Rhonda Phillips

President Rhonda Phillips brings a distinguished career in higher education, economic development, and community planning to St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Before joining St. Mary’s, she held leadership roles at Purdue University, serving as the inaugural Dean of the John Martinson Honors College; in Arizona State University's School of Community Resources and Development, and School of Sustainability; and as the University of Southern Mississippi's Director of Community Planning and Development Program. 

She was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech. She is also a three-time Fulbright recipient and a Fellow of both the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP) and the American Council on Education. She also held the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council for 17 years. She is a passionate advocate for the liberal arts, interdisciplinary learning, and the power of higher education to help students grow, discover their passions, and make a difference in their communities.