Dr. Kevin J. Manning

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Dr. Kevin J. Manning

President

Stevenson University 

In his 14 years as president of Stevenson University, the state’s third-largest independent university, Dr. Kevin J. Manning has earned a reputation as a visionary leader.

Manning took over what was then Villa Julie College in 2000 when the college, just north of Baltimore, was in a tenuous position.

Since then, he has transformed the university into a national leader in career education and Division III athletics.

Today, Stevenson University an award-winning — and the nation’s only — career architecture program, spans three campuses and enrolls more than 3,000 students annually.

In 2016, Manning said, the university will start recruiting nationally for its career architecture program, which relies on theory, practice and mentoring to help Stevenson faculty assist students with career planning.

The career architecture program is designed to help students with lifelong career management — not just their first jobs after college.

“We’ll assist you with developing your resume over four years,” he said.

The university also has been a leader in online education, offering courses to people nationwide. Stevenson recently launched its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in forensic studies, which drew enrollment of 750 people nationwide.

Manning counts among his greatest accomplishments his ability to take the institution with its great heritage and expand it into one that was stronger and more viable. He said he hopes to see it continue on that trajectory.

Manning also serves on the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland and is active on the boards of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, Owings Mills Corporate Roundtable, the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

As a member of the Maryland Business Roundtable, he also promotes STEM education in K-12 education.

He also works with the Maryland Independent College and University Association, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges and the Independent College Fund of Maryland.