Dr. Dale Nesbary

Dale K. Nesbary, Ph.D., serves as the Interim Executive Director of the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, one of three regional centers within the 12 universities comprising the University System of Maryland. He previously spent 13 years as President of Muskegon Community College, during which the College was twice recognized as Michigan’s best community college—a first in its 96-year history. Earlier, Dr. Nesbary held leadership roles, including Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs and Full Professor of Political Science at Adrian College, as well as Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Oakland University. He has also served in positions with the City of Boston, the Boston Police Department, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency. Dr.Nesbary has led initiatives in accreditation, strategic planning, technology process redesign, and governance transitions.

Dr. Nesbary is a sought-after speaker and the author of three books and over 30 peer-reviewed academic papers. He earned his Ph.D. in Law, Policy, and Society from Northeastern University, his MPA from Western Michigan University, and his BA from Michigan State University. His leadership extends to service on the Center for Community College Student Engagement Board, the American Council of Education Fellows Executive Board, and numerous other national boards.

A talented jazz and orchestral trombonist, Dr. Nesbary has performed as a contract musician throughout his adult life. He resides in Newburg, Maryland, with his wife of 46 years, Connie, and is the proud father of two adult children, Nicole and Matthew.