Harpe Hired as Interim Director of Admissions

J. Michael Harpe will be joining Frostburg State University as the interim Director of Admissions on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

Harpe comes to FSU from JMH Consulting Group, LLC where he served as President since January of 2019. There, he worked to identify key strategies to ensure education clients fulfilled their educational missions.

He also served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) from July 2016 to December 2018. At the UMES, Harpe oversaw Residence Life and Housing, University Counseling and Psychological Services, Health and Wellness Center, Student Health Center, Student Union, University Engagement and Lifelong Learning, Multicultural Affairs, Accessibility Services, Student Organizations, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Veteran’s Affairs, Student Conduct and Judicial Affairs, Student Government Association, Career Planning and Professional Services, amongst others. He also coordinated New Student Orientation programs and University Commencement exercises.

Prior to UMES, Harpe held positions at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Pritchett Associates and Consulting Firm, Wilmington University, Thomas Jefferson University, Springfield University, Mount St. Mary’s University, Fayetteville State University, Sampson Community College, and Forsyth Technical Community College.

Harpe earned his B.A. in English/Media Journalism and his M.A. in Counselor Education from North Carolina Central University before earning his MBA from Rutgers University. He also earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership/Higher Education from Fayetteville State University.

In 2019, Harpe was accepted into the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

Harpe will join the Enrollment Management division of the Office of the President headed by Arlene Cash, the Vice President of Enrollment Management. He will also work with Maureen Lauder, a Program Management Specialist.

Harpe will serve as the Interim Director of Admissions. The Enrollment Management division has witnessed a fair amount of turnover following the retirement of Wray Blair, former Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management and Patricia Gregory, the former Director of Admissions, both in fall of 2019.

As of print time, no formal announcement of Harpe’s hiring has been made to the campus.