Dr. Heidi Milia Anderson

Dr. Heidi Milia Anderson

President, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Dr. Heidi Milia Anderson has a daily goal to support University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES) students with their educational journeys.

Named UMES president in 2018, the collaborative service leader focuses on student success especially with regards to educational access and attainability.

A first-generation college student, Anderson is a three-time graduate of Purdue University earning a doctorate degree in pharmacy administration, a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.

Before taking on her current role, Anderson was provost at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, respectively. She also held roles of increasing responsibility at the University of Kentucky, including professor in the department of pharmacy practice and science, assistant dean for educational innovation, associate provost for faculty affairs and vice president/associate provost for institutional effectiveness.

Last year, Anderson was elected chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ board of directors. She also serves on the boards of the national Association of Public Land Grant Universities and the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and the Rural Maryland Council.

What is the biggest challenge facing higher education?

One of the biggest challenges facing higher education is the concerns on whether a college degree is still valuable. When you consider the positive outcomes: more job stability, quality of life, healthier lifestyles, higher levels of job satisfaction, society and environmental outcomes; it leads one to think “how could you ask such a question?”

What is the most encouraging new development in higher education?

The most encouraging new development in higher education is embracing virtual reality and artificial intelligence to bring ‘real-world’ opportunities directly into the classroom for the student experience. Including these types of innovative technologies will help with workforce development, enhance learning and offer a more personalized, self-paced and self-directed learning approach.

What do you do to unwind?

Exercise, including weight lifting, golf and reading.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Higher Education Power List for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.