Hood College Prepares for Inauguration of 12th President Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., on Oct. 18

Ceremony to feature Hood students, faculty, alumni; inaugural address from President Ricker

Oct 14, 2025

By Mason Cavalier

Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., 12th President of Hood College

FREDERICK, Md., — Hood College will celebrate the inauguration of Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., as the College’s 12th president on Sunday, October 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Hodson Outdoor Theater on the College’s campus in Frederick, Md.

The inauguration ceremony will bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and distinguished guests from across the region, as well as representatives from community and industry partners in the Frederick region. The program will include greetings from academic, civic and student leaders, followed by an inaugural address from President Ricker outlining her vision for Hood’s future.

President Ricker’s appointment marks a historic milestone in Hood’s 132-year history, as she becomes the first president to be promoted from within the institution’s leadership ranks. Prior to her presidency, Ricker served as provost and vice president for academic affairs for eight years before being named president on March 17, 2025. Ricker officially began as president on April 1, 2025.

In her first six months, President Ricker has worked to launch and develop Hood’s Bioscience Research and Education Center (BREC), which aims to increase the number of highly-skilled professionals in Maryland via collaboration between Hood and regional industry partners. President Ricker has also appointed leaders in key positions such as Vice President for Enrollment Management Colby McCarthy, BREC Director Rana Khan, Ph.D., and Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences Dean Mark Reinhardt, DNP.

Prior to joining Hood, Ricker spent 20 years at York College, serving in several academic and administrative roles, including associate dean of academic affairs, dean of academic services and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. Reflective of her career as a scientist and academic administrator, Ricker’s research history includes more than 25 publications and presentations on topics ranging from academic advising and curriculum development to in-vitro fertilization rates, sperm motility and embryo development.

This inauguration ceremony is free and open to the public. A reception on the Residential Quadrangle will be held following the ceremony.