the problems the current administration have actually created.

From: Employee	November 23, 2024
Examples
Poorly run bookstore/lack of student supplies Potluck lunch for division meetings while management travel and hosts parties Fear of retaliation if you disagree with management Why this website Denial of sick leave (I heard) Flaunting of travels and conferences for just the elite. Lack of leadership for important meetings. They don’t show. Faculty voice not heard: surveys where you must put your name Cafe poorly run. Has gotten better since switch to new vendor Poor faculty advancement process. People have not been given fair outcomes using their numbering system Where are the VP’s? You never see them. Food pantry? How is that doing? *****keep the list going******
Advice to the Administration:
None

From: Employee	November 22, 2024
Examples
People want examples? Let me give you a few: Zero support for student issues No one answers emails No one answers the phone HCC website depicts a one sided agenda No communication No one knows what they are doing when you call for help. Errors. No history. People do not know how to do their job No resources for students No accountability People quitting or have quit that knew the college and how it ran. No history with these new people 7 weeks change. Not working Reorganizing not working. Another change Faculty not paid for work they have done Faculty overworked. Faculty underpaid Lack of knowledge for programs who deal with accreditation Lack of appreciation by management and supervisors Faculty reviews are poorly handled Hiring system is broken. Biased. Poorly run ****let’s keep the list going**
Advice to the Administration:
Keep doing what you are doing. Keep shining. LOL

From: Employee	November 22, 2024
Lost the Fight
There are employees who feel defeated. If you need a job to support your family, you stay. If you advanced your career and see no way out, you stay. You stay, do as much as you need to get by. Once something better comes along, you leave. This is the sentiment of most employees. You cannot deny it. Unless you are stupid. Seeing the govenor with them is another kick in the stomach. People who rebuke these ideas are either in denial or part of the problem.
Advice to the Administration:
Eventually things will come to the forefront. Students are not getting what they need. Not all of them. Some are, ones who look like administrators. This place is racist. I see it. Work for all. Not a few.

From: -fyi	November 22, 2024
Re: DISSERTATION
If you have evidence that backs up your assertions of plagiarism then by all means share it with us. Seriously, if you've got something to share then do it. Why try to get someone else to dig up what you claim to already have? Also, coming here and screaming (all caps) and cursing just comes across as petulant so likely no one is going to give you a second thought. -fyi

From: County Resident	November 22, 2024
We’ve lost the fight
If you saw the videos of DW with the governor, county exec and other officials, you know we’ve lost the fight. Only chance is for evidence - hard evidence - to surface showing she asked for a grade change. Anything less than that means our LEGO-building dictator will remain place.

From: Student	November 21, 2024
Re: Disgusting
What’s sexist, racist, or misogynistic about complaining that: My financial aid is gone (no Pell grant or scholarships all of a sudden after having averaged $3,000 a semester in grants and scholarships while maintaining an excellent GPA and full-time course load). Financial Aid has not been answering the phone and later come to find out “no one has been hired to answer the phones”. I now work mulitple jobs instead of attending school full time. Classmates have told me that insecurity regarding aid and scholarships affected them such that they have experienced food insecurity and risk of homelessness. Messing with financial aid, in this economy? Really? Whatever environment has been created, the advisors that had been there for several years decide that all of sudden now is the time to retire or switch to another school. When you alienate faculty to where they take such action you are destroying that part of a professional network that students need to build. Many schools ask that an advisor be one of your recommenders on your application. The advisors that know me are gone. Most of the professors that I had built a rapport with and performed excellently in their classes were adjuncts and after a few semesters of the financial disrespect they have faced, decided to leave the industry. All I have left to contact them is their inactive HCC email
Advice to the Administration:
I and others without blame have been wronged. Where is the justice? Whatever happened to “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

From: County Resident	November 21, 2024
RE: Board of Trustees meeting TODAY - Wednesday November 20, 2024. Come be heard
$607,579 in part time worker / contractor savings: Strange that admin would brag about this. Those part timers and contractors must have done tons of work operationally, directly serving students. And that $$ is more than offset by the combined salaries of the additional upper leadership positions this admin has added (each makes at least $200K). HCC appears to be exceptionally top-heavy --comments below indicate students can't get in touch with support staff because there aren't enough. I believe the entire student body is served by two mental health counselors... seriously? Oh, but there's a phone number students can call in a crisis, so yay? How much money did that save? Furthermore, it also seems odd for admin to brag about savings due to employee attrition. Doesn't that mean they're not replacing people who leave? How is THAT good for anyone? Any BOT members going to embrace critical thinking skills and ask some hard questions?
Advice to the Administration:
As a community member, I am hoping this site goes away. My interpretation of most of the comments on this site is that they are devoid of sexist, racist, and misogynistic comments (irrelevant, but I am not a white man). Many posts are experiential, so arguably subjective. As to "Disgusting", anyone can throw around words as much as they like, but a real counter argument provides examples and specifics. It seems particularly obvious that instead of using this site to improve operations or address (even perceived) issues, posts by administrators (like "Disgusting") serve to elevate the validity of student, faculty, and staff posts. Talk about dismissive. I can only imagine how hard it is for people to get up and go to work every day. Yeah, keep on "shining," or should I say keep on "blinding" yourself so you can blame others (students, staff, faculty) for what isn't working despite the fact you are supposed to be servant leaders.

From: Student	November 21, 2024
DISSERTATION
HER DISSERTATION IS FUCKING PLAGARIZED. WHY THE FUCK DOES NO ONE CARE?

From: Employee	November 21, 2024
Disgusting
I think it’s disgusting what type of behavior I see on among adults. The type of sexist, misogynistic and plain racism is blatant and this has become a hateful site. You keep changing people’s comments and editing. I know this will be one too. You keep doing it.
Advice to the Administration:
Nothing. Keep shining.

From: County Resident	November 20, 2024
Board of Trustees meeting TODAY - Wednesday November 20, 2024. Come be heard!
TODAY, Wednesday November 20, 2024 is the Board of Trustees Meeting, held in RCF-400 at 5pm. There is no online option to view the meeting. PLEASE consider attending in person and asking questions. Last meeting had no interaction with the public due to the constricted way the meeting was setup online. Board of Trustees Materials are found at: BoT Work Session/Board Meeting Materials Please note some "facts" being presented to the BoT: 1) From p. 82 from the Board of Trustees meeting materials November 20, 2024 Faculty ratio comparisons for the past five years for fall semesters are noted below. Fall 2020 Full-time 47%, Part-Time 53% Fall 2021 Full-time 49%, Part-Time 51% Fall 2022 Full-time 53%, Part-Time 47% Fall 2023 Full-time 52%, Part-Time 48% Fall 2024 Full-time 53%, Part-Time 47% What HCC told the MHEC in their 2023 report, on p.361: 2023 Perf Accountability Savings "During the FY23 budget development process, the college saved $607,579 with reductions primarily in personnel and contracted services. Faculty release time and class sizes were reviewed. This is now an annual process. With these reviews, the college reduced part-time personnel at a savings of $208,129. In addition, the college saw significant attrition which also created savings". When Daria Willis was made President of HCC in January 2022, numbers in adjuncts decreased. The data crunching figures, which never lie, clearly show an admittance to reduce adjunct positions in the college and classify it as "savings". 2) "Each semester, the teaching and learning area reports the fulltime/part-time faculty ratios overall and by discipline. This information lets the administration track progress toward the MHEC benchmark of 50/50 for full-time and parttime faculty and identify the most pressing new faculty needs by discipline." (p. 82) From MHEC: "It is important to distinguish between “equality” and “equity.” The two concepts are related but have significantly different implications for policies, initiatives, and interventions. As many organizations note, equality is about giving everyone the same opportunity, whereas equity is about giving what is needed to be successful, which can differ from student to student. It is important to recognize that not every individual seeking postsecondary opportunities starts with the same knowledge, abilities, skills, and resources. Public higher education in Maryland has existing legal obligations that directly reflect the elements of equity and diversity. Specifically, “public institutions shall… assure that women and minorities are equitably represented among faculty, staff, and administration, so that the higher education community reflects the diversity of the State’s population (§10–204).” link to citation The benchmark is NOT from MHEC but from the HCC President.
Advice to the Administration:
Why are job advertisements being targeted for minority sites? Where is the equality (not equity) for applications in that? The President and Leadership actions for recruitment are biased and blind-sided in solely serving Equity. They severely lack the English comprehension skills for the meanings of Equity and Equality and would be well advised to check a dictionary or google for a definition they can understand. The balance and true meaning between serving the needs of Equity vs continuing to facilitate Equality throughout HCC employees has been completely lost and caused irreversible damage to the college and Howard County. You're not winning any media awards for these actions.

From: County Resident	November 20, 2024
Re: Graduation in Limbo
How very sad it is to read that a student who has gone through all the correct channels of inquiry to find out their graduation status is left in the dark, yet again. To the student that wrote this post, this wouldn't have crossed your mind, and nor should it, but go to the Board of Trustees materials for November 20, 2024 that is being reviewed today (see link below). Go to p. 63 where you will see a listing of proposed graduates for the end of Fall 2024. Check to see if your name appears. That should give you the answering you are seeking. BoT Work Session/Board Meeting Materials Consider attending the Board of Trustees Meeting TODAY - Wednesday November 20, 2024, RCF-400 at 5pm - and ask the President yourself why the Graduation Office didn't have this listing that has been supplied to the general public. You pay fees for service and have not received service. Never stop asking questions - it's your right as a student be told the truth.
Advice to the Administration:
Here is a prime example of a responsible student trying to do the right thing, going through the proper channels to find out their graduation status and due to the unbelievable breakdown in communication from President Willis and her Leadership to office departments, a student has been left out to dry. Is this what "Student Success" looks like to you? If this was one of your own family members, I'm sure they wouldn't be treated like this, would they? Why is a Howard County Resident helping a student where the education institute they pay for their education can't support and provide them the information they need to plan for their future???? Jessica Calafati and other journalists - don't you think it's time to publish a short article that shows students are now turning to howardcc.fyi as a safe place in seeking support and assistance as a result of the breakdown in communication and re-organization by the President and her team? This is not the first student's story that appears on this website where the President and her Leadership team have failed a student despite what the HCC social media releases state they "do" for students. To the President and Leadership - where are you when a student needs your academic services that your high salaries are supposed to facilitate? Students are people of our Howard County community and the future and deserve to be treated better by HCC President and Leadership. Students pay for their education. Do them the decency of helping them over the finish line than take their money and crunch the data for your self-fulfilling reports.

From: Student	November 20, 2024
Graduation in Limbo
I put an application to graduate more than a month ago (before the deadline to apply for graduation). I have not heard anything back nor has there been any changes to my student portal online. I have emailed the graduation office and went in person to see an advisor. I have not received an email back. When I went in person, the advisor said that the graduation office were going to send out emails that week and to wait for their email. That was two weeks ago and I have received nothing. I am completely in the dark and am left uncertain whether I'll graduate this semester or not.

From: Other	November 19, 2024
Grade falsification and misconduct erasure
Daria Willis has some serious issues to address. There is a great deal of discussion on campus about the grade falsification and misconduct erasure involving a family member. Daria needs to either admit to it or deny it if she wants this to stop.
Advice to the Administration:
Failure to address this will only contribute to the deteriorating level of trust and respect for the college leadership.

From: Other	November 19, 2024
HCC Admin laying low doesn't make them any less accountable
To all of HowardCC.fyi readers: Jessica Calefati is an education investigative reporter for The Baltimore Banner: Jessica Calefati bio Please take the time to contact her and share what you know about the misconduct of the current administration at HCC.

From: Other	November 19, 2024
Spread The Word about - “Howardcc.fyi”
This Site is your only voice, Window To The Outside World. It’s pretty bad when HCC leaves only one avenue for reality to be shared but this is it. Having just surpassed 180,000 views, There is a long way to go to attain 250,000 by 12/31/2024. This is a safe site thanks to the owner of this site so please turbo charge the effort to share with friends, family and colleagues. For students feel free to share on Tick Tock or other social media platform in a manner that doesn’t put you at risk, This site is most likely the only way to bring an end to a regime of terror at HCC, one which appears to be endorsed by Gov Moore and the county folk who govern.
Advice to the Administration:
Attend the board meeting this week, and speak up. Your destiny is pretty much reliant on Howardcc.fyi going viral. It’s in your hands to continue with sharing factual insights with comments. Imagine Daria when the site hits One Million views. Leaving the SH!T behind at HCC will not be as easy as it was at EVCC. PS. How long does it take to replace three voting Board of Trustees. I guess applications/nominations are down. I Wonder why???

From: County Resident	November 18, 2024
Seriously? Playing with toys at work again?
Daria Willis has been propped-up as 'wise' when in fact the opposite is true. She continually shows her lack of wisdom and discernment by posting foolishness on social media while branding it all with her childish label of 'Prez'. If she had any wisdom or discernment she would realize that it takes a grown up to lead a college and she would stop conducting herself like a child.
Advice to the Administration:
Please for the sake of HCC, and Columbia put an end to this foolishness and grow the ___ up.

From: Employee	November 18, 2024
HCC Website
Why do I not see anyone who looks like me when I visit the HCC website? This is a one sided agenda with poor outcomes.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop being one sided. What you have done is failing. Where is the leadership? Come out of hiding.

From: County Resident	November 18, 2024
Behold the Millennium Falcon…7,541 pieces!
Nearly $1,000 flex of a LEGO Millennium Falcon kit on Insta-Sham Must be nice that you can blow nearly a grand on Legos and waste time at work playing and making Instagram videos. I hope at the very least that our tax dollars didn't pay for that.
Advice to the Administration:
Please try to do something job related. Most of us have no choice but to work -- this is getting increasingly embarrassing for you.

From: County Resident	November 17, 2024
Failed DEI Initiative
The current situation is obvious—a failed DEI initiative where incompetent people with an agenda destroyed a once outstanding community college. Look at the composition of the BOT and president’s leadership team. The BOT cannot admit they were wrong, and have doubled down. The problem is largely a reflection of what has taken place throughout many places in the country.
Advice to the Administration:
Conduct an out of cycle community and customer satisfaction survey.

From: Employee	November 15, 2024
No Accountability for New Hires
We used to have public announcements of job openings, and search committees, but now people are just hired straight out from Daria's personal connections, bypassing all the protocol we used to follow.
Advice to the Administration:
The college isn't your piggybank to smash and divvy up among your friends. You will eventually be found out. Unfortunately, you'll take the college's reputation down with you.

From: Student	November 14, 2024
What’s With the Weed?
For the third time in the past two weeks, I went to use the bathroom in the AC just to find a group of kids hitting their carts around the sink. I mean this is behavior I was used to in high school but in my two years here I’ve never seen it at the college level. Why are these students with a poor attitude infesting our college campus now? Why do I have to smell weed every time I want to go pee?
Advice to the Administration:
Get your crap together? We aren’t a make-a-wish school, get these kids who are disruptive and breaking the schools smoking policy OUT OF THE SCHOOL!

From: Employee	November 13, 2024
Another Reorganization? More Changes?
How many reorganizations can one college go through? How long is HCC going to burn before someone does something? Every department is floundering.
Advice to the Administration:
The only reorganization needed is the top. Start there.

From: Employee	November 12, 2024
From Progressivism to Elitism: How HCC's Administration Lost Its Way
It is maddening to watch HCC's “progressive” college president and her VP entourage devolve into such an embarrassingly regressive spectacle. Was the Aspen Institute the mastermind behind your decision to discourage dialogue with faculty? Did they endorse a strongman approach to engagement? Did they instruct their followers to engage in the farcical strategy of obstruction when dealing with staff or the faculty union? Is this some twisted idea of "sticking it to the man"? Newsflash: you are the man. Faculty and staff are, in fact, people too. They have families, dreams, ambitions, and yes—bills to pay. Faculty and staff lives matter—ALL of them, regardless of color, gender, or sexual orientation—something progressives are supposed to be deeply attuned to, unless, of course, they’ve become so busy playing politics that they’ve forgotten those they claim to champion. It's risible and profoundly ironic, watching so many wring their hands and gnash their teeth in bewilderment over the results of the recent election. How could people vote the way they did? How could it be that even former Democrats made such a choice? How could the polls be so off the mark? Well, the answer is simple, and it’s the very same reason HCC's administration, so blissfully unaware of its own hypocrisy, is failing so catastrophically: Your “progressivism” is little more than thinly-veiled elitism—truculent, narcissistic, and profoundly out of touch. Whether in the recent election or in the management of HCC, one fundamental truth remains: You forgot the people you serve.
Advice to the Administration:
None. They are immune to advice.

From: Employee	November 11, 2024
Accountability's Coming
Howard County voted in favor of an Inspector General's office to be established "to provide increased accountability and oversight of county government and county funded organizations". HCC should fall under this category since it is partially county funded, should it not? An article in the Baltimore Banner say it is "to investigate whistleblower complaints, county operations and spending". So thank you, fyi, for providing a chronological account of issues ready for thorough investigations. Howard County voters approve ballot measure to establish inspector general’s office Word on the street is there are mounting lawsuits as well. We're ready for long overdue accountability of HCC's current leadership!
Advice to the Administration:
How long did you think you could get away with unethical practices and withholding contracts and pay?! Time to face the music!

From: Employee	November 10, 2024
Answering Phones?
Good luck. Faculty cannot even get help Or issues resolved. Each office has a skeleton crew of people who do not know what they are doing. Think about it: people who had been in the leadership roles for years are gone. These people do not know what they are doing. Faculty who are left have no resources. They are left to sort things out themselves. No help. No guidance and no COMMUNICATION. Future reorganization is coming. Like it or not. Demonstrates failure.
Advice to the Administration:
Money is good. But use it wisely. You can build all building you want, but you have areas on fire. Put those out before you embark on new initiatives.

From: Student	November 9, 2024
RE: Answering phones
I’m a current student and starting about 1 1/2 semesters ago, getting anybody on the phone was impossible. At the time I had no idea what was going on with the school. Up until this week is when I found out about the quitting and firing of employees. She’s going to have to go to the school and talk to someone in person to get anything done unfortunately. Financial aid doesn’t even use their office anymore. They use the kiosk system by records and registration, and then the people you talk to don’t even work for financial aid. But who do they ask a question to in a little message app…FINANCIAL AID!!! It’s quite possibly the dumbest system I’ve ever seen. Tell her good luck. I’m glad I only have 1 semester left (spring) and I’m out of here!!
Advice to the Administration:
Get your stuff together. Please!!! For the sake of the students

From: County Resident	November 8, 2024
Answering Phones?
My son went to HCC 9 years ago and had one of the best experiences of his life. My daughter has been trying to register for a class during the winter break and nobody is answering any phone calls we have made with questions about the process. We can supposedly text or email but can’t talk to anyone. It’s been very frustrating.
Advice to the Administration:
Can someone in registration answer the phone?

From: County Resident	November 8, 2024
RE: week 3 and no additional pay
One of the first things you need to keep in mind when you run a business is that you have to PAY the people doing the actual work. Well, unless you're Trump or _______. I'm guessing no one had these major issues when Hetherington was president, correct? I'm also guessing your personal expenses aren't stopping. Faculty and staff who aren't paid correctly need to do the bare minimum. I heard the law is you can't strike, but you could y'all pick a couple random days to call in sick? Stop writing recommendation letters? Seriously, until students (or even better, their parents!) start getting loud and angry nothing will change. Eventually students are going to go somewhere else and we don't want that to happen. Growing up in HoCo, and a product of HCC myself, I am absolutely horrified at the toxic place it has become. My instructors were amazing, patient, kind, supportive... I don't know how they keep doing it when the walls are crumbling around them and they're not getting paid. It's clear current leadership has no clue what the actual work is... and doesn't care unless it makes the president look good. Another idea: start posting faculty and staff DOING that actual work with students on social media. Flood the "airwaves" as they say. How about a student photoshoot (ha, ha) with textbooks/lab equipment/dancing on stage/making desserts?
Advice to the Administration:
As a community member, I'm overwhelmed with ennui toward you, and underwhelmed with your commitment to the folks who actually work tirelessly to help students. Grow up.

From: Other	November 8, 2024
Sick Out Day v Union Strike and Protest
On numerous occasions folk in this chat have mentioned a Sick our Day! To the Union at HCC. Pick an appropriate day in November that’s impactful. Go on strike and protest. You are protected. Non Union members, throw a Halloween Sicky Day. Just don’t turn up to protest, you are not protected like the Union. Keep a low key and watch the local news channels capture the moment.
Advice to the Administration:
Tis the Season. The folk who deliver a service to students have spoken.

From: Employee	November 8, 2024
week 3 and no additional pay
It’s the end of week 3 of the second round of 7-week classes and still there are faculty who have not been paid for these classes, or seen a contract (ha). These are classes we were told we had to run, classes we might not think are in the best interest of the students, but are being told are for the best. These are paying students, so where is the pay for their respective faculty? When you were running around telling us to make this happen, did you budget what it might cost to make this happen?
Advice to the Administration:
I hear we have money, thanks to the president whose sole focus is raking in money. Please use it to pay your employees accordingly.

From: Employee	November 6, 2024
This message is for the author of the comment on Nov 5th from other
Dear other. Thank you for presenting the statistics regarding this site. I found it very interesting that the administration who is against this site actually brought attention to it. That being said I am pleading with you and everyone here to be certain to fact check when publishing data as facts. That being said I would like to clarify the person who was let go due to felony charges was in a leadership role in HR, this person was not affiliated with the payroll department. I can assure you background checks have been conducted on the employees in the payroll department.

From: Employee	November 6, 2024
The start of something good
If this election does nothing, it shows that the majority of people want a simple, clean life. We are on a better path. Not a perfect path, but a better one. Things will start to change. I can feel it.
Advice to the Administration:
Things will change. This college has got to be one of the biggest train wrecks in Maryland history. Just go.

From: Employee	November 5, 2024
President's daughter and her friends interferring with work and learning
Dr. Willis has a daughter, Lyric, who currently "attends" HCC. She and her friends, have been allowed to terrorize and disrupt an entire hallway of the Academic Commons building for over a year now. In the Academic Commons (AC) building, there are areas that are designated as quiet, no cell phone areas, so students can study. Lyric and some of her friends have taking over one of these areas on the first floor of the AC building. They leave trash and food all over the place, they run up and down the halls, pound on the walls, yell and scream, use their cell phones and disrupt the ability of faculty and staff who work around the area to get any work done. In addition, there are classrooms on the other side of the wall they are pounding on. The students in these classes have paid to be there and are trying to learn, yet they are unable to concentrate and cannot even hear their teacher who is standing 6 feet from them. Staff in the offices have moved because the working environment is so bad. Lyric and her friends have no respect for anyone. Security has been called muliple times, yet no report has ever been filed and there have been no consequences for their behavior. At times the Security officer who comes, has been so afraid of the way these students react when they are told to either be quiet or leave, that they have called for backup.
Advice to the Administration:
When is Dr Willis going to do something about her daughter and her friends? When is she going to demand that Lyric and and her friends stop making it impossible for faculty and staff to get their work done in their offices? When is she going to stop the disrespect her daughter and now her friends show to everyone who tries to get them to follow the policies of the college? And when is she going to allow students who have paid to attend the classes on the first floor of Academic Commons, to once again be able to learn in an enrivonment that allows them to succeed?

From: Student	November 5, 2024
Racist accusations are an admittance to the truth
I caught wind of the drama long before a campus wide email was sent out condemning this forum for being racist and sexist. At first I didn’t know how much truth there was to all the problems at the administrative level. However, an email like that all but confirms most allegations made on here. How short-sighted do you have to be to call out your very own staff, who account for most of the complaints on here? People are waking up to the now extremely common PR tactics plaguing local politics. You can no longer just point your finger and scream “racist” at any sign of opposition. Maybe a couple years ago it was easier to silence people with the race card, but call it for what it is. It is an unchecked combination of Incompetence, corruption, and greed.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign and release an apology to the community you’ve been siphoning funds out of.

From: Other	November 5, 2024
Howardcc.fyi # comments
Some statistics for comments on this site 9th July 2022 - 8th July 2023 - total 3 9th July 2023 - 8th July 2024 - total 37 9th July 2024 - 4th November - total 297 The website went viral around the time Mr J Carter labelled the site as racist and sexist on linked in. - Prior to this, August 2024 had 5 comments - September had 161 thanks to Mr Carter - October had 131, with some very insightful comments with powerful insights covering * grade falsification for a family member * wage theft * hiring HR/payroll staff without background checks who had felony charges against them.
Advice to the Administration:
Let this site show the light to Governor Wes Moore, Community College Presidents across the many States in this Nation. The Aspen Institute is at the Center of this Web.

From: Employee	November 3, 2024
Sick Leadership
I am not concerned with leadership being sick and not doing their job. Who cares? However, I can tell you that the employees see this and the moral is very low. Some employees that I know, who were once so dedicated, are saying “no more.” How long can this happen? All of the services at the college are operating minimally. If this is what they want, this is what they will get. I will say that 110 percent is no longer my Motto and I am sad about that. I now give minimal and receive minimal. Not worth it.
Advice to the Administration:
Do not expect too much from faculty and staff.

From: Other	November 2, 2024
Gov Wes Moore
When I took office, I said we weren’t going to choose between building a competitive economy and building an equitable one – we were going to build both. Our Administration is continuing our push to be bold, move fast, and work tireless so that we can ensure Maryland is one of the best places in the world to change the world. And the world is taking notice.
Advice to the Administration:
With over 160,000 views Howardcc.fyi is memorialising this change. How about representing the Howard County Community first and foremost. When will the three replacement board member be announced. Having only 4 out of 7 voting members in place would suggest a board struggling with its own identity. Trick or Treating ended this week.

From: County Resident	November 2, 2024
On the first day of "sickness"
Another Howard County Resident mentioned that the HCC President called in "sick" on October 31st and November 1st, 2024 and couldn't attend her own conference. Here's the HCC President's Facebook video post on October 31st (also shown on Instagram on November 1st) showing her well enough to be out and about with her family: Facebook Instagram The President's Facebook profile picture has changed and Stonehenge has been given the heave-ho after 6 days now the tour is over and replaced by a photo including the HCC Board of Trustee Interim Chair Vivian Moore-Lawyer and Chief of Staff Stephanie Walls: Facebook
Advice to the Administration:
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "sick" means "physically or mentally ill; not well or healthy". If your child called in sick at school then posted on Instagram what they really were doing, what do you think the consequences would be from their school Principal? Where are the consequences for the HCC President? To the HCC President and Leadership team - keep posting those social media posts and telling us in public meetings what posts you are trolling. You are a TV and newspaper journalists' dream for providing information. Pity you can't keep your employees as informed as your social media followers. “A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.” - Maya Angelou

From: County Resident	November 1, 2024
Re: Daria can't attend her own event...
We can clearly see that Instagram takes priority over her college commitments. What a carpetbagger.

From: Other	November 1, 2024
Daria can't attend her own event...
Daria couldn't attend the conference she scheduled due to jet lag (and how does the European Trip benefit Howard County Community College?). Told the staff that showed up yesterday and today that she was sick...yet she posted on Instagram: Insta-Sham
Advice to the Administration:
Lying doesn't benefit anyone in the long run. Also tell your president to stay off of Instagram if telling the forced attendees that you're 'sick'.

From: Other	October 30, 2024
Good Ol' Boy System
The new face of the 2024 Good Ol’ Boy system: Consisting of: Cronyism – Dishonesty – Division – Corruption – Graft – Favoritism – Exclusion – Toxic Workplace – Incompetent leaders – Fake Benchmarks – Masquerading as the improvement and advancement of Howard Community College at the expense of the college’s reputation, employee contributions and morale, and students’ academic opportunities and experiences. President's Bio Leadership Team Board Of Trustees and their silent supporters: The Aspen Institute
Advice to the Administration:
Change is painful, but meaningful, measurable, relevant accomplishments should also accompany it. You may label yourself as disruptors, but, you have become nothing more than the same good ol’ boy system you loathed. Quit. None of you are leaders or even exemplify leadership skills, regardless of what you may think or what your yes men tell you. Quit.

From: Other	October 29, 2024
BOT Must Be Asleep
I cannot imagine a board of trustees looking the other way with this extravagant travel and self-aggrandizing displays of excess paid for by taxpayers. For shame.
Advice to the Administration:
The BOT needs to hold these world travelers accountable and ask- what are the outcomes and results of these trips? Increases in student success? Retention? Increased enrollment of international students? These excesses are clearly condoned by the BOT while the President is gallivanting around. Embarrassing. Childish.

From: County Resident	October 29, 2024
HCC Board of Trustees Meeting online TONIGHT 5pm, Tuesday October 29, 2024
A reminder to ALL that tonight is the re-scheduled HCC Board of Trustee's meeting online. The board meeting materials now have 15 extra pages added to them. This includes a more extensive listing of people hired in administration since the last meeting in September. Check the listing of new employees and salaries and compare how many have not been declared in these document materials. Encouragement to review the document before the meeting is seriously advised! The materials including the Zoom link can be found at: Board of Trustees Work Session and Board Meeting Materials
Advice to the Administration:
To the Board of Trustees - your Howard County residents, former employees and out-of-state residents, including some of your very high end donors will be watching carefully to see whether they continue supporting the college. Journalists, both TV and newspaper, will also be viewing for information for their articles.

From: Employee	October 28, 2024
"Believe us when we share our lived experiences."
Dr. Maduko, the President of Connecticut State Community College, looks at HCC from over 300 miles away, and he sees racism and misogyny in our complaints about the Dr. Willis' performance, and our unhappiness with the sorry state of student services, payroll, human resources and job satisfaction in general. Dr. Maduko says, "But to those who perpetuate this harm and those who doubt the existence of this form of hate, let me be clear: Believe us when we share our lived experiences." I am older and white. I wouldn't dare to claim I understand the life experiences of younger Black and Brown people in America, and I wouldn't wilfully ignore or discount those experiences. But isn't it kind of ironic that Dr. Maduko and many others from outside HCC claim they can see clearly what's going on at this college without having walked a single step, let alone a mile, in our shoes? I don't know anybody who thinks Dr. Willis is doing a bad job because she's a Black woman. But I sure do know a lot of people who think she's doing a terrible job, and that HCC is a less good place to learn, and a much worse place to teach, than it was before she got here. Of course, Dr. Maduko is entitled to his opinions. But as far as I am concerned, he can keep those opinions in Connecticut.
Advice to the Administration:
When Trustees are assessing how things are going at HCC, they need to take the opinions of students and employees seriously. And as long as employee surveys are not anonymous, the Trustees shouldn't trust the reports they get from the President's Office. Folks who work here have learned that these days, the squeaky wheel does not get the grease. The squeaky wheel just gets replaced. And usually with a wheel that's not as good as the old one was.

From: Other	October 28, 2024
Let them eat cake!
Who is paying for this??: Insta-Sham #1, Insta-Sham #2, Insta-Sham #3
Advice to the Administration:
Pay the adjunct faculty/fund student services/plan for the future!

From: Employee	October 27, 2024
Quick Question
How can those at the top travel to so many countries, states, and conferences? Meanwhile, some faculty still have not received pay for courses they are teaching. Each area of the college is understaffed. Dont believe this? Try calling different departments. You will not get an answer. Send an email to upper administrative people, no response. I get it, we are getting money. But that is not going to help those who are hanging on and are overworked. I talk to people every day. They are tired and worn out. While these people go on trips. Anyone who says a conference trip is all work is stupid. Plain and simple. I am holding out. This will not go on forever. I too will say “I’m not going anywhere”. However, I will no longer sacrifice myself for this place. When it is all over, I will be part of those who stuck it out and will help to rebuild.
Advice to the Administration:
I don’t understand. Please explain. Seems as though administrators are having a blast. What about those at the bottom? Have fun.

From: Other	October 27, 2024
What is the path forward?
Staff and faculty of all races and genders have had negative experiences during the time DW has led HCC because of the culture she has created. No one wants to believe this is true but how can the overwhelming evidence be wrong? As a former employee, none of us wanted to believe it either but the facts don’t lie. We believed she would be a positive force that would bring the change we needed. Employees at all levels have shared their experiences of retaliation and questionable ethics. There is no leadership with DW, only ruling by fear. I’m not sure that anything will be done because it seems like the board and elected officials are not making any move to replace her. I am still in awe of how much money is spent on travel for the president and those she selects to accompany her. Why are we ok with this? What is HCC gaining? The amount of money being spent on consultants and memberships is unbelievable when staffing up critical offices would be a better use. I promise you, she knows how to make the case for that. The need is for less people at the top and more at the bottom. There are some great faculty at HCC and some amazing staff but those numbers are dwindling. Current employees are afraid to speak up, even on this forum. There is some clear anger coming through in these posts but there are also a lot of good points being made. The anger is understandable because the work environment at HCC has become the textbook definition of toxic. I don’t think DW knows how to fix the mess she has created so she’s just continuing along a path of doing anything that will make her look good without much concern about what might be best for HCC. The board is enabling that. It’s about adding experience to her resume for her next move. She does not care about what HCC will be in 5 years because she will be gone but she’s only leaving on her her terms since the board is in her pocket.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop pandering to the president and do what you know is right. DW stop badmouthing your frontline staff and faculty every chance you get at community events and on podcasts. They disagree with you because you are wrong. Why else would so many long term and new employees at all levels be gone during the last 3 years?

From: Other	October 26, 2024
John Maduko
Labeling any criticism against Daria as racist and sexist is lazy. Is this the playbook at one's place of employment when given unwelcomed/deserved feedback...?
Advice to the Administration:
Deflecting responsibility using words such as: 'racist' and 'sexist' is not working. The public is not uniformed or uneducated.

From: Other	October 25, 2024
John Maduko
2021 Aspen Institute Rising Presidential Fellow.
Advice to the Administration:
Towing the party line. Aspen again

From: County Resident	October 25, 2024
Howard Community College Announces Historic Apparel Partnership with Nike
Does HCC really need to partner with Nike? Is the athletic department so desperate for money that this is necessary? Or will the income from this deal simply flow into Mahogany Row's occupants pockets? Howard Community College Announces... Are there no local businesses that could supply apparel and emblazon them with the HCC logo without making every student into a walking bilboard for Nike? This feels like another DW boondoggle that does nothing more than position DW for her next gig.

From: County Resident	October 25, 2024
Re: Do better
So your only gauge of success is that the current administration is bringing money into the community??? Yet with all of this money coming into the community, HCC employees aren't getting paid? The metric of a successful college isn't the money it brings to the community but the ultimate success of its students. You are clearly a part of the DW fan club who appear to be employing strategic ignorance to maintain their belief that all is well at HCC. You couldn't be more wrong.

From: Other	October 25, 2024
Racist and Sexist? Not Likely.
For anyone, especially journalists conducting due diligence, I encourage you to review the actual comments before reaching conclusions. What I see are individuals with valid concerns who hesitate to voice them through formal channels due to fear of retaliation. Consider this: as of October 25, 2024, there are 320 posts. Were all of these posts made by sexist white employees? Or is it possible—just possible—that at least some of these posts came from women and people of color (as some posters have identified themselves)? Even though this is an anonymous site, it is far more reasonable to conclude that these comments—clearly neither racist nor sexist—come from a broad cross-section of Howard County residents and HCC employees. It’s important to note that white males make up a MINORITY of this group. And again, I don't see the racism or sexism; rather, I see valid issues which many of us have dealt with, first-hand. I'm not white, but that's not the point.

From: Other	October 25, 2024
Let me be clear
Please understand that these comments are not racist or sexist. They are a cry for help from those who are suffering at a work place. Really? A poor leader is a poor leader. Regardless of thier race, color, sex, etc.
Advice to the Administration:
Excuses and excuses

From: County Resident	October 25, 2024
The pathetic automatic knee-jerk reaction to criticism of any kind
From LinkedIn: "The recent anonymous, hateful attacks against Dr. Daria J. Willis, Ph.D., President of Howard Community College, are not only an affront to her but to all who stand for equity and truth. These racist, sexist, and discriminatory lies are a painful reminder of the systemic oppression that persists. We must confront and condemn these actions without hesitation. President Willis’ leadership, character, and commitment to higher education are beyond reproach. Her accomplishments speak louder than any hate-filled comment ever could. But to those who perpetuate this harm and those who doubt the existence of this form of hate, let me be clear: Believe us when we share our lived experiences. These are not isolated incidents—they reflect a broader, enduring reality faced by marginalized professionals. Let this be a call to our presidential, professional, and cultural communities: we must rally around Dr. Willis and every leader who faces discrimination because of their identity and unapologetic journey. It’s time to raise our collective voices in defense of those targeted by hate and to push back against the forces that seek to divide us." John Maduko, M.D. President - Connecticut State Community College The criticism of Daria Willis does not arise from racism or sexism. They arise from observable breaches of ethical conduct. There are individuals who are speaking out not only here in this forum but also to news media outlets and they are bringing receipts. "We must confront and condemn these actions without hesitation." That's a dangerous course of action to take if you haven't verified that these criticisms are without merit. But as we have seen time and time again, the wagons are circled until the truth prevails and then the wagons run for the hills.

From: Other	October 25, 2024
Do better
This webpage is ridiculous and doesn’t make you all look good as professionals and role models. Smh…do better as examples for HCC students.
Advice to the Administration:
I’m so sorry that this is happening to you all. You are helping to bring so much money to our community and we appreciate the support.

From: County Resident	October 23, 2024
Re: Board of Trustees Meeting
There is an announcement on the HCC website Newsroom dated October 22, 2024, about the change of date for the meeting. You literally have to go searching around the HCC website to find this information. Howard Community College board of trustees announces change of date and format and closed session for October meeting "The Howard Community College (HCC) Board of Trustees announces a change of date and format and closed session for their October 2024 meeting. The work session and regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. and will be virtual in format. A watch room will be made available for public use in McCuan Hall, room 201. The board will be conducting a certain portion of its meeting in closed session under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Title 3 of the General Provisions Article 3-303 (b). The closed session will also be conducted virtually via Zoom. Board materials for the meetings are posted on the college website as part of the library archives. For more information on meetings of the board of trustees, contact HCC’s Office of the President at 443-518-1820". The reason for the meeting going virtually would probably be because President Willis is out of the country attending cybersecurity conferences with a delegation from Howard County Government and Calvin Ball, which is an 11 day tour of Germany, Ireland and the UK and won't be back in time: Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Invited to Speak at Global Cybersecurity Conference in Germany Just putting the dots together (or maybe it's the pieces of Lego together) to get the full picture. As for those Board materials for the October 2024 meeting and Zoom link: Board of Trustees Work Session and Board Meeting Materials Meanwhile, if you do have any questions about the BoT meeting, the President's assistant, Molly Wong won't be able to answer them this week because her email away message reads: "Hong, Molly Automatic reply: Thank you for your email. I will be attending the ACCT conference from October 22-25, 2024, and will be delayed in responding to emails during this time. If you require immediate assistance, please call (443) 518-1820. Kind regards, Molly Hong
Advice to the Administration:
The Board of Trustees materials are a public document for all to access and review. Whoever prepares this document hasn't noticed that some parts are marked up with dates saying October 29, 2024 in one part and other parts are marked up with dates saying October 30, 2024. Didn't anyone check this document for inconsistencies before publicly publishing it? And when publishing the document, why are there missing names and titles of recently hired people in the September 18, 2024 Work Session minutes? Also, no mention of BoT members resigning in the minutes. Aren't the minutes supposed to reflect events that occurred in the meeting? When publishing the list of recent hires in October BoT meeting materials, did you not notice it is the same document as September 18, 2024 BoT meeting materials, yet you've hired new people since then, like Memory Hewlett, the new Director of Procurement (unadvertised position, again). Journalists, are you following along?

From: Employee	October 23, 2024
Board of Trustees Meeting
Please be advised that next week's board meeting has been changed. It's no longer open to the public to attend. It will be only available to watch virtually with no interaction. They have NOT made these details available to anyone yet (website, time and date).
Advice to the Administration:
Shame on you for doing this. Every time you hear there might be protests or large numbers attending who don't agree with your actions, you cowardly go online virtually, and give a nonsense excuse. It's time to face your actions. Hold open meetings where the community can attend, just like your bylaws require.

From: -fyi	October 22, 2024
Re unpublished: Baltimore Banner
To the person who posted a very snarky hit-and-run comment about their disappointment with the Baltimore Banner, there is more going on behind the scenes than you know. There is no guarantee of victory in this endeavor but alienating potential allies is a foolish move. Be patient. -fyi

From: Other	October 22, 2024
Re: It's not just admin & faculty, this is harming students+The People vs Aspen?
To the Student who wrote this. BRAVO! Your post is PRICELESS
Advice to the Administration:
Daria, how can you stay with facts like this. You are destined for the Aspen Institute, big bucks for being it’s first POC CEO/Presdient.

From: Student	October 22, 2024
Re: It's not just admin & faculty, this is harming students+The People vs Aspen?
Tell me about it. I took for granted how well-oiled a machine HCC once was. The issue of declining quality of student-facing services is major and seems to be overlooked. The decline of financial aid and scholarships has already been mentioned a few times by students in this forum. Multiple fellow students have shared with me that they have been at risk of homelessness as problems would arise with financial aid and scholarships in the form of “disappeared” funds and revised offer letters. This would result in an unexpected full-tuition cost that was previously expected to substantially be covered between aid and scholarships. When calling in to the respective offices to try and resolve the issues, they were unable to get a hold of anyone and then had to seek out sources to get quick cash such as taking out loans, opening multiple lines of credit, and getting multiple jobs. In a few cases they were behind on rent due to the flip flopping of provided aid. The student population does not deserve this. Community colleges serve students of diverse demographics, especially the financially vulnerable Will anything change soon? I don’t know. There seem to be chinks in the armor of administration but nothing definitive has happened yet. (Source for following info linked toward the bottom) Both the Governor of Maryland (Wes Moore) and HCC President Daria Willis are associated with the Aspen Institute. In fact, the Governor was an inaugural Aspen Ascend fellow in 2012 and President Willis was an Aspen Ascend fellow in 2021. According to Influence Watch, the “Aspen Institute is a left-leaning, Washington, D.C.-headquartered think tank that focuses on convening senior-level professionals, hosting events, and driving dialogue across the business, communications, education, environment, health, criminal justice, philanthropy, and national security affairs sectors. Aspen Institute supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial equity and has hosted events with activist professor Ibram X. Kendi to discuss the far-left concept of anti-racism.” I personally have no skin in the game regarding left or right politics. As a student my sole interest is a stable academic environment as a means for a launching pad to a successful career and financial future. I am just relaying what the watchdogs are saying. As of 2022 the Aspen Institute has assets of over $475 million and revenue of over $189 million. “In 2022, Aspen Institute spent $95,042,121 on public policy programs addressing issues including economic distress, educational opportunity, environmentalism, and the left-wing concept of racial justice. That same year, the organization spent $19,361,690 on campus activities and $15,274,949 on public programming including the Aspen Ideas Festival, Spotlight Health, and the Aspen Security Forum.” That is a lot of money by the way; could purchase a lot of influence if one were so inclined. Source: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/aspen-institute/ Is there a money trail to be followed here? What sort of ideas and agendas are Aspen Ascend fellows encouraged to push? Has any favoritism been shown by giving HCC contracts to Aspen network individuals and organizations? Are these leaders (the Governor and HCC President) beholden to the interests of their constituents or to the interests of a shadowy think tank. Are they independent thinkers or a mouthpiece of the highest bidder? Elected or Installed? Leader or Puppet? Agents of change or agents of chaos? One in the same? We see the dysfunction emanating from the top of the institution but it seems that an external player has been meddling behind the scenes, installing batteries in the backs of selected “leaders” Faculty, in light of the connection to Aspen’s agendas how does it compare to what you have seen on the ground at the institution? Anything to make you think that certain implemented changes and policies may be the brainchild of someone other than President Daria? To any investigative journalists I may have done some basic legwork here. Please continue to follow this trail where it leads you This will be case study on “how not to run an organization” for years to come. If I was able to access the student services I so desperately needed, I would not have had the time to look into any of this. Thank you and your welcome. I guess the moral of the story here seems to be: If you accumulate enough money, you too could one day get to play out your god-complex fantasies molding the world into the image of your ideology, regardless of how many lives and careers are ruined along the way; the ends justify the means.

From: Student	October 22, 2024
It's not just admin & faculty, this is harming students
I'm a non-traditional older student, and I've got accommodations from DSS for medically documented learning disabilities. I was in an allied health program. I was denied my accommodations by one of the instructors. I was targeted by this instructor. I was bullied and humiliated in front of the cohort. I was told if I had any problems to contact the program director and/or chair. I sent multiple emails that were not returned or if I got a response I was told to send days/times available for a meeting but when I did I received no response. Rather than fail, I removed myself from the program. I followed the proper channels according to the student handbook when filing both my appeal and my student complaint. Nothing was done. When K. Heatherington was the president the campus ran like a well oiled machine. It was a wonderful place to be. Everyone was so helpful and kind. The campus was immaculate! My purpose for coming to HCC was to learn the skills needed to return to the workforce & come off of disability. I've earned over 90 credits, I'm PTK & I worked as a Peer Leader. Yet I'm no closer to being able to return to work than when I got here. I've got nothing to show for it except 90 credits. I received an I grade TWICE for the same class because the instructor REFUSED to teach me. I come from a world where if you fail to do your job, let alone refuse to do it...you are FIRED! Period. This instructor told the program director that if I was in her class she wouldn't teach it. In what realm of reality does this happen? If I'd ever said that to my boss he'd have held the door open for me. How is it that so many of the professional people have left HCC and been replaced with those who feel it's the student who owes them something? I heard so many wonderful things about HCC from my kids. It was my children who gave me the courage to attempt to get a degree. I believed it was possible when I first started. I believed I could "get there from here." Now, it all feels like a distant dream.There is no one who will meet you where you dream at HCC. This is not a dream, it's a nightmare!!
Advice to the Administration:
Roll your sleeves up and start cleaning up your mess! If you don't take care of the students what's left? Without the students you've got nothing...

From: Other	October 22, 2024
More on Grade Falsification
"If the allegations are true, the next step is to find out if the grade alteration allowed the family member to get accepted into another institution. That institution must be informed of the allegations." Yes, and also inside HCC. If true, has the family member advanced in a degree program at HCC falsely? Are there honor societies or other academic organizations on campus that the family member is involved in without earning the credentials? This is the most concerning rumor of all. If anyone has direct evidence of this, please come forward.

From: Other	October 22, 2024
I’m Not Going Anywhere
A renewed contract starting January 2025… That same family member when approached by security to behave tells them “Do you know who my Mom is?”
Advice to the Administration:
Falsifying grades for your eldest would trigger "Termination With Cause." No buyout required. Howard County, you have an “Out”. It’s the small things that bring down Dictators. Hire some great lawyers to seal the deal.

From: Other	October 22, 2024
BOT meeting minutes 10-25-24
This is an error, they are from 2023.
Advice to the Administration:
Board Secretary, please publish materials in a timely manner, and make sure they are free of errors. Spend less time on social media, and focus on fulfilling your contractual obligations .

From: Other	October 21, 2024
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! - save the date 30th Oct Board Meeting
October 30th 2024 is your Board meeting. Chairs or representatives of the staff association, Union reps and students, please attend and raise whatever issues you feel comfortable raising. But don’t put your heads on the chopping block.
Advice to the Administration:
Staff association and Unions, you are a central voice who should have some degree of protection against retaliation with a collective voice for your constituents. You cannot be silenced by the board.

From: County Resident	October 21, 2024
Howard County Watchdogs (facebook.com forum)
Now the Howard County Watchdogs facebook.com forum has taken notice of the situation at HCC: HoCo Watchdogs Just what is going on at Howard Community College???

From: Other	October 21, 2024
Re: Grade Falsification
If the allegations are true, the next step is to find out if the grade alteration allowed the family member to get accepted into another institution. That institution must be informed of the allegations.

From: Other	October 21, 2024
Another Article Coming Soon
I heard the Banner is doing a follow up story on Daria with eye witness accounts and documentation… stay tuned.

From: Other	October 21, 2024
What can I do?
The board of trustees has been abhorrently negligent in their oversight duties. If you have the time and bandwidth, please contact these state senators ASAP and request very careful vetting of anyone being considered as a replacement trustee. Email: Sen. Guy Guzzone (guy.guzzone@senate.state.md.us) Email: Sen. Katie Fry Hester (katiefry.hester@senate.state.md.us) Email: Sen. Clarence Lam (clarence.lam@senate.state.md.us)

From: Other	October 21, 2024
Your Time Is Up Daria
Daria, all of your dark and narcissistic ways will be exposed very shortly. You can only hide under the shield of “racist attacks” for so long when your actual ability to manage and more importantly lead an institution is non existent . You have no compassion for the faculty and staff of HCC… the people who are the backbone of the school. I worked for you in a very high position. I took notes, saved documents. I saw it first hand. Your tactical self aggrandizing style of management is evident. My lawyer has been in conversation with the state to give them time to act and maybe protect the job of other leadership. Time is up for them too. Anyone who goes along to get along is culpable at this point. Your misdeeds must and will be exposed. It’s not just me… you crossed many others and we are speaking up with documentation. You have caused damage to the lives of innocent people and enough is enough… did you think it would go on for the full length of your contract? You think you can play chess with people’s lives because you have relationships with the Governor and County Exec. If only it were that easy. They don’t care about you enough to blight their own reputation once your mismanagement is exposed. So pack up… figure out your next move because time is up… why do you think your board is leaving and more will resign before December. You still have time… resign, apologize for your misdeeds and move on. You can’t do this job, you never could.
Advice to the Administration:
If you’re on the board… take your concerns to the Governor. You see how tumultuous her tenure has been this is not normal. Have some personal integrity and if the Governor does not act to remove her move on. Don’t tarnish your legacy over this. If you’re in her cabinet… resign or go down with her. There are other jobs. Don’t sell your soul for a paycheck.

From: Employee	October 20, 2024
Disgrace
While this site gives employees and others a safe space to express opinions, what is being done? Daria and senior leadership continue to go on like everything is fine. DW continues to jet-set around the world. I’m curious as to what she actually does at HCC. The BOT should be ashamed of themselves. How can this continue? You have employees leaving many opinions here who then go into a toxic work environment and walk on egg shells. When will this end?
Advice to the Administration:
Actually work.

From: County Resident	October 20, 2024
Another thread appears on Reddit
Columbia continues to take notice of the issues at HCC: I'm hearing rumbling... This particular comment and response is indicative of the stark contrast between the pro-admin and the anti-admin posters: Overall-Panda330 • 1d ago • I looked at that stupid, horribly designed “forum” where it just seems like a bunch of baseless and petty complaints. DramaPeeper • 23h ago • Which complaints do you think are untrue? Talk to an adjunct. They really have not been paid. Have the VPs been paid? The President? Visit student services. Is the service better or worse than last semester? Try to call anyone. Can you get through? Check the job ads. What happened to ALL of those people? Calling legitimate concerns “complaints” is an attempt to minimize real problems. They’re not firing everyone because they’re racist. They’re firing people for asking too many questions. It’s become a dictatorship and a textbook toxic workplace. The anonymous website is the only safe space to voice concerns. Have you noticed that the response to the website isn’t to deny or address ANY of the problems that were mentioned? Crying racism and sexism is how they shut down the conversation so that people stop asking questions. We shouldn’t dismiss the concerns because the people responsible for the damage are telling us there is no real problem. This isn’t about change or progress. It’s about incompetence and criminal mismanagement.

From: Employee	October 19, 2024
Racism and Other-ing
The racial demographics of Howard County, Maryland are as follows: White (Non-Hispanic): 48.4% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 19.7% Asian (Non-Hispanic): 18.8% Two+ (Non-Hispanic): 4.87% Two+ (Hispanic): 2.43% As a POC, I love that there are so many talented smart Black women who've been hired for all the top positions, even if it doesn't reflect the county's racial demographics. As an impartial observer reading these comments though, I fear for them. Daria Willis will go down with her fraud and self dealing, and her inner circle of acolytes will see their careers go down in flames with her. They deserve better.
Advice to the Administration:
The fraud with the grade fixing and the finance scandal and the sheer volume of exiting employees with stories to tell will eventually catch up to you, Daria. Nobody is going to jail for you. The underling you're cavorting with can't help you and will eventually testify against you when he realizes how much he has to lose (like, everything). White people thinking of applying for jobs at HCC: you will never get a job here. The purge is on to get rid of all the white people who currently work here. I should feel safe, but I don't. I know they will move on to weeding out the "bad" Black folks next. Those poor VPs you've hired have no idea that you're going to scapegoat and fire them the way you've done to everyone else that made you suspicious, justified or just paranoid freaking out at "disloyalty" among those you feel owe you their lives and livelihoods. Thanks for this site - I could never say any of this at work.

From: Other	October 19, 2024
Re: Middle States Commission on Higher Education Complaints
Link to MSCHE complaints policy, procedure, and form: MSCHE Complaints I also highly encourage you to review the MSCHE Standards. It’s evident that HCC is out of compliance on multiple levels (obviously, ethics is one of them).

From: Other	October 19, 2024
Middle States Commission on Higher Education contact
President Heather Perfetti President@msche.org Flood the inbox

From: Other	October 19, 2024
Grade falsification
People resigned over this. The most tentative scratch from a journalist in this particular litter box would uncover a plethora of damning evidence, more than you could ever think would be there. 😳 People retired rather than support this.
Advice to the Administration:
Pull any stray thread and the whole thing comes crashing down. It's now out there - if you're the prez, you can make that whole bad grade thingy to go away. At least until Middle States finds out that the college president can get the fix in, and then suddenly the entire college is no longer legitimate. But hey, whatever, because fab Instagram posts are there to launch Daria Willis into her next job in politics or wherever she has her sights. Condolences to the family members she will throw under the bus to get there. Nobody blames you. It sucks to be used like this. Write that tell all book while it's all still fresh.

From: Other	October 18, 2024
Re: Integrity
I am so glad that this bit of unethical behavior has finally been mentioned. This has been common knowledge for quite a while but kept secret to avoid repercussions for those who were ordered to do this unethical thing. But it appears that now the cat is out of the bag and maybe we'll finally get the ethics inquiry we have been hoping for.
Advice to the Administration:
Like Al Capone, this administration may get taken down not for the larger improprieties but for smaller improprieties like grade falsification.

From: Other	October 18, 2024
Re: Integrity
She did not just change a grade. She made other grades and conduct issues disappear. Her minions were made to go out of their way to pander to her and this family member. If you have a failing grade as a student, you should email her and demand to have your grade wiped out too.
Advice to the Administration:
There is no integrity. Anyone who allowed for this to happen should resign.

From: Student	October 18, 2024
HCC & Racism
It is obvious to me that HCC is no longer a diverse school that truly let us “get there from here”. Now unfortunately, if you don’t look a certain way, you are kicked to the curb. When the college panders to 76% of people, the other 24% is neglected and left out. Being part of the 24%, I no longer feel represented in this college.
Advice to the Administration:
Focus on true diversity instead of blatant discrimination.

From: Other	October 18, 2024
Governor Wes Moore - WAGE THEFT
No pay since August for certain staff. Is it you, the BOT collectively, or just the President Daria J Willis who will be the Defendants in this case?
Advice to the Administration:
BOT, I believe you will be required to provide additional personal information to serve as a BOT. Buckle up, plaintiffs have a water tight lawsuit. #Don’tGoAnywhere

From: Employee	October 18, 2024
No pay for work done since August.
Contracts have been approved for overload. This has been since August. I understand no payments have been made. The morale at the college is very low. People are just hanging on. Things are not getting done. Every department is definitely suffering. Except the party department. The place had problems in the past. However, administration was fair. These people are in this game for themselves. I do not see even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I know people who are looking for jobs elsewhere.
Advice to the Administration:
Do you think you will ever address the low morale? Do you think you will ever be fair when it comes to paying your employees?

From: Other	October 18, 2024
Re : Integrity
"We count on the president to uphold academic standards and to represent HCC with integrity. Instead, this president had a relative's failing grade changed to a passing grade."
Advice to the Administration:
Add that one to the long list of red flag audit points.

From: County Resident	October 18, 2024
Just why?
I'm so embarrassed/floored. This is not how leaders spend their time, effort, or free will. www.instagram.com/howardccprez
Advice to the Administration:
A lot of faculty and staff moved across the country to be a part of a cohesive community, not the narcissist show. Please address leadership optics for employee motivation.

From: Other	October 18, 2024
Integrity
We count on the president to uphold academic standards and to represent HCC with integrity. Instead, this president had a relative's failing grade changed to a passing grade.
Advice to the Administration:
To be treated respectfully, one must act honestly and with integrity.

From: County Resident	October 17, 2024
Board of Trustees nominations
Gov. Moore will appoint new Trustees to succeed the three who resigned abruptly, but he will most likely make those nominations based on the recommendation of the members of the Maryland Senate who represent Howard County. If you want to see the Governor appoint Trustees who will engage in actual oversight, email the Senators and let them know that. Let them know you are worried about HCC and its future. Email: Sen. Guy Guzzone (guy.guzzone@senate.state.md.us) Email: Sen. Katie Fry Hester (katiefry.hester@senate.state.md.us) Email: Sen. Clarence Lam (clarence.lam@senate.state.md.us)

From: County Resident	October 17, 2024
Check the staff directory
There are so many people listed in the staff directory that are long gone. It is just unbelievable that the board is not concerned about the number of staff and faculty leaving. I don’t think there have been any exit interviews.
Advice to the Administration:
Talk about snooty wooty! Why aren’t you concerned about the fact that so many people have left? Do you appreciate any of the career employees? Or is there no room for anyone else because this is all about you?

From: County Resident	October 17, 2024
I don't know whether to watch Trump or howardccprez on Instagram...
I don't think there's any question that HCC's president is a beautiful person on the outside. However, professional social media sites should be just that- professional. The president's professional site should be a platform for HCC initiatives, accomplishments, recognitions, a place to highlight donors or the integration of HCC with the community at large. It is also an appropriate place for publicizing awards the president may receive. The most recent montage on Instagram is very much appropriate for a personal Instagram account that is accessible to friends, acquaintances, and the family of the president. The recent post illustrates three things to me: 1) the original poster possesses an alarming level of confusion around the terms "professional" and "personal," 2) the original poster does not realize most in the HCC community cannot afford numerous professional photo shoots (again, that is fine personally, but comes off as completely out of touch considering the recent appeal for Food Pantry donations on campus), and 3) the original poster's initial intent, which I assume was to promote HCC (?), is doing quite the opposite and making the school simply look shallow and foolish.
Advice to the Administration:
These days, it appears that no one is allowed to make even the simplest decision at HCC without higher ups approving it (great management model- ugh). How about you extend this model to the president and have the BOT approve Instagram posts? Some oversight is clearly needed by clearer and more introspective minds--though given the information posted on this page, I don't have much faith that the BOT would ever tell the president no. Maybe the governor?

From: County Resident	October 17, 2024
RE: Daria Willis, the gift that keeps on giving
Somehow I can't imagine it would have been acceptable if former HCC President Kate Heatherington had plastered social media with videos of her in leather. But then again, Kate Heatherington understood what it meant to hold a high office and how to command respect (unlike DW.)
Advice to the Administration:
Open an "Only Fans" account and leave HCC.

From: County Resident	October 17, 2024
RE: Daria Willis, the gift that keeps on giving
The world is a stage, and you’ve clearly mastered the art of always casting yourself as the lead. It’s almost as if the supporting characters are optional. Narcissism exhibit #1 One has to ask what does a video like this do to enhance the reputation of Howard Community College?
Advice to the Administration:
Again, this stuff belongs in your private video collection at home.

From: Other	October 17, 2024
Daria J Willis LinkedIn account
The #Santorini red dress clicks are so yesterday. Check out the semi raunchy new video to promote oneself, posted by Daria yesterday and loved by Daria. It really is troubling to see something like this on a professional networking social media account. It would suggest that Daria may need help from a psychologist and psychoanalyst
Advice to the Administration:
Trick or Treat? This truly is HCC’s equivalent of Nightmare on Elm Street. Howard County, we can understand your concerns (students, staff, residents). Her personality is totally SCARY!

From: Student	October 17, 2024
HCC Website is useless
Been trying to find information about service learning and alternative spring break and a search of the HCC website turns up NOTHING and what it does find is bad links and dead ends. Another area of the college where people are asleep at the wheel, or they've all been eliminated and not replaced.
Advice to the Administration:
How many employees are left to work with? Everything is so broken on campus. Even the cafeteria workers are short with students buying breakfast. Everyone is on edge and trying to do what they can, but nerves are frayed.

From: County Resident	October 16, 2024
re: Enough is enough
Another good one: https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/contact-us/ Use an anonymous phone number to call the tip line or an anonymous email to contact a specific journalist. Jess Nocera wrote the September 20th article: "Howard Community College board rejects calls to oust president, assails online critics." You might want to contact her and ask for a follow up. jess.nocera@thebaltimorebanner.com

From: County Resident	October 16, 2024
Administration's rating is still dropping
The rating for HCC's leadership has dropped another point on glassdoor.com: Daria J. Willis 9% approve of CEO

From: County Resident	October 16, 2024
Plant ops staff being used for landscaping at presidents home
I’m not sure if this is in the Presidents contract but should DW be allowed to use HCC staff at her home for landscaping? If it was done for an HCC event what was the event and why wasn’t it held on campus and why wasn't HCC branding used at the event?
Advice to the Administration:
If it’s not in her contract she needs to pay the college for the landscaping and cease using HCC staff for personal projects. If it is in her contract why? Can be rather awkward for the HCC staff that perform these services. Events held at her home need to be transparent in terms of what the event is and put on the calendar of events even if it’s by invitation only.

From: -fyi	October 15, 2024
RE: Enough is enough
Be cautious. If you decide to contact any of the various nationwide and local news stations you will find that they often require you to provide an email address when you submit info to their 'tips' page. If you no longer work for HCC then by all means contact these news outlets and tell them anything and everything that you've witnessed at HCC. However, if you are still working for HCC you should take precautions when contacting these news outlets. It is recommended that you create a new (free) anonymous email account with an email provider that specializes in maintaining personal anonymity (such as Proton Mail) using a pseudonym. And when submitting emails to, or receiving emails from these news outlets use a publicly available computer in such places as your local public library or your local Kinko's etc. (or a VPN from your home computer if you are technically inclined) so that the origin of your message cannot be connected to you personally. The underhanded dealings of the current HCC administration needs to be made known to the public at-large but you need to be remain anonymous. -fyi

From: County Resident	October 14, 2024
Enough is enough
It's time to contact our local and nationwide news stations. This has gone too far! nbcnews.com foxnews.com cnn.com wtop.com
Advice to the Administration:
The least you can do is explain to the faculty and adjuncts why they have not received payment for their work so far this semester. To go on as if nothing is going on is absolutely irresponsible.

From: Other	October 13, 2024
Re New HCC rankings drop reflect HCC President and leadership style
THANK YOU FOR SHARING! This post speaks volumes. Howardcc.fyi has enabled reality to be memorialised. 250,000 views by the end of the Holidays is the next goal. 100,000 views was achieved several days back. 1,000,000 views by the end of the school year. We need as many people as possible to read this site.

From: County Resident	October 12, 2024
New HCC rankings drop reflect HCC President and leadership style
In August 2023, HCC announced it was ranked #14 by WalletHub in the nation for Community Colleges. One of the Best Community Colleges in the U.S. In August 2024, WalletHub now lists HCC as #32 Best & Worst Community Colleges (2024) In September 2023, HCC announced that according to Niche, HCC was ranked #92 for two year institutions and colleges in the US: Howard Community College Named For 2025, Niche announced HCC is now ranked #102 for two year institutions and colleges in the US: Howard Community College Rankings And how does Niche create their data? About Niche's College Rankings "Our college rankings don't use data submitted to us by colleges or ask “experts” to echo back which colleges they think are top. Our algorithm only relies on the most trustworthy sources, like the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation, to supply our data. By thoughtfully combining the most accurate facts with reviews from real students, Niche gives prospective college students the most transparent and complete view of the schools they are considering".
Advice to the Administration:
HCC Board of Trustees that are left - As the President and Leadership salaries increase, HCC national rankings go down. Are these the results you want to keep supporting and endorsing? These facts don't lie. HCC Leadership - as many have written here on this website, HCC was going upwards and was among the best in the country, and that came from a functional, experienced organization with educational goals driving them. A national Baldridge Award in 2019 came from much hard work throughout the campus and HCC with Howard County people and associates were/are proud of the award. When you present "data driven results", you need to put them into perspective from what came prior to your arrival. Given the data everyone is now seeing nationally after your arrival, the results now prove your sandblasting style of leadership administration is no doubt detrimental to the future of HCC.

From: Student	October 12, 2024
How could something like this happen Columbia?
Howard CC was previously a beacon for the wider Maryland community. I myself am an out-of-county student attending HCC since CoVid because of the school’s reputation, resources, and stellar recommendations from alumnus friends and family regarding the college’s various program offerings. I have met many out-of-county students in my time here. Some were commuting from as far as Carroll County to attend this college. Tuition is some 25% higher for out-of-county students but it used to be worth it. The president’s disparaging remarks about the Columbia community are senseless in my opinion and show a lack of awareness and understanding about the population being served. People attending HCC were not just from Columbia, or even just Howard County, but rather from many counties all over Maryland as this was the best community college in the state. Now, a bunch of new initiatives targeting a underserved populations and social media PR has masked the troubles of the everyday student. Underserved populations such as student-parents absolutely deserve allocated resources. That is not the issue. What is concerning and damaging to the everyday student experience is not being able to access adequate student services. Why are new initiatives being rolled out and then at the same time student-facing services (which affect all students from all backgrounds) such as financial aid and advising are in decline? During CoVid until about a year afterward finance and advising issues were always a quick fix. It was very easy to contact someone who could “save the day”, solve your issue, and/or point you in the right direction. Now it takes a millennia to contact people. In the summer I made calls everyday trying to contact a human being in student-facing services to no avail in an attempt to resolve issues in the jurisdiction of financial aid and advising. Scholarships and financial aid have “disappeared”. These funds are crucial for any student but especially out of county students given added tuition and transportation costs. Now we don’t have the funds to invest in application fees and college visits for the sake of transferring, as a full-time income is going into tuition and transportation entirely. The treatment of faculty is worrisome. How does faculty treatment affect students? Well when students transfer to 4-year, they need recommendations. Many a time I have heard from fellow students preparing their transfer applications that they sought out a professor in whose course they performed very well to ask for a recommendation, only to find out that that professor(s) has quietly left the college. The same situation with advisors as some applications seek advisor input. Reasons come out later ranging from firing to retiring. HCC used to be the place that you could “get there from here”. Now, with under-resourced student services, and disorganized allocation of aid and scholarship funds, you might just get stuck here
Advice to the Administration:
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

From: County Resident	October 12, 2024
RE: still no contract, still no pay
It's week 8. At this point, HCC should be required to pay interest on withheld wages. Inept and asinine. Web page with the state form to have your wages paid. Note the form says to contact employer in writing first. Start the paper trails folks! Wage Claim Form
Advice to the Administration:
Will you refuse compensation until all staff and faculty with outstanding wages are paid first? I'm guessing no. What a farce. "There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt." -Erma Bombeck. HCC admin seems to have chosen pain, tragedy, and hurt for those trying to improve the lives of our community members. Shame on you. Shame.

From: Student	October 12, 2024
Just another opinion
"there are kids that just don’t want to go to the four-year school and they never really had an avenue in Howard county to do that." The wave of the future is changing That will come as a surprise to the faculty and staff who have been doing so since the school was started in 1970. "Dr. Willis is focused on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring the college's culture of care and belonging extends to all students and employees...." www.dariajwillis.com It's a pity that the "nationwide search" couldn't find someone to run this educational institution who was focused on education. Paying employees on time and in full is a basic function of management. If you can't do it, someone needs to be replaced. Perhaps some of the expert faculty in the Business/Entrpreneurship department can help.
Advice to the Administration:
HCC does not have a DEI problem--it has an administration problem.

From: Other	October 12, 2024
Still no contract
Still no contract. Still no pay.
Advice to the Administration:
Still no contract. Still no pay.

From: Other	October 11, 2024
Daria J Willis 2023 salary
Maryland State Employee Salaries \| Open The Books $314,407.56
Advice to the Administration:
Not sure who calculates this and if it includes all benefits such as housing and car. 2024 will be the final year of terms in the joining contract. The 3 year renewal may have been linked to social media success (excluding Howardcc.fyi), implementing a 7 week module and other funky items. This could leave a huge range between bid and offer. With a BOT that are way too close to the president, the higher that salary could be.

From: Employee	October 11, 2024
HR Trolling the College Community
The (yet another) group of new people running HR are reaching out to introduce themselves to the HCC community - meet HR!! What they don't realize is that NO ONE wants to be on HR's radar. Everyone is trying to be invisible, undetectable to the new squad of people hired to hunt down and eliminate dissenters. Nobody is buying the fake friendliness. We've seen the sheep costume on better actors. Red Riding Hood and Grandma have been around longer than these chumps, long enough to get tenure, retire, and tell everyone their stories.
Advice to the Administration:
It's too late for these pathetic chess moves. You've been found out.

From: Other	October 11, 2024
September 6 post from Mr Carter on X(previously twitter) about Howardcc.fyi
"This is a website with anonymous comments leveling racist, sexist lies against our board of trustees and our president. Everybody, from places as high as @iamwesmoore and @arunamiller offices to our first year, first-time student enrollees, knows the success these leaders are inspiring. And it’s a good thing that an overwhelming majority of our community members enthusiastically support @HowardCCPrez and her vision for HCC as a global model for all of higher education. We’re grateful for Trustees Sean Keller, Vivian Lawyer, Chris Marasco, Felícita Solá-Carter, Dr. Carl Perkins, and Del. Frank Turner for their unwavering support of @HowardCC and its progress. Having had the chance to work with this board, this president, and community for a year, I know Dragon Country doesn’t take any mess. And that’s my kind of community."
Advice to the Administration:
Where is the BOT Good Guy. One voting board member was not mentioned, only six of the seven voting board members were listed. Why was Shafeeq Ahmed omitted? Why?

From: Other	October 10, 2024
DW's contract renewal
I understand why many details in a president's contract are not made public, but it seems odd that the existence and length of a renewal contract would be kept secret from HCC's stakeholders. This is a public college. What am I missing here?

From: County Resident	October 9, 2024
HCC Board of Trustee's new appointment
Today, October 9th, 2024, was the Board of Trustees Legislative and Community Relations Committee Meeting and Audit Finance Committee Meeting at 8.30am via Zoom. Board of Trustees...Meeting Materials The first item of business: 1 – Special Election of Fiscal Year 2025 Board Officers Background: The bylaws of the Howard Community College Board of Trustees states, “In the event the chair cannot fulfill their term, the vice chair will become interim chair to finish the term. The board shall then conduct a special election for an interim vice chair to finish the term of office." In compliance with the bylaws, the board will conduct a special election at the October 9, 2024, meeting. Compliance: This recommendation is in compliance with the Howard Community College board of trustees’ bylaws, Article IV, Board Officers and Their Duties. An entire business day has passed and no announcement by the President or the VP of External Affairs, Communications & Advancement or from any member of Senior Leadership regarding the results from the meeting on who was elected Interim Vice Chair of HCC BoT. Given the current state of the HCC BoT attracting press attention, shouldn't this item of business be directly communicated to those within HCC at least? If you looked at the HCC website at the Board of Trustees profile page later in the day after the conclusion of the meeting, you will see the change made on the website. Board of Trustees Felícita Solá-Carter is now the Interim Vice Chair of HCC Board of Trustees.
Advice to the Administration:
Spend more time directly and effectively communicating important information on the future of HCC within HCC and the broader community, including Howard County tax payers and vital donors, than spending paid work hours creating and posting instant gratification social media posts about building Lego structures. Show Felícita Solá-Carter the respect and accolades she deserves as a result of the BoT election, as she's been on the board longer than the current President of HCC. It only took HCC senior leadership two days to make a press announcement about Vivian Moore Lawyer becoming Interim Chair. Why is that? Where is Ms. Solá-Carter's press release? Howard Community College Announces Leadership Transition Thanks howardcc.fyi for prompting the President (secretary/treasurer of BoT) to post the board meeting minutes from all 2024 meetings to appear for public viewing online. However, the Board Meeting Minutes from Sept 18, 2024, where board members resigned and attracted press attention, are still not posted after over 2 weeks. Why??????

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
Re: Daria J Willis 3 year contract (but stayed 2 years 6 months)
The information posted on this site regarding Daria’s history and previous institutions is integral to showing her pattern of behavior. It’s clearly a her problem, not an HCC employee problem. When Daria was hired, her contract was 3 years (2021-2024); from what I understand, before Chris Marasco’s term as BoT chair ended in June 2023, Daria’s contract was renewed for another 3 years (until 2026).

From: Other	October 9, 2024
Daria J Willis 3 year contract (but stayed 2 years 6 months)
EvCC and its new president agree to terms of 3-year contract. Daria Willis will be paid $241,000 annually and begin her tenure in July. By Eric Stevick Wednesday, May 8, 2019 5:38am LOCAL NEWS HeraldNet.com
Advice to the Administration:
Very telling, best thing EvCC ever did was to allow Daria to leave 6 months early. Worst thing HCC ever did was hire Daria . Was it on a 3 year contract to join with a significant salary increase? Was that contract renewed in the Board meeting where 3 BOT members resigned? "I’m not going anywhere" could mean I got a 2-3 year extension. If you fire me, you have to pay up and I don’t have to leave my amazing home and car. Golden parachutes are the best thing ever, but I deserve it. Felt like splashing out in Santorini to celebrate. #IloveHCC #Untouchable

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
Inappropriate relationships on campus
Just a reminder: It's a bad idea, especially at the top level, to get into a romantic/sexual relationship with someone who reports directly to you for their job. Even if both parties weren't married to other people, it's still a bad idea. Among other reasons, it's a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen.
Advice to the Administration:
People can see you. Elevators are not "7 Minutes in Heaven" like middle school. People at conferences and ball games have eyes. Everyone knows what's going on and everyone is talking about you. If your respective spouses learn that you've made them laughingstocks on campus you are looking forward to grim divorce settlements. PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU To the hapless underling in this story: save yourself while you still can. People pity you.

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
More bricks! Less straw!
The outcome of reorganizing the college's teaching divisions by downsizing by more than half, and then reducing the staff of admin assistants even further, is that too few people are tasked with more work than is humanly possible. That's why everything on campus is a mess. The few left are desperately trying to bail out the lifeboats while watching the "snooty-wooties" in upper management sip champagne on what's left of the Titanic while they laugh at the drowning. If only people had warned the reorganizers that this would be the result....! Oh. Right. We did. I guess the beatings will continue until morale improves 🙄
Advice to the Administration:
It looks like you think the college is all about the cabal at the top. What's your end game, after driving away the faculty, staff, and the students? What will be left for you to fundraise and grift on? Are you just there to take what you can, as long as it lasts?

From: County Resident	October 9, 2024
RE: Daria Willis, the gift that keeps on giving
October 3rd 2024 Instagram post: ******** howardccprez The Lego Millennium Falcon has become a project for the entire office.😝 Thankful to the amazing Molly Hong for helping me troubleshoot today, and to Lisa for catching us at this awesome moment.❤️😀 Pic #1, Pic #2, Pic #3, Pic #4 ******** The absurdity keeps growing. HCC's president spends time AT WORK dicking around with Lego's while making a cool quarter mill salary and ignoring the distress calls coming in from all sides. Can we just ponder for a moment how this looks to students? Is this what we want to put forth as a role model? Has anyone in this community ever had a job that paid a premium salary while allowing you to play with toys? Maybe my life experiences were all wrong but I doubt it. Had I spent any time on the job ignoring my duties and playing with toys I would have been fired immediately. And rightly so. Heaven help any student that learns from this that childish behavior is rewarded in real life as an adult. They are in for a rude awakening.
Advice to the Administration:
I am angry. My tax dollars are being wasted on this foolishness. You can count on me to campaign against any government representative that is promoting this wastefulness.

From: Other	October 9, 2024
Associate Vice President of Teaching & Learning (AVPTL)
Dr Toni Sims Muhammad Howard Community College, Teaching & Learning (Academic Affairs), Associate Vice President Allen University, Dean, Business, Education and Social Science, Faculty Member Guilford College, Sociology and Anthropology, Adjunct Kennesaw State University, Interdisciplinary Studies, Adjunct University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Sociology Anthropology and CAFS, Faculty Member Southern New Hampshire University, College of Online and Continuing Education, Adjunct Allen University, Social Sciences, CHAIR Allen University, Academic Affairs, ASSOCIATE VP Allen University, Office of Academic Affairs, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Prior employers of the AVPTL for your information

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
Tired of all the issues!
I have been working here for years and ever since Willis showed up, there have been issues with my pay. If we continue to not get paid (and really, there should be interest due to the delayed pay from all the mistakes that have been made) then maybe we should hold off on submitting grades. I know students count on getting their grades, but maybe it will hit harder for those higher up. Just a thought.

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
Re: Employee Pay
I empathize with faculty regarding the delay in payment. It’s pretty clear that this is not priority for Senior Leadership. A big part of this is due to the fact that the AVP of Teaching and Learning and Senior Administration want their hand in everything. Processes have been reworked so that the AVPTL can ‘approve’ them before they go to the Provost/Senior Administration. I heard that the AVPTL’s executive assistant had a pile of faculty overloads on her desk for one month because she “needed more information.” I’m not sure if this was an oversight on her part (she is fairly new and still learning) or if she was taking direction from the AVPTL. Either way, this is completely unacceptable. The AVPTL wants her hand in everything purely for her ego; to make herself feel more important. There is no logic to why processes which have worked fairly well in the past should have been reworked so that a million people can ‘approve’ it.
Advice to the Administration:
Get your priorities straight. Pay faculty.

From: Other	October 9, 2024
Employee Pay
In response to the statement concerning adjunct pay, I know FT employees who have not been paid for various assignments. There is a lack of urgency on the part of administration concerning employees. This in turn reduces morale and commitment. This is not good. This website serves a purpose for communicating so that people can express their hopeless feelings. I do not think it would be viable to have employees talk with administration face to face as someone suggested earlier. Let’s face it, people need jobs and to work. They do what they have to do to survive. Even if it means working in a toxic environment until they find another job. Just hang in there and do the best.
Advice to the Administration:
Employees are starting to wear out and commitment is not as it should be. Employees are frustrated. Not sure what can be done, but if left untreated it may result in students not getting what they need. You can get all the donations and accolades that are out there, but if you do not have employees to back it up, it is useless.

From: Employee	October 9, 2024
The difference in our salaries is ridiculous
Sometimes I work a 10-hour day grading and lesson planning. I love my work as an adjunct, and I love the students, but when I see the administrators' salaries and think about how little money I earn, it's so depressing. This will be my last year doing this.
Advice to the Administration:
Think about how it looks that you're pulling such huge salaries while your adjuncts and full-time professors earn so little in comparison. Clean up your acts-- and start listening to the wonderful teachers & staff members who are on the front lines. Have more humility, listen and learn. It's not too late to restore HCC's reputation.

From: County Resident	October 8, 2024
Daria Willis, the gift that keeps on giving
The wave of the future is changing, and we want to be a part of that ******** "Most of our community members are highly educated. They send their kids to really good colleges, four-year schools that are snooty-wooty and all that good stuff, which is great. But there’s also an underlying group of people who don’t have that access. And even in those more snooty households, there are kids that just don’t want to go to the four-year school and they never really had an avenue in Howard county to do that." ******** "Snooty-wooty"? It seems the disdain that Daria Willis holds for those in her own community is always on full display. Given that she lives in Columbia one might think she'd have the prudence to bridle her tongue occasionally if only to avoid offending her own neighbors.

From: Employee	October 8, 2024
Adjunct pay, Fall 2024
To set the record straight, the adjunct faculty I know were paid on Friday, September 27. Some people's direct deposits didn't turn up until Monday, but the people I know have been paid. Not that this is acceptable. HCC just plain missed the mid-month payday for all adjunct faculty, and did not pay adjuncts until they had been working for over a month. And when that September 27 paycheck came, it wasn't double. HCC is just dividing the payments over 8 paydays instead of 9, or something like that. Whoever said "wage theft" earlier hit the nail on the head.

From: Other	October 8, 2024
Aspen Institute (The Dark side of leadership / hype train)
President and CEO of the Aspen Institute Daniel Porterfield received $846,440, according to the W2 on Form 990 from 2022. Can’t see 2023 yet. Inflation adjusted in 2023 maybe North of that number. What a gravy train!
Advice to the Administration:
The whole circular economy of consulting and coaching (Swim and VML coaching) created around education is a feeding frenzy for them to consume tax $’s. For students, hiring and retaining excellent staff in the classrooms is key to any successful college. Hang in there staff, students bear with us. HCC will survive this darkest hour, and will rebound to better serve Residents of Howard County. Healing can’t start until you have booted out the bad characters in leadership. A true leader thrives upon all employees fulfilling their potential. True gratification.

From: Student	October 8, 2024
Re: Faculty unpaid
Sadly it's more common than you'd think. The most common and largest annual form of stolen money in the US is wage theft. The school maintains it's reputation due to academic achievement and schmoozing. Daria Willis works overtime sweet talking donors while the actually skilled faculty teach students incredibly well. Students win awards and the school ranks well in contests, and those things don't go away immediately because of unpaid wages.
Advice to the Administration:
Try paying staff on time.

From: Other	October 8, 2024
The problem is bigger than just HCC
The problem with HCC's president isn't isolated at all. If you look colleges across the nation that have hired Aspen Institute "graduates" to be their presidents, then you'll see that a huge number of them are totally lacking in leadership and management skills since all they push at AI is to come up with some goofy catchphrase that means absolutely nothing. Either you have leadership skills or you don't. There really isn't any way to magically teach someone how to be a leader and to have everyone else on board with your vision. It's something that you instinctually know or you don't. The best leadership quote I've ever heard is "You can't push a wet noodle, you have to pull it." You can't force someone to like you or your ideas, but you can get them on board if they feel like they've been consulted or given ownership of an idea or practice, even in a tiny amount. Authoritarian management never works, especially when an institution has so many advanced degrees. A leader's incompetence will quickly reveal itself once the catchphrase wears off and the work of the institution resumes. I feel HCC faculty/staff's pain, but know that you aren't alone and your president isn't an isolated incident, unfortunately. The even bigger problem is that boards of trustees are blindly accepting Aspen Institute's false promise that their graduates are leadership-prepared and ready--believe me, they aren't. BoT's have gotten very lazy in their due diligence when searching for a president since most of them are on the board just to put another notch on their resume and aren't genuinely interested in caring for their institutions. And even more unfortunate is that these presidents get to do as much damage as they want with no real repercussions since most have golden parachutes in their contracts or are just using their present gig to try and get a bigger/better gig somewhere else. And when you see all the changes that a new president comes in and makes, then you wonder why in the world they wanted to come work at a place that to them is so broken to begin with (answer--the institution isn't broken at all, they're just trying to "make their mark" and move on.) By then, though, the damage is done and it's left to the "long haulers" at the institution to deal with and clean up. Boards would be much wiser to look internally and see the talent already there and foster advancement within the organization--that's what real leaders do.
Advice to the Administration:
"Lead, follow, or get out of the way." --Lee Iacocca

From: Student	October 8, 2024
Faculty not being paid?
Is this even legal? Am I missing something? Not being paid at all seven weeks into the semester sounds so wild to me. I assume employees have families to feed and bills to pay. I heard murmurs/rumors about this concerning faculty in two different departments a year ago with professors asking each other if they had been paid yet several weeks into the semester. How pervasive is this problem? Is it random? Is it specific employee classes not being paid, I.e. specifically adjunct faculty, specifically temp staff, specifically full-time faculty, or specific departmental staff? Are administrative staff getting paid on time? More details? Sounds extremely unjust. How is HCC still able to maintain a glittering reputation with so much dysfunction mounting and festering under the hood?

From: -fyi	October 7, 2024
Re unpublished: Sad and not for the reasons you think…
"Though I’m not a member of Howard Community College, I find this disheartening. It’s concerning that the very individuals tasked with supporting students and teaching them to navigate challenges and engage in meaningful dialogue are resorting to anonymous critiques. Comments about the president’s clothing, her published work, or even her use of Lego's for mental health reveal a lack of understanding." Unfortunately, you fail to acknowledge the reality that those who work at HCC are experiencing. Those who speak out are summarily dismissed and their livelihood taken from them. Anonymity is their only recourse. "A president, like anyone, deserves a moment to recharge and is not solely defined by endless work. If there are issues, be mature enough to engage in a constructive dialogue rather than resorting to this." If Daria Willis needs a moment to recharge or Lego's as therapy, she needs to do it at home, off the clock like most adults would do. OP: <political rant redacted> <sexist rant redacted> "While I may be an outsider without direct experience in this situation, it’s clear that this isn’t the way to address your concerns. It feels cowardly and doesn’t reflect responsible leadership. Dr. Willis has done impressive work, putting HCC on the map, and it’s disheartening to see her treated this way." It is clear to all who interact with HCC's leadership that this is the only way to address our concerns. Honestly, putting HCC "on the map" is silly. HCC serves the local community not the world at large. HCC needs to address it's internal management issues and care for its students.
Advice to the Administration:
"Keep your head up and I truly hope your Board sees past this obvious attack. This is petty and not becoming of who they are as educators. Don’t let anyone steal your shine!" No one is trying to steal Daria's "shine." But we are dedicated to exposing the sad state of affairs at HCC using the tools available to us.

From: Other	October 7, 2024
Let’s talk about ethics (or the lack of it)
While most of us try to hold students accountable and get them to learn from their mistakes, DW made the bad academic and student conduct record disappear for one particular student. What is the point of the office of student conduct if not all students are treated equally? This would allow for all students who have done badly in any given semester to have their bad grades vanish into thin air. And while we are at it why don’t we just tell all students who currently have pending conduct issues that they can have them disappear too? Anyone else see legal issues rising out of this? The residents of this county should be outraged especially if you have kids who have had a bad semester or two at HCC. The State Ethics Commission should look into this.
Advice to the Administration:
Anyone who was complicit in allowing this to happen without any pushback should resign immediately.

From: Other	October 6, 2024
Re Just the facts ma'am
Since Larry Hogan hired Shafeeq Ahmed, M.D (The Good Guy)
Advice to the Administration:
Unless Gov Wes Moore steps in tomorrow, it maybe a good idea to go the political route. Contact the office of Larry Hogan and raise this post to his staff. Obviously personal relationships with Mr Hogan would be a better way to communicate Howardcc.fyi

From: Employee	October 6, 2024
Just the facts ma'am
Fact: -An HCC email went out last week stating that over 100 faculty in Division 3 were incorrectly paid on Sept 30. Fact: -The 7th week of the semester starts on Monday and there are numerous faculty who have not been paid at all for a class(es) they are teaching this semester (the classes started on August 26 and faculty were required to attend meetings for the classes and start working on them by August 20).
Advice to the Administration:
-No one in senior leadership should get paid until everyone at the college gets paid correctly. -Stop dismissing employee concerns about incorrect pay and not being paid. -If the faculty really wanted to, they could just stop showing up for class next week because apparently they’ve been volunteering for the past 6 weeks. Faculty won’t do this next week because they care about the students but if this persists….. -HCC needs to issue contracts before the classes start stating the pay and dates of work -Does anyone out there have any contacts that could help faculty bring this violation of pay to the attention of the state or employment lawyers?

From: Other	October 6, 2024
Conflict of interest 101
Re Re Re BOT Chair / President - Lawyer relationship context?
Advice to the Administration:
This student raises a valid point. Governor Wes Moore should be choosing BOT members who are beyond reproach when it comes to conflict of interests. What a great opportunity for Vivian Moore Lawyer to supercharge her business development through this volunteer position in the World of Academia where connections are everything. VML coaching, using HCC per personal gain like the Prez. Such a bad choice by the Governor of Maryland on both counts. It’s his problem to fix. I think Daria and Jarrett are going to nominate Vivian Moore Lawyer for 2025 Board member of the year 🥇 🔥

From: Student	October 6, 2024
Re Re BOT Chair / President - Lawyer relationship context?
“Which neighboring college was that?” Vivian Moore Lawyer was at Montgomery College for several years. On another note, this site may provide insight as to the sort of relationship between President Daria Willis and Vivian Moore Lawyer: VML Coaching Just speculating.
Advice to the Administration:
Make it stop

From: Other	October 6, 2024
Re BOT Chair
BOT Chair “Governor Wes Moore, take another look at Vivian Moore Lawyer.” She was a disaster at a neighboring community college. And she’s a disaster now. Which neighboring college was that?

From: Other	October 6, 2024
One More Thing
Where is the HCC diversity? Gone.
Advice to the Administration:
Take down that stupid sculpture outside of SET. That was put up like the 3 rd week you were employed? Who does that? Let’s represent all groups. HCC was a diverse college that recognized ALL groups. That’s why I loved working there. Now, all one sided. Yours.

From: Other	October 6, 2024
New Initiatives & Total Incompetence
I hate to say this, but administration is looking at this site and planning events to tackle complaints. One is the “Meet HR” fair happening this month. What is this? Meet HR? Every level of management is incompetent. No matter how nice they try to make it seem, these people do not know what they are doing. Anyone who had a history here is gone. There is no one left to help. Their new systems are broken. These people work for themselves. New buildings and programs are great, but if you cannot take care of the problems you have, what is the sense? Fix the issues at hand first. This place can’t go on like this. Faculty are doing just what they need to get by. Adjuncts? What a shame. Treated like they don’t matter. HCC is a sinking ship. Is there a Titanic Lego set? At the top are a group of people who are in this for themselves. They do not care about faculty. Hire people who are qualified!
Advice to the Administration:
Stop partying. This is not a game. Start doing your job. Do you realize how you have ruined this college? Faculty are not against you, but against your principles and standards. I bet every one of the faculty would band together to pull this place out of the fire. You should ask before it is too late. Admit defeat and ask for help. We are here.

From: County Resident	October 5, 2024
BOT Chair
“Governor Wes Moore, take another look at Vivian Moore Lawyer.” She was a disaster at a neighboring community college. And she’s a disaster now.

From: Other	October 5, 2024
RE Re: $832,300 for 3 people - Facts
This will be a non event exercise, one year of research, 6 months to publish. Conclusion - nothing Here. Meanwhile Dr I’m not going Anywhere will be planning on her playbook onwards and upwards. Has Gov Wes Moore and the BOT realized “I’m not going anywhere” equates to no more opportunities. All powered by One Million views on Howardcc.fyi. Genius by the founder of this website WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET TO ONE MILLION VIEWS. Spread the Word, save the next College.

From: Other	October 5, 2024
Shafeeq Ahmed, M.D (The Good Guy)
After joining the BOT mid year through 2022, this board member stopped his social media likes for HCC over a year ago on his linked in Account. The last being an approval on a post from Daria about enrollment being up. Last month he stepped down along with two other board members
Advice to the Administration:
Shafeeq Ahmed, M.D. appears to be incredibly involved in community building wherever he goes. My guess is he had to abandon ship because of the disaster of Daria and collusion with certain other member of the Board. In a battle you can’t win, cut your losses and keep on fighting the good fight where you can make a difference. The votes and meeting minutes if correctly recorded by Daria should be a treasure trove of memorializing the internal power struggles at HCC Note Vivian Moore Lawyer is way too close to Daria. She’s now acting chair for BOT. Governor Wes Moore, take another look at Vivian Moore Lawyer. Have your AG office attend the BOT meetings just like what happened at EvCC.

From: Other	October 5, 2024
Prez could not have done this without her beloved Trustee
"beloved trustee @vmlawyerjd"? There appears to be a relationship here that far exceeds that of a President and Trustee. Is it any wonder that the board of trustees are circling the wagons around Daria Willis? Looks to be a very close and likely inappropriate relationship.
Advice to the Administration:
Vivian Moore Laywer…….without you, this could never have happened.

From: Employee	October 4, 2024
President’s Update
The update today really speaks of the “presidents” immaturity and age. I put that in quotations because no one’s title should be above. We are supposed to be one, together. But that could not be further from the truth. We all once had very high hopes for DW. As time has gone on that has dwindled to zero hope. Unfortunately the comments on this page are true. Having been employed here for 20+ years it is such a shame to see what HCC has become. The employees now just put their heads down and go on, because that is what good employees do. The toxic work environment is getting worse and worse.
Advice to the Administration:
Step down. All of you. For the sake of HCC.

From: Employee	October 4, 2024
More Lies...
From Today's President's Update: "The Swim Digital Team has been working closely with us to support our Accelerated Pathways enrollment push. We have collaborated to ensure students enrolled in our 7-week courses are set up for success. Enrolled students will receive access to personalized tutoring support and other resources; we’re making sure students have everything they need to excel in these accelerated programs. Advisors have also been equipped with a clear, visual aid to promote Howard’s 7-week courses. This tool will make it easy for students to understand how they can fast-track their education and take full advantage of these exciting learning opportunities! As part of our First Semester at HCC theme, we’re focusing on the student support services available during the first semester. This includes essential services such as tutoring, counseling, and accessibility support to equip students with the tools that they need to focus on their education while juggling competing priorities in their lives."
Advice to the Administration:
The truth: 1. There are not enough advisors to support 7-weeks or 15-weeks courses. 2. There are not enough tutors or counselors to support students taking 7-weeks or 15 weeks courses. 3. Most of the staff currently covering these services are underpaid, overworked, and overwhelmed. 4. Most of the adjuncts in our area, who are the backbone of our courses, have been working without getting paid for the last 6 weeks but continue to show up to work for our students. How long will this continue? Our students, faculty, and staff are struggling. We need real help right now.

From: County Resident	October 4, 2024
Administration's rating is still dropping
The rating for HCC's leadership has dropped another point on glassdoor.com: Daria J. Willis 10% approve of CEO This is an abysmally low rating. If you look only at the social media carefully crafted by HCC's administration you'd think everything is wonderful. But when you venture into areas of the internet where people can speak honestly the truth comes out.

From: -fyi	October 3, 2024
New visitors to HowardCC.fyi
In the last 15 days this website has been visited by new anonymous users from within these organizations: Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS-3) Boston College (BOSTON-3-Z) City of Tacoma (TACO) Education Networks of America (ENA-2) Hood College (HOODCO) Indiana Office of Technology (IOT4) Loyola University Maryland (LCIM-Z) Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) (MAOCA) McDaniel College (MCDANI-3) Michigan State University (MISU) Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS-2-Z) Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) Port of Seattle (PORTOF-2) The Catholic University of America (CUA) The George Washington University (GWU-Z) Union County College (UCC-3) University of Mississippi (UNIVER-325-Z) University of San Francisco (USF-1) Keep spreading the word. -fyi

From: Other	October 3, 2024
New BOT Members
We need at least one of you to be an outsider, without ties to the inner circle currently running HCC. It’s what is needed although the prez and current 4 BOT members may not like it. Keep an eye on Gov. Wes Moore. Will he improve the situation or make it worse?

From: Other	October 3, 2024
Guilt by association?
Will the mismanagement at HCC end up tarnishing the person who hired Daria J Willis? This is now high stakes for Gov.Wes Moore. If only the press did some investigative research into all of this.
Advice to the Administration:
We all want the students to succeed, and the students experiences speak volumes Gov Moore.

From: Employee	October 3, 2024
It's only money... your money
The college hires a senior leadership team, pays them high salaries, then sets aside hundreds of thousands of dollars for consultants to come in and do the jobs we pay the senior leaders to do? Then the incompetent leadership team can't even implement the directions of their own consultants. Infuriating! Taxpayers, donors, and students should be livid to see this waste of precious funds. Talk about "fake it till you make it"! The leadership team isn't even faking it anymore, their incompetence is on full display, they're proud of it, they flaunt it, and then dare us to do anything about it. And the board of trustees plays along. "Meeting contractors where they dream." "Consultants can get there from here." Honestly... who puts the "trust" in "trustee"? Certainly not our board. What can one think other than it must all be intentional? No more benefit of the doubt. We need a new board. Shame on all of them.
Advice to the Administration:
The Moore Administration? Not sure who else can help us now.

From: Employee	October 2, 2024
Community
When I'm out and about in the community it is shocking how quickly folks bring up this site to me once they learn I work at Howard Community College. VP Carter and Dr. Willis were highly effective at promoting this site. Anyway, despite the advice of our VPs, I feel compelled to tell it like it is. The emotions and content of this site are the truth. They accurately reflect the consensus. I don't pile on because it's too painful, but I'm not going to tell them everything is fine.
Advice to the Administration:
Don't address this with staff at some college-wide meeting. You completely lack the empathy and skill to make this better.

From: County Resident	October 2, 2024
An opportunity for unbiased oversight
Howard County Voters! This year's ballot in the 2024 Maryland General Election includes the following: "Question A - Charter Amendment - Office of the Inspector General Amending the County Charter to create an independent Office of Inspector General to provide increased accountability and oversight of county government and county funded organizations. The Inspector General would investigate fraud, waste and abuse, and identify ways to promote efficiency, accountability, compliance and integrity. The office would do its work without interference from the County Executive and County Council. The office could hire legal, financial and technical advisors as needed. The Executive's proposed budget would have to include the funding requested by the Inspector General, and the Executive could not reorganize the office. The County Council would pass a law to specify the details of the office, including the appointment, removal and oversight of the Inspector General. The law may also provide for the use of a Council appointed board." They would have a field day investigating HCC's exorbitant VP salaries, as well as those "financial discrepancies" that led to the mysterious termination of one newly appointed VP of Finance and two Finance employees. Who knows what else would turn up.
Advice to the Administration:
Get your priorities straight.

From: Employee	October 2, 2024
Re: $832,300 for 3 people - Facts
To add on to the previous post, CampusWorks is a damage control campaign to clean up the mess that has been done, but HCC faculty and staff can see right through it. This further demonstrates that if we had an effective leader who welcomed collaboration, thoughtful discussion, and input from faculty and staff, there wouldn’t be a need to hire all these consulting firms (CampusWorks, Swim, etc.). Shared governance is basically non-existent now. County residents should absolutely be paying attention—this is where your tax dollars are going! I also want to add that the information posted on this site does not describe a person who deserves our respect. Dr. Willis did all these things without any regard for anyone but herself. It’s true that most of the college, including myself, were excited when she was hired, but she quickly lost the respect of HCC employees. Respect begets respect. You can respect the position, but not the person.

From: Other	October 2, 2024
BoT already investigated. What did they learn?
I don't think this has been shared in any of the 200+ posts, but the Board hired a firm months ago to conduct an independent inquiry into the negative feedback about HCC that they were receiving, mostly anonymously. This is not rumor. I have first-hand knowledge of this, as I participated in it and was not asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. When was that report given to the Board? What did they learn? What did they ignore? We may never know.
Advice to the Administration:
Move on and let the healing and rebuilding process begin.

From: Employee	October 2, 2024
$832,300 for 3 people - Facts
I like to read. Because reading is...fundamental. The September 18, 2024 Board Materials (Board of Trustees Minutes and Materials: Board Meeting Materials) has a presentation from CampusWorks to have 3 employees work for one year from 10/1/24 to 10/1/25 at the college for a cost of close to $832,300--rubber stamped as approved by BOT Chair Keller. The three positions are for an HR exec, a Finance exec, and an "HR generalist." So for roughly $300k per person these three people will be hired as a swat team to come in and clean the mess of our leader's rapid hiring and firing of HR and Finance departments during her tenure. We can agree that at those nosebleed prices, this is not being a good steward of college funds. The VP cartel may say that this website is lies and conjecture, inference, supposition and a dash of salt in the President's eyes but this is literally what is in a public BOT document that happened just 13 days ago. And for the record many people were very excited when Dr. Willis was hired, me included. I still refer to her as either Dr. Willis or President Willis because that is a sign of respect and she deserves respect but she also must be accountable for her leadership and be a model of good governance and a keen financial steward for the college. These qualities appear to be lacking unless facts can prove otherwise. Continue to read...
Advice to the Administration:
Set aside funds for attorney retainers not consultants.

From: Other	October 2, 2024
Nightmare on Little Patuxent Parkway
Thanks to fyi. Make your contributions the gift that keeps on giving. What will start to make Daria realize her regime is coming to and end is by sticking together. Let’s ensure we: - quickly get to 100,000 views - increase that to 250,000 by Christmas - increase that to 1,000,000 by the end of the school year 2024/2025 Getting howardcc.fyi to reach to friends, family and faculty at other community colleges around the US, in each and every state is how you protect yourself. Long live the sexist free and racist free Howardcc.fyi By keeping it free from what Jarrett, Daria and others accuse it of makes it so much more insightful for all.

From: Employee	October 2, 2024
As a professional, I want to do my job.
We have reached a level at HCC where the yearly required Professional Development (PD) has become meaningless. Instead of encouraging employees to engage in impactful learning, Daria Willis has instituted a required “Day of Learning” when the college is closed to everyone that is not an employee and the college shuts down for an entire day right before the start of the fall semester (you know…one of the busiest times of the year for students to visit the campus and talk with registration and advisors and the students show up and find every office CLOSED for the day- an example of senior leadership being completely out of touch). And why is the college closed…..so the employees can participate in….. “Lego building with the President”. I can only assume that HCC purchased these Lego kits (and not DW herself) for the employees attending the session. DW talked about how this was her idea and how excited she was to build Lego's at the fall convocation. One can only assume she came up with this idea so she could add another build to her Lego display in her office (the display where she took down a display of college wide awards so she could show off her Lego's), while using HCC funds and HCC’s time and of course to get her required PD hours. How is building individual Lego kits a professional development activity and why are the offices closed to students right before the start of the semester so this can take place? And why is the college spending money on this? How about we take that money and purchase food for the food pantry or put it towards a few more hours for our part-time advisors to meet with students? There were other PD sessions too. Another one was about applying makeup and that session handed out fake eyelashes. This is happening at HCC. Who is approving the use of tax payer funds for these purposes? HCC used to run PD sessions about building bridges across department areas or how to use technology effectively across the college. HCC employs professionals who take their job seriously and are committed to growth but now we are being run by a child. We’re playing Legos with the president and putting on fake eyelashes with the senior leadership team…. And the senior leadership team makes it sound like the employees are the crazy ones.
Advice to the Administration:
Let us do our job. Let us help students a week before the fall semester starts- we would much rather do our job and help students register for class than watch students try to get into locked buildings while we watch the president of the college build Legos.

From: -fyi	October 2, 2024
Re: Time to fish or cut bait
To the commenter(s) that have suggested (several times) that we stage a sick-out and that we are not doing anything "tangible," please understand that every HCC employee that participates here and expresses a negative opinion about HCC's administration is trying to be heard in the only safe way they have available to them. And, a sick-out would be contrary to the values held by the majority of this group, namely putting students first. The college employees need to maintain their service to the student body while battling the administration. This is a very fine line to walk. We will continue to share our opinions and divulge to the public the ruinous behavior of this administration and hope that this will influence those in positions of power and those in the news media to take a closer look at what is happening at HCC. -fyi

From: Other	October 2, 2024
2024 Ubiquitous Woman of the Year Award.
"howardccprez FYI - the last 24 hours have been absolutely CRAZY. First, I was surprised an honored last night to receive the Ubiquitous Woman of the Year Award for 2024 from the @ubiquitous_expo where I stood with my beloved trustee @vmlawyerjd donor Cathy Bell and my ace @gigiswork." "beloved trustee @vmlawyerjd"? There appears to be a relationship here that far exceeds that of a President and Trustee. Is it any wonder that the board of trustees are circling the wagons around Daria Willis? Looks to be a very close and likely inappropriate relationship.

From: Other	October 2, 2024
Wanted - 3 New BOT at HCC
Requirements - to have read three years of meeting minutes form both open, and more importantly closed meeting minutes - be prepared to try an educate and influence the 4 incumbents using your intellectual curiosity. - be prepared to have the president convince you that you work for her. (You don’t) - MUST READ Howardcc.fyi
Advice to the Administration:
After reading Howardcc.fyi and you are still committed to making a positive difference, buckle up, you are in for a wild ride.

From: Other	October 2, 2024
Re Re Re : Identity
The BOT consists of 8 members, comprising 7 voting members and the College President who is a Non Voting Member. The Voting members can ask the president to recuse herself from a closed session and make decisions. For the two members who said they work for the President, it sounds like they had an identity crisis. Pretty spineless given the powers vested in them. Chris Marasco (Chris M) 'liked' the post by Jarrett Carter Sr labeling Howardcc.fyi racist and sexist. Chris, how could you? Board members should read before they blindly 'like' blatant lies on social media. Unless someone hacked his account and 'liked' the post, it speaks volumes. I am unsure if anyone will hire Daria J Willis at this point, but I am confident those who read Howardcc.fyi will not. When the regime ends, there needs to be some serious housekeeping with those involved. Staff and Board members To the HCC Union, your worst nightmare will be if Daria has any influence in selecting the leadership of the Union
Advice to the Administration:
Where is the State Attorney Generals office on this. A NO SHOW!

From: Other	October 1, 2024
Re re identity
***** In light of this discovery and a demand from Human Resources to do background checks on faculty and staff, who already had background checks when they were hired, a group of faculty went to a BoT meeting and asked Sean Keller and Chris Marasco to do an audit of the Human Resources office. They responded with, "we can't; we report to the president." This is outrageous—the president reports to the BoT, not the other way around. Another example of how BoT has been absolutely complicit through this whole mess. *****
Advice to the Administration:
Which board meeting was this? Was this accurately recorded in the meeting minutes. I think Daria curates the meeting minutes. There are enough insights on Howardcc.fyi for both a case study for the department of education, and also to create a mini series on Netflix.

From: Employee	October 1, 2024
Adding on to “Re: Identity”
The faculty union brought to the Board of Trustees' attention that Omarion Jalloh was not who he said he was. He failed to appear for a felony hearing, changed his name in 2019 (likely to avoid prosecution), lied about his age and experience, and has an open sexual harassment case in Virginia. This would have been prevented if the Selection of Faculty and Staff Procedure was followed. Instead of firing him on the spot, BoT allowed Omarion to appear to submit an 60-day resignation. They did not revoke his access to any system and was finally let go on September 29, 2023 when his access was officially revoked. To reiterate the first response, Omarion (or whatever his name is) had access to personal and confidential student and employee information and he is a CONVICTED FELON. BoT allowed this. In light of this discovery and a demand from Human Resources to do background checks on faculty and staff, who already had background checks when they were hired, a group of faculty went to a BoT meeting and asked Sean Keller and Chris Marasco to do an audit of the Human Resources office. They responded with, "we can't; we report to the president." This is outrageous—the president reports to the BoT, not the other way around. Another example of how BoT has been absolutely complicit through this whole mess.

From: Other	October 1, 2024
Wes Moore, Calvin Ball, ladies and gentlemen of the BoT, how could you?
Dr. Willis won’t change. That’s crystal clear. She has spun the same chaos at not one, but two institutions. Like others have posted here, just look at their reviews during her presidency at Everett Community College. Look at what the representative from EvCC posted here. What has played out at HCC is nearly identical to her tyranny and destruction at EvCC. [Another identical EvCC act to look out for will be her leaving her contract early to escape cleaning up her mess.] Any “accomplishments,” any tales you hear from Dr. Willis have been designed to meet her personal agenda—a failed agenda she brought with her from EvCC. If it didn’t work there, why on earth did she think it would be remotely successful at a national quality award winning institution? Baltimore City Community College could probably benefit from her scorched-earth policy but HCC is not BCCC (sorry, BCCC, but you know it’s true). This is why she brought in Swim. This is why she has personally selected her cabinet. They are her tools, her bullies, and her blind followers to force her illogical plans down HCC’s throat. Pre-Willis, did HCC have some faults? Absolutely, but they were what would be considered minute and trivial things. Back then, people felt like they could voice their opinions without fear. They had opportunities to share and implement their ideas. That’s what made HCC a best practice in the nation! But not now? Whomever is left, they go into work, keep their heads down and eyes lowered, do whatever they can done, do what they are told, they don’t ask questions, they leave exhausted, and do it all again the next day. What Dr. Willis has done to the college’s trust and morale is irreparable under her “leadership.” Shame on you, Dr. Willis. We had such hope to see the true leader you could have been at HCC. But instead of growing at an amazing institution, instead of being supported by outstanding and compassionate faculty and staff, you chose force out anyone who raised a valid question. You chose yourself and not the betterment of our students. You chose your ego.
Advice to the Administration:
Advice to those who can make a change? Do it now, do it before the community begins to tie you any more closer to her. Because once they start to associate you with her, they won’t trust you either. To residents in Howard County and in Maryland, the next gubernatorial election is in 2026 and campaigning begins next year.

From: Employee	October 1, 2024
Re: Identity
From what I understand, Dr. Willis and Joe Whalen were very aware of Omarion’s criminal history (they were warned by many of their staff), but hired him anyway. When the Board asked Omarion to resign, they permitted him to give two weeks before leaving. I want to emphasize that the Board allowed a convicted felon—a person who had access to personal employee and student information—to stay two weeks before leaving. This is a stark contrast to the MANY employees who were unjustly fired or were forced out under the guise of not renewing their position’s contract and were unceremoniously escorted off campus by campus security.

From: Employee	October 1, 2024
More About That Finance Scandal
This was the email Daria Willis sent to the college community November 8, 2023: Dear Howard Community College Community, The college has recently become aware of alleged financial discrepancies within the institution, and we have taken steps to ensure its financial integrity. We are committed to compliance and sound fiduciary management of taxpayer investment in Howard Community College. Our excellence in teaching and learning, workforce development, and community outreach is driven by strict adherence to county, state, and federal financial guidelines and accreditation standards. Effective immediately, operational oversight of the Division of Campus Services will be co-conducted on an interim basis by (names of HCC employees moved into these roles). I am grateful for their willingness to take on these roles and their commitment to ethics at all levels of management.
Advice to the Administration:
You're eventually going to have to come clean about what happened when three people in Finance were suddenly disappeared last year. It's not going to go away. Also, spellcheck is your friend. You should be able to spell "adherence."

From: Other	October 1, 2024
Re:The new administration brought old problems to HCC
So essentially a college that served the president and not the students/county residents. Self serving regimes come and go. This one will go, but not soon enough.
Advice to the Administration:
Hint the leadership are there to serve the community. The clue is in the middle of HCC. Once the nightmare ends, give some thoughts of how to help HCC recover, great staff where students have amazing experiences. Start to think about the great staff tossed out, would they come back, which VP’s and AVP’s need to go by association with Daria. Cut out the rot. Start over. The possibilities are tremendous and will help heal this community which has been devastated beyond recognition. The journey will be slower if Daria lands in the local county, or state government. Expect the unexpected. Keep this site open as an fyi to potential employers.

From: County Resident	October 1, 2024
Identity
I don’t know how or why nobody has brought up the former Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Omarion Jalloh, aka Hassan Conteh, a young man apparently using someone elses identity - the real Omarion Jalloh works for Ascension Health in New York. When you look up the name you find a series of aliases, an address in Woodbridge VA, and links to the actual Omarion Jalloh. How did the regime not realize that this person was operating with an assumed identity? Was it because it was HIS job to run background checks and he conveniently skipped his own ??? Many people questioned his credentials and his qualifications and were met with the same stonewalling, defensiveness, and “la la la I can’t hear you” that the administration immediately resorts to when questioned about anything. How was he allowed to run HR for over a year??? Was he involved with (or the cause of) the “moving cost scandal”? Also random note re the social media - this was in the August Board Meeting Materials. Social Media Strategy (moved from Work Session) Jarrett Carter, Vice President for External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement explained the impact and importance of social media and the return on investment for the college. His presentation also covered the scope of Dr. Willis's impact on social media and how that benefits the college.
Advice to the Administration:
You are beyond advice.

From: Other	October 1, 2024
The new administration brought old problems to HCC
Daniel J. Dupee, II who replaced Dr. Ty Stone at Jefferson Community College is facing some issues that are similar to what are now occurring at Howard Community College. Jefferson Community College confronts organizational structure challenges ******** All that attrition caused another problem. When faculty and staff left their jobs, it wasn’t even across all departments, leaving gaps in some areas and not others, and a sort of ’ad hoc’ chain of command. "A lot of that came due to how we were dealing with as people left, and not refilling those roles, having a structure in which people were shifting who they were reporting to on a constant basis, for the most part, because we did have a lot of movement during that time," he said. So Dupee commissioned an internal study to see what faculty and staff are thinking about the college’s organizational structure, or lack thereof. They say they want a clear organizational structure moving forward. The study also showed that faculty and staff are concerned that the administration is too top-heavy and hasn’t been as deeply impacted by the attrition. ******** It appears that the new administration is bringing it's old failed policies to HCC.

From: Other	October 1, 2024
Social media post
"There so much more to share about our HISTORIC day on campus, but I hope these highlights offer a glimpse into what the day was like. Sharing time, stages and tours with the National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu, and hundreds of distinguished guests, friends and advocates of Dragon Country; there’s simply no better way to host a cyber forum or to break ground on a new workforce development and trades center. THANK YOU to the White House, our elected officials, Calvin Ball and especially all of our faculty, staff and students for making this day possible. I truly appreciate all of you and am proud to walk into history alongside you!"
Advice to the Administration:
There you go. Staff and student appreciation day. But as usual, staff and students come last on her priority list. "kiss up, kick down."

From: Employee	October 1, 2024
What Is It Going To Take?
How long will Daria Willis and her cronies have free reign to do whatever they want? The people who are supposed to be acting as an oversight body, the Board of Trustees, are in her pocket and she seems to believe the college exists only to line her pockets and increase her public profile. The two outside organizations who have reported on this, the Baltimore Banner and Inside Higher Ed, couldn't be bothered to actually look at this website or read the grievances here. It begs the question: What is it going to take for someone - anyone! - to take the things said here seriously? Short of a full-scale student revolt or a threat of punishment from MHEC and/or Middle States, I don't think anything is going to make a difference. The cult of personality Daria Willis has built around herself is powerful, and her cultists will let her run this place into the ground just because she can. This college, its faculty and employees, and more importantly its students are all suffering, but no one in a position of power cares.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
Re: Interesting Facts
This post showed curiosity leading to more fact based information than any of the articles published by the journalist and news outlets to date. It takes time so thanks for letting folks outside the county have an insight as to the nightmare at HCC.
Advice to the Administration:
To the Regime, keep your fingers crossed that nobody is reading these views. Not even Mr Jarrett Carter could label the post as either racist or sexist. Students, good luck with handling the problems that you are facing this year. It’s the worst year yet, unfortunately it can get worse.

From: County Resident	September 30, 2024
Time for a little levity
The amount of social media self promotion generated by Daria Willis is simply staggering. It takes very little effort to find gems such as this: Flying dress Apparently flying dress photo shoots are a 'thing' in Santorini. Just drop some cash, rent a dress and you're all set. Santorini Flying Dress Photoshoots We get it. Daria is 'cool' but it really is difficult to take her seriously as a college president when she drops this kind of stuff all over the internet.
Advice to the Administration:
Keep the 'cool' photos in your private albums at home. In public cultivate an appropriate level of gravitas.

From: County Resident	September 30, 2024
Interesting Facts
Some facts: - Vice president Ty Stone is being paid $260,000 (according to board materials - she went from 240,000 to 260,000 when they removed “interim” from her title) - There have been no search committees or college wide hiring processes for any of the recent VP’s. Most if not all were previously known to Dr. Willis - In the past there were college wide interviews and meetings with applicants for higher level positions - More than 20 people were flown to Orlando for a conference this spring - A very expensive Gala is being planned in Baltimore for the opening of the Khalert Matheletics Complex. (normally new building opening celebrations are held IN the building in question and should NOT cost over $100,000) - Many students do not have the textbooks they were promised and did not realize they were signing up for 7 week courses - Several students are having trouble reaching basic services like disability support, advising, tutoring, and emergency counseling for crises - The board of trustees meeting minutes were only updated this week after having been left out for months. - The Board of Trustees has had closed sessions after every regular meeting this year. There are no explanations or hints at why. In 2018 the Board had 3 closed sessions and each one was noted for either presidential or Board evaluations. Some questions: - Do we want to spend tax money for Dr. Willis to take 20 people to Florida? - Is it common practice for community colleges to take 20 + people to Florida for conferences? - How many vice presidents do most community colleges have and what are the salary ranges? - Why did the 3 board members REALLY resign? - What happened to the VP of finance and everyone under him who are suddenly not working at HCC? - What is the actual salary of the president? - What was the turnover rate and what was the rate of “firing with escorting by security” prior to Dr. Willis and what is it now? - Why is the board having hour+ closed sessions every month? Closed sessions 2024 so far: January 24 6:04-6:55 February 28 6:15-7:00 March 20 6:25-7:32 April 25 7:20-8:31 May 22 7:15-8:30 June 10 4:07-5:30 July 8 3:12-4:35 August 28 6:10-7:20 Closed sessions 2018: January no closed session February no closed session March no closed session April no closed session May closed session 7:29-8:30 “during the meeting the board discussed the presidents annual appraisal” June closed session 12:31-1:35 “during the meeting the board conducted its annual evaluation” July no closed session August no closed session September no closed session October no closed session November no closed session December closed session 5:22-6:28 “to perform presidents mid year evaluation”
Advice to the Administration:
Answer the questions above.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
Moving Expenses?
The rumor that Dr. Grays was paid moving expenses for her appointment despite it being against college policy has been going around for some time. There are two versions. Some people say that finance refused to pay, and were fired, and some say finance were ordered to pay, they did, and then were scapegoated and fired. Three people lost their jobs. If any of the rumors are true, shame on the president, shame on the provost, and shame on the board. How to verify?
Advice to the Administration:
Dear Dr. Grays: No one would expect you to have known it's against college policy to pay moving expenses. If moving expenses were part of the offer for your appointment, and you were in fact paid moving expenses, now is the time to step up and do the honorable thing: come clean, and pay back the funds. Don't go down with the ship.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
Re earlier post :No more support for English as a Second Language students...
Swim consultants, make sure your fees earned Garner National Recognition.
Advice to the Administration:
That’s a wrap for 7 week courses. Perhaps an anonymous survey, or some voices from Students will help. Swim consulting. If you are reading this, in good conscience you need to take some responsibility.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
No more support for English as a Second Language students...
Please look elsewhere if you need wraparound services and support -- it's no longer provided here. English as a Second Language students are now tossed into the new seven-week class program. Making things difficult for those that need extra attention and those that need little to none.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop being narcissistic, petty, and self-involved.

From: Employee	September 30, 2024
Stop blaming student services---blame lack of staffing and space
Student service teams work really hard to accommodate students. There are a lot of negative comments here about admissions, advising, DSS, FA, and other student services. We have many ways for students to meet with these areas (including, virtually, by appointment, and in person). Just because a student can't reach someone "right now" doesn't mean they can't meet with someone. The issue isn't the people. The lack of people power (amount of people) to serve all the students is the issue, not the staff or the willingness to serve.
Advice to the Administration:
Hire more people. Pay them what they are worth. Appreciate and recognize the amazing staff you have. When was the last time you even said thank you? Also, provide adequate space and more full-time people.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
Relocation expense for Dr Grays (Houston)
If the policy of the college does not allow relocation costs to be expensed. Who approved these expenses. The finance department said no, but then they got fired.
Advice to the Administration:
Follow the money, who at the college has authorization to approve expenses which go against policy? That’s tantamount to fraud.

From: Other	September 30, 2024
Daria J Willis social media posts
Congrats to someone at HCC who asked Ms Willis to remove her photos from Santorini from the official HCC website. I think this is the first example of someone putting the college first. The photos were published in a red flowing dress which looks to be almost 20 feet long.
Advice to the Administration:
They can be found on LinkedIn. A picture can speak a thousand words and this is not the message you want associated with any school or college.

From: County Resident	September 29, 2024
Does Dr. Ty Stone have HCC's best interests at heart or her own?
Why did Dr. Ty Stone resign her position as President of Cleveland State Community College where she served as the college's first black female president after only one year to assume a lesser position as Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Howard Community College? Dr. Ty Stone Resigns As Cleveland State President Also, is she moonlighting as HCC's VP or is she moonlighting as Principal Consultant for Stone Strategy Group? Which position has her loyalty? About our Principal Consultant Stone seems to be among several job hoppers that have landed at HCC. How long before she and the others hop once again to greener pastures?

From: Other	September 28, 2024
Heads on the Chopping block. Total FEAR.
Clearly this site would make for a great case study for community colleges across the US. The next step is a tip off to whistleblower sites, Labor organizations and State level governing bodies. However, you are no longer anonymous if you submit your concerns using a email or telephone number. Unfortunately you are dealing with a president who is unhinged. Good luck!

From: Employee	September 28, 2024
A Nightmare
I echo everything that has been said on this site. It’s been an absolute nightmare since Dr. Willis started her presidency. It’s also extremely frustrating and disheartening that the Board continues to gaslight employees and dismiss the real concerns that have been expressed. To the BoT and people who continue to support Dr. Willis—it’s time to take off the rose colored glasses, stop with the toxic positivity and look deep within yourself and start asking some difficult questions. Our institution is in shambles. I agree that a full audit of admin who were hired during Dr. Willis’ tenure as president should be investigated. Search committees aren’t a thing anymore and even if there was a search committee, if Dr. Willis didn’t like the person recommended, she just picked who she wanted. This is the case for the current Associate VP of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Toni Muhammad. The search committee and VPTL at the time (Dr. Carl Moore) picked a very qualified and competent person to fill that position, but Dr. Willis did not like that choice (presumably because he was a white guy), so she picked Dr. Muhammad instead. This further demonstrates that Dr. Willis only hires people who “look like her” regardless of experience and competency. For the record, hiring more people of color is not the issue—I, as well as the HCC community welcome it wholeheartedly—but competency matters. If a person is not a good fit for the position or is not qualified, they shouldn’t be hired for the position. Dr. Muhammad is incompetent and demonstrates a lack of respect for process or people. A multitude of processes have had to be revamped since she started at HCC because she doesn’t want to do the work or make the effort to understand something before telling people what to do. She delegates her work to her direct reports and then berates, degrades and sometimes screams at them if they do or say something that she deems incorrect. She wants the title and doesn’t want to do the work. Dr. Muhammad also has been known to tell people not to directly contact Dr. Grays (Provost), and that any communication to Dr. Grays should go through her (Dr. Muhammad). It’s concerning because clearly information is either being filtered when it gets to the provost or isn’t being communicated at all. She needs to go.

From: County Resident	September 27, 2024
Check into Lawyer history
Someone needs to check into BOT interim chair Lawyer’s work at Montgomery College. Riddled with problems when she ran HR. Also, has anyone called the attorney general’s office to report the misuse of funds?

From: Other	September 27, 2024
Just Another Complaint
I know three FT faculty who have not received fair pay. I know adjunct faculty who have not been paid their contract and it is now the end of September. Something needs to be done. We can complain and type away regarding all the issues at hand. But, what are we going to do about it. Sad to say that the Union is not doing anything to help. There needs to be a sick-out day. A real statement to be made, not just typing on this page. Any ideas? We have to stick together. Students…. You have more power than we. You do not have books, supplies, uniforms. Scholarships are a joke. There is no real services…. Use your voice to make a difference. Do not be fooled by the parties and hoopla. Stand up. Community: help.
Advice to the Administration:
Do you think this will go on forever? I am now looking into the board of labor. I have not been payed fairly. You have good faculty who want to work and empower students. Why?? Why???

From: County Resident	September 27, 2024
Platitudes vs all of us
Message from BOT Interim Chair: “I am honored to serve in this interim capacity, in full support of Dr. Willis, this community of scholars, and Howard County,” said Lawyer. “What we have accomplished together (like what?) in just a few short years is historically remarkable (in what way?). As we embark on a new institutional strategic plan (that accomplishes what exactly?) and a full slate of objectives (again, like what?) to improve our campus infrastructure (do we really need more buildings?) and raise our international profile (which means nothing to the students who's needs are going unmet), we look forward to working with Gov. (Wes) Moore (grovel, grovel...) to welcome new trustees to our board. We are sure that they will bring the enthusiasm, expertise, and relationships that will enrich the lives of our students.” Platitudes flow from on-high while the people posting here are pointing out specific issues that desperately need to be addressed.

From: Other	September 27, 2024
Message from BOT Interim Chair (joined the BOT just over a year ago)
“I am honored to serve in this interim capacity, in full support of Dr. Willis, this community of scholars, and Howard County,” said Lawyer. “What we have accomplished together in just a few short years is historically remarkable. As we embark on a new institutional strategic plan and a full slate of objectives to improve our campus infrastructure and raise our international profile, we look forward to working with Gov. (Wes) Moore to welcome new trustees to our board. We are sure that they will bring the enthusiasm, expertise, and relationships that will enrich the lives of our students.”
Advice to the Administration:
Vivian Moore Lawyer. (BOT Interim Chair) This is a Nightmare for the County. This movie doesn’t end well, EvCC was decimated,

From: Other	September 27, 2024
History repeating itself?
According to this article, the head of DEI at EvCC left her post shortly after the arrival of Daria Willis. Vice President of Equity and Inclusion Resigns The HCC DEI department vanished too, right after Daria arrived. What is it about Daria and DEI?

From: Other	September 27, 2024
Unionizing
“As HCC and SEIU seek opportunities for collaboration, we embrace a shared goal of cultivating excellence in teaching, learning, and training,” Carter said. “We look forward to dialogue that centers student achievement for our campus community and Howard County.”
Advice to the Administration:
Staff - “Sharing” Students - “achievement” What happens on campus vs public statements. Where up is down, and down is up 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 WE ARE ON FIRE I’m not going anywhere Got work to do. Sound familiar? Sounds like a bunch of voting BOT members who haven’t realized that they have control of hiring and firing only one employee. The college president.

From: Other	September 27, 2024
Dr. Shantay Grays- Provost and Executive VP
Rumour is going around today that HCC used its funds to pay for relocation to hire this person. That’s against policy. BOT guardrails?
Advice to the Administration:
Audit of this years ledgers would prove or disprove this. If it did happen, which BOT member signed off on that. If it did happen, it would have to be legally declared as taxable income. Follow the money, it’s what EvCC should have done much earlier instead of getting caught up in the “Dreaming” Sometimes dreams become a living nightmare. Cancer spreads!

From: Other	September 26, 2024
More like a snake pit rather than dragon country.
Madame President is like the “Tiffany Henyard” of Howard County and her henchmen are the worst bunch of gossip girls where nothing is confidential. Madame President is a very rude individual who makes lousy remarks like "excuse me, I haven't taken my meds today" - as an attempt to excuse her rude behavior. As a former employee, I can share that it is not about racism or sexism. At the leadership level, it is a very rich in ignorance and very poor in class type of environment. It's a culture full of cliques, chaos, corruption and confusion and a false layer of black excellence. Madame President may hire those who "look like her" but they don't get to stay long if they don't go along to get along. Senior leadership is not seeking to hire serious HR professionals, but instead looking to hire henchmen to support their agenda. The campus is suffering, and many employees are underpaid and overwhelmed.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop treating employees like short order cooks and change your leadership approach to offer result-oriented solutions to reduce turnover. Address workplace relationships. Sure, workplace romances are not illegal but create a firm policy around the romantic relationships and affairs between senior leaders and investigate the inappropriate romantic advances between staff/employees.

From: Other	September 26, 2024
Resign
From her Weekly Wisdom interview: Weekly Wisdom interview with Howard Community College President Daria J. Willis A. We can conclude that her three degrees in history and past work experiences did not, in any way, prepare her to lead a college --26:16 in the interview. B. Again, in her own words, she does not even respect the board members, who they are or where they came from. Nor does she want to learn to work with people unlike her. “Many of our board members are older uh much more established… or not people of color because the board doesn’t have her “lived experiences” --26:50 in the interview. Perhaps you should take a look at the county you live in and see what their lived experiences are, and learn to work within the context of the situation you live and work in, not the one you cherry-pick. Is this why people have been fired and escorted out of the building? C. Plays the victim card: "I didn’t have… " --27:07 in the interview. Do you think everybody else had the things you’re complaining about? Get experience in administration --somewhere else. It would help if you didn’t have to be told that everyone's experiences are different; as a leader, you need to figure out how to live in the context of everyone’s experiences, not what you have or haven’t had solely based on your lived experience. Adapt without constant hand-holding and continuously shifting blame. The president is so out of touch with the reality of working with others and has needlessly created nothing more than division and segregation and continues to be permitted to allow the integrity of HCC to deteriorate rapidly. “I need people I can work with.” – can we assume that’s younger people of color? What about the people that don’t look like you that are your constituents? Work with what you have, not what you want. Students are calling you out.
Advice to the Administration:
Please! Resign. Walk dogs. You can lead the dogs and pick and choose which dogs you want to associate with and which dogs you don’t want to associate with. I know you’re reading this; you read work emails Vindictiveness, Retaliation, Ageism, and Racism are not qualities of a president. BOT – you are complicit in encouraging and continuing this charade. Your job is to uphold the integrity of HCC, not the integrity of one person within HCC. Everyone makes mistakes. Stop making the constituents of Howard County pay for the mistake of hiring an unqualified individual.

From: County Resident	September 26, 2024
Salaries
If anyone wants to they can check the board of trustees meeting materials. Many of the VPs are earning $250,000 or more. For comparison, the base salary for the Howard County Superintendent of Schools is about $290,000. Now that’s a big job.

From: County Resident	September 26, 2024
Executive pay
If I'm being honest, I do not mind if the President of HCC makes a lot of money. I assume it is a big and complicated job. If you want somebody to do a big and difficult job well, you need to pay them well. But it looks like the current President isn't doing this job well. From what I see and hear, it seems like she's doing a terrible job. That's why I am upset about all the high salaries for top level execs at HCC. But you'd think the BoT would care too, wouldn't you?

From: County Resident	September 26, 2024
Something smells rather odd
The following members of the leadership team are all paid over $100,000 each Where were the job postings? Where was the hiring committee for these individuals? Any one else would have to apply and go through a rigorous vetting process- HCC Community something is seriously wrong at HCC Stephanie Walls- Chief of Staff Jane Ellen Miller- Chief Info Officer Delisle Warden- VP of Policy and Counsel Jarret Carter- VP of Communications Dr. Ty Stone- VP of Finance and Admin Dr. Shantay Grays- Provost and Executive VP Community members sound the alarm at MHEC and Attorney Generals office
Advice to the Administration:
BOT are complicit in this mess and should negate themselves from this disaster Call for a total external investigation of HCC.

From: County Resident	September 26, 2024
Ethics Violations and More
Sound the alarms! Why so many connections in senior leadership to the ASPEN institute? Dr. Grays, Dr. Willis and more. Why has Dr. Ty Stone only stayed at a college for short period then resigned? Why was Swim Consulting used when it was clearly an ethics violation (friends and family.) Where has all the money gone? Why are members of senior leadership paid over $100,000.00 yet our students are suffering, and services cut? The CANCER is spreading from the top down and it is time to cut it all out- Do not allow the once prestigious HCC to fall!
Advice to the Administration:
BOT stop the madness Investigate every member of senior leadership Our accreditation is on the line ACT now!

From: Other	September 26, 2024
Time for Investigation
Faculty have not been paid! Money is missing! Students have been ignored and left in the dark services cut! Student were lied to about 7 week courses! Services have been cut across the board! Top Admin is no where to be found and continually makes excuses This is not the HCC I know NO HR dept Payroll is a mess Finance staff escorted out Family and friends being paid top dollar as VP's and do not have a single clue what they are doing. HCC Community Members Beware --- Please contact Attorney Generals Office for a complete investigation of HCC and its Senior Leadership. Students, Faculty and Community Members we need you now more than ever before, before HCC comes crashing down. Students, faculty and community members- Please help us by filing formal complaints with MD Attorney General here is the link: Maryland Consumer Protection Complaints Portal Maryland higher Education Accreditation file complaints here: Maryland Higher Education Commission Time for and outside auditor Time for the Attorney General to step in and investigate for possible wrong doing before it is too late.
Advice to the Administration:
BOT step up and do your JOB or Resign immediately you are all complicit in this mess Senior leadership STEP down before the auditors and investigators arrive.

From: Student	September 26, 2024
More Information Needed from insiders, Further proof/corroboration
All things hidden must come to light; if there are more insiders with more details as to why and how exactly this instruction has fallen and is falling so hard and fast, please speak while we still have a voice Any wrongdoing is unacceptable. Students and families select where to plan their children’s future based on the reputation of the institution. In the case of HCC, this was an earned reputation of excellence. From that reputation comes an inferred ability of HCC as an institution to competently fulfill all of its duties in providing the academic platform for students to “get there from here”. Individual students and families alike have placed a great trust in HCC as an institution because of its reputation. This trust has been broken. When financial aid, advising, and other student facing departments are not prioritized, the message is that students are not the priority. This is quite the paradox. If students are not the priority, then who/what is? Some comments on this forum allege that the priority among leadership is lining the pockets of individuals and companies in their network as well as that of their own. This is an allegation of corruption carried out by those in power at the institution. This a weighty allegation without proof or corroboration. If the student-facing services such as financial aid, advising, and disability support services have been dismantled such that they no longer provide adequate service to the student population, students are being shortchanged. The moral situation for those who have the nitty gritty details, pure truth without the smoke and mirrors, comes down to the students and their families. Should students and their families continue to believe that they will be well served by the prestigious HCC if they make the decision to attend this iteration of the institution? Would you let your own children attend an institution that is being run this way? All things hidden must come to light
Advice to the Administration:
All things hidden will come to light

From: Other	September 26, 2024
BOT Directors and Officers Insurance
Vivian Moore Lawyer (Interim Chair) Carl S Perkins Felícita Sola Carter Frank Turner If you have not yet informed the Middle States accrediting body about the problems at HCC, I believe your D&O insurance policy becomes null and void for failure of duty. If you have already done so, well done. If your insurance carrier has been made aware, your premiums will increase when you come to renew with them. They may choose not to renew, so be prepared.
Advice to the Administration:
Maybe you have fulfilled your duties. Lawsuits can be problematic in terms of time and money. Take a look at the fine print in your current D&O insurance policy. The three members who resigned last week could argue that they acted in good faith by resigning.

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
Re: "administration keeps changing the organizational chart"
LOL. When people started losing track of all the new VPs and AVPs, we joked about needing a "VP of Org Charts."

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
HCC's failures should threaten accreditation
As an employee, I am mad: because HR is a mess; and because I can't be sure I'll be paid on time; and because the administration keeps changing the organizational chart, then changing the changes, then scrapping the plan and rolling out something new; and because the people who used to make HCC run so well that it won a Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award for "performance excellence" have all been fired, forced into retirement, or otherwise driven off, and replaced by people who don't know the procedures and processes that used to make the college operate smoothly; and because people who report directly to the President are spreading the lie that everything is great at HCC, and people who complain are malcontents or racists or both. I think these are important problems, but they are all workplace problems. Some of the other complaints I see from students are more serious. If students cannot get their financial aid, if they cannot reach an academic advisor, if they cannot reach Disability Support Services to get access to academic accommodations that they are legally entitled to, well, these are failures that compromise HCC's ability to fulfill its mission, and these failures should threaten HCC's accreditation. I really hope the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission will take notice.
Advice to the Administration:
The Board of Trustees should be alarmed by the way HCC is failing to provide needed student services. Unfortunately, they seem totally bamboozled by the current President, and completely indifferent to the problems of the people trying to do the learning and the teaching in this educational institution.

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
More on the "cash"...
Yes, we pay the president and her team a lot of money. Don't forget the president took even MORE money to pay her friends at Swim to provide a blueprint on a new academic and service model. The leadership team doesn't have the administrative or leadership acumen required to effectively run the day-to-day nuts and bolts of the college, much less direct and implement a major institutional overhaul. How much did it cost to join ATD? Add all those funds to the overall costs of having the president and her team in place, and reflect on what we have to show for it: failed implementations, chaotic restructurings, departments falling apart, campus services strained, faculty and staff stressed out, loss of institutional knowledge and talent due to increased turnover, morale in the tank, and the worst outcome of all... evidence that students are starting to be affected.

From: Student	September 26, 2024
No Response from DSS
I am autistic and I have been trying to contact the person assigned to me by disability support services since August. She doesn’t reply to my emails and there’s no way to contact her directly by phone. The number listed for her is the same one used to reach registration, financial aid, and other student services—but so far, none of the extensions I’ve tried has reached a live human. Most of them don’t even have voicemail boxes where I can leave a message. This is a major staffing issue, and probably an ADA violation since I haven’t been able to talk to my support person.
Advice to the Administration:
Hire more staff for student services! Treat your existing staff better so they stop quitting! Pay them more $$!

From: Other	September 26, 2024
Re Employee - Evidence of Past Malfeasance
Quote from the article “It only heightens concerns from union members, who have accused EvCC of having ulterior, for-profit motives and enabling conflicts of interest within the board of trustees”
Advice to the Administration:
While the BOT are shepherding the college, who’s watching them. Kindly invite the state AG to send a representative to join all open and closed meetings. Maybe the three members of the BOT resigned after a 4-3 loss to prevent the contract renewal of the president? Who knows and pure speculation, but you gotta figure something went down. One member resigning without a reason is big news, two is a massive red flag. Three is a S.O.S. message to Governor Wes Moore.

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
Evidence of Past Malfeasance
This is a story from the Everett Clipper - the student newspaper of Daria Willis and Joe Whalen's former institution, Everett Community College - from February, 2022, describing how Daria Willis and Joe Whalen, in their respective times as President or Acting President, put the college into financial jeopardy by refusing to accept county funding to keep their Early Learning Center open. Breaking News: Snohomish County Seeks To Prevent ELC’s Closure The TL;DR version is that Willis and Whalen rejected an offer by local officials to fund the Early Learning Center for unknown reasons. This was discovered after letters written by local officials to senior EvCC administration were uncovered after Willis had already left to take her position at HCC. Quotes from local officials strongly imply that previous funds were misallocated or misspent, leading to additional scrutiny from the county regarding how these funds should be spent.

From: Other	September 26, 2024
Reply to: BOT is complicit
WOW ! For real. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Advice to the Administration:
Facts matter . Looking forward to hearing more insights. The Sunlight is starting to shine brightly from staff and students. Keep on showing the light.

From: Other	September 26, 2024
All the cash
For 2022 that would be only part of the year for Daria. When the site is updated for 2023 you will see the full year effect. You are most likely looking at a cost to HCC of between $400-500k. This is a small cost when you look at the devastation caused between Jan 2022 and ?

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
BOT is complicit
If you're an employee at the college, these are things you will have heard: Our former head of HR, Joseph Pettiford, was shoved out to make room for Daria Willis' self-proclaimed "bestie" Joe Whalen. On his way out, he reportedly told Willis she was "an evil woman." Whalen then fell out of favor with Willis, culminating in a screaming fight (that could be heard from the hallway) where he threatened to sue. He was escorted off campus by security. Willis then installed one of her yes-people in the role, to look after HER (not HCC's) interests. It's only a matter of time before someone brings a wrongful termination suit, and the pile-on and massive corroborating testimony that follows will be brutal. It will bankrupt the college. To the Board: we know you know. You met to discuss the fallout and bad PR from this site and three board members resigned. After the college finishes burning to the ground, do you really want to return to your businesses and your neighbors in the community as pariahs? Think about saving your own reputations while there's still time.
Advice to the Administration:
1. Offer an ANONYMOUS survey to the people at the college and ask the tough questions. Don't insist that people risk their jobs to tell you what you need to know. 2. Reach out to the people who've been fired. They have nothing to lose by telling you what they know. Find out what they have to say first, before you have to read it in the news. Some of their stories will set your hair on fire.

From: Employee	September 26, 2024
All the cash for the top level, nothing left for the students
Check out the salaries at HCC: GovSalaries.com Keep in mind that Daria Willis also has her housing and car subsidized by the college in addition to her salary. There are 8 VPs making a quarter mil each, none of whom interact directly with students. Offices where people do interact with students are a skeleton crew with insufficient personal or resources. The recent budget that went to the county council included another expensive position for yet another overlord, but NOTHING for instruction. Where are your priorities? It used to be the students.
Advice to the Administration:
Send someone you trust undercover to the college as a student. Have them try to get advising, buy a textbook, attempt to register online. Prepare to be shocked by what you hear when they report back.

From: Other	September 26, 2024
Forbes magazine powered by the Aspen Institute
From the article In Forbes magazine - Published on 25th September. ******* "Every student can thrive with the right resources and nurturing, but a culture of being seen and appreciated makes the campus experience authentic for student parents,” said Dr. Daria Willis, president of Howard Community College, and a student parent herself. “Study spaces, childcare, and scholarships are the undercurrent for the mentoring our student parents need, and help strengthen relationships with faculty that power a full community around our families. A two-generational effort is how we create lasting impact in teaching and learning.”
Advice to the Administration:
Way too much varnish being placed on external communications to hide what’s really happening to students on the ground. Fix the problems students have raised this month. - 7 week course disaster (went Swimmingly well, just as Swim Consulting) - books not available (all I want for Christmas is my coursebook) - financial aid (implosion) - advising (knock knock, who’s there) Student council, please provide your wish list of the top 5 items that you want fixed. Send it to the BOT. If you don’t have any luck with them, share it on Howardcc.fyi.

From: Other	September 26, 2024
More from Reddit “A cancer”
DavidHobby OP • 5d ago • I try not to think of it as HCC the institution. More like one person is (widely seen as) a cancer on the institution, and what is happening as a result. (Related: Make sure to vote this November.) This story is the first public whiff of the ongoing 💩-show I’ve been hearing about since shortly after the new President’s arrival. Maybe sunlight will prove a good disinfectant.
Advice to the Administration:
One person is not bigger than the HCC. HCC is a collection of students and staff. Both need each other. With prospective employers of Joe Whalen, Jarrett Carter Sr, and Daria Willis catching on. Maybe Daniel Porterfield can offer an olive branch with career prospects. Not sure how much $ has been spent on Aspen already.

From: Student	September 26, 2024
Adding on to “What About Us”
I feel like students would not have been as negatively affected if financial aid and advising had not declined so severely due to implemented changes. From the perspective of a credit student, departmental reorgs are one thing but I would argue that changes that lead to the decline in the quality of financial aid and advising services are most correlated with the decline in the credit-student experience. If there are any other perspectives on this, please share.
Advice to the Administration:
Change is a fact of life, but as much as is in our control, change should be for the better for as many people as possible. Changes that lead to the decline in the quality of financial aid and advising services are changes for the worse that affect the entirety of the student population negatively. To start, could more hours be added for virtual drop-in advising? Many students work full time and are commuting to HCC from other counties, therefore the constrained drop-in schedule does not align with their availability. The drop-in system during and immediately post-Covid was godsend with regard to getting things done logistically.

From: County Resident	September 26, 2024
Put a hold on donations
I sincerely hope that Thomas P. Clement and Wonsook Kim learn of the tumult at HCC and put a hold on their $2.5 million donation until this mess gets sorted out. I'm pretty sure they had no idea when they donated that this storm was about to hit.

From: Student	September 25, 2024
What about us?
What about the students? A lot has changed in a positive and negative way and the negatives are hard to miss and affect us. What’s going to happen to us in all of this? Every school has its problems but HCC was well known for good things even in some of its problems. To see that a site like this is needed and now there’s a Reddit page? This is embarrassing and has not been handled correctly in the public at all PR wise. Instead it is creating a bigger crisis adding on top of the problems that are being talked about.
Advice to the Administration:
Figure it out please. Something is wrong somewhere and in the end we’re affected the most. It’s our education and community and it’s important to consider.

From: County Resident	September 25, 2024
Reddit thread
For those interested, here's a link to the r/ColumbiaMD Reddit thread: Long-Simmering Discord at HCC Bubbles Up Into Public View

From: Other	September 25, 2024
Reddit posts on Daria Willis at HCC
Thread - Long-Simmering Discord at HCC Bubbles Up Into Public View Comment from approx 6 hours ago ( ~4pm ) on Wednesday 25th September 2024 ******** She completely decimated Everett Community College before she left and went there! If anybody needs more information, contact the AFSME union in Washington state! It was a nightmare! EVCC still has not recovered from her Leadership.
Advice to the Administration:
Calling all Board members (excl the president), and all Union members. You can easily fact check this post. Journalists can also follow up.

From: Other	September 25, 2024
Jarret Carter Sr (from LinkedIn.com)
"With over 15 years of experience in communication and public relations, I am a passionate and effective leader who drives strategic initiatives and builds lasting relationships. I currently serve as the Vice President of External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement at Howard Community College, where I oversee the college's external relations, marketing, fundraising, and alumni affairs. In my previous roles, I have successfully led communication and public relations teams for Howard University, Howard County Government, and Morgan State University, among others. I have created and managed multiple media channels, social media platforms, and content strategies, increasing engagement and visibility for diverse audiences. I have also partnered with organizational and community leaders to ensure alignment and support for key projects and programs. Additionally, I have demonstrated excellence in handling crisis communication, media relations, and stakeholder engagement, with consistency, transparency, and quality."
Advice to the Administration:
Excellence personified, luckily this site is the only place with transparency to show that the comments were neither racist or sexist. Not one. Thanks to this site memorializing feedback from stakeholders. Lies have short legs. This may very well be the end of the road for individuals who have acted in bad faith at HCC and EvCC. Did EvCC always have the Assistant General Attorney attend board meetings?

From: Other	September 25, 2024
Joke
Where to start? The sheep following blindly? The brave who have spoke up and left? If you are a current admin I highly suggest you ask questions. Stop following. HCC WAS once a great place. Now we have senior admins doing who knows what? Is there a line between Jarrett and Dr. Willis? Watch very closely. The relationship between the top and senior admins is questionable. Family members rule the hallways. Nothing is ever done. Employee workspace is disregarded.
Advice to the Administration:
Go to the trenches. Stop globetrotting. Actually talk to your employees.

From: Other	September 25, 2024
Journalism/Reporters
Baltimore Banner - Jess Nocera Inside Higher Ed - Sara Weisman Did you ever read the comments on this thread? Or did you just speak with Daria Willis and Jarrett Carter.
Advice to the Administration:
Hint to the reporters, perhaps read through the posts again to find the racism and sexism alleged by the two curators of narrative. Second hint , pause and reread the post from EvCC about Daria Willis and her playbook. Or perhaps reread the slight correction from Jarret Carter on his LinkedIn account. If it’s not too much trouble, you may benefit greatly by looking at the comments on this site, and then ask yourself why the site exists.

From: Other	September 25, 2024
Speaking at open board sessions
Is this allowed at HCC in the open board meetings.
Advice to the Administration:
All union members should turn up at the next meeting. Hopefully the Spokesperson for the Union can speak without fear of retaliation.

From: Employee	September 25, 2024
Look Out
So. Many. Comments. This is not made up by so many people. HCC was once a place I was so proud to be a part of. The community fostered a friendly and welcoming environment. Fast forward to now and I find a very scared environment. Senior leadership- what a joke. I contemplate the relationship within the presidents team. That’s just one facet. Let’s see what is a joke right- HR, financial aide, advising, I mean the list goes on. Every department has so much turnover. When does this end? We have kids running rampant around campus. No rules. Faculty halls? Ha. Kids sit there and cause so much ruckus. What is done? Absolutely nothing. Because facility and staff don’t matter.
Advice to the Administration:
Dive deep. You want to know your employees? Spend time with them. Get to know them. Stop parading around the world.

From: County Resident	September 25, 2024
Agreed and well said
Response-“to the esteemed BOT” These words encapsulate exactly how I feel as a former employee. I would like to add that the President takes credit for any success that has happened during her tenure but accepts no responsibility for any of the failures. Instead she is quick to deflect and place blame. That unbalanced approach is fueling a toxic environment.
Advice to the Administration:
Please create a safe space to listen to the concerned staff and faculty rather than doubling down on this mess.

From: County Resident	September 25, 2024
To the Esteemed HCC Board of Trustees
For many years, to work at HCC felt like working at the best community college in Maryland and even in the country. Therefore, it is very sad to see how much the college has changed in so many ways. I do not think it is fair to direct everything towards Dr. Willis, for in many ways I think she is a model for women in leadership. However, not everyone is perfect; we all make mistakes, and there truly are issues at the college. HCC used to be a place where ideas come from faculty, staff, and students. There were so many different working groups and committees made up of truly people who wanted to served and had ideas. Maybe it wasn’t the most efficient way to balance the budget on a spreadsheet, but people felt respected and valued. Several years ago, college administrative begin to talk about people not working in silos, that we needed to collaborate across the campus. When I look at HCC now, it feels like we are more “silo-ed” than ever. There are faculty positions frozen because of finance concerns, but in recent years, the college has hired more VPs and AVPs than ever before, without notice to the college members, without any publication of hiring, and many are confused about what these upper administrators do. Dr. Willis also doesn’t shy away from talking about hiring friends. How are the rest of the college to feel about that when even people who’ve worked there a long are not given opportunity to become full-time? Papers for hiring are not processed in time, people are not paid on time, and when papers are sent to the HR office, it’s like it goes into a black hole. Divisions and departments are reorganized without considering the work people needed to do, services that they provide for the students, faculty, and staff. As a result, many services had to be dropped, divisions and departments feel understaffed, tickets for work to be done often go uncompleted or without following up. Any kind of “conversation” taking place on campus is more of an opportunity for the upper administrative to “hand-down” directives than really listening. As this site indicates, people are afraid to give valuable and constructive feedback and input openly.
Advice to the Administration:
Dear Board of Trustees, please take off any politically biased tinted glasses, and open your door to all at the college. Let everyone feel that you are the Board of all Howard Community College and not just a few in the college. Listen to what people are saying. Yes, there might be noise, but there are truths too. Please open your door and listen. It's difficult to untangle a mess, but I believe you didn't get appointed to the board because you shy away from messes. I believe you have been appointed to the board because of your ability to deal with messy difficult situations. Please let us feel your leadership and courage. HCC is a great place. The employee, faculty, staff, and students are wonderful people and citizens. For many of us, we want to get behind the college president. However, it is difficult to do when it seems like the board and all of the upper administration are leaning to one side. When voices of difference happens, we are advised to be of one voice and “dissent must stop.” Dr. Willis addressed the campus by calling us "dragons." Does this mean she is the mother of the dragons? Are we a TV show? A dear mentor once said, “The two most important bodies of a college is its president and its faculty.” I believe many of us want to work with Dr. Willis and her team. It is truly a sad day when a member of the college has something to say, that they have to say it anonymously, on an unverifiable webpage, and upload from a computer in a FedEx store.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Former Employee
I resigned from HCC an over a year ago because I had a gut feeling that things were going downhill with this administration and I needed to get out before things hit the fan. I am saddened to see how my intuition was in fact true. It’s also very disheartening to hear what my colleagues have faced since my departure and all the excellent, hardworking and dedicated employees that are no longer there. When I first started at HCC, I loved my job, the energy of my department and my fellow colleagues. I had hoped to make this institution the place I would one day retire at. Unfortunately, it pains me to say that after the start of Dr. Willis administrative we all started to see the aggressive decline in the quality of the work environment. She made her sentiments loud and clear when she said if you aren't happy and/or don’t like the changes, the exits are there. I knew what she meant when she said it, and her actions that followed spoke even louder. I have never been at an institution that has experienced such a severe turnover due to resignations and unwarranted firings. As I’ve checked in with my former team members recently, the overall morale is defeated, paranoid of termination, and exhaustion from being overworked, overwhelmed and under compensated. Something is seriously not right with how the college is being run. This isn’t a matter of sexism, or racism - and the masses shouldn’t be gaslit into believe that.
Advice to the Administration:
The board needs to have someone unaffiliated with this administration come in to conduct a thorough investigation as to what the employees are experiencing. The level of distrust and fear that employees are feeling is preventing them from coming forward with their truths - they fear retaliation and being fired.

From: Employee	September 24, 2024
HCCs community is not racist
As a white woman who was raised in Columbia, attended HCC, and has worked at HCC for decades, I am offended by the statements implying that HCC’s staff is racist. HCC had high standards and expected a lot of all employees. Those who didn’t at least try to work at those high standards may have felt pressure to leave, but it was not because of race. This president is only interested in people who “look like her” regardless of their competency. If they “do as she says”, with no pushback or disagreement, they get to stay. I have faith in the good people at HCC to continue to respect all people of color, regardless of what this president and her supporters are doing to HCC. Someone taught Daria how to use the race card. I hope what is taught to other people of color is that character isn’t worth giving up to get to the top.
Advice to the Administration:
Just stop.

From: County Resident	September 24, 2024
Daria Willis holds Columbia in contempt
Excerpt from "Weekly Wisdom Interview" that can be found on Youtube: "We're somewhere between like Baltimore and D.C. nestled in a cute little community that thinks very highly of themselves... which they should... um, but it's a, it's a wonderful place to be..." Video: Daria Speaks If ever there was a back-handed compliment to the community she now resides in, that was it. Characterizing the established norms and procedures as being protected by the "Root Guards" is again a way of de-legitimizing those long term employees who have contributed to making HCC what it was, a highly respected educational institution. Her lack of trust is on full display here. "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." -- Maya Angelou

From: Employee	September 24, 2024
The Real Truth
This is my second comment on this page. I am a long time employee, and this job is starting to take its toll. The real issue is not just the toxicity and biased regime, but the fact that anyone who knows the college and could keep things afloat have gone. The new employees have zero history of the college and how it was run. There are too many new employees. Whatever the reason, this is destroying the systems that were in place. Forget about the president. The real issue is that HR sucks, admissions and advising sucks, payroll, sucks, the bookstore sucks, the deans and chairs are new, they don’t know what they are doing, there are no resources or outlets for faculty. Everything has changed. Nothing is running smooth. Every week, someone quits and we have to start over. Just last week, another person in HR quit. There is no leadership and no resources. The ticket system put in place is stupid. Doesn’t work. There is no communication and lack of leadership. Seems like there are more parties and wasted money on games. As I try to hang on as long as I can, until I find something else, leadership needs to address the turnover and stop screwing the people who want to work. This means stop screwing up contracts and pay people what they are worth. The existing structure cannot go on forever. Any business run like this would fold up.
Advice to the Administration:
Talk to the employees. Work it out. Don’t be afraid to admit defeat. It is ok. There are intelligent people at HCC. Things can be worked out. Do it before it is too late. Students are the focus. They are realizing the issues. They cannot be hidden forever.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Trusted partners vs Fear
One can understand why staff have felt sheer terror since Jan 2022. One of the few ways to help empower staff and students at HCC is to share what’s happening. In years to come, a case study written up about HCC will most likely serve as a training opportunity for school boards across the States of this Nation. To that end, If you have family members, or 100% trustworthy colleagues working at other community colleges in different states, feel free to share the website Howardcc.fyi Make 100,000 views happen, inclusive of all 50 States. A college forewarned is a college saved.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
President Willis - Contract renewal
Was the original contact for 2 or 3 years? When is the contract up for renewal?
Advice to the Administration:
Voting members of the Board (4 of you remaining) call an emergency meeting and ask for the president to recuse herself. Worst case scenario, buy out the contract and don’t provide a reference. It’s in your hands, rarely will you have such an opportunity to protect your ROI. Or, continue to ignore your Fiduciary duties as a Board Member for the community. Families are struggling, staff are struggling, students are suffering. When it’s all over with, it’s a time for those most impacted to have Governor Moore set up a counselling group to help manage the mental health issues caused by this regime.

From: County Resident	September 24, 2024
The administration isn't getting the props it desperately wants
From glassdoor.com: Daria J. Willis 11% approve of CEO

From: Other	September 24, 2024
HCC's dysfunction is being talked about all over the place
If you happen to have an account with indeed.com you should take a look at the reviews. There are a lot of commenters who are mirroring the comments on this site. I think the only reason HCC's upper management is angry about this website is that it doesn't hide the comments behind a user login that makes the information hard to access. Howardcc.fyi is entirely open to the public.

From: Employee	September 24, 2024
To the student who posted there were no BOT minutes
At some point last spring, the board materials started including the meeting minutes. The meeting minutes are available, but you have to scroll through a lot of pages to find them.
Advice to the Administration:
Return to the searchable format of board materials last used in March 2023.

From: Student	September 24, 2024
Board of Trustee meeting on oct 30th
Look out for an agenda and meeting materials going out on the 23rd. Meeting location is publicly posted. Like all local politics, showing up makes a bigger difference than you think. Nearly every single board of trustees meeting has had a closed session since Daria Willis came to power, and the majority of closed sessions are longer than open ones. If someone was concerned about the topics discussed, and wanted to be sure the board of trustees was staying on topic, you could contact the Open Meeting Act Council with a complaint. The minutes of closed sessions are not available to the public, but on request might be inspected by the Open Meeting Acts Council, who might agree with a concerned member of the public. Alright, that's all I can share. Keep heart fyi!
Advice to the Administration:
don't have a closed session in october.

From: Student	September 24, 2024
Board of Trustees transparency
Since late 2023 no meeting minutes have been posted for any meetings of the Board of Trustees for Howard Community College. This technically violates the Maryland Open Meeting act: "The Act generally requires that public bodies prepare minutes “as soon as practicable” after they meet unless “live and archived video or audio streaming of the open session is available” or “the public body votes on legislation and the [members’] individual votes” are “posted promptly on the Internet.” § 3-306(b). 24 Public bodies must retain meeting minutes and recordings for five years and, “[t]o the extent practicable,” must “post online the minutes or recordings” that they are required to retain.§ 3-306(e)." PLEASE let me post fyi. I'm almost done, then I can focus on my homework.
Advice to the Administration:
Post meeting minutes and materials on time.

From: Student	September 24, 2024
2023 budget
Full time administration was approved for 2 million more dollars than requested. Why and when?

From: -fyi	September 24, 2024
Thank you
Thank you to those who have expressed their appreciation for this website through both published and unpublished comments. It is very encouraging to know that there are others in this community that care about the future of HCC and are willing to speak out. -fyi PS. To the commenter that questioned the ethics of this web site because it uses the services of njal.la to maintain its anonymity, you are quite naive if you think anyone would dare to speak out on a public site knowing it would likely cost them their livelihood.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Hackers?
The company that holds the registration for this site, Njalla Okta LLC, is an anonymous company domiciled in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Njalla Okta was created by a cofounder of The Pirate Bay, a dark-web marketplace. All of which makes it nearly impossible for the public to trace the identity of the person behind this website. What else is there to say?

From: Employee	September 24, 2024
An Interesting Rumor
At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Swim Consulting - the firm hired by HCC and which, I remind everyone, is run by friends of Daria Willis - gave a presentation on the launch of seven-week courses at HCC. The presentation was all smiles, all "this is great for the college" and "HCC is doing a terrific job with rolling out seven-week courses." But the rumor is that behind closed doors Swim has been much less positive. I've heard from a few people within the administration's circle that Swim was very blunt in their assessment to Daria Willis: the rollout of seven-week courses was bungled, and the damage was so severe that the college needs to roll back seven-week courses until it can figure out how to handle them properly. I have no idea if this is true or not, and I doubt anyone other than the people at Swim and Daria Willis herself ever will. But if true, it says a lot about the way this administration handles criticism and the lengths to which it will go to hide its incompetence.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Jarrett Carter Sr LinkedIn headline “racist and sexist”
Mr Carter You are welcome to review any of the 135 comments posted on this site for racism and sexism. If you can’t, you can understand why Donors have had enough of the regime. Look at the following from Howardcc.fyi. Readership is growing. ******** This website has been viewed 48,168 times. There are 135 published comments. There are 0 comments pending.
Advice to the Administration:
Donors please don’t give up on HCC in the future. When this dark period at HCC has passed, we will probably need help to restore and repair the damage done when you have confidence in the advancement team and leadership. Donors are also free to attend open board meetings.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Reflection (part 2)
With the viewings of this website fast approaching 50,000. Can the community help provide the following 1) Which members of the College were on the search committee to hire the College President. And who at EvCC gave a reference for Dr Willis. 2) We may never know the true reasons why three Board Members resigned last week, for the current community, please pay close attention to Board meetings and look for the following Red flags: - Open Board meetings. Ensure that meeting minutes are approved on a timely basis. - Ensure that meetings minutes are published immediately after being approved. - Open discourse of questions raised in open session are properly recorded and reflected in the minutes. - It’s only one meeting per month, turn up! It’s your college after all. For closed session meetings, incoming Board members would be well served by reviewing minutes from all open and closed sessions. from before Dr Willis arrived until now. 3) Can someone share a list of all Board members both current and prior who have served since Dr Willis was hired. 4) Can someone share a list of all direct reports along with office title of staff at the time of hiring Dr Willis until now. Having this information available on this website will be crucial for many stakeholders, not least an independent audit of the hiring practices by an external third party.
Advice to the Administration:
Auditing the hiring at HCC should clearly prove or disprove some of the claims made about the hiring practices of Dr Willis. To our friends on the West Coast at EvCC thanks a million for postings here. Please have others share any insights that will help HCC navigate during these very challenging times. Healing will be key and knowing how EvCC coped will be invaluable. All accrediting bodies have an option for whistleblower/complaints. If the VPs in charge of Communications and Accreditation have not yet informed the Middle States accrediting body, now is the time to share this website with them.

From: Other	September 24, 2024
Suggestion for website
To the founder of this website. bravo! I have a suggestion to help folk understand the power of free speech against a regime. Would you consider moving the numbers for page views and comments pending to the top of the page instead of the bottom. It was easy to scroll down last week. Now it’s taking a while. Also, if accreditors or journalists do look, seeing 100,000 by early October will be valuable. You may also wish to add one more total if it’s easy, total number of published comments. Thanks for making this site, and also for ensuring it’s a safe place, free from racism and sexism. Keep up the great work and protect yourself from the Willis regime at all times.

From: County Resident	September 24, 2024
Vote of no confidence
I am writing letters to the governor to address these growing concern of HCC leadership and its transparency over financial matters. I will also be requesting information about the college allocations and spendings from the freedom of information act. As a major donor, I will be ending my recurring donations until I get to the bottom of this. I made my wealth from trusting and empowering my employees to provide excellence. It appears something has changed.
Advice to the Administration:
Figure out what went wrong with your successful reputation and leadership team! Otherwise, I will be recommending other donors in my circle to stop as well.

From: Employee	September 23, 2024
Yes, we’ve always had problems, that’s not the point
I’ve been at HCC over a decade now. Before the current administration, I witnessed racism, nepotism, and bullying in the workplace. These things were often reported to necessary parties, and little (that I recall) was done about them. When Dr Willis became president, I was thrilled to be at HCC when hiring our first black female president. Finally, a president who looks like the majority of students we serve. I thought this meant real change would be on the horizon for the college. I was right. Change came in the form of lack of transparency in hiring practices, sowing a lack of trust throughout the college. Change came in decisions made about reorganization of the college that made day to day operations nearly impossible. Change came in growing discomfort with the lack of communication from leadership. Change came when trusted colleagues were escorted off campus without notice by security. Change came when the college community was told “separation and dissension must end now” in an attempt to have us tow the company line. Changes have been happening all around us since we all began our work here at HCC. It’s something I value so much about our institution, our willingness to change and adapt along with the world around us. I’ve had some terrible bosses while in my time here at HCC, but I always held value in my position because of my hard work, dedication, and love for my job. Before this administration, I would have felt confident (as I have for my terrible bosses in the past) reporting problems to the necessary parties, but my ability to do this has been stripped by the changes I’ve seen in the past few years. I no longer hold value to anyone at the college outside of my immediate supervisors and colleagues, I think many of us feel we are expendable in this current climate. This site is necessary for those of us who have been working at HCC for years, those of us who just began, and those impacted the most down the line: our students. Without a true anonymous forum, we would sacrifice our livelihoods to speak up with that which we disagree.
Advice to the Administration:
Take our words seriously. Our students are listening now

From: County Resident	September 23, 2024
Reply to: HCC was sexist and racist before Daria came
"Perhaps this new president is turning over the tables on the old boy, old girl net work that ran the college for so long and perhaps they don’t like it because of a woman of color, hiring more people of color, so that the institution administration reflects the student body more." If you insist on going there, I would ask does the current racial and ethnic composition of HCC's administration reflect Howard County in general? As of the most recent U.S. Census data (2020), Howard County, Maryland, has a diverse racial composition. Here's a general breakdown of the racial demographics: White (Non-Hispanic): 43.1% Black or African American: 19.7% Asian: 20.6% Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 7.9% Two or more races: 8.1% Other races: 0.6% Howard County is one of the more racially and ethnically diverse counties in Maryland. The Asian population, in particular, is relatively high compared to other areas in the state. These numbers reflect the increasing diversity in the region, which has grown in recent years due to a combination of factors, including immigration and people moving to the area for jobs and education opportunities. So, would it be terrible if HCC's administration reflected the actual racial and ethnic diversity of Howard County? No. And in an ideal world it would. But the issues here are not about race or ethnicity. The issues here are about a leader who is clearly unfit for the position of College President. A leader who is tearing down more than she is building.
Advice to the Administration:
Again, look past the doors of Mahogany Row and listen to your constituents.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Joseph Whelan
The Bio for Mr Whalen from His professional linked in account Joseph Whalen III, MBA, SPHR 3rd Premium member Executive Vice President and CHRO at Higher Education St.Edward's University Higher Education Seattle, Washington, United States 441 connections Logo of Higher Education Vice President Human Resources Higher Education Jul 2021 - Present 3 yrs 3 mos Seattle, Washington, United States Logo of Fairfax Behavioral Health HR Director Fairfax Behavioral Health Aug 2016 - May 2019 2 yrs 10 mos Greater Seattle Area
Advice to the Administration:
Why would you omit the details for EVCC and HCC in your last four years of employment. Red Flag to all, hire at your own risk. The love fest of liking your president posts also appears to waning. If any investigative journalists, or accreditation bodies look into EVCC and HCC, be sure to check in to the Howardcc.fyi.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
HCC was sexist and racist before Daria came
Fortunately, I left before the arrival of the new administration but prior to my exit. I had endured many years of racist and sexist bullying and abuse for my supervisors and some coworkers that it was the culture of HCC so I find it hilarious that now all of a sudden this institution has been flipped on its head, and they’re complaining about racism when it always existed in that institution people were promoted without proper credentials and nepotism ran rampant on that campus husbands and wives and sons and daughters of employees were all hired, especially if they were non-minority so this message board is completely hilarious to me. It should’ve existed for the past 40 years because HCC had a culture of racism that was never addressed even though many complaints have been made. I recall making a complaint to EEOC and their reply was. “We have another one from HCC. What’s going on at that place”. Perhaps this new president is turning over the tables on the old boy, old girl net work that ran the college for so long and perhaps they don’t like it because of a woman of color, hiring more people of color, so that the institution administration reflects the student body more. I’m truly saddened for HCC. I love that place and always will but I am so glad to you have left when I did?. Best of luck to everyone you still there, and again, my condolences to all of the old workers that were there that were awesome people I didn’t always get the promotions or recognition. They so well deserved because somebody’s wife or somebody’s cousin or somebody’s daughter was filling the spots I am eating popcorn, and just watching to see the next episode..
Advice to the Administration:
I have no suggestions, but I will say that whatever you’re doing just got them talking

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Jarrett Carter Sr.
Is Jarret regretting his publication on LinkedIn. Take a look, here is his latest response in the the thread Howardcc.fyi. ****** Original post from Jarrett Carter Sr on his professional linkedIn account referring to Howardcc.fyi Jarrett Carter Sr “This is a website with anonymous comments leveling racist, sexist lies against our board of trustees and our president”…. * Response from Chad Powers “Sounds like a lot of people were hurt and have genuine grievances that have nothing to do with leadership's race or gender. Pretty toxic and disingenuous to dismiss it all as prejudice. I can see why people would be unhappy and why they felt the need to be anonymous.” ***** Response to the comment from Chad by Jarrett Carter Snr - “I don’t think I ever mentioned all comments were racist or sexist, and it’s only dismissed in the sense that we would prefer to help everyone feel appreciated and cared for, but can’t do so if we don’t know where to direct support.”
Advice to the Administration:
Prospective future employers be wary of Jarrett Carter. Accreditations teams, this is not a good look for the VP of Communications.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Using racism and sexism as a defense against criticisim is no longer effective
People are seeing through the "racism" and "sexism" deflections and are now focusing on the substantive failings of this administration. Sorry to break your narrative but there are real issues being revealed here and they need to be addressed. Shouting "You go Queen!" simply reveals your inability to accept the reality of the issues being discussed on this website. If you love the "Queen", then offer concrete examples of her achievements at HCC that counter her failures, otherwise no one will take you seriously. So far her supporters have presented nothing more than sycophant cheers.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign. This has gone on long enough.

From: County Resident	September 23, 2024
Where are the posts showing racism and sexism?
I’ve gone through all the posts multiple times, and I see no evidence suggesting that employees dislike Daria Willis because she’s a woman of color. Daria Willis and Jarrett Carter are fabricating claims of racism and sexism.
Advice to the Administration:
Why bother? They won't listen.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Shameful
It’s very convenient that this is happening now that the leadership of HCC is predominantly people of color…hmmmm. Coincidence?
Advice to the Administration:
This too shall pass!

From: Student	September 23, 2024
Expressing feelings of despair as a student
In the 2022 and 2023 academic years I received enough financial aid and scholarships to cover my tuition and textbook costs in its entirety. It was very easy to access financial aid and advising services and there was even a functional virtual line! I worked a job to cover living and transportation costs and then save the rest in hopes of saving enough to pay for my bachelors when I transfer out of pocket and then graduate or professional school afterward. I won’t go so far as to speculate that the money has “disappeared” due to a nefarious reasons. Former donors have been in this forum sharing that they have ceased donating as it was clear to them that something suspicious was up with this presidency/administration. That possibly explains the disappearance of some funds, there is possibly just less to go around now. Now what I do know from firsthand experience is that financial aid has had a lot of turnover in staffing and I was not able to get a hold of anyone on the phone when $0 in financial aid and scholarships were now offered to me. In the previous semester, it took over two weeks to resolve an issue when a financial aid grant was removed from my account. The scholarship application, which used to be very simple and straightforward has now needlessly changed it’s format, and after filling it out I am told that I am ineligible for the supposedly hundreds of scholarships on the institutional platform. I now find myself working four jobs including one full time day job and one full-time overnight job (I hope this does not take years off my life). I barely have any time to study between working and catching up on sleep, but you gotta do what you gotta do. If this holds up, I will most likely have to slow down significantly and take classes part time for the next few semesters until I am set to transfer
Advice to the Administration:
Why?

From: Employee	September 23, 2024
Regarding the "Accountability" Post
"Every time a group of employees are held accountable for doing excellent work in order to earn a decent wage, they are angry." When I read this, I assumed this was directed at the Administration, not the faculty and staff. Here are FACTS: Before this Administration, HCC was a beacon of excellence among two-year colleges, celebrated with numerous accolades, including multiple "Great College to Work For" and Baldrige Awards. Here’s a powerful quote from our 2019 Baldrige Award recognition: "Monitored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency within the U. S. Department of Commerce, the Baldrige program provides a framework and standards through which to measure organizational success. Howard Community College has followed the Baldrige framework in its quest for performance excellence since 2005." Source: Howard Community College Wins Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award All this stopped with the new Administration. No more awards for excellence. To paraphrase our provost, Facts don't lie, folks. So who’s really whining here? It’s certainly not the faculty and staff who have delivered excellence for decades. We’re not "whining;" we’re speaking out because expressing our thoughts has led to firings. There is no free speech at HCC. When sharing a dissenting opinion results in being escorted off campus by security, it’s clear that our voices are silenced. Then, who, in fact, is falling short? Clearly, it is the Administration, senior members of which ARE, in fact, whining--on Facebook, X, and Instagram. There, they beg for the sycophants and those who automatically assume racism and sexism to rush in and bolster their egos. The evidence--evidence which is plain for all to see--does indeed point to the need for accountability, but accountability from the overpaid, out of touch Administration.
Advice to the Administration:
Become accountable.

From: Employee	September 23, 2024
I treat my students with more respect than this
There is no situation in which I can imagine telling my students to "stop whining" about any issue they brought up. They would be shocked and insulted, and rightly so. And there is no hypothetical I can think of where, as a role model if nothing else, I would ever tell my students that when they felt that something was wrong and wanted to talk about it, that what they should do is sit down and shut up and let others think for them. Some of us are trying to practice what we would preach.
Advice to the Administration:
Nobody likes to be told to sit down and shut up.

From: Student	September 23, 2024
7 Week Semester
last semester everyone I spoke to, students & teachers, really disliked the idea of adding 7 week classes. This fall they were implemented very poorly. since, they were unclearly labeled, many students had to change their schedules at the last minute because they had unknowlingly signed up for unbalanced courseloads.
Advice to the Administration:
Listen to what the community is saying instead of just trying to make money.

From: Employee	September 23, 2024
Response to "Accountability"...
"Pull your weight by providing the needed classes, excellent instruction and services. Provide research for the university. Write articles that reflect how exceptional instruction prepares students for work and four year colleges. Write books and scholarly articles on instruction and the success of your college..." "...providing super instruction and services, interact with students, build relationships with staff members, reach out to the community to mentor kids, give to charities, provide resources for students, and collectively pull together." Absolutely agree. Faculty and staff at HCC are doing ALL these things, despite poor senior leadership, despite respected colleagues resigning or being fired, despite the top three staff in Finance resigning and fired over some mysterious issue, despite the entire office of Social Justice and Equity resigning in the same week, despite senior leadership turnover, despite respected leaders being escorted out by security after delivering notice of their resignations, despite constant restructuring, despite myriad rumors of cover-ups and inappropriate relationships, despite retaliation for constructive criticism, and most recently, despite three board members resigning at once. It is not whining to want a workplace free of toxicity, especially one that was hailed for so many years as a great place to work, and actually was. This site exists because of the leadership quagmire and its refusal to constructively address valid workplace problems. It is because of the goodness of the faculty and staff that they work as hard as they do, let's hope they can keep it going. May they endeavor to persevere.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Chaos arrived from EvCC
Interesting find: www.heraldnet.com Joe Whalen was elevated to fill Daria's former post as EvCC acting president but then followed Daria to HCC. Then Whalen was dismissed from HCC. What on earth was that about? The more you look into the current administration the stranger it gets.

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Accountability
Every time a group of employees are held accountable for doing excellent work in order to earn a decent wage, they are angry. Don't get angry, get better. Pull your weight by providing the needed classes, excellent instruction and services. Provide research for the university. Write articles that reflect how exceptional instruction prepares students for work and four year colleges. Write books and scholarly articles on instruction and the success of your college, which is the second top community college in Md. There are 2 kinds of employees. Whiners and producers. Whiners blame others for their unhappiness; they blame students, administrators, the community, the government and the world. Producers provide excellence by providing super instruction and services, interact with students, build relationships with staff members, reach out to the community to mentor kids, give to charities, provide resources for students, and collectively pull together. Which one are you? A whiner or producer? Get off of this site and do something to empower yourself, your work place, your community and your world.
Advice to the Administration:
Advice to administration: Keep doing and excellent job!

From: Other	September 23, 2024
Daria rebranded HCC...was this up for a vote??
Howard Community College Debuts New College, Athletic Branding This is hard to watch, for those that remain, you have my best!!

From: Other	September 22, 2024
Makes me sad
Former employee here of 20+ years. I left after feeling pressure and lack of support by the administration. I loved my job and everything about HCC. The fact that this website needs to exist and I understand why it does, still makes me sad. HCC was such an amazing place with a great reputation. It’s sad that this is what it is turning into and even more sad that the board doesn’t see it. Looking at these comments makes me realize that leaving may have been a blessing.
Advice to the Administration:
This many people can’t be wrong. Word is getting out and at some point the college will fail and it will be on you. Destroying one of the best institutions in the state.

From: Other	September 22, 2024
I am a recently departed employee of 10+ years
When the president was hired, I was excited as were many of my colleagues. HCC was in need of change and fresh perspective. Daria seemed smart and charismatic but didn't have a proven track record. We wanted her to succeed and knew there would be growing pains. Red flags started to pop up. Everything seemed to be about bolstering Daria's image and indulging her petty grievances. Within the first year she was hired, she gave an interview where she described her distaste for residents of Howard County and her lack of trust in anyone. I know the community of Howard County is far from perfect but it is a bold move to insult the new community you have joined. About a year and a half into her tenure, I started to see things unraveling and came to the conclusion that the new president was not equipped to be effective as she managed this level of change. When there is a change in leadership and vision, you expect some voluntary and involuntary turnover in staff and faculty. But in April 2023, a number of highly competent and respected staff were told that their contracts would not be renewed and their last day would be 6.30.23. In the week leading up to 6.30.23, 2023, security escorted several staff to one of the exits Daria likes to point out. A small number of those departures were warranted but most can be described in no other way than as retaliation. At the beginning, Daria had a few people who were not on her side but most of us were cheering her on but as she continued to distrust the majority of the staff/faculty, lumping everyone into the category of "you're against me." She didn't even seem trust the people she brought in herself. The two VP's hired in 2022 were gone less than a year after they were hired. In 2024, Joe Whalen was escorted out by security. Or maybe Daria didn't want Joe to leave but he had to go because of the exposure after so many unjustified firings and hiring someone in HR who committed fraud. Speaking of fraud, I'm interested in audit information of HCC's financials. The operating budget is paying for too much travel to Aspen & other conferences for too many administrators. How much did that consultant cost? What actual deliverables have come out of that? How's Howard Hub working? It's laughable that Swim lists all the success they have had with HCC on the Swim website. The only analogy I can think of to help people understand what has happened at HCC is that this must have been what it was like when Elon Musk took over Twitter. Like Elon, Daria is intelligent but not capable because she does not listen, prefers to be surrounded by people who only say "yes," & is overly concerned about her image. The damage to HCC will be a casualty of her ambition but I am sure part of her rebrand will be the spin that "HCC was mean to me." Typical of a bully. Blame your victim. I hope she moves on soon to whatever is the next rung on her shaky ladder. I suspect the Moore administration is smart enough to avoid having her join
Advice to the Administration:
While some of the dissent may come across as petty, the majority of people speaking up have real concerns. The environment at HCC is barely functional and is a perfect example of what toxic culture does to good employees. It should be a case study of what not to do when you need to make positive changes. Of course, 3 board members left! Very few people can handle being part of the disaster she has created. I know some HCC staff and faculty don't think anything is wrong at the top. You are entitled to your opinion but gaslighting is real. Thank you to all of the staff/faculty who have stayed during this storm despite the painful awareness that things are so bad because of the leadership. I hope relief is coming soon. HCC used to get 100+ applications for every vacancy but not anymore. There are more people leaving than being hired. I am glad that the faculty have unionized and that may be one hope for HCC to get out of this mess. As I close this, I want to share another analogy. At my son's soccer game, I was impressed with an official who did a great job of setting the tone and expectations for civility during the game. This official shared that he was 65 years old and told us that we would have a good game with fair competition and respect. He would give respect to these 13-year-old kids because he expected respect in return. Because of the tone he set, this was the best youth sporting event I have ever attended. Competitive play but no intentional fouls or aggression by the kids or the parents watching the game. Give respect, get respect. That is the way to build a culture of collaboration during a situation when emotions can run high. This is my advice to management. I do not believe that the current president will take any advice or take any of the steps needed to bring the college together. She is vindictive and petty. I do not use those words often but I can think of no other way to describe her behavior and I am clearly not alone. She doesn't trust anyone and I can safely say that part of the reason for the dissent is because no one trusts her. Daria - it's not us, it's you. I use your first name because that is how you address the staff that you deem below you. I do not deem you below me but I don't think you deserve a courtesy that you have not earned. Kate never insisted anyone address her Dr. Hetherington but many of us extended her that courtesy because she earned it. Make no mistake, she was not perfect but she had the qualities of an effective leader. Kate did not penalize us for disagreeing with her and we did disagree with her often enough. Many of us hated all that Baldridge nonsense. It seemed useless to me because we were not really using it as a framework for excellence, we were working to get the award. Who knew Daria would take chasing something for optics to a whole new level?

From: County Resident	September 22, 2024
Let's look at some data...
Quoted from the 2019 HCC Baldrige Award page; "HCC has been named a “Great College to Work For” for 11 consecutive years in an extensive workplace survey by ModernThink. HCC is the only community college in Maryland—and one of only two community colleges in the nation—to have achieved this record status. HCC’s overall turnover rate—defined as the number of full-time core workforce employees who leave the college because of resignation, retirement, dismissal, or reorganization—was 8.3% in FY2018, compared to the Bureau of National Affairs annualized national rate of 14%. HCC’s overall turnover rate is also better than its best peer, even when segmented by support, faculty, professional/technical, and administrative staff. HCC demonstrates its core competency of facilitating student success through numerous student support programs, including financial aid, counseling, advisory and tutoring services, 280 flexible format courses, and information technology support services." Can we get a quick update on these stats for the last few years?
Advice to the Administration:
Seeking open discussion, transparency, and truthful data not "sexist or racist lies."

From: Other	September 22, 2024
Sympathies and corroboration from a former EvCC employee
I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus noting the problems with Daria Willis. Everything I've read here mimics the playbook she deployed while at EvCC. Firing all the long term, respected leaders on campus. Creating a culture of fear, where the only way to feel safe was by fawning over her in person and on social media. She even used the same line about never firing someone for disagreeing with her, while each week brought rumors of another person mysteriously disappearing. (Being online during the pandemic, rumors were the only way to get information as she refused to say who was let go, publish an org chart, or even say how many people were let go.) She laid off all admin staff for faculty and Deans, which we still haven't gotten back. It will take years for EvCC to recover from the Willis regime, if they ever do. I'm so glad her vindictiveness and narcissism are being brought to light.
Advice to the Administration:
Daria is a dangerous example of "kiss up, kick down." Please listen to the voices of her subordinates and look behind the glitter and the social media facade. She will destroy your institution too.

From: Employee	September 22, 2024
Why Not?
Still no official announcement from HCC about the Board of Trustees resignations. Why not? What else are you trying to hide? What do you think you will accomplish by trying to keep this under wraps? Hiding it in the Pathways email that you know is not seen by everyone is a clear attempt to keep this information hush-hush. It begs the questions: what else are they trying to keep under wraps? What else is going on that the wider campus community aren't aware of? And what further surprises are they going to spring on us?

From: -fyi	September 21, 2024
Response to: My name is <redacted>
Please do not ask the users of this website to correspond with you via email etc. That would cause their identity to be revealed and place them in a very difficult position. If you need information, ask for it here. If the information you seek is available, maybe someone will post it. This is not a game. People here need to protect their anonymity. -fyi

From: Student	September 21, 2024
My name is <redacted>
I am a student journalist writing on the experiences of those posting to this site. Any and all comments on the controversy surrounding Daria Willis will be deeply appreciated. Please email me at <redacted>@howardcc.edu or <redacted>@ymail.com. The following information would be beneficial if anyone could kindly provide. 1. Personal stories and experiences relating to Daria Willis 2. Daria J Willis' Dissertation, in full. 3. The board of trustee meeting agenda for September 20th (should have been posted on the 13th)
Advice to the Administration:
Answer my emails.

From: Employee	September 21, 2024
3 board members gone: a prediction...
Anybody else think 3 more "besties" are about to join the college?

From: Employee	September 21, 2024
Post Baldrige
The question "now what?" is posed here with respect to what we're doing after the Baldrige award. The answer is a Lego sculpture of the Eiffel Tower. This is the literal replacement of the Baldrige award that was displayed in the President's office. Where that proudly stood representing the accomplishments of the entire college now stands Lego sculpture that Dr Willis made. You couldn't ask for a better metaphor: it's all about her, it's non serious, the accomplishments of the employees don't matter, and whatever we were doing must be replaced.
Advice to the Administration:
Collaborate with your employees and try respecting us instead of intimidating us.

From: Other	September 21, 2024
Before Daria
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
Advice to the Administration:
Now what?

From: Employee	September 21, 2024
Shame on BOT who Quit Yesterday
Shame. You left existing employees hanging. Where is the support? What are the employees left to do? Give up? Ditch their careers? I admire those who have chosen to stick it out.
Advice to the Administration:
Just grow up. That’s all. I vote to have the Provost take over. This isn’t a game. Stop partying and take your job seriously. Easy.

From: Other	September 21, 2024
No HR. No Services
I am a little reluctant to post here, as I am afraid them exposing this site is bait. I have been trying to get answers from HR, and again, another person has quit. Go ahead, and intimidate me as I try to work, but why are so many people quitting? To prove a point? Crazy. They are quitting because of the toxic work environment. Willis, don’t leave. You have potential. But stop being selfish. Tell people what you want? I know it is not a relationship with all, but just a few. Those who make you feel good. People are FINALLY starting to figure out what is going on. I hope it is not too late.
Advice to the Administration:
HCC will not go on like this forever. People are trying to save this place. This place existed long before you. Do something now before it is totally destroyed. Getting donations are great. But worthless if you do not have ground support.

From: County Resident	September 21, 2024
Also a former donor
I stopped my recurring donations to the HCC Educational Foundation when I found out that the executive director had left, and Willis had reorganized the Foundation so it was more directly under her control. Something about that seemed fishy at the time. Looks like maybe I was right.

From: Student	September 20, 2024
College has declined
It has been practically impossible to reach anyone from financial aid or advising. I hear that there have been people jumping ship (reasonably so) from these departments since the new president came in, be it through retiring or accepting a position at another college. There is no one hired to answer the phone and so if any issue arises it is practically impossible to solve. Well over a thousand years of experience has been lost from the college in the form of terminations, quitting, and / or the retirement of faculty of staff due to what has presumably become an unbearable working environment implemented by the administration of the new president. Why? Why destroy? It takes years for a tree to grow and mature until it provides shade for all who seek it. It takes less than a day to cut it down. I am a second-generation immigrant whose parent's are from one of the world's most repressive states. Excluding overt violence, the tactics used to consolidate power carried out by this president/administration bear quite the resemblance to those used by repressive regimes.
Advice to the Administration:
I just want things to function and function well. Things are not functioning now and have not been for years.

From: County Resident	September 20, 2024
Sick-out
College employees need to step up and have a sick-out. You all need to send a message. Pick a date and stay home.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Next Steps:
In today’s Baltimore Banner article, Jarrett Carter criticizes this website, stating, “How can we resolve anything if we don’t hear from a person affiliated with the institution saying this is what we would like to see changed?” This contrasts sharply with an email sent to faculty just two days ago, where the provost directly stated, “Separation and dissension must end now.” Mr. Carter, does that address your concern? The lack of tolerance for dissent is precisely why this website was created. Additionally, the article quotes Daria Willis saying, “I’m not going anywhere.” However, she remained absent last summer when the faculty union tried to present certified documents and was met with locked doors and security. What did she expect us to do? We are just faculty members, after all--not outlaws. While Willis claims she’s not leaving, the article also notes that “Willis could not be reached for comment Friday.” Haha. If nothing else convinces you, the points I've raised should at least illustrate that the administration is, at the very least, dishonest and unwilling to accept any challenges. As we know, the repercussions often take the form of firings.
Advice to the Administration:
Do better, if you can.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Please be honest with us
In the Baltimore Banner article, Jarrett Carter is quoted: "When the union had its certified paperwork, Carter said, a smaller group came to the president’s office but the office was closed." He is guilty of elision here at the minimum. The Human Resources office and the President's office were closed because the union had its certified paperwork. They closed HR - how do people do business with the college? In fact, they called in the security team at the time to be present during this very brief cordial exchange where the newly formed union read their certification and the VP of HR accepted it. Truly a very small event made into way, way more by Dr. Willis. It's a small but important detail and anyone who works at the college knows what Jarret Carter is up to in that sentence. He would be well served to consider how his words come across to employees who know when is being less than fully honest.
Advice to the Administration:
Honestly, every time you all address this mess you just seem to make it worse. Maybe just thicken up your skin a bit and stop talking so much?

From: County Resident	September 20, 2024
Another former donor
I too am a decades-long donor. Two years ago I decided I cannot in good conscience continue to support HCC when I do not believe the administration and trustees are acting as good stewards of the institution. I have also removed HCC as a primary beneficiary in my will.
Advice to the Administration:
Until things change...

From: Other	September 20, 2024
I Am FInished With HCC
I was a faculty member at HCC during the glory days - we had a long successful ride, but those days ended when Dr. Willis took over. I think that everyone has said it all here, and I don't have much to add - other than that I know the good people at HCC (and who have been fired or who resigned) who have had their lives disrupted, their confidence shaken and the joy that they used to find at work stolen from them. Dysfunction is an understatement, and my former colleagues are despondent, dejected and defeated. Yet they continue to do the best that they can for their students. God bless them. I have been a donor for decades and I will not give another penny to HCC until Dr. Willis and her hand picked VPs are gone, and until I am satisfied that the Board of Trustees is going to finally do their job. I know that the funds are for students but if we don't make these changes the students are going to suffer anyway. I encourage others to stop donating too.
Advice to the Administration:
To the Board - do your job and at least talk to the faculty, students and staff about their concerns. Don;t believe the data that the administration is feeding to you, Ask tough questions and take appropriate action. If you don't have the time to be a responsible steward, leave.

From: County Resident	September 20, 2024
Please
This has been so awful to watch. I can not believe that there is so much controversy and strife at an iconic part of Howard County. As a local educator I will steer my students away from HCC. They don’t need this institutional drama. To the HCC faculty and staff that remain true to the mission of HCC- thank you! You all deserve a raise!
Advice to the Administration:
Please, PLEASE pay attention, do not simply dismiss the complaints from trusted faculty and staff. They love this college, they want the best for their students. You can trust them. They’ve been loyal for years!

From: -fyi	September 20, 2024
HCC's issues are no longer hidden
It looks like the news media has gotten wind of the turmoil at HCC: The Baltimore Banner -fyi

From: County Resident	September 20, 2024
The buck stops here
“We have unanimous and continuing confidence in Dr. Willis' success and our shared long-term vision for this college community” - Board This is all you need to know. The board is totally to blame for the falling of HCC. They chose this shakeup and support it. Shame on you guys. My kids will definitely not going to HCC. I will spend my hard earned money for a better college.
Advice to the Administration:
Your pride and mistake is on you. The buck stops with you.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
A story about Willis’s path to her perfect presidency
When HCC’s Board of Trustees hired Daria Willis as the 5th president of Howard Community College, many wondered if she was the right choice to lead our complex institution. Her resume’ had a big red flag. Why were her years of service so short in high-level positions? Was this because she is a millennial? I attended her presidential inauguration. I was sincerely impressed. She appeared to be a very smart, empathic, strong, and determined woman. In May of 2023, in a weekly wisdom podcast, Daria said, “Trust no one when you come in the door. You think that everybody is happy to see you there. They really are not, especially what I call the root guards, folks that have been rooted in the institution for years. I brought in a trusted colleague to help me look at things in a different way." After decimating the human resources department, Daria brought in her colleague Joe as a new VP over HR, moving that department from under the highly respected VP of Administration and finance. With that move, she gained total control to continue her decimation of the “root guards” at HCC. With all her checks and balances removed, and with no regard to college policy or procedure, one by one she and Joe targeted, bullied, belittled, and terrorized HCC’s leadership until they either retired, quit, or were fired. Of course, some were ready, or should have gone, but most were/are competent and respected individuals who worked hard to make HCC a premier community college and a great place to work. These great leaders have been replaced with Daria’s new “senior leadership team” who seem unable to do their jobs or lead their areas. What area isn’t suffering? I understand her team is also subject to her erratic behavior. Why do they continue to support her? High Salaries? Perks? Fear? Yes, Daria is very smart and determined. In that same podcast, she said, "Many of our trustees are older, much more established, and come from backgrounds that people of color don't. When we come into our positions, I think we need to see more trustees that have lived experiences, so that when it comes to the support that new and different presidents require, you have someone on your board that understands what your lived experience is and can help articulate that to the rest of the trustees." With 3 of the 7 current board members leaving the board, this too has come to fruition. Why do the remaining board members support her? The Board has been drinking the Kool-aid! They believe the lies she has been telling them so they can accept that so many outstanding leaders continue to leave HCC. Yes, Daria is very smart and determined. HCC employees hang in there! I know you are emotionally drained and physically sick under the current working conditions at the college. There is a force at work to expose Daria Willis for who she truly is. Yes, Daria Willis is a smart, narcissistic, strong, and determined woman.
Advice to the Administration:
Like those who have been targeted, bullied, and driven out of HCC, pack up your personal belongings and be ready. The hatchet could fall at any time. The tide may be turning for those who continue to support this president.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Watch your backs
Just a word of warning to employees: be careful who you talk to about this site or what’s happening on campus. There are a lot of people at HCC who will tell you they’re frustrated and want Daria Willis gone. But many of those same people talk to senior leadership and report on who says what. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone somewhere has a list of “trouble makers.” One wrong move and you might also be escorted off campus by security. Just watch your backs, that’s all I’m saying.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Trustee issue
I hear one of our trustees, who used to work at a community college in a neighboring county, ruined the HR department there. Made bad decisions before being asked to retire.
Advice to the Administration:
New leadership is needed!

From: County Resident	September 20, 2024
Board Resignations
I would like to believe that the resignations are a positive thing for HCC, but I'm not getting my hopes up yet. These Board members have been there a long time. They were appointed by Gov. Hogan. But who is going to appoint their replacements? Gov. Moore. The President has been flattering and fawning over Gov. Moore since he's been in office. I am worried this just strengthens Dr. Willis' position with the Board and her stranglehold on HCC. Maybe I'm wrong. I really hope I am. Time will tell.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Board Members Step Down IMMEDIATELY?!
What is up with today's announcement that Sean, Chris and Shafeeq have all stepped down immediately from the Board of Trustees? Didn't Sean JUST get appointed Chair on August 22nd? Did they step down because don't want to be affiliated with or liable for any wrongdoings? Or were they forced out because they were no longer supportive of the president?

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Thank you board members!
To Chris, Sean, and Shafeeq, thank you for being brave enough to step down from the HCC Board of Trustees. After working with you, it was hard to understand how you could continue to support Daria Willis. You know many of the professional, hardworking, dedicated employees she has forced to leave HCC. Those are only the tip of the iceberg.
Advice to the Administration:
Buckle your seatbelts.

From: Employee	September 20, 2024
Three all at one time says a lot…
Howard Community College Announces Leadership Transition. The Howard Community College Board of Trustees today announced the departure of three members, Immediate Past Chair Christopher Marasco, Chair Sean Keller, and former Vice Chair M. Shafeeq Ahmed.
Advice to the Administration:
I’m guessing these guys don’t want to be caught up in her mess… Get out while the getting is good….

From: Other	September 20, 2024
Leadership Change? Nice Spin
3 long time pillars of the community depart in short order from the Trustee board. Leadership take note of what you’re doing to this once great institution. The toxic personality and paranoia of the President has now disgusted the people who one supported her.
Advice to the Administration:
Move on Dr Willis…. Or realize that HCC is more than a photo opp for you.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
A Story:
My father was a professor, and I have always aspired to follow in his footsteps. Growing up in a poor area of a big city, my dad and his brother were the first generation to attend college, and during my childhood, he worked tirelessly to earn his degree while supporting our family. To be blunt, we were poor. My mother was a secretary, and my father painted houses. My dad would return home covered in paint-spattered overalls, hastily cleaning up before heading to class. Despite their struggles, my parents shielded me from the weight of our financial situation. Still, I witnessed my mother collecting food stamps and my father enduring harsh treatment from his boss for meager pay. A few years later, after my father graduated and became a professor, our lives were transformed. No longer did we rely on food stamps, I no longer wore my cousin's hand-me-downs, and we could turn the heat up a bit in the winter. But most striking was the change in my father. He was now man who had pride in himself, donning a sports jacket and tie, working in his office filled with books and art. He had respect from students and colleagues alike, exuding pride and purpose as he shared knowledge in his classroom. To me, it seemed like the best job in the world. Years later, after I had been teaching at HCC for a while, I brought him to our campus. He was impressed with the grounds and facilities, my office with its books and art, and the supportive community. He could see the joy in my work as a professor, mirroring his own. I knew he understood perfectly how I felt to have an office of my own, and a classroom where I could share my knowledge with students, just like he had done. I was indescribably proud to share that day with my dad. It was a day I will never forget. My dad passed away a few years ago, and I still miss him terribly. Yet, I find some comfort in knowing he didn’t have to witness the turmoil that has unfolded at HCC in recent years. A climate of fear and mistrust has taken root, fueled by a leadership driven by narcissism and paranoia. Many have been forced to quit or have been unjustly fired, while those who remain endure chronic stress and disappointment. These are facts, plain to see.
Advice to the Administration:
I implore the board of trustees to take their responsibilities seriously and conduct a thorough assessment of the situation at HCC. Contrary to the narrative portraying the majority of faculty and staff as merely disgruntled or, worse, as racists and sexists, the truth is far more straightforward: we are grappling with dysfunctional leadership that disrespects faculty and staff, ultimately putting our students at a great disadvantage. As Sherlock Holmes says in A Study in Scarlet, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment.” I implore the board to seek the truth—visit the campus, engage with the community, and witness firsthand the challenges we face. The future of HCC depends on it.

From: County Resident	September 19, 2024
Sadness.
My spouse is a dedicated employee at this college. During the reign of this administration, my spouse has been so stressed. The lack of enthusiasm is sad. How long can this go on? It will take years to fix this. The HR department is in shambles, advising is poorly run, contracts are screwed up, and the book store is a disaster. The college is going to lose good quality educators. There is not a huge supply of people willing to work for such a poorly run institution. Very sad.
Advice to the Administration:
Meet with faculty. Change your attitude. People just want to work. They want to support their families. There is no need for undue stress. Think about the employees for once. Things can change, before it gets too late.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
Welcome
Dear HCC Board of Trustees, Welcome to the conversation; we are glad you are here. For many of us the conversation started two years ago when Dr. Willis stood on the Smith Theater stage and announced that all her employees should consider one of the many exit doors in the building if they don't like her leadership. Message received: you, after 9 months, are more important than all of us put together. Many people heeded this message, voluntarily or not. The conversation intensified as the heads of Human Resources had staff that put in appropriate notice escorted off campus by security. Leaving many to wonder what they had done wrong, which was nothing. The same HR department then pursued everyone at the college to know if they'd ever mentioned Dr. Willis in their emails, Teams messages, or had said anything negative about her when talking to friends. Make no mistake, Dr. Willis was fully aware of their behavior and while those HR staff members are gone, the damage was done. We understand now that we can't be fully honest when asked. It's actually a shame this site has to exist. It only does because the conversation has been so deeply chilled by her actions. She has said on more than one occasion that no one has ever been fired for disagreeing with her, but this is patently untrue. Many people have and those that remain know better than to offer any disagreement. Even those on her current senior leadership team have admitted the devastation she has caused and the dearth of honest conversation. And now Dr. Stone and Dr. Grays have sent identical messages to their staff. Telling us that dissension will not be tolerated. How do you square that with the board's commitment to free speech? We have literally been told to go forth into the community and sing the praises and that anything to the contrary will be met with some kind of consequence! No, I don't think so. We will continue to work hard for the students because they all deserve the best from us. But we will not be your lackeys and we will not stand down from calling out what isn't right.
Advice to the Administration:
Reach deep, deep into your soul and reboot. Be the bigger person and apologize to your entire college and really listen. Admit to the problems and work hard to rebuild the trust that you have shattered.

From: Other	September 19, 2024
Reflection
Some things to consider if some of the points raised have truths. 1) Board Members, both Current and prior should think wisely about providing any kind of reference to prospective employers. Be that a simple confirmation of an employment contract. You maybe pricing the staff member for export. 2) The Middle States Commission of Higher Education should perform due diligence around the schools rules and regulations and internal procedures. Addressing these issues with an open mind. Protecting the Accreditation of the college should be high priority for the Board of Governors. 3) All eyes are looking at this website, It came to my attention today and looking back through two years of posts indicates two things to me. Issues have been bubbled up for over two years, with # of views tallied at the bottom breaking through 31,000 this afternoon. 4) Bravo to the founders of this website. Students, parents and staff of all impacted by William Vahey and his Wife would have benefited through being able to raise problems anonymously.
Advice to the Administration:
Be brave, stand up and make a difference.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
Never seen it like this
I’ve worked at HCC intermittently for many years. I’ve never seen such an atmosphere of distrust/dismay. Many great people work there, and students will always get a top education there. But a leadership change is necessary. Also: no “golden parachute” to sweep this away. Not like the $2million Foose got to “fail up.” Just a short wave goodbye.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
The Board gets grouchy. The Provost doubles down.
The Board of Trustees says that they “encourage spaces where speakers and listeners can learn from each other, assured that all conversations will be shielded from willful tension or hurtful bias.” They call attention to HCC’s new policy on Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly (Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly Policy - 61.08). Part of that policy says, “Howard Community College maintains an environment in which all individuals...can advodate for their views free of intimidation.... [T]he following activities are prohibited: acts of violence and intimidation; destruction of property; constructing encampments; constructing blockades; disruption of classes; takeover of buildings and/or grounds; interference with, disruption of, or damage to campus communication networks or data networks; any activity that creates a safety hazard; any activity that interferes with college business, operations, programs or services; and/or any activity that interferes with the ability of students, faculty, or staff to engage in the normal educational functions of the college.” So why did the Board make a special statement “denouncing” this site, which doesn’t do any of those things? The morning after the statement from the Board, employees received an email from Shantay Grays, Ed.D, Provost of the College. Her email went further than the Board did. She patronized people who are not satisfied: “For those you encounter or even love who have a negative perception of the college’s future, respect their rights as community members but be of assistance in helping them to understand the layers of how a college operates.” We have been here for years. Some of us for decades. We know that this college used to operate JUST FINE, and now it does not. We do not just need to be shown the error of our ways. Later, Dr. Grays went even further: “The board is clear; separation and dissension must end now.” “Must end now”? Or what? What are we being threatened with? How are the growing number faculty, students and staff who have serious, honest objections to proposed and ongoing changes in HCC administration, operations and instruction supposed to reconcile Dr. Grays’ email with the Board’s own promise that they should be able to “avodate for their views free of intimidation”? The Board of Trustees and the Provost are making veiled threats toward employees who are expressing their growing unhappiness with HCC's current President and administration. So the question is, does our “free speech” policy matter? I am afraid it will not.
Advice to the Administration:
I think we're past this point now.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
Board of Trustees need to do their job - ask questions, tough questions
The President likes to use big words when talking to the outside world HCC Forward Wrap Around Services Embedded Tutoring Equal Access to Textbooks But those whose job is to hold the President accountable do not ask how it is actually going when the President responds with “great”. The BOT and outside world hear the big words, shake their heads in agreement, and assume the big words mean something has actually happened. HCC Forward- Why is HCCForward.com not related to HCC’s webpage? Who is running this page and who is collecting employee information when they fill in the form on that site? What even is HCC Forward anymore? It seems that HCC Forward’s goal is to take money from HCC’s budget and pass it along to Dr. Willis’ friend at the Swim consulting company, where Swim then provides periodic updates that say more work or more alignment is needed. Sounds like a great gig between friends. Wrap Around Services- Has anyone tried to book an advising appointment lately? I hope you can wait several weeks/months and don’t have an urgent advising need. Has anyone tried to contact disability support services? Impossible because they are overworked and understaffed. All the money that supported positions that worked directly with students has gone to pay the outrageously bloated Senior Leadership salaries and now the advising area and student support areas are gutted. Embedded Tutoring- DOES NOT EXIST and what tutoring HCC did have is now in shambles. There are no tutors embedded in our 7-week classes. Stop saying that is a thing when it isn’t there. Stop telling students they will get these services when they register for 7-week classes- it is false advertising. Equal Access to Textbooks- the new program where students are automatically charged money for textbooks is a mess. Students don’t know it exists. It shows up as a fee on their bill, they pay it, then they go and buy the textbook from Amazon because they don’t realize they’ve already paid for a book. Or the students pay for it and look for their textbook only to find out that some students in their class received paper textbooks but they received a digital version but would prefer a paper version but they are not allowed to get it. Or they pay for the access and it doesn’t work with the publisher for their book. Or, the same textbook that cost the students $47 now costs the students $75 because it is a flat fee for the “equal access” program. Who is collecting all the issues around this implementation? No one. Who is advertising this program to students when they register and pay their bills? No one. Who has to clean up the mess? Faculty when their students are lost and confused and have paid for duplicate books or can’t find their book. But kudos to the President for using the word “equal access”.
Advice to the Administration:
The HCC employees on the frontline are dedicated and they’re here to help the students. It is frustrating when frontline work is disrupted by administrators who throw around words and initiatives with no support and think that is all there is to it. Senior Leadership fails to give any consideration to those trying to implement the changes and do not make an investment in the people doing the actual work, nor do they ask for constructive criticism when the ultimate goal of the frontline workers is to improve student success.

From: Other	September 19, 2024
Following HCC Policies and Procedures
I was glad to see in the Board of Trustees post today, a commitment to follow the College’s Policies and Procedures. But doesn’t that require: 1- Shared governance 2- Convening representative search committees for all campus positions 3- Sitting down to negotiate with the faculty union in a timely fashion 4- Actual freedom of speech
Advice to the Administration:
Carefully read the College’s Policies and Procedures and determine the degree of compliance by all segments of the college.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
*Is the Sht About to Hit the Fan?**
Two members of senior leadership felt the need to send out - or more likely, were ordered to send out - campus-wide emails in the last 24 hours trying to do damage control over this website and throwing around the administration’s three favorite red herrings: racism, sexism, and threats of violence. I guess it’s a lot easier to throw insults and baseless accusations toward your critics than to address valid criticisms, isn’t it? Where is the sexism? Where is the racism? I’m a woman of color. Does that mean I can’t level valid criticisms at other women or other people of color? Threats of violence? Where? Tell me what here is a threat of violence. Does the administration realize this is a majority-minority campus? By making these baseless, hurtful accusations you send the message to our students that their voices will be silenced because a member of a minority group can’t say anything critical of another member of a minority group. For a woman who is always crying foul about racism and sexism, it seems to me that Daria Willis is as sexist and as racist as anyone. Never in my career have I experienced such vitriol from a person in her position.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign. Never again seek work in higher education. Admit your faults and move on. Hang your heads in shame.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
Riding coattails
Donations, partnerships, and student success stories--the college community is humbled and grateful for the generous support and resources entrusted by donors, the county, the state, and the amazing results of students' tenacity and hard work. Productive relationships and results like these are not new to HCC. High standards, and commitments to excellence and continuous improvement, guided by respected leaders, overseen by a competent board, resulted in a stellar reputation. I don't see how current leadership can take any credit for this. Where are the leadership qualities? Where is the vision? It's not vision or good leadership to simply copy other institutions' and organizations' playbooks. We are not afraid of change at HCC, we thrive on invention and innovation. Following a manual just doesn't fit here (leadership can barely manage change even 'with' the manual). Faculty and staff want to critically examine problems, identify gaps and issues, design solutions, monitor progress and adapt--the cycle of continuous improvement. But heck, why do the hard work to open your own restaurant when you can franchise a fast food joint? Pathetic. HCC is festering from the inside out, rotten spots are starting to appear on the skin of the apple. New seeds take a long time to grow--the board better plant some soon, for if the fruit rots completely, will we earn the generous support from our community, county, and state? Will students be impacted? Time will tell.
Advice to the Administration:
To the senior leadership team: president, VPs, and AVPs Rumor has it there are two of you who might show promise. For the rest, you are in WAY over your heads, and you know it, evidenced by your aggressive defensive postures when confronted with the slightest criticism, your callous words and vindictive actions. So much immaturity and insecurity on display. But don't worry. The frontline staff will keep their heads down and do their best to help HCC run as smoothly possible while you bask in the limelight and dance in the aisles. To the board of trustees: You have traded HCC's heart and soul for a bag of trinkets. Your low standards and acceptance of mediocrity are maddening--your celebration of it is offensive. Perhaps ask former board members who oversaw the best of HCC for advice. Try to gain some institutional knowledge. Consider aiming higher and doing better.

From: Student	September 19, 2024
Share your experience
I want to hear from people at other institutions where Dr. W. Has held leadership positions. I wonder what they have to say about their experiences.
Advice to the Administration:
Don't get upset with people expressing opinions. Calling people names will not help. Find out what is causing this and get to the root cause instead of being defensive. You are here to serve not to rule.

From: Employee	September 19, 2024
Statement from the Howard Community College Board of Trustees
Dear HCC Community, The Board of Trustees is aware of a website that has published alleged grievances against President Daria Willis. Some content on this site, which brands itself with a version of our official college website URL and directly mentions Howard Community College, contains racist, vitriolic, and regrettable forms of online bullying. We denounce this and any other efforts to defame Dr. Willis, who, with her senior leadership team, successfully carries out the board's vision of supporting students and our surrounding communities. Anonymous comments will not force or skew shared governance. Bias and cowardice in place of thoughtful dialogue only serve to diminish credibility. We make our position on this site clear as a capstone to our recently approved policy on free speech and peaceful assembly, which can be viewed here. We endorse free speech and academic freedom throughout our campus. We encourage spaces where speakers and listeners can learn from each other, assured that all conversations will be shielded from willful tension or hurtful bias. We will not tolerate violations of our policies and procedures. Our campus will be a welcoming place for all students, employees, and guests to discover the best of Howard County through our teaching, learning, and service to others. We have unanimous and continuing confidence in Dr. Willis' success and our shared long-term vision for this college community. We extend our very best wishes to all students and employees for a successful academic year. Signed, The Howard Community College Board of Trustees

From: Student	September 18, 2024
Mistreatment of Music Staff
I studied under a wonderful group of music teachers before I had to switch majors due to the absorbtion of the Music Department into Arts Department. They were having more work forced on them for no extra or even LESS pay. I heard from other students that Daria Willis wanted to eliminate the arts department and make HCC a STEM school exclusively. I heard she's attempting to sabotage the Arts Department and is actively trying to make them look worse by giving the staff more work for less. That's been happening to all of the instructors at HCC to my knowledge.
Advice to the Administration:
Weed out the corrupt staff in administration. Clearly there's more than one person involved in this corruption

From: -fyi	September 18, 2024
The number of HowardCC.FYI visitors is growing rapidly
It appears that more people are discovering this website. This website has been visited by anonymous users from within these organizations: Alabama A&M University (AAU) Barry University (BU-205) Binghamton University (BUSUNY-Z) Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (SBR) California State University, Sacramento (CSUS-1-Z) Carnegie Mellon University (CARNEG-Z) Chesapeake College (CHESAP-Z) Colgate University (COLGAT-2-Z) Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) Columbia University (COLUMB) Delta College (DELTAC) Florida International University (FIU-Z) Gettysburg College (GETTYS-Z) Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Hartnell Community College (HCC-16) Johns Hopkins University (JHU-Z) Kennesaw State University (KSC-8-Z) Kutztown University (KUTZTO-Z) Lamar State College - Orange (LSCO1) Lee College (LEECOL) Library of Congress (LCITS-Z) LinkedIn Corporation (LINKE-1) Lone Star College System District (NHMCC) Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (MANSFI-1-Z) Mercer County Community College (MERCER) Middlesex College (MCC-2-Z) MIssissippi Community College Board (MSBCJC) Morgan State University (MSU-3-Z) National Institutes of Health (NIH-Z) New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT-Z) Oakland Community College (OCC-14) Ohio State University (OSU-2-Z) Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OTC-2-Z) Palomar Community College District (PCCD-1-Z) Piedmont Technical College (PTC-1) Portland Community College (PCC-54) SpaceX Services, Inc. (SS-2296) St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM-1) Syracuse University (SYRACU-4-Z) Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT-3) The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (JHMI-Z) Towson University (TSU-3-Z) Trinity Washington University (TC-5) Ulster County Community College (UCCC-Z) University of Connecticut (UNIVER-73) University of Maine System (UMAN) University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMAB-1-Z) University of Maryland (UNIVER-262-Z) University of Massachusetts (UNIVER-6) University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCAC-Z) University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCAW-Z) University of Pittsburgh (UNIVER-9) University of Scranton (UNIVER-81-Z) University of Southern California (USC-6) University of Texas System (UTS-2-Z) Valencia College (VCC-51) Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIP-Z) Washington State University (WSU-2) Western Michigan University (WMU-5) Yarmouth Hall Pineland HCC's issues need to be taken seriously by those in positions of authority. The current administration's incompetence is being noticed. Spread the word. -fyi

From: Employee	September 17, 2024
Seven Week Scam
I have taught at HCC for more than a decade. Online, face-to-face, shortened summer and winter sessions, every formulation of class. It broke my heart to hear more than one student in my current course say “I had no idea this was only a seven week class. They didn’t give me an option for a “regular” class.“ That is not something that should surprise a student. I fear that the president will show bogus numbers that suggest strong preference for seven week classes when really our students were duped. SO many of HCC’s issues are the result of deceit and obfuscation and the folks who speak honestly and with genuine concern are escorted out with the same disrespect as those who were committing actual questionable practices. Where is the Board? Where is the accreditation oversight? Like many other faculty, I remain for my students but I am embarrassed by this college.
Advice to the Administration:
Advice to MHEC, the media, and Howard County taxpayers. Ask tough questions.

From: Other	September 17, 2024
Federal Law Violations
My son is a student at Howard Community College. I have been trying to contact their advisor in Disability Support Services for six weeks, and no one has responded to my emails or telephone calls. You can't even reach a live person anymore! Calling the phone number on the college website routes you to a voicemail box that is full and cannot accept new calls. This is a direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning the college is in violation of federal law.
Advice to the Administration:
Hire more staff. Have someone whose only job is answering phone calls, voice mails, and emails. This is absolutely ridiculous, and my son is paying the price for this negligence. I'm seriously considering bringing legal action against the college because of this.

From: Employee	September 17, 2024
HCC's Leadership is Disgraceful
Put simply, the administration of the college is abysmal. The president has done everything possible to harm faculty, stack the administration with her cronies, and pad the Board of Trustees with people who will roll over and do whatever she says. There's a reason HCC leadership had to testify before the state Labor Board, because the working conditions here are abysmal. The administration makes mistake after mistake, and rather than owning up to it they blame faculty and staff. There is a reason so much employee turnover has happened in the last three years, and it's name is Daria Willis. HCC went from being, in my opinion, the Harvard of community colleges to a place I would never send a member of my family. Nothing short of a complete change of leadership and a total reversal of college policies will change this, but that is unlikely. Even after most of the administration leaves, which will hopefully be soon, the legacy of their mismanagement and dictatorial practices will linger for years, if not decades.
Advice to the Administration:
Quit. No one in senior leadership has any idea how to do their jobs, or how the jobs of anyone else at this college are supposed to be handled. Daria Willis is on a self-serving power trip, and nothing will get any better until she and her hand-picked team of stooges is gone. I have zero confidence in this administration or the Board of Trustees.

From: Other	September 16, 2024
Stealing in plain sight…
Everything HCC was built on has been taken right from under us. I feel bad for the community, when will THE BOARD stop this, its far past to late…but change has to come soon..
Advice to the Administration:
Advice to the staff, walk out and shut the college down for a week or two, demand change…

From: County Resident	September 16, 2024
Accidental promotion?
Jarrett Carter (a HCC VP) posted a link to this website on his LinkedIn page claiming that everything posted here is racist, sexist and lies. A tremendous up-tick in visits to this website followed. Word is spreading. We can only hope it has a positive effect.

From: Employee	September 15, 2024
Presidential disgrace
Ever since the new president started she wore sheep’s clothing. Soon she hired her “right hand” HR person who with her ruined good people who made HCC great. We are talking about 20 plus year employees who got HCC the recognition and respect it earned. Today, her hatchet man is finally gone because of his shady HR tactics. She knew and orchestrated all his movements, claiming that it was his doings. Spying on our emails and going after coworkers who associated outside of work parties of those she fired. It’s a college not a regime. Shame on the board for allowing her to continue to give excuses that it’s part of change. Sorry you don't tear down your life line for a petty power greed and self indulged presidency. Giving herself an over spent inauguration and 100K raise is ridiculous while providing delusions of a successful leadership. Just followup on her last college and hear from them how she ruined them as well.
Advice to the Administration:
Do the right thing. Open your eyes so many people can’t be wrong. It’s not made up. You board members are just too proud you made a poor choice to lead this college. Effectively I will not return to my position because the rumors I heard are true. And I will be whistleblowing about misappropriating funds.

From: -fyi	September 13, 2024
Word is getting out
In just the last three days this website has had anonymous visits from the following organizations: CCBC Chronicle of Higher Education Clark Art Institute Cleveland State Community Col Harford Community College Houston Community College System Howard Community College Howard County, Maryland Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) Juniata College Kalamazoo Valley Community College Montgomery College Morningside College Onondaga Community College Snohomish County Government Social Security Administration State of Maryland The Howard University University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) University of Washington University System of Maryland Virginia Community College System Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges There is no way to be certain of the reasons for these visits but it is clear that people are becoming aware of the state of affairs at HCC. -fyi

From: Employee	September 10, 2024
No contracts for adjunct faculty
The Fall 2024 semester began on Saturday, August 24. Most classes started on Monday, August 26. Adjunct faculty began working (reporting to uncompensated meetings, preparing our Canvas classes and publishing them by the 22nd) the week before classes began. Adjunct faculty no longer receive contracts from the College. The only record we have of our teaching assignments is an entry in the "stipend history" in our staff portals. There is no description of our duties, only the course(s) we are teaching, the stipend for each course, and our expected pay dates. This semester we have been told (but only through department heads, not from the College officially) that entries reflecting this semester's assignments would appear in our stipend histories by "September 9 or 10," with first pay scheduled for September 27. September 27 is more than a month after we started working. It is now after close of business on September 10. There's nothing in my portal. Will this affect our first pay date? Who knows? The College tells us nothing. For adjunct faculty who rely on their earnings, this is a very serious issue. For all adjunct faculty, this careless approach to our stipends is inexcusable and extremely disrespectful. But it is also typical of how badly HCC functions during Dr. Willis' time here. Everyone who knew how to make the College run has been fired or driven out. Nobody in charge has any institutional memory. In some cases, even the people who replaced the people who knew how to make HCC run properly have resigned or been fired. The whole administration is a dumpster fire, but HR is particularly bad.
Advice to the Administration:
The current administration broke HR, and the current administration needs to fix it. If Dr. Willis is unwilling or unable to do this, she should resign immediately. The Board of Trustees should take note of the failures and chaos all around the College, and start holding Dr. Willis and her team (her always expanding, highly paid team) to account. The Governor appoints Trustees. He should take notice of their really terrible oversight.

From: County Resident	September 10, 2024
A sad state of affairs….
It’s a sad day when a site like this has emerged. We’ve seen dysfunction and conflict at some of our state’s institutions of higher learning, but we never expected to see anything like this at Howard Community College. For most of the 21st century, HCC has been seen as a leading institution in this state and beyond, a place where people love to work, a place where people would stay for decades. That reputation has been tarnished.
Advice to the Administration:
Rather than dismissing the criticisms here as being “racist and sexist”, consider how many people of color and women have been trampled by this new regime. Consider that some of the criticisms might actually be coming from people of color and women. You have lost a lot of their support…well, the ones that are still there, that is. Some of those women and people of color would have gone to bat for Dr. Willis and VP Carter a couple of years ago; now you couldn’t pay some of them to hold a water hose on you if you were on fire. You’ve driven away many great staff and faculty and, in turn, students. Keep pretending this is about racism and sexism. Your former employees are doing great things at Anne Arundel Community College, the Community College of Baltimore County, and beyond. Maryland is a small state, and news travel fast. Bad news travels FASTER. Everyone can’t be telling the same lies on you. Things are getting ugly. The worst part of this is that Dr. Willis is going out of her way to see that no person of color gets the president’s job at HCC in the near future.

From: Other	September 10, 2024
Enough Talk
This site is interesting, maybe therapeutic, but will it do any good for positive change? If so many people feel leadership is this bad, and the working culture and reputation of the college has collapsed, why not hold a confidence vote? How long before these issues start to seriously impact students? If the faculty and staff voted no confidence in leadership, that would surely go public, and there would likely be action. Would anyone at the faculty senate or staff groups dream of putting a confidence vote on the table, and would anybody support it? Seems like whoever did that would likely be fired, which should be illegal, but in the current environment I can see it would be a legitimate concern. There’s a rumor that there’s several pending wrongful termination lawsuits against the college, if that’s true, you could add one more to the pile. Another option might be to learn about the board members, who are ultimately responsible for current college leadership, and consider boycotting their businesses. Or, if a confidence vote happened, and turned out “yes”, then move on and reap what you've sowed.

From: Employee	September 10, 2024
Former employee
Dr. Willis, you are being judged not by the color of your skin, but by the content of your character. It’s not surprising that you read this website and letters sent to the board of trustees, elected officials, etc and blame the writers. Your actions related to the college are often narcissistic and self-serving, so why should this be any different? You made it very clear very early in your tenure that you do not tolerate dissent, and you repeatedly choose a defensive posture in the face of any criticism. When several members of your senior team decided they could no longer work for you, you had them escorted off campus by armed guard rather than letting them complete their generous notice periods to transition knowledge to their teams. You directed staff to cover up violations of campus policy committed by one of your family members. You locked the doors and called security when the new faculty union came to present you with their paperwork. That is the administrative equivalent of a child sticking their fingers in their ears and going “la la la I can’t hear you.” What do you honestly think when you look back on moments like those? Do you truly believe you are doing the right thing? That your actions are always right and justified, and for the good of the college? Is there any part of you that realizes you could have acted differently for a better outcome? No one wants for this website to have to exist--not us, not you. But your actions have a substantial negative impact on college faculty, staff, and students, not to mention donors, community members, and neighboring colleges and universities, and you've literally closed the doors on anyone trying to have a real conversation.
Advice to the Administration:
You lost HCC’s trust a long time ago. If you truly changed your behavior, could you get it back?

From: Employee	September 9, 2024
Former professor
When Dr. Willis started at HCC, I was hopefully optimistic. I could tell right away that she was charismatic, passionate, willing to innovate, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. I was fine with her ruffling some feathers. The college needed a breath of fresh air and she was more than ready to provide that. At that time, the college needed someone to unite behind, as we were generally exhausted by the COVID semesters and other organizational challenges. I was ready to support her and told her so. After living through several months of her leadership, I realized that she lacked three essential qualities: 1. Humility. See the many other posts on this site about narcissism. They are not exaggerating. 2. Administrative ability. She has proven that she cannot implement change or manage the day-to-day operations of the institution. 3. Hiring wisdom. If you don't have #2, you MUST be able to hire a great team that can do it for you....and you must have the humility (see #1) to let them lead. It is not enough to be inspirational. It is not enough to glad-hand politicians and donors. It is not enough to win awards. The unglamorous duties of actually running the college are critical to being an effective leader. Faculty and staff at HCC are somehow managing to protect students from the dysfunction. Up to this point, I believe that students have mostly been insulated from the problems, but I fear it is only a matter of time before students start to suffer.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop and listen to reasonable people expressing real complaints. There is no such thing as doing what's good for students while trampling faculty and staff in the process.

From: Student	September 9, 2024
Everything has felt off since i arrived here
I'm going to keep this brief, but i have been a student at hcc since fall 2022-the exact time that the new leadership came in. My point of view is that of a student that has been here for more than two years, and just about to leave for a university, as most degree-seeking community college students will do. Many of the services at hcc have been outstanding to my academic benefit. I highly appreciate that some services offered to students have been promoted from the new leadership, such as the food pantry, college cohorts and programs. However, i have experienced numerous issues, ESPECIALLY with financial aid and during the new regrouping of academic departments, such as the merging of health sciences and science/engineering. I recall that I was once given TWO scholarships for programs i was in. The year following my first year, those scholarships suddenly disappeared. Where did they go? And I am not the only student that experienced this. Either something happened with the funds where they cannot be used towards the students, or we are losing donors for these scholarships. none of these options are good. We have lost MANY professors that were passionate about teaching students and strived for their success, all because of the drastic changes and the toxic work environment stemming from fall 2022 onwards. This is embarrassing. Also, what just happened to finals week??? Why is that no longer a thing?
Advice to the Administration:
STOP. FOLLOWING. TRENDS. PLEASE. Whatever works for 4 year colleges will be more challenging for a community college to work with, especially because hcc does not just cater to degree seeking students. Stop treating adjunct faculty like they are disposable. These professors mean more to the students than the administration realizes. Whatever is going on with financial aid, fix it so that upcoming students do not go through the stress of watching their scholarships disappear for no real reason. There has been some good, but plenty bad during these past two years. I hope that hcc continues to be looked at as a great community college for years to come, but with the damage that has already happened, it looks like there's going to be a lot of fixing to do.

From: Employee	September 8, 2024
Here for the students
I have been an adjunct at HCC and other local community colleges for many years. While the pay is low, I view the role as a blend of volunteer and paid work, and since I'm retired, I genuinely enjoy working with students and my colleagues. However, despite my enjoyment, I do rely on the income. Recently, HR issues at HCC have caused problems with timely payment. For this fall, adjuncts were required to start on August 20th, but I've just learned that my first paycheck won't come until September 30th. This seems to conflict with Maryland state wage payment laws (see: DLLR Wage Payment Laws). Previously, we received contracts before the semester began, outlining our pay and class assignments. However, since the arrival of the new president and subsequent HR changes, we no longer receive this information in advance. This lack of communication has led to confusion about our pay and teaching assignments. Additionally, I know of another adjunct who had their pay reduced two weeks into the semester in the spring after some students dropped their class, with HCC stating they wouldn't honor the original pay. My concerns are compounded by the fact that the new HR director (that has since left), selected by the president, has a criminal record and had access to our personal information. Despite the dedication of those working directly with students, the high turnover and lack of clarity in HR are creating significant challenges and making it difficult for everyone involved.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop creating chaos and stop and reflect on what the root cause of dissatisfaction is. Review Maryland state labor laws, and insure that the college is not in violation.

From: Employee	September 8, 2024
Really Sad
I told myself I wasn't going to comment. But here I am. Commenting. To be honest - I am really sad. And tired. I honestly had extremely high hopes for the new HCC President. In the beginning, I thought she brought in a fresh new energy. After a while, it began to dawn on me that the new razzle dazzle was just fluff and not much substance. Great - we have millions of dollars for donations for a new building. Buildings don't teach students. Faculty do. Fancy new buildings do not teach students.
Advice to the Administration:
Faculty share the same goals as you all working as Admin. Work with Faculty. Collaborate. Bring back shared governance. We can do beautiful things working together. I want to bring back the magic that once was HCC. Pointing to the exit doors? Counting all the exits and then telling Faculty to leave if they don't like it? Hearing and watching the President of HCC saying those words and making those gestures? That was a dark moment. Those words were incredibly disrespectful and demeaning. And forever etched in my brain. Choose respect and kindness instead.

From: Other	September 7, 2024
Reputation dropping
As someone who works at another community college, I can tell you people are talking negatively about the leadership. Too much administrative overhaul.
Advice to the Administration:
Stop doing the photo shoots and focus on running the college.

From: County Resident	September 7, 2024
Former Student (Actively Interested Party in HCC’s Future)
HCC was one of the most important chapters of my academic career and it truly was a “you can get there from here” environment for me and for many others. My instructors were the absolute best, as were student gov sponsors and participants, honors program sponsors and participants, and our diversity, equity, and inclusion student/faculty committee (one of several) that enabled us to do our best to ensure HCC was doing its best for all of HCC’s student population. I have been worried for some time that the new leadership team is more focused on self promoting flare than actually bettering the school itself. I am not surprised the least bit about the need for this website nor for the contents of these posts or the angle being used to dismiss its contents. True leadership allows avenues for feedback (anonymous surveys for one) and iterative improvement, refrains from self appreciative and promoting actions, and heeds the attrition of staff that made HCC what it was for decades - a forward leaning school that prided itself on its community and diversity well before ‘DEIA’ could be universally touted as a guise for one’s own agenda, as concerning. The need for this site / blog also seem potentially supported by the ease with which one can see how many highly qualified leaders (admin wise and faculty wise) have left since this pivot and then subsequent series of appointments were made. I would think this would alone compel an independent workforce and/or leadership study to assess the true culture and job satisfaction of HCC’s employees - the HCC that I knew would have already launched something like this and would have likely crafted something for students too. As an outside observer I can see what talented folks ‘were’ part of the HCC team that now have gone on to other community colleges and four year schools. This may be coincidence, it may also be telling.
Advice to the Administration:
Focus on actual campus, academics, and the HCC student body and less on buzz to generate self-seeking attention based needs. These posts are worrisome but not surprising. I have monitored posts from HCC for a long time and have always been proud of HCC and my time there, but it became clear immediately following HCC’s leadership change (and the array of appointees made in turn) that the school began to focus less on substance and more on the self appreciative PR flare needs of its leadership. This school gave me a lot, it helped me grow in ways I can’t even express. I graduated as my year’s top grad and received hand written (very kind) support from the former board and former president at the time - may be that some board members are the same, I am not sure. I just hope it’s telling that despite my deep passion and appreciation for HCC that I would think twice before sending my kids there were they college age and that pains me as I absolutely loved my time at HCC.

From: Other	September 7, 2024
This is so dismissive
As posted on LinkedIn.com: "This is a website with anonymous comments leveling racist, sexist lies against our board of trustees and our president." -- Jarrett Carter Sr., VP Howard Community College -- External Affairs \| Fundraising \| Communications \| Crisis Management \| Strategic Planning
Advice to the Administration:
There are real issues at HCC that are rooted in administrative incompetence. Dismissing these issues by accusing everyone of racism, sexism, and lying doesn't make you appear to be anything more than a reactionary. Listen to those who work for you on the college's front-line. This website would not be necessary if those who disagree with the current administration were not risking their jobs by speaking out. It is unfortunate but it is a reality.

From: Employee	September 7, 2024
To community members
I’ve read several of the posts here from community members. I assure you that, in my experience, the staff and faculty at HCC continue their commitment to excellence, to students, and to the community we gratefully and proudly serve; hence, the college still delivers at a high level. The issue is that it’s become harder than ever to maintain that high level of service in the atmosphere of malign values imposed by senior leadership. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t always sunshine and roses at HCC. There have been rough patches and unpopular initiatives in the past. The difference then was that we worked in an environment of trust, professionalism, and civility, where employees could voice constructive concerns, and engage in thoughtful discussions with competent, highly respected leaders who listened, communicated, informed, and sometimes adapted. No more. The oppressive atmosphere cultivated by senior leadership has been too much to bear for some, and sadly, we have lost superstars to resignations or egregious firings. What to do about it? Perhaps if enough people become aware of the real issues, there is hope for effective redress. We can still get there from here, even in our dreams.

From: Other	September 7, 2024
The Community Deserves Some Answers
As a community member I am deeply troubled reading these posts about what is happening at HCC. What is even more troubling is that the only statement that has been made by the leadership has been a cavalier dismissal of ALL of these posts as "lies". There is no way this is all fabricated. There is truth behind these posts. HCC has been the pride of the community for so many years, but I am shook. Unless the leadership actually addresses these claims, I have lost my faith in this once-great institution.
Advice to the Administration:
The community deserves for these serious concerns to be addressed with facts and due diligence, not thoughtless and sweeping dismissal. And please treat the good people who work at HCC with some respect. The deep hurt and disappointment apparent in these posts is heart-breaking.

From: Other	September 7, 2024
This Institution Is in Complete Crisis
I am employed at a neighboring four year school. I have been working for several years to establish partnerships and programs for students preparing to transition from HCC. I have worked with faculty and staff in various departments. I cannot believe what is happening at HCC. My colleagues and contacts are in awe of what seems to be a full blown institutional meltdown. Since the new administration has taken the reins---almost from the first minute---the reputation of HCC has been destroyed. It seems to be the case that it is no longer a functioning college. First of all, the administrative turnover is so high that it is impossible to make partnerships, or communicate between institutions. Their college restructuring and transition to half-semester classes have made working with HCC or even understanding what is going on nearly impossible. Their faculty morale is at rock bottom, with people working in absolute terror of the administration and no recourse. What is described to me is a total dystopian autocracy. They have literally removed academic freedom on campus, and there is no semblance of shared governance. And worst of all, for many, many years this was an institution known for the quality of its programs and care for its students. Now it seems to be transforming into a personality cult with vindictive embarrassingly childish leaders who seem primary interested is self-promotion.
Advice to the Administration:
You can't have a college without faculty! You can't have a high-ranking and reputable college without excellent faculty. You can't have a pleasant learning environment without happy faculty. The board who hired this collection of administrators should wake up to the damage they have caused to the people who work at this institution as well as its students. That board (and Howard County Executives, and the Governor) should understand that HCC's academic reputation has been seriously destroyed in the region, and things are only getting worse. I would start worrying about accreditation and the life of HCC---students will not be immune from the exceptionally low morale of faculty and staff, and low quality of life for the people who actually do the work at HCC.

From: Other	September 7, 2024
Bravo!
"The ad hominem attack of this site (via LinkedIn) from VP Carter only demonstrates how weak the administration really is. Instead of addressing or even considering the criticism that's been offered they consistently attack the motivations as racist and/or sexist. This has been their go-to defense so many times now that's it's basically laughable. Being of a protected class does not insulate one from legitimate critiques."
Advice to the Administration:
Turn off your hyperactive racism and sexism detectors and focus on the content of the critiques presented here.

From: County Resident	September 6, 2024
Seems simple to me...
HCC has a president bringing a lot of attention. I've never heard so many people talking about this place, and in a good way. Its the same campus that it has always been, family oriented and dedicated to helping students. But its also doing a lot more and we should be proud of that. I hate to see that some people think so much bad is happening when I have seen so much good has happened in just a few years. I know people who work here and they love it but they would not write about it on a site like this. I imagine the campus has a lot of people who really enjoy the change that is taking place. I don't know about all of the things people are saying here about offices and firings, but I have worked at many places where new leaders come in and a lot of lifers dont like change taking place, whether its positive or negative. I've lived here a long time and I know Howard County tends to make a big deal out of small things, and many times nothing at all. I am happy for the students and really proud of the president. I hope she continues to make our college standout and stays for a long time. Everybody who doesn't like it, I'm sure you can find a great paying job at another college but its not worth attacking someone who is really helping HCC.
Advice to the Administration:
Go Dr. Willis!

From: Employee	September 6, 2024
Fact: HCC president chose to highlight the site
Prez posted in rage and then deleted post. Shortly followed by the now widely seen Carter post. Why highlight this site? Makes no sense to me. Let’s talk facts: 1. Aug 2023 HCC funded and promoted the creation of the SJEC social justice equity center. December 2023 the entire staff of the office vacated. 2. HCC formerly had a robust DEI program both employee committee AND HR initiative. Both of which contributed to Willis hire. The DEI committee was dissolved and no longer exists for reasons unknown (some speculate that the consistent advice to management was not well received). HR was taken over by “someone I trust” per interview by president. See higher ed interview on YouTube. Subsequently nearly the entire HR department has departed and in some cases X times over. Most recent of which was the trusted new HR VP. 3. The historic donations are ironic given the largest of which (2.5 million) was gifted for the engineering program. To the best of my knowledge no faculty exists in said department. All vacated last year for unknown reasons (must be a great place to work). 4. Unprecedented turnover and employee departures since Willis arrival. 5. Formerly anonymous employee surveys are now require employee name. Still the data shows dissatisfaction. Data was covered up and manipulated by data. 6. Why promote this garbage page? For your own self interest and to silence violence critics as racist and sexist.
Advice to the Administration:
Could there be gender and racial bias? Certainly. Could there be some truth to the venting of disgruntled, gaslit, and mistreated employees? Certainly. Truth lies somewhere between these two extremes put forth here. There is a serious problem at HCC on many levels. As TRUE leaders those at the top should take ownership and responsibility.

From: Employee	September 6, 2024
Leadership?
There are many concrete examples of poor leadership from Dr. Willis and her team that have nothing to do with race and sex. Great leaders don't get on stage in front of an entire workforce and casually wonder how many exits there are because if people don't like it they should find one. That's the highest degree of narcissism. (October 2022). Great leaders don't drive out the top leadership of entire departments (Finance, HR (twice!), Social Justice and Equity, DSS, RRVA, Enrollment Services). An HR department of cronies was allowed to run wild and cause unbelievable havoc among employees. Speaking of Finance - there is deep, deep dirt there and a cover-up. Get to the bottom of that and you'll see Dr. Willis just burned people to protect her own poor decisions. Great leaders care about how the college actually operates and not just the sizzle and the social media. Dig beneath many of the initiatives and you'll find a hollow core. Many of these will fail after she leaves. You can talk about the surveys, but the agenda there is clear. Decades of surveys appropriately allowed for anonymous feedback by administrations that weren't so thin skinned. Now they ask for a name and expect real feedback? Dr. Willis states that no one has ever been fired for disagreeing with her, but that's known to not be true. Besides you can only have so many people escorted off campus by police before people get the message that dissent is not allowed. Don't kid yourself - the VAST majority of employees aren't happy. We're home here and not leaving. They want a President who cares about the college and not just her own social media stock. They want a President who doesn't shed the staff who knew how to run the college. We aren't afraid of change - that's bs. They want a president to spend less time on LinkedIn making posts just to get people to tell her how great she is. Sad.
Advice to the Administration:
Less time on instagram. Less time on LinkedIn. More time caring about the college. Less time caring about yourself.

From: Employee	September 6, 2024
Sunlight is the best disinfectant
Now that someone FINALLY spoke up about the clear racial and gender bias that drives this site and the unserious group of haters at HCC, it’s getting active… No matter how hard a small group of people may try, most people working and taking classes at HCC are very happy. Numbers don’t lie - in donations, on surveys, in enrollment figures, in pay increases for all employees, in growing resources to support students and employees, and in hate. All of it is driven by achievement.
Advice to the Administration:
Recognize that people who are intimidated by a college growing its national profile aren’t in this for people. They aren’t in this for students to have an easier time paying for college, taking classes, making connections and living their dreams. They aren’t in this for employees to make a difference or to be part of a wonderful new era of diversity in leadership. What’s most important is for style and symbolism they don’t like to be silenced, regardless of the outcomes it produces. Seems like there are three choices for the angry; suffer in silence, see if you can actually support a successful administration, or leave and find happiness elsewhere.

From: Other	September 6, 2024
Look at the Presidents Past
The same issues at HCC happened at Everett where they were before. She took over an ATD leader college with a fantastic accreditation 7 year review and destroyed community partnerships, morale, and ran out experienced leaders. (These leaders included leaders of color who were seen as "rivals" to her power.) For all the talk of diversity, she let the relationship with the local tribe whose land the college sits on erode, and broke community partnerships to served unhoused adult students and English Language Learners. HR was a crony department that was openly hostile to the unions. Covid was tough on ALL colleges. Decisions had to be made that were difficult and challenging. But her previous college in her wake is still recovering from the destruction she left behind.
Advice to the Administration:
You hired a leader who has political ambitions and a personal agenda. This sometimes is part and parcel with transformational leadership. But it has drawbacks, she will leave the college when another opportunity comes around that is better.

From: Other	September 6, 2024
So easy to hide.
How comforting it must be to cast unfounded accusations against volunteers doing what’s right for the institution and the community…. And a President that recognizes the future of HCC depends on real change. Although it’s not surprising giving the entitlement attitude of most of the posts. If you’re fussing and complaining here YOU are part of the problem Karen. If you don’t like the future of the college, then move on and be happy somewhere else, although it’s highly probable you won’t be happy anywhere. SMH.
Advice to the Administration:
Increased enrollment, historic donations to the foundation, unprecedented partnerships with national organizations, much needed work force development. Keep on keeping on Administration. The people fussing on this forum are self centered, myopic, and uninformed.

From: Employee	September 6, 2024
Address the actual criticism
The ad hominem attack of this site (via LinkedIn) from VP Carter only demonstrates how weak the administration really is. Instead of addressing or even considering the criticism that's been offered they consistently attack the motivations as racist and/or sexist. This has been their go-to defense so many times now that's it's basically laughable. Being of a protected class does not insulate one from legitimate critiques. Is it racist or sexist to note that the entire office of social justice up and quit in the last year and it has never been mentioned? What happened? The concern was raised at the data summit in January about employee retention and it was never addressed. Is it racist or sexist to look at the upheaval since 2022 in leadership and the impact that's had? Is it racist or sexist to wonder why there was no advance notice of the branding change to staff so they could prepare? Or maybe that's just typical of how poorly run the college is right now? Is it racist to ask why the administration actually locked their doors and called in armed guards when the faculty attempted to present their union certification?
Advice to the Administration:
Stop trying to quash all conversation by pretending every criticism is based on race or sex. Try reading and really listening to it.

From: Other	September 4, 2024
Very Shameful
Use to be a great College to work for, now the place has fallen. I appears Dr. Willis cares more about politics and positioning her self for a run in a political office in the near future than fostering a great work environment. The way she chases the county executive and the governor is very telling on what she would like her next move to be. I have no problem with ambition but you can’t burn the house down in the process. Howard County has always been a place for the home grown and they took care of each other. You can tell she is an outsider. I have seen people relocate from other states only to leave the college in less that a year of getting there. The Board of Trustees should be ashamed of themselves for sitting back and allowing this to happen.
Advice to the Administration:
My advice is to the Board who hired The President, you all are responsible for the debacle that has taken place and need to re-evaluate your decisions accordingly….

From: Employee	August 30, 2024
This is fun
Your skills and work ethic take a backseat to race, sexual preference, and gender at Howard Community College. Good luck getting promoted to leadership if you aren't in a marginalized group. It's not diversity of experience that matters here. Just the small minded, surface level, superficial group identity stuff. What a disgusting perversion of the open minded tolerance we teach our children. Honestly, HCC is a toxic hell hole that I would highly advise all potential employees avoid. If you do take a job at HCC, you will wake up daily regretting your decision to join a terribly managed institution where your voice is never heard, leadership requires your buy-in or you are on the chopping block, and where disfunction is the name of the game! Some days I feel like this whole thing is a joke…like the board did an experiment to see what would happen if you put in the most obviously toxic, fake, corrupt, narcissistic person in a position of power over others to see how bad it could get. Well, I can tell you it gets BAD.
Advice to the Administration:
As others have said, get over yourself. Leadership at HCC is literally the worst. The board needs to be held accountable for hiring Willis and for ignoring the type of corruption and turmoil they seem to be blind to. The board is still actively committed to Willis, which is mind blowing, but at the end of the day they are driving this crazy train.

From: Employee	August 25, 2024
Consultants
At convocation, the president, evoking the gravitas of tattoos and sparkling pants, was proud that the college's new logo was designed in house, and not by an outside vendor who doesn't know our institution. I guess that philosophy does not apply to Swim consultants and ATD who we look to for academics, Campus Works who we turned to for IT, and to the senior leadership team, who are all new to the college with zero institutional knowledge, some simply appointed with no national search.
Advice to the Administration:
Trust the good people at HCC who had parts in making it the great institution it once was... those that are still around that is.

From: Employee	August 23, 2024
Bare minimum (in all senses of the word)
Watching convocation online. Dr Willis is in great shape but showing a lot of skin and bra straps. I don't want to see or imagine the underwear of the people at the top running the college. Gross.
Advice to the Administration:
Put some clothes on so people take you seriously (both within the college and in the community). We get it, you're young and daring. I get that we're supposed to be thrilled that you're young and daring. But I'm not interested in seeing your underwear. Read the room. That portion of your audience (check out the audience pans) are not sitting there with their underwear on display.

From: Employee	August 21, 2024
Another Year Begins
Another semester begins with confusion, unanswered questions, and inconsistent information among the three massive divisions. Yet another reorg proposed and on hold, little equity among divisions (vacant position is not being filled in the largest division and admin wants a FT faculty member to take over a major portion of the work in place of teaching ONE class-- one fifth of a full load). Faculty and staff are working hard to plug the holes in admin's "plans" so students can focus on their academics, but are exhausted. Questions asked aren't answered and even the Deans seem to have little influence when expressing concerns and inequities to VPs. Seven week classes are starting this fall and we STILL haven't been told by what metrics we'll use to assess whether the initiative is successful (we've been asking for nearly 2 years). Why? Because admin is going to choose the metrics after data are collected and present whatever metric(s) will make this initiative look good; they need the data first and will select accordingly. It will not be an honest assessment. And though they may ask faculty and students for feedback, they'll never show it all. WE NEED students and parents to make their voices heard!! This administration only listens to their pursestrings.
Advice to the Administration:
Sigh. Seriously? Grow up and do your job for others not yourselves. If you can't stop acting solely for self-promotion, just leave sooner rather than later so we have a chance to be what we once were. You are a joke to the faculty and staff who do the front-facing work at HCC. You know nothing about "our" students despite your lip service and show-womanship.

From: Employee	August 21, 2024
The Hub
Some knowledgeable people are still there (for now.) Delusional upper management does not inspire confidence.
Advice to the Administration:
Talk to the people doing the student facing work before pushing your “forward thinking” vanity projects through. Having all of student services in one building is a nice convenience. Having them all in one room is a DMV-like hellscape that nobody asked for. The noise is deafening, and a likely OSHA violation. The waiting room is a fire and infectious disease hazard. Private student information can be overheard by other students and employees from different departments. Of course, this is all rolled out the week before fall classes started. Upper management is hiding from the disgruntled crowd and conveniently chose not to include a customer experience survey even though students are logging in with their phones. Middle management has been directed to push positive thinking and downplay concerns as complaints. The gaslighting is embarrassingly obvious. The Hub makes life worse for EVERYONE involved. They had the nerve to send a film crew over. It’ll be interesting to see how that footage can possibly be edited to make it look like anything but a clown fire.

From: Employee	July 7, 2024
Still Bad Despite Damage Control Efforts
The culture at HCC continues to be toxic due to the 'leadership' of president Willis. There is full-scale damage control going on in an effort to salvage the college's badly damaged reputation. Faculty and staff aren't stupid, though, and see right through it. It is such a shame that HCC's Board of Trustees has allowed the institution to deteriorate for so long due to terrible and immature leadership. Employees continue to leave because they are treated so poorly, and the other higher ed institutions in the area are hiring former HCC employees and benefiting from their knowledge and experience. HCC has lost the respect of the community and other institutions because people have heard the horror stories about what it's like to work at HCC under Dr. Willis and other incompetent leaders.
Advice to the Administration:
Please, please remove president Willis from the institution so that we can begin trying to repair the damage she has done.

From: Employee	June 8, 2024
Shameful Leadership
While our dear leader is showing off her new clothes on Twitter and playing with Legos on LinkedIn, the needs of the faculty and students are being ignored. Questioning the edicts from the "Leadership Team" will get you fired and escorted off campus. Full-time faculty issues are ignored. Adjunct faculty are perceived as dispensable and paid so little that they often have to work at multiple jobs just to be able to put food on the table. Yet, favorites of Dr. Willis are hired at obscene salaries for the purpose of saying "yes" to every whim of our leader. While much attention is given to African American students, Students who are Latino, Asian, LGBTQ, and other minorities are ignored. Most of all, the relationship between HCC and the Howard County residents has been severely damaged. Treating faculty with condescension and catering to only one group of students is shameful.
Advice to the Administration:
Most of the leadership team and the queen need to resign. The Board of Trustees needs to look past the glitter, the fake smiles, the new shoes, and the obscene spending of financial resources on people who have no idea what serving students really means.

From: Other	June 7, 2024
HCC should not divorce itself from Columbia's vision
As was already stated, HCC has always been more than just a community college. It was a place for the community to gather for theater and the arts, but no longer. The current administration has failed to understand that by bringing the community into the college campus they create connections with retirees who are going to enjoy the campus and what it offers and recommend it to their children's children. And connections with working adults who will be more likely to take courses that enhance their careers. By excluding everyone except for those seeking degrees they have isolated the college and reduced it's value to the community at large. Many people in Columbia looked forward to attending theatrical events, art exhibits and other cultural offerings. But all of that has been destroyed by the current narrow minded administration. It feels like HCC has divorced itself from the town of Columbia that created it.
Advice to the Administration:
Re-establish the theater and art offerings that drew the community into HCC and be humble enough to accept that HCC has always been part of a community vision that served the college much better than the current ill-conceived and narrow vision that the current administration is pushing.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
Failure to acknowledge a changing world
The administration's stubborn refusal to make the most of online classes and their refusal to accept anything less than than the old paradigm of 'asses in seats' is leading to financial losses for the college. Like it or not, online classes are a necessary and well liked part of today's educational system.
Advice to the Administration:
Embrace the fact that many community college students have heavy work loads and family commitments outside of their college life and provide a way for these students to gain the education they seek rather than stifling them and driving them to other educational institutions.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
What happened to the days when HCC actually led other community colleges?
The college seems to be determined to continue with this slow slide into mediocrity, following other colleges' leads rather than leading.
Advice to the Administration:
James Rouse's vision for Columbia is slowly being forgotten and with it the vision for HCC. The administration needs to think of the college as a part of Columbia and not as an insulated, generic community college like all the others.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
So many have been 'disappeared'
So many resignations and an air of resignation in what is now a culture of fear. So many long-term employees suddenly "disappeared" without warning. Very disheartening to hear -- yet again -- that a colleague you worked with for decades was just terminated and hustled out of the building.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
Dr. Willis has missed the entire point!
The current administration doesn't seem to realize it's a COMMUNITY college. Decrying older community members taking classes without earning credits as if that's the only charter for the school is short sighted and insulting.
Advice to the Administration:
Return to the founding principles that established Howard Community College as a central and integrated part of the vision for Columbia. HCC was always more than just a community college. It was a cultural center to be enjoyed by the entire community of Columbia not just degree seekers.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
There is no more shared governance
Opportunities to lead by serving as Chair or Dean have been restricted to lackeys approved from on high, and deans have no power to advocate for faculty.
Advice to the Administration:
Elevate those who are experienced to Chair and Dean positions.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
maleficence embodied
Dr. Willis denied Professor Emeritus status to a highly respected and admired colleague who'd served 40+ years at the college before she retired, simply out of spite. Dr. Willis does not know this former professor and should not have the ability to steal a well deserved honor this way. I can only hope that this happens to Dr. Willis at the end of her career.
Advice to the Administration:
The granting of Emeritus status should be decided by the nominee's life-long colleagues.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
Too much emphasis on personal 'brand' building
New president seems more concerned with attending conferences and building her brand -- for some other future that does not include Howard Community College.
Advice to the Administration:
Install a new president that is concerned more with the success of the college, not her personal success.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
All PhDs are equal, but some PhDs are more equal than others
Everyone is required to address senior leadership with PhDs as "Dr." but faculty with PhDs are referred to by their first names by senior leadership. We were also informed at a meeting to think of senior leadership as the "white collar workers" while faculty should see themselves as the "blue collar workers." No respect.
Advice to the Administration:
Leadership needs to get over themselves. Seriously.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
Blatant conflict of interest
Dr. Willis has installed her self-described "bestie" to run the HR department and installed herself as the college's EEO rep. This compromises both the HR department and EEO's ability to function fairly. How is this even ethical?
Advice to the Administration:
Dr. Willis should not be the EEO rep and the HR department head should not be beholden to the president.

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
Bloated VP roster
HCC now has eight VPs making $250k apiece, but since the exit of the last VP of Academic Affairs (before even a year had passed at HCC), they never replaced anyone in that position, and faculty no longer have representation at the executive level. Management's solution is to fire the adjuncts to adjust to the shortfall of $$
Advice to the Administration:
Reduce the middle management that serves only to insulate the president from the realities of the colleges overall health

From: Employee	June 5, 2024
non-anonymous surveys are dangerous to employees
Employees are required to complete surveys online about their opinions of management at the college, but they can't be anonymous
Advice to the Administration:
we need truly anonymous surveys if the administration wants honest feedback

From: Employee	May 2, 2024
The administration is running this school into the ground
It seems clear that the administration is running this school into the ground, for reasons unknown, and the Board of Trustees is just standing by and watching it happen. The college president and the vice presidents have done everything possible to alienate, anger, disenfranchise, and otherwise upset the faculty. They've launched "improvements" that make no sense, given faculty little if any time to adjust to changes, and when we raise concerns we're told we're "complaining" or "standing in the way of progress." Rather than take any criticism or accept any responsibility, the administration - in particular Daria Willis - passes the buck, and when people voice legitimate complaints their either fired or forced to resign in order to be replaced with Willis' cronies. This used to be a great college, and it can be again, but something has to happen at the top or the ship will go down with all of us in it.
Advice to the Administration:
Quit your jobs, get out of education, and hide your faces in shame.

From: Employee	April 25, 2024
Awful Place to Work
The problem ultimately stems from the top. The president never once addressed me by my correct name after meeting me several times. Was very difficult getting any time to even introduce myself to her in the first place, and that absenteeism was present all down the chain of command. So many good people have left under questionable circumstances, and then are replaced by folks who simple cannot perform. If even half of the stories being told about this place are true, folks should stay far away. Perhaps the worst is that strong internal candidates are not promoted in favor of external know-nothings whose failures cost the college both money and reputation. Employees don't feel that management has their backs anymore, and anyone talented has left or is counting the days until retirement.
Advice to the Administration:
The board needs to look at a report of turnover in the past few years and soberly assess whether the college is moving in the right direction.

From: Employee	April 15, 2024
Incompetent
The people running this college are incompetent. They do not know what they are doing. Not sure how long this place can last. Is sad.
Advice to the Administration:
Take leadership classes. Have respect for employees.

From: Employee	March 23, 2024
A Great Place to Work If...
It is a great place to work if you can keep your head down and have a stomach for toxicity. The students are great. Academic leadership is great. Most students are eager to grow and be a part of a safe community where they can learn and be guided. The academic leadership Provost and team are very dedicated and have great ideas on the academic growth of the school. Honestly it’s really just the President and her cronies who make it an uncomfortable environment. It is difficult to speak truth to power in a way that is helpful and puts the mission of the school first. It’s clear that the President is all about what she wants and the BOT is in her pocket. She has no people skills and leadership does not come natural to her. It’s truly is her way or the highway, she and HR take the term “at will” literally and have been known to ambush people and have campus police escort them out without giving them a reason or justification for their termination. They sit in cabinet meetings and don’t discuss strategy but rather talk about the people who work there and who they don’t like. It’s all very juvenile and if you come there with real experience and ideas as a leader you will feel like your talents are being wasted. Leaving was a gift from God!
Advice to the Administration:
No advice for leadership they won’t take it🙃. Advice for county and state leadership… get a new president and new BOT asap. You can find a pool of talented and experienced leaders in the industry to build buildings but it takes leadership skills, love for mission and experience to lead an institution. I’m sorry to say but current President is just not qualified and truly is bringing the reputation of the school down into an abyss of continuously low completion rates, disgruntled staff and frustrated faculty. Her immaturity professionally and personally is single-handedly causing the school to crumble. Well not single-handedly she gets lots of help from HR, Legal and Comms. It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors so you can’t do it without those departments. They’re either advising her poorly or not speaking up.

From: Employee	March 22, 2024
And the gaslighting continues...
Knowlegeable people are being driven away as if they have no value. I don't know what the plan is, but it looks like doom and destruction. No wonder we need information on bullying from our EAP!
Advice to the Administration:
Start being the spiritual person you pretended to be at "your coronation". You don't have to like us. Just respect us, and give us a chance to support the organization for which we once cared.

From: Employee	March 20, 2024
Sinking Ship
Was a great place to work years ago but the new President Willis, came in like a wrecking ball!!!!!
Advice to the Administration:
She is above all else she is the queen as she puts it

From: Employee	February 24, 2024
help. please.
Oh my. endless issues, starting at the top. there's no direction, eight zillion initiatives that constantly change, gaslighting, requests for feedback that are clearly only requested so admin can say they asked. this place is the so dysfunctional it's funny. wish i didn't care. anyone below vp level is treated like trash by the higher ups. college paid to take 22 admin people to a single conference and then a pic with alcohol in it was posted on social media. huh? did prez go to disney with her kid on a work day? where is the board of trustees and oversight of this admin? the good ones among our "leaders"? we know who you are. someone stand up for what is right...
Advice to the Administration:
quit. resign. take a class in humanity. maybe rebrand yourself and not a 50 year old established and once respected HoCo institution

From: Employee	February 6, 2024
Low morale
Lack of concern for the support staff. The new President doesn't care for the little people. It's a poisonous environment, I work there for over 20 year and was not able to grow due to politics. There are various departments that do as they please and the President is fully aware.. Long time employees are dropping like flies. It's very disappointing because I thought she would make a difference.
Advice to the Administration:
Get rid of those bad apples that are still creating a bad environment for the ones that are still there.

From: Employee	January 25, 2024
Saddened
Concerned about huge exodus of experienced faculty and staff. It feels like the well earned reputation of the college is vanishing right before us. The leadership is so out of touch with reality. Very egocentric. And self-promoting.
Advice to the Administration:
Board of Trustees needs to recognize that they do not work for Dr Willis. They are to provide oversight and guidance.

From: Employee	January 24, 2024
Beware
The senior administration is horrible. Hard working dedicated employees have been fired, forced out or left on their own because of the toxic environment the senior administration created. The president is a total narcissist. Childish and vengeful. The Board of Trustees has ignored what’s going on. Why is the big question?
Advice to the Administration:
Remove the president and all her sycophants.

From: Employee	January 23, 2024
Good college, toxic leadership
Toxic work environment, poor leadership, and terrible president (Daria Willis)

From: Employee	December 28, 2023
One giant mess
What once was an award-winning institution that fostered altruism, thoughtful collaboration, and intellectual freedom is now a sinking ship. Since the arrival of the new president, the condition of the institution and the morale have deteriorated significantly. There has been a ‘mass exodus’ of employees who have either been forced out or outright fired for simply disagreeing with the president or not tolerating or adhering to her unethical policies and practices. The president has cultivated an environment of fear and distrust, where it is unsafe to express opinions that don’t align with hers or any type of dissent. She is narcissistic, vindictive, and immature. All the while, she and her inner circle smile and act like everything is copacetic. It’s all a façade. I could go on with many examples of how the college has deteriorated, but I don’t think there is enough space to do so. I encourage you to read all the other reviews that express the same sentiment… The board of trustees have been wildly complicit through all of this chaos. They have dismissed and gaslit anyone who have expressed urgency and distress regarding the condition of the college and the president’s behavior. They are so enchanted by her that it has blinded them to the reality of what is happening. They have refused to acknowledge, or, at the very least, investigate the claims that have been brought to their attention. They have forgotten that in addition to the importance of supporting the president, they also have an obligation to hold the president accountable when it comes to the condition of the institution and the well-being of its employees and students. This has not happened. It is evident that there is a political agenda and that HCC’s “image” is more of a priority than addressing what is really happening and intervening. It’s shameful and deplorable.

From: Employee	December 25, 2023
Racist "Prez" and Posse, abysmal new management
Paranoid (as hell) New president who is - news flash - profoundly racist and PROFOUNDLY bad at management, leadership, wise decisions, and long term planning.
Advice to the Administration:
Continue doing what you're doing. That is- crashing and burning. Sending an accredited institution into the ground at record speed. Yahoo.

From: Employee	December 21, 2023
It is shocking how quickly this once great institution has fallen
The new administration is destroying the longstanding virtuous reputation HCC represented since the beginning. Employees are being fired and humiliated based on false accusations. The environment is terrible, toxic, and a shame. The environment is toxic and has become racist. Employee morale is lowest I have ever seen it in my 20+ years of working at HCC. It is shocking what the day to day is now like. It literally feels like a dictatorship regime.

From: Employee	December 21, 2023
Toxic Work Environment Where Big Brother is Watching
The president is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and has tried to make so many changes all at once that no one could ever keep up. Campus cameras are monitored regularly as are emails because we are not trusted. Anyone who disagrees is suddenly led out by security. Toxic!
Advice to the Administration:
The Board of Trustees should really be more attentive to what is happening inside our institution.

From: Employee	December 13, 2023
Not Recommended
Freedom of speech is severely limited.
Advice to the Administration:
Management should study the successes of past HCC leadership. HCCs former reputation of greatness has faltered for the first time in its history.

From: Employee	November 13, 2023
The new president has dismantled and destroyed this once wonderful institution
The college’s president is over her head and a very bad leader. The culture is one of mistrust, lack of communication, intimidation, and fear. No vision for how to execute strategic goals or what it takes to implement changes. Leadership excuses all negative feedback by saying that employees can’t handle changes—this is not true.

From: Employee	October 9, 2023
New President ruined everything
How much time do you have? The politics of the new administration, including wild agenda regarding racist hiring, has driven this once nationally ranked community college into the ground. Disagreeing with managing means immediate firing! Many have been escorted out by security, retirement benefits withheld, pay withheld, little to no notice to find a new job, and the list goes on. The BoT and Governor of the state are aligned with the new President and her self-appointed team, so there is little to no hope of change coming soon.
Advice to the Administration:
Resign. All upper management should resign and find a new career field. Stay away from higher education.

From: Employee	September 21, 2023
Dysfunction abounds
A culture of fear and confusion has permeated the institution. One hand does not know what the other is doing. Turnover is very high and morale very low.

From: Employee	September 11, 2023
Dear Prez Willis: Week 3 of Semester. Would you work without a contract?
New cabal of middle upper management brought in by "Prez" Willis. Her henchman HR "guru" Whalen has made HR an anti-employee hostile experience. An entire class of Adjunct Faculty do not have contracts for their work. We are in Week 3 of the semester. Only excuses from HR, still no solution. Enough is enough.
Advice to the Administration:
Social media is just an outward image. Without the actual institutional substance and leadership a college cannot function. Approaching 2 years and counting down until the next round.

From: Employee	August 17, 2023
Unqualified Leadership
When your Leader PhD in an Eductional background, comes in with little People and Business leadership skills, one of two things can happen. The first is that they surround themself with really good, capable people, who are not afraid to voice an opinion, and whom you place trust in to get the job done. Or, you can take the "I'm in charge and the Smartest Person in the Room" approach, surround yourself with "Yes" people who won't tell you what you need to hear, and become paranoid, delusional and artifically inflate your status and importance. Sadly, as most of the reviews can attest, she chose the latter. We knew we were in trouble in the first month she insisted on personally interviewing every new hire candidate throughout the organization, no matter the level of the role. No other decision exemplifies the intent to micromanage than that.
Advice to the Administration:
There is still time to right the ship, but it will be hard because it will take a personal change at the top that admits what her strengths and weaknesses are, and a willingness to demonstrate vulnerability by admitting faults and committing to open, honest communications and a willingness to hear and really listen to feedback, even if the message is unwelcome. We'll see if that kind of introspection is possible.

From: Employee	July 20, 2023
Run.
The people who are still there, that have been there a while, care immensely about the institution and student success. I have no idea how the college is still functioning under current leadership. The people mentioned above that have been there for a while and care deeply are leaving or being forced out by the terrible and unethical HR team that was brought in by the current president. Faculty and staff are being bullied and it is creating a culture of fear and intimidation that is making the institution a downward spiral with no end in sight. Imagine going to work everyday being afraid that your job will be taken from under you at any moment for no logical reason and also hearing that someone new has been escorted off campus again, for no logical reason. That is what working at HCC is like. Do yourself a favor and stay very far away. You deserve better.
Advice to the Administration:
Care more about the people doing the work, the people who have dedicated their heart and soul to the success of the students that walk through those doors. They are the people that keep the institution running and they don’t deserve the way they are being treated and the students don’t deserve the ripple effect that is occurring due to poor management. The fact that the board of trustees is not turning heads over the mass exodus that is occurring is astounding and speaks volumes to the immediate future of the institution. For HCC to get better, there are a few key players that either need to leave or open their eyes to what they are doing to what used to be an amazing institution that I now would recommend to no one.

From: Employee	July 13, 2023
Changes for the worse
The culture has changed for the worse, and the direction the organization is headed is not good. Upper management has turned over multiple times in the past couple of years. The sense of stability is gone. Huge unnecessary changes and reorganizations have mostly not made any sense and caused morale to tank. The new leadership has not been employee focused which is hurting the institution as a whole.
Advice to the Administration:
Start trusting your workforce, be honest and be humble. Provide employees with a stable environment that puts them at the forefront. The institution is what it is because of the faculty and staff. Create a place where employees can thrive and the college will thrive with them.

From: Employee	July 1, 2023
This place has become a nightmare
Under new president Daria Willis, HCC has become a nightmare where employees are bullied, trust is nonexistent, and the "leaders" are so unbelievably immature and narcissistic they can't even see the harm they are causing the institution. President Willis doesn't allow anyone to question her, even if they are sincerely trying to provide necessary information for a better outcome. She seems to blame all dissent or alternate ideas on her steadfast opinion that "people just don't want to change" but she doesn't want to actually consider that she may not have all the answers, as she so clearly believes she does. Why has the board of trustees allowed this to continue? With every additional hire (or appointment) by this leadership, more long-term damage is being done. There is a reason people have been fleeing HCC in droves.
Advice to the Administration:
Grow up. Move on.

From: Employee	May 16, 2023
I am in great pain
The joy of working here has been completely absorbed by the autocratic reign of one Daria Willis
Advice to the Administration:
show ANY form of appreciation for your staff before they all peace out

From: Employee	July 9, 2022
Where are the Board of Trustees?
The college is in a death spiral. Change is welcome but there is no rhyme or reason to current changes; no metrics to measure results and no recognition from the President of the skills and potential contributions of talented college staff/faculty. While employees are leaving in droves, the president is posing on Twitter. Embarrassing for an “award winning” college.
Advice to the Administration:
Where is the Board of Trustees and are they asking the tough questions?