Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD has been appointed interim president of Frostburg State University during a difficult time. She will remain at FSU while the University System of Maryland conducts a national search for Frostburg’s 16^th President. And she is ready to take on the challenge.

“I step into the role of interim president at a challenging time for the Frostburg community,” said Smith, former executive vice president and provost at the University of Baltimore. “It mourns the loss of President Ron Nowaczyk, a great leader who cared deeply about the University and the region. It is adjusting to the difficult but necessary decisions regarding organizational restructuring, faculty retrenchment and budget realignment.”

Smith recognizes that while loss and change are hard, the FSU community is resilient and has the capacity for growth. She also gives kudos to FSU’s current leadership. “They did the homework and made the bold decisions to ensure FSU’s financial sustainability and its strong future.”

Smith has vast expertise in business, finance and marketing and is skilled in curriculum development, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and community and regional engagement. She is a graduate of Harvard’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Higher Education, Leadership Maryland and the leadership program of the Greater Baltimore Committee. While at the University of Baltimore, Smith was dean of the Merrick School of Business, before taking the roles of executive vice president and provost.

She is no stranger to the University System of Maryland either having served as the interim associate vice chancellor for academic programs and as special assistant to the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“During Dr. Smith’s time at the System Office, I got to see first-hand the leadership qualities that drove UBalt’s success,” said USM Chancellor Dr. Jay Perman. “I saw someone with the scholarly background, the professional expertise and the enviable reputation in U.S. higher education to build on FSU’s many assets and restore the University to financial health.”

According to Smith, her priority will be to offer comfort to the campus while moving forward with its mission.

“My highest priority at FSU is to ensure stability during this transition in leadership roles. This translates into implementing the strategic plan, maintaining a laser focus on student enrollment growth and student success, ensuring that FSU’s academic programs align with regional needs and fostering collaboration with our alumni and our partners in the region to drive innovation, economic development and business growth.”

And while she makes Frostburg her home, Smith is looking forward to exploring the area with her husband -- enjoying the mountain views, boating on Deep Creek Lake, biking the C&O Canal, visiting the many small towns and engaging with the community.  

Smith feels that FSU’s biggest strength lies with its people. “While there are and will always be challenges in higher education, the recent efforts of FSU demonstrate that it is the work of passionate, caring people who will ensure that the Bobcat nation is strong now and ready for the future.”

Even though the challenges FSU faces are not unique and are often felt more acutely at smaller institutions, Smith is confident in FSU’s ability to thrive.

“While my time as interim president may be short, I offer you my unrelenting support to meet the needs of the FSU community, our students and its neighbors.”

Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD assumed her role as interim President at FSU on March 10. The national search for a permanent leader will begin this summer with the expectation that they will be in place by summer 2026.