The longtime president of the Community College of Baltimore County has announced her retirement after more than two decades leading the two-year college.

Sandra Kurtinitis, who has served as college president since 2005, announced Thursday afternoon that she will step down, effective July 21, 2027. Beginning Aug. 1, 2027, she will embark on a one-year sabbatical before retiring on July 31, 2028.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve this extraordinary institution and community,” Kurtinitis said in a statement. “I remain fully committed to leading CCBC over the coming year and ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership.”

The community college was founded in 1957, and more than 50,000 students enroll annually at the main campuses, extension centers and online, according to the institution.

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Over her two decades of leadership, Kurtinitis led the college through a “period of significant growth and transformation,” according to a news release. She saw the college through a merger of what were once three distinct community colleges into one institution and established its Honors College.

The community college’s board will launch a national search to identify the school’s next president, Board Chair Richard Scheper said in a statement.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Kurtinitis for her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on CCBC,” Scheper said.

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