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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There are 298 published comments.
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What people are saying about HCC

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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! https://www.nbcnews.com/tips/ https://help.foxnews.com/hc/en-us/requests/new https://help.cnn.com/us/contactus https://wtop.com/submit-news-tip/
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: Employee	October 12, 2024
Embarrassed to work at HCC
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 different three years made!
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 on peace to heal and recover... if not already to late.

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. https://howardcc.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=78410043 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. https://howardcc.edu/about-us/leadership/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? https://howardcommunitycollege.substack.com/p/howard-community-college-announces-500 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: Employee	October 9, 2024
Circling the Drain
Faculty are keeping this place afloat. 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.

From: County Resident	October 8, 2024
Daria Willis, the gift that keeps on giving
https://www.workingnation.com/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 (https://howardcc.libguides.com/bot) 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 his 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: https://www.howardcc.edu/about-us/news--press/news/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??
https://www.howardcc.edu/about-us/news--press/news/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 (https://www.howardcc.edu/about-us/policies-procedures/chapter-61/6108-free-speech-and-peaceful-assembly-policy/). 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?