James LaCalle, 63, was appointed president of Harford Community College in May 2005 after more than 35 years at the school, working mostly in the continuing education and training division. He earned a bachelor?s degree in physical education from Springfield College in Massachusetts, a master?s degree in guidance and counseling from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in higher education administration from American University in Washington.
Q Are community colleges ? particularly Harford ? becoming more viable in the scope of higher education?
A The days of the junior college ? where you went because you couldn?t get in anywhere else or because it was cheaper ? are long gone. We are a very strong college, with a well-credentialed faculty ? many of whom have doctorates and have been published. It?s a first-class faculty. And our classes our relatively small. Harford is a great place to go for your first two years ? as good or better than any of the four-year schools around. Sometimes when something is cheaper, you think it must not be as good as something that?s expensive. What I?ve been reminding people is that the $2,500 that students pay (annually) is only one-third of the cost. The other two-thirds come from the county and state. So the student really is getting a $7,500 education, which is comparable to a Towson or a Salisbury. This is a quality institution, and I don?t think people should come here because they can?t get in anywhere else. I think they should come here because we are the best deal in town.
Q Do you see more high school students coming straight to Harford, rather than the traditional population of adults?
A Traditionally, we have been a good mix of younger students coming out of high school and older adults returning to school or coming to school for the first time. The percentage of full-time students has been increasing slightly each year. Full-time students are now about 42 percent of our student body. It used to be in the high 30s. I think our market campaign ? “Consider Harford first” ? has worked. Many students are not prepared to go away to a four-year school. I cannot tell you how many parents have said to me, “I sent my child away to college and wasted $20,000.” They weren?t ready to be away from home. They weren?t ready to be serious about school, and they came back. They went to Harford for a year or two, got a great education and continued on to another school. They were very well-prepared by the education they received at Harford. I hear that over and over.
Q You?ve recently said a Towson University classroom building may be added to the HCC campus. How will that benefit students?
A More of my students go to Towson University than any other school when they transfer out. More than 1,500 students who are enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs at Towson have Harford County ZIP codes. What I?ve proposed to [Towson University President Robert Caret] is this: I have a 100 acres of undeveloped land for which we need a new master plan. I?d like to see the first building be a classroom building that says Towson University. That way, I can say to students: Consider Harford first and take your first two years here. Then transfer to Towson. But now you don?t have to leave Harford County; now you don?t have to commute to Towson. If you are not ready to leave home, you can stay here but still go to Towson. We?ve had so much positive [feedback] that I really think it can be successful.
Q How do you see Harford Community College changing as a result of the base realignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground?
A We anticipate more enrollment in credit and noncredit classes, and we will have to offer some new associate degree and certificate programs based on the needs of companies coming to Harford County as a result of BRAC [Base Closure and Realignment]. We also anticipate growth in noncredit customized training.
Q This September will mark the school?s 50th anniversary. Where will Harford be at 100?
A It?sreally hard to imagine. Maybe not that many more buildings because of online instruction. A student body that will continue to be varied like it is now. Maybe dormitories ? I wouldn?t purpose that right now, but who knows?
FAST FACTS
» Founded: 1957
» Campus: 332 acres near Bel Air
» Student population: More than 22,000 Harford County residents take credit and noncredit classes each year
» Student-faculty ratio: 18-1
» Tuition: $77 a credit for Harford County residents
Source: Harford Community College Web site
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
» Kim Waters, contemporary jazz saxophonist, composer and producer. (Waters will be awarded an honorary A.A. degree at HCC?s commencement ceremony this year.)
» Dr. Robert Templin Jr., president, Northern Virginia Community College.
» James Harkins, former Harford County Executive and current director for Maryland Environmental Service.
» Awilda Marquez, former Assistant Secretary and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.
» Joseph Cassilly, Esq., State’s Attorney for Harford County.
» Judge William O. Carr, Harford County Administrative Judge, Harford County Circuit Court, 3rd Judicial Circuit.
» Bonnie Fry, 2005 Senior Women’s Golf Championship winner, Maryland State Golf Association.
