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Planning Director Hired to Help Establish Frederick Regional Higher Education Center
10/26/2014
Higher Ed Center Planning DirectorPlans for a regional higher education center in Frederick have taken one large step forward with the recent hiring of Sue Houghton as planning director.

The Maryland General Assembly created the Frederick Regional Higher Education Advisory Board in 2013 to assist with and support the development of a regional higher education center, and provided funding to assess unmet educational needs in the community.

In June, MGT of America reported results of the Frederick County Higher Education Needs Assessment to the advisory board and to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The report identified many unmet higher education needs for the region.

As planning director, Sue Houghton is leading the effort to build on the report, elicit community input, develop an initial focus, and help organize the team that is needed to launch the center.

“Now is an exciting time for the community to get more involved and help to develop a shared vision with the strategy and resources to make the center happen,” Houghton said.

Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., and the Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC, have provided initial funding to support hiring the planning director.

“As one of the largest employers in the county, we are very much aware of the needs that this center could help address in our areas of focus—cancer and AIDS research,” said Leidos Biomed President Dave Heimbrook.

“The Frederick center could catalyze and enhance scientific interactions among academia, government labs, and companies in ways that all participants benefit,” said BNBI President Pat Fitch.

If you would like to contribute resources or ideas to helping establish this regional center, please contact Sue Houghton.

Photo caption: Pictured from left: J. Patrick Fitch, president of Battelle National Biodefense Institute, LLC; David Heimbrook, president of Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.; Houghton; and Elizabeth Burmaster, president of Frederick Community College.
 

 

 

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