President

Dr. Stephen M. Curtis was named the fifth president of Community College of Philadelphia in August, 1999. An experienced college administrator and a former professor of music, Dr. Curtis previously served in the State University of New York as President of Hudson Valley Community College from 1996-1998; and in The City University as Acting President of Queens College from 1994-1995, Acting President of Borough of Manhattan Community College from 1992-1994, and as Dean of Academic Affairs at that same institution from 1988-1992.

Dr. Curtis has been an innovative facilitator of academic programs, including model programs offered in collaboration with city agencies and local unions. In addition, he has worked with college staff to implement a broad range of professional development initiatives and to expand collaborations with the public schools. As an academic dean, he brought to fruition new academic programs in science, allied health, business and the humanities.

At Community College of Philadelphia, Dr. Curtis has fostered the College's development as a leader in workforce and economic development, as the critical link between Philadelphia's public and parochial schools and baccalaureate programs in the region's other colleges and universities, as a committed proponent of educational technology, and as a proactive educational institution "ahead of the curve."

After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont with an A.B. in music and from Washington University in St. Louis with an M.M., Dr. Curtis began his career in higher education in 1969 as a professor of music at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. He completed his Ph.D. in music at Washington University, and in 1977 became chair of the music department at St. Louis Community College. Later he held the position of St. Louis Coordinator of the Mellon Liberal Arts Project, a nationwide project dedicated to revitalizing the liberal arts in urban community colleges. Prior to going to The City University, he also served as Associate Dean of Humanities at the St. Louis campus.

Dr. Curtis has published articles which reflect his expertise and his interest in higher education issues, and he has edited a number of choral works as well. His publications focus on such topics as Renaissance music and choral conducting, as well as educational issues like freshman retention, faculty and staff development, and interdisciplinary courses. He has served as panelist and presenter for national higher education organizations, sharing his experience and knowledge in acquiring grants for innovative projects and in facilitating education partnerships with businesses, government agencies and trade unions.

Within the Philadelphia community, Dr. Curtis serves on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition Board, the Free Library of Philadelphia Board, the Life Science Career Alliance Board, and the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board. He also currently serves on the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Economic and Workforce Development as well as the Licensure Committee.