BCCC Enrollment Drops 20% as New Interim President Takes Over

Calvin Ball, the departing executive of Howard County, has been named the interim president of Baltimore City Community College. The appointment follows the announcement that President Debra McCurdy will step down at the end of the year. Ball previously worked at BCCC before serving as the first African American elected executive of Howard County in 2018.

The college faces a sharp decline in its student population. Enrollment has fallen by nearly 20 percent since 2019, a drop that stands in contrast to a national average growth of 6 percent for community colleges during the same period. BCCC currently enrolls approximately 3,700 students in 30 associate degree programs. Two-thirds of the student body identifies as Black, and 48 percent receive Pell Grants.

Ball’s arrival coincides with findings from a state audit released this summer. The report identified a pattern of mismanagement, including the awarding of approximately $264,000 in financial aid to 145 fictitious students. Staff had flagged these students as potentially fraudulent prior to the disbursement. The college also received $126,901 from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to support enrollment for those non-existent students.

The audit further revealed that BCCC paid for electronic equipment, including surveillance cameras and door access controllers, that was never installed. The unused equipment cost more than half a million dollars and sat idle for three years. Ball stated he plans to work with Governor Wes Moore, Mayor Brandon Scott, and the local community to address these issues.

Faculty members describe a long-term trust issue with the administration. Angelique Cook-Hayes, a longtime faculty member, said the administration rarely interacts with employees. Laura Pope, a faculty union organizer, noted that questions about the college's direction often go unanswered. The faculty union ratified its first contract this summer, securing a nearly 9 percent raise and new protections after 18 months of bargaining.

The college’s struggles were documented in a 2016 outside report commissioned by the Maryland General Assembly. That report found enrollment had fallen by a third between 2006 and 2016, while revenue dropped by about 13 percent. The completion rate for students was 20 percent lower than the state average. BCCC did not implement most of the report’s recommendations, including joining the University System of Maryland or narrowing its academic focus.

Ball, who holds a doctorate in education from Morgan State University, said he views the role as an opportunity to return to higher education. He stated that empowering current and future generations through education remains a priority for him as he begins his tenure.